How to Get to Mati, Davao Oriental in 2026

Mati is the capital of Davao Oriental, on the south-eastern coast of Mindanao and roughly 160 km by road from Davao City. There are no commercial flights into Mati, so you'll fly to Davao and finish the trip by bus, van or car.

Prices, fares and schedules in this post were checked in October 2026. They change often, especially with fuel surcharges and the seasons, so use them as a guide and confirm with the operator or venue before you travel.

Below: the flight to Davao, the road to Mati, and the short last hop to Dahican Beach.

Fly to Davao, take a taxi or Grab to the Ecoland bus terminal and get on a Bachelor Express bus to Mati. The bus takes about four hours. Vans and private cars are quicker, at around 2.5 to 3 hours.

At a glance

Flight to Davao from Manila: about 2 hours.

Davao to Mati: about 4 hours by bus, 2.5 to 3 hours by van or car.

Bus: ₱392 aircon on Bachelor Express, about every 40 minutes from around 2:30am to 6pm, plus any fuel surcharge.

Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) in Davao City is your gateway. It has frequent flights from Manila and Cebu, plus other Philippine cities and some international routes.

Photo: RoyKabanlit, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Mati does have a small airport, but no commercial flights use it. An expansion was 44% complete at the end of 2025, with turboprop flights targeted for 2027. Until then, plan on Davao.

Buses to Mati leave from the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, which everyone calls Ecoland. A taxi or Grab from the airport takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Photo: Kenneth Rangas, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Bachelor Express is the bus to take. Aircon buses leave Ecoland about every 40 minutes, from around 2:30am until 6pm, and the fare is ₱392. Fuel surcharges in 2026 can push the price at the counter a little higher. The trip takes about four hours with stops.

Buses finish at the Mati bus terminal in the city centre. If you're staying at Dahican, grab a tricycle from there for the 10 to 15 minute ride.

Photo: Monkey D. Luffy ギア2（セカンド）, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Vans are faster than the bus, around 2.5 to 3 hours in good traffic, and private transfers can meet you at the airport. You'll pay more than for a bus seat, so it makes most sense for groups or late arrivals.

If you're driving yourself, allow extra time for traffic leaving Davao and around the Mati city centre at rush hour.

Most visitors stay at Dahican Beach, 10 to 15 minutes by tricycle from the city centre and the bus terminal. Many resorts will pick you up if you ask when you book. Around Mati City, tricycles are how everyone gets about, with habal-habal for the steeper roads.

Going island hopping in Pujada Bay? Boats leave from Pier One in Sitio Batiano, Barangay Tamisan, not from the Dahican side. A tricycle from the city costs about ₱150 to ₱200, and your resort or one of Mati's private boat operators can book the boat.

Leave Davao early

Buses run until about 6pm, but the last ones won't get you to Mati until late evening. Aim to be on board by early afternoon so you arrive before dark, especially if you still need to get out to Dahican.

Weather

Mati gets rain all year, and the wettest months are usually May to July and November. Heavy rain slows the road, so leave some slack in your plans.

Festivals

Buses and rooms fill up around the Pujada Bay Festival in June and the Sambuokan Festival in late October. Book ahead for those weeks.

Day trips further out

For Cape San Agustin, Mount Hamiguitan or Aliwagwag Falls, hire a car or motorbike in Mati. Public transport turns these into very long days. Hamiguitan also needs a permit through PAMO, booked at least 10 days ahead, and it was closed from July to September 2026, so confirm it has reopened before you plan around it.

Manila to Dahican in a day

Morning flight to Davao, taxi to Ecoland, midday bus to Mati, tricycle to Dahican by late afternoon. Allow 8 to 9 hours door to door.

Can you fly to Mati?

Not yet. Mati's airport has no commercial flights, so fly to Davao City and go by road.

How long is the bus from Davao to Mati?

About 4 hours. Vans and private cars take around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Where do buses to Mati leave from in Davao?

The Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, known as Ecoland. Bachelor Express buses leave about every 40 minutes from around 2:30am to 6pm.

How much is the bus from Davao to Mati?

₱392 for an aircon Bachelor Express bus, plus any fuel surcharge.

How do I get from Mati to Dahican Beach?

A 10 to 15 minute tricycle ride from the city centre. Many resorts will pick you up.

Start with the Mati and Davao Oriental travel guide, then see Dahican Beach and Pujada Bay.