Everything you need to know about how to get to Boracay

Located somewhat in the middle of the Philippine archipelago, to the north of Panay Island, Boracay is what you would call a little slice of paradise on earth. With unspoiled white sandy beaches lining the perimeter of the island and azure blue waves gently crashing on the shore, Boracay has become a favorite with travelers over the past few years.

While there is no lack of sun, sand, and sea when you’re in Boracay, this tiny island also offers a wealth of marine life in the surrounding coral reef, in addition to opportunities for several adventure activities.

The charm of Boracay undoubtedly lies in the fact that it is far away from other crowded tourist destinations, making it an ideal location for truly escaping routine life. That also means that this tiny island is not directly accessible from most places, outside and even within the Philippines. But fret not! To make your Boracay island dreams come true, we have compiled this transportation guide to help you find your way there in the easiest possible manner.

Travel from Kalibo to Boracay

Kalibo is located on Panay island, just south of Boracay, making it one of the most accessible places to reach Boracay from. Kalibo not only has an airport, but it is also well connected by bus services, making it an important transportation hub for those traveling to and from Boracay. 

There are two ways to travel from Kalibo to Boracay. You can opt for a direct flight operated by AirTrav which takes only 20 minutes and takes you straight to the dreamy island. While the price may be a little steep at USD 146 per person, you may want to consider this option for not only the convenience of flying but also to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the island and surrounding ocean during transit. 

Alternatively, you can also travel on this route on a bus and ferry combo. While the bus takes you from Kalibo airport to Caticlan Jetty, the ferry connects the Caticlan and Boracay jetties. The entire journey typically should not take more than 3 hours and costs USD 9-18 per person. This is definitely the more economical option and makes for a comfortable journey if you don’t mind hopping from the bus to the ferry.

Travel from Caticlan to Boracay

Located on Panay island, Caticlan is the town closest to Boracay, from where almost all ferries to Boracay start. So whether you are starting your journey from Kalibo, as mentioned above, or from Caticlan itself, you will need to get to the jetty to travel to Boracay. While you do have to end up taking a ferry either way, you can either choose to purchase just a ferry ticket or a bus and ferry combo ticket if you are arriving from Caticlan airport. 

The bus will take you from the airport to the jetty, after which you can take the ferry to Boracay from Caticlan. In some cases, your ticket will also include a minivan ride from Boracay jetty to your hotel, making your journey completely hassle-free. If traveling from Caticlan airport, the entire journey may take up to 1 hour, but the ferry ride itself takes only 20 minutes and costs only USD 4 per person – both economical and quick!

Travel from El Nido to Boracay

If you are not keen on traveling to Boracay from either Kalibo or Caticlan, both of which are on Panay island, your best bet would be El Nido. El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines located roughly 290 Km away from Boracay. Until recently, there was no direct connection between these two islands, and the only route involved first getting to Caticlan or Kalibo and then taking the usual bus or ferry route mentioned above. 

Luckily for us, the travel time and distance from El Nido to Boracay have been cut much shorter by the introduction of a direct flight run by AirSwift. Costing about USD 169 per person, the flight takes only about an hour to reach Boracay and is definitely the most convenient mode of transportation to get here. From El Nido’s adventurous landscape to Boracay’s idyllic beaches in an hour’s time – we may love slow travel but this is something we can definitely get behind!

Boracay may seem a little challenging to reach but maybe that’s what adds to its charm. Having said that, there are plenty of transportation options available these days to help you plan your Philippines itinerary however you wish, without having to give up on your dream of visiting Boracay. Take your pick from one of the options above and get on your way to living that island life you’ve been looking forward to!