Flights to Tacloban (TAC)

Tacloban City is the regional centre of Eastern Visayas and the capital of Leyte province in the Philippines. It sits on the shores of Cancabato Bay, facing the island of Samar across the narrow San Juanico Strait. For many Filipinos in Singapore, flights to Tacloban are a trip home; for others, the city is a gateway to Second World War history, island beaches and a warm, resilient community that has rebuilt with remarkable spirit after the great typhoon.

About Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, Tacloban

Location

Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (TAC) is on a peninsula at the San Jose district, south-east of downtown Tacloban, with the sea on both sides of the runway. It is the main air gateway for Leyte and much of Eastern Visayas, including travellers heading to Samar across the San Juanico Bridge.

Terminals

The airport has one passenger terminal handling domestic flights. Facilities are modest but functional, with check-in counters, a waiting area with snack stalls and a small arrivals hall. Arriving travellers should allow a little time at baggage claim during busy holiday periods.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis, vans and jeepneys run between the airport and downtown Tacloban, and tricycles serve shorter local trips around San Jose. Ride-hailing coverage can be patchy, so many visitors arrange a pick-up with family or their accommodation. Vans also link Tacloban with other towns on Leyte and Samar.

Direct and Connecting Flights to Tacloban

There are no non-stop routes from Singapore to Tacloban, so the usual plan is to fly to Manila or Cebu and connect on a domestic flight. Manila to Tacloban flights are the most common connection, while Cebu may be a handy alternative from the Visayas side, depending on schedules. Booking both legs on one itinerary protects you if the first flight runs late.

When comparing options, check whether your international flight lands at the same Manila terminal as your onward flight, as transfers between terminals take time. Searching for Tacloban City or its code, TAC, brings up the same results.

When to Fly to Tacloban

Tacloban has a tropical climate with rain possible throughout the year. The drier and more settled months are usually from around March to May, which is a good time for beaches and island trips. The typhoon season generally affects Eastern Visayas from mid-year towards the end of the year, so keep an eye on forecasts and consider flexible bookings in those months.

Demand rises sharply around Christmas and New Year, Holy Week and the late-June festivities when the Pintados-Kasadyaan and Sangyaw festivals fill the streets. For Singapore travellers, the June and December school holidays overlap with these peaks. Use the charts on this page to spot better-value dates and set a Price Alert to catch Tacloban flights promo fares.

Popular Places in Tacloban

San Juanico Bridge

Spanning the strait between Leyte and Samar, this long, elegant bridge is the city's best-known landmark. Viewpoints at either end offer lovely scenery across the channel and its small islands.

MacArthur Landing Memorial

In nearby Palo, larger-than-life bronze statues stand in the water at Red Beach, marking the spot where Allied forces landed during the Second World War. The surrounding park makes a peaceful seaside stop.

Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

This grand Marcos-era residence showcases a large collection of art, antiques and dioramas depicting Leyte's history, reflecting the city's political past.

Cancabato Bay Baywalk

The baywalk along Cancabato Bay is a popular spot for evening strolls and street food, especially around sunset when families gather along the seafront.

Kalanggaman Island

Off the western coast of Leyte, this sandbar island is famous for its long, curving white-sand spit and clear water. It is a longer day trip from Tacloban but well worth it in calm weather.

Where to Stay in Tacloban

Downtown Tacloban, around the city centre and the public market, puts you close to restaurants, churches and transport terminals. The Marasbaras and Sagkahan areas are more residential and offer good-value guesthouses. Staying near the airport in San Jose suits early departures, while Palo, just south of the city, is a quieter option close to Red Beach and the MacArthur Landing Memorial.

Food to Try in Tacloban

Binagol

This sweet delicacy from Leyte is made from grated giant taro, coconut milk and sugar, steamed and packed inside half a coconut shell and wrapped in banana leaves.

Moron

A rolled glutinous rice cake swirled with chocolate, moron is wrapped in banana leaf and is a favourite pasalubong, or homecoming gift, from Leyte.

Roscas

These crunchy, anise-scented biscuits from the town of Barugo pair perfectly with coffee or hot chocolate.

Kinilaw

Fresh fish cured in vinegar or citrus with onion, ginger and chilli, kinilaw shows off the region's excellent seafood and is a staple at local gatherings.

Whether you are heading home for the holidays or exploring Eastern Visayas for the first time, compare Singapore to Tacloban flights on Traveloka. Book both legs together, pay with local payment methods and keep your e-tickets in the app, with Easy Reschedule and 24/7 customer service on hand.