How to get from Manila to Boracay (flight/ferry) and what are the transportation options between Boracay and Manila?

You are probably reading this article because you already know that Boracay has no airport at all. So now you ask , what would be the best and fastest way to go anywhere from Manila to Boracay, which is the white sand paradise? Good news:

This Trip I made last month a second time, and I am here to share all that you must know. Boracay is about 400 kilometers south of the capital city Manila and can be reached by air and ferry or by bus and ferry.

From Manila to Boracay by plane / ferry



These statistics are enough to suggest that nearly 90% of visiting Tourists belong to this category. SInce Boracay does not have an airport, the nearest landing is at the neighboring island of Panay. This is a pair of airports on Boracay, withthe closest being the Caticlan Airport (see picture), often referred to as "Boracay Airport" because about all tourists arrive from here on their island trip.

Cebu Pacific is the most popular airline on the Manila - Boracay (Caticlan) route because they usually offer the cheapest fares and operate very modern and relatively new aircraft. If you book in advance, a one-way ticket will cost you less than 1500 pesos; however, most fares hover in the 2000-2500 pesos range. Probably because they know a lot of Koreans will want this trip, giving them the opportunity to increase prices just a little.

Air Asia has 2 flights per day while Cebu Pacific has 5 flights a day. The third option is Philippine Airlines, whose routes all the way to Boracay are operated by the national carrier of the Philippines. Philippine Airlines has 4 flights a day and provides complimentary drinks and meals on board but at a considerably higher fare (roughly 3000 one-way).

The flight time from Manila to Caticlan is 60 minutes.



From Caticlan Airport to Boracay:

As soon as you get off the plane onto Caticlan, you can find yourself a return trip Boracay ticket with Southwest Travel for 600 pesos, which includes a bus ride to the pier (10 minutes), a ferry from Caticlan to Boracay (15 minutes), and finally a taxi from Boracay pier to your hotel (20-25 minutes). They are almost the only game in town, and it just doesn't make sense to walk to the pier for half an hour with your luggage and buy yourself a ferry ticket there for 300 pesos; when you get to Boracay, you will cough up at least another 100 pesos just for a taxi ride to the beach. You'll also need to pay 75 pesos "environmental fee" and 100 pesos "pier fee" on Caticlan pier before heading off.

From Kalibo Airport to Boracay:

In case it is significantly cheaper to fly into Kalibo, it is better to go to Kalibo rather than Caticlan from Manila. Still, Kalibo Airport is about 70 kilometers away from Caticlan pier. The flight from Manila to Kalibo takes 1 hour 10 minutes.

The transfer between Kalibo and Boracay costs a total of PHP700-all items are included-bus, ferry, and taxi. Thus, true, it is a mere PHP100 more than Caticlan, but the bus ride from Kalibo takes an average of 90 minutes, whereas Caticlan takes an average of just 10 minutes.

Bus/Ferry from Manila to Boracay

If a long boat Journey is preferred, begin and end your trip with a ferry ride from Manila to Boracay. A long trip though: 9 to 10 hours from Batangas (Manila) to Caticlan Pier. Book your tickets through 2GoTravel.com with fares starting at 973 pesos for economy class, 1464 pesos for a four-person cabin, and 3762 pesos for a two-person suite.

Important: The ferry does take off from Metro Manila, but from Batangas (99km south of Ninoy Aquino International Airport). The most popular bus on that route is Ceres Transport, leaving Buendia Terminal in Pasay every half hour for 268 pesos one way. And Ceres is approximately 2 hours for that trip. Check the map below for locations.