Tips to Survive the Journey to Boracay

The trip to Boracay took quite a while.

We were initially skeptical about going because of the many steps involved. Yes, I know it’s much shorter than previously when there wasn’t a flight to Kalibo Airport and you had to fly to Manila instead. But still, 4 different steps to get to one place seemed quite tedious! And worse, we could only go for 8 days!

First, let’s see how long the journey from Singapore to Boracay is:

1. Changi Airport to Kalibo Airport: 3hr 40min flight
2. Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port: 1hr 45min – 2hr bus ride
3. Caticlan Jetty Port to port in Boracay: 10-15min bangka ride
4. Port in Boracay to Station 3: 20min van ride

Including waiting time, we took about 6.5 hours to reach Station 3 (White Beach) in Boracay! Whew!

We booked the transfer through My Boracay Guide for 750 pesos (S$23.44) each. You can book directly at counters outside the airport too. It’s cheaper that way!

Because we managed to survive the 4-hour van ride from Da Nang Airport to Huế, we thought the shorter (but more tedious) transfer to Boracay would be no problem. And it wasn’t! Not much, anyway.

Boracay is too beautiful a place to miss even if the journey is a bit taxing!

Here’s what you can do to make the journey more relaxing and to start your trip in the right mood:

1. Bring a book or a Kindle

We brought our Kindles to read on the plane and bus ride. I’m reading Game of Thrones! (I’m slow, shh.)

Since we took TigerAir, there was nothing much to do on the plane except read their onflight magazine (which you can finish in less than an hour), eat overpriced airplane food, or sleep (if you’re really that tired).

So we read, and talked. And read. And talked. And read somemore.

Or fine, you can bring your ipad jammed with movies and music if that’s more up your alley.

My Boracay Guide gave us a little book full of ads and this VIP card for discounts off mostly hotel stays.

2. Earphones can be lifesavers

Do two things at once by reading and listening to music! Even guys can multitask this way right?

If there’s a wailing baby on your flight or bus, there’s hope now! But I can’t help you if he happens to be yours!

3. Put all your valuables into a small bag

If you’re pulling along a luggage or carrying a massive backpack, put your valuables and things you need for the bus journey into a small bag/pouch. You’ll have to place your luggages and huge backpacks into the luggage compartment underneath the bus. Same goes for both the bangka and van ride!

Our backpacks weren’t very big so we just put them on the floor between our legs.

Take note that you’ll have to tip the porter if he carries your luggage to the bus/bangka for you! 20 – 50 pesos (S$0.63 – S$1.56) should do the trick.

There’s a rest stop about halfway through the bus journey, so you don’t have to worry about food and drinks!

Going back to Kalibo Airport from Boracay was pretty much the route above in reverse, except this time we took a ferry instead of the bangka. We booked the transfer online via Southwest Tours using our iPhone. Fuss-free and they sent a confirmation email quickly! We paid about 600 pesos (S$18.75) inclusive of all the taxes.