Home › Routes › Boracay to El Nido
How to get from Boracay to El Nido
Boracay and El Nido are on different island groups, so the realistic way is to fly. From Caticlan (or Kalibo) near Boracay you usually connect via Manila to El Nido or to Puerto Princesa, which is then about 5–6 h by road from El Nido. Plan a full travel day.
Best option: Flight. There is no practical direct sea route, and flights via Manila are the most reliable way to get between the two.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Boat from Boracay to Caticlan jetty, then a flight from Caticlan or Kalibo to Manila and on to El Nido (Lio airport) | about 6–10 h including the connection | daily connections; El Nido flights are few and small | about PHP 6,000–15,000 in total | Occasional direct Caticlan–El Nido services have operated; check whether one is running. El Nido flights have tight baggage limits. |
| flight Flight via Manila (or Cebu) to Puerto Princesa, then a van or bus to El Nido | about 9–12 h in total | several daily flights to Puerto Princesa; vans roughly hourly | about PHP 4,000–10,000 flights plus about PHP 500–700 van | Cheaper flights, but the road leg takes about 5–6 h. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Caticlan airport is minutes from the Boracay jetty; Kalibo is about 1 h 30–2 h by road, but often has cheaper flights.
- Pay the Boracay environmental and terminal fees at the jetty when leaving; carry cash.
- Leave a long margin between flights; domestic delays in the Philippines are common.
- Check baggage allowances for El Nido flights carefully; they are lower than on larger airlines.
Common questions
Is there a direct flight from Boracay to El Nido?
Direct flights between Caticlan and El Nido have operated at times on small aircraft, but they are not guaranteed year round. Check current schedules. Otherwise connect through Manila, either to El Nido’s own airport or to Puerto Princesa, followed by a 5–6 hour road transfer. Allow a full day either way.
Is there a ferry from Boracay to El Nido?
There is no regular, practical passenger ferry between Boracay and El Nido. They are on different island groups separated by open sea. Some long-distance ferry routes connect other ports in the region, but they are slow and infrequent. For almost everyone, flying via Manila or Cebu is the way to go.
What is the cheapest way from Boracay to El Nido?
Usually a budget flight from Kalibo or Caticlan to Manila, a second budget flight to Puerto Princesa, and then a shared van to El Nido for about PHP 500–700. It is long, about 9–12 hours, but cheaper than flying directly into El Nido. Book flights early, as prices rise in the dry season.
How long does it take to get from Boracay to El Nido?
Plan on 6–10 hours if you fly into El Nido and 9–12 hours via Puerto Princesa. Add the boat from Boracay to Caticlan, about 15 minutes, plus time at both airports. If you can, leave Boracay early in the morning so a delayed connection does not leave you stuck in Manila.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.