How to get from Boracay to Manila

Why visit Manila?

Manila is the capital of the Philippines — an old city often disregarded by travellers who use it only as a gateway to the country’s more visually appealing islands. But if you have an extra day in your itinerary, we think Manila’s colourful history is a great way to kick off your trip.

Explore the walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church — all of which were first built in the late 1500s. Art and anthropology also attract many locals to Manila. You will find here the National Museum, a complex of three museum buildings that tell the story of the Filipinos.

There are 3 ways to travel the 440 kilometre (273 miles) distance from Boracay to Manila. You can choose between the flight via Caticlan, ferry and flight via Kalibo. The journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight via Caticlan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight via Caticlan with tickets starting at 2,210 PHP ($37).

When taking a flight from Boracay to Manila, it is best to take one from Caticlan, where the nearest airport is located. This route can be quite expensive though, especially during peak season (summer and Christmas).

A cheap alternative that is available all year round is the flight route via Kalibo, which we also talk about in detail in this post.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

From your hotel, take a tricycle or multicab going to Cagban Port. The ride takes around 15 minutes.

Once at the port, head to the ticketing office to pay for your boat ride and the port fee. Keep your ticket, then follow the signs that will take you to the boarding area. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Caticlan Jetty Port by boat.

From the port, you can hop on a tricycle heading to Caticlan Airport.

Here’s a quick breakdown of costs for this part of the trip:

• Multicab ride from your hotel to Cagban Port: 35 PHP ($0.60)
• Boat ticket: 50 PHP ($0.80)
• Port fee: 150 PHP ($2.50)
• Tricycle ride from Caticlan Port to Caticlan Airport: 50 PHP ($0.80)

Alternative: Private transfer from Boracay to Caticlan Airport with Klook

For a more convenient option, you can book a private transfer with Klook. It includes hotel pickup in Boracay, the ferry ride, and a van transfer straight to Caticlan Airport. Rates start at 1,950 PHP ($32.50) per person for a group of 3 (cheaper if there are more people in your group).

Alternative: Shared transfer from Boracay to Caticlan Airport with BookAway

You can also book a shared direct transfer from your Boracay hotel to Caticlan Airport via BookAway. You can choose from two tour operators:

• Southwest Travel and Tours includes the terminal fee, so there’s nothing extra to pay at the port.
• With Island Star Express, you’ll need to pay the 150 PHP ($2.50) port fee at the terminal.

Check their schedule below.

AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) all operate direct flights from Caticlan Airport to Manila.

Airfares from Boracay to Manila via Caticlan start from 1,800 PHP ($30) but can go as high as 4,900 PHP ($82) during peak season. We recommend booking at least a month in advance for cheaper flights.

Flights arrive at either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 of Manila Airport after 1h 10m.

Tip: Cebu Pacific and AirAsia offer many promotions annually. Keep an eye out for these flight promos so you can book cheap flights for this route!

Flights from Boracay to Manila via Kalibo are often cheaper, but they add at least an hour to your travel time.

For the first leg of this journey, you’ll have to take a tricycle or multicab to Cagban Port. Multicab fares start from 35 PHP ($0.60) per person.

From Cagban Port, take a boat going to Caticlan Port. You’ll have to pay 50 PHP ($0.80) for the boat ride and 150 PHP ($2.50) for the terminal fee.

Once you arrive at Caticlan Jetty Port, you can take either a bus or a van to Kalibo Airport. You can find them right outside the port.

We recommend taking the bus because it is more spacious and comfortable. You can pay the driver directly or reserve a seat in advance through 12Go.Asia for 300 PHP ($5).

A van ride is a bit cheaper at 250 PHP ($4.20), but it can feel cramped if you’re carrying a lot of luggage.

Alternative: Private transfer from Boracay to Kalibo Airport with Klook

If you’re travelling in a large group and want to skip the queues at the port, you can book a private transfer from Boracay to Kalibo Airport via Klook. It’s an all-in-one package that includes land and sea transfers, along with ferry and port fees.

Rates for a private transfer via Klook start from 2,550 PHP ($42.50) per person for a group of 4. It’s on the pricier side, but the more people you’re travelling with (or if you’re booking round trip), the better the value overall.

Alternative: Shared transfer from Boracay to Kalibo Airport with BookAway

We recommend checking out BookAway for shared transfers from Boracay to Kalibo Airport.

• Southwest Travel and Tours offers a door-to-door shared service that already includes the terminal fee, so you won’t need to pay anything extra at the port.
• Island Star Express also provides a door-to-door shared service, but keep in mind the port fee isn’t included. You’ll have to pay 150 PHP ($2.50) separately at the ferry terminal.

Both companies are known for their reliable service and offer multiple departures throughout the day. Just keep in mind that the journey from your hotel in Boracay to Kalibo Airport takes about 3 hours, so be sure to leave plenty of time before your flight.

Check the schedule below for departure times of BookAway transfers.

You can book flights on this route with either AirAsia or Cebu Pacific — both airlines operate regular services between Kalibo and Manila.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) used to operate flights on this route too, but these are currently suspended, and there’s no word yet on when they’ll resume.

Ticket prices from Boracay to Manila via Kalibo start from 1,230 PHP ($20.50), and the journey takes around 1h 05m.

Tip: Cebu Pacific and AirAsia offer many promotions annually. Keep an eye out for these “seat sales” so you can book a cheaper flight for this route!

Want to travel by ferry from Boracay to Manila? It is certainly doable – if you don’t mind travelling for about 12 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes.

Since there are no direct ferry trips from Boracay to Manila, you’ll have to make several transfers — a boat to Caticlan, a ferry to Batangas, and then a bus going to Manila.

From your hotel in Boracay, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Caticlan Port. This includes a 15-minute tricycle or multicab ride going to Cagban Port on the island. And then a 15-minute boat ride going to Caticlan Port.

Combined land and sea fares plus port fees cost around 235 PHP ($3.90) incl. miscellaneous fees.

You have two options when taking the ferry from Caticlan to Batangas: 2Go Travel and Starlite Ferries. Both are reputable ferry operators. Starlite, however, caters more to locals, while 2Go Travel is popular among tourists.

If you want to save some time, Starlite usually gets you there about an hour faster than 2Go. Some travellers have also mentioned that 2Go’s restrooms are not always clean. That might not be a big deal on a short trip, but for an overnight ferry, it is something to think about. If that matters to you, Starlite could be the better option.

Ticket prices for a reclining seat start from 1,740 PHP ($29), but if you want more comfort, it is worth booking at least an economy or tourist bunk.

All ferries depart from Caticlan Jetty Port and dock at Batangas Pier. Travel time takes around 10-11h.

Several bus companies operate routes from Batangas Pier to Metro Manila. The advertised travel time is 2h, but it really takes closer to 3.5 hours because of the traffic in Metro Manila.

Ticket prices start from 375 PHP ($6.30), and you can usually buy one from the driver.

When travelling on weekends or holidays, we recommend booking your tickets online beforehand via BookAway. Buses can get full pretty quickly during peak times, so booking ahead gives you a better chance of getting the time you want.

You will find a lot of buses at Batangas Pier. But if you want to grab a bite or take a short break before your trip, you can also board at Batangas City Grand Terminal. It is about 5 km north of the port.