There is no airport in Marawi. The standard approach is via Cagayan de Oro (CGY) on the north coast of Mindanao — direct flights from Manila and Cebu — then a two-and-a-half-hour drive south via Iligan. Vans and buses from Cagayan de Oro to Iligan run constantly through the day; from Iligan, regular vans cover the final 38 km to Marawi.
The road climbs steadily — Iligan is at sea level, Marawi at 700 m — and the last stretch winds through hills with several police and military checkpoints. Foreign visitors should expect to be politely questioned. Bring your passport.
Land travel directly across central Mindanao is possible but slow and carries higher security risks than the standard Cagayan de Oro route.