Boracay Airport Guide: Flights to Caticlan and Kalibo, Transfer to Hotel

Which Boracay Airport to Fly to: Caticlan or Kalibo?

Photo by Philippine Airlines

The main jump-off point to Boracay is Caticlan Jetty Port, but in order to get there via flight, you have the option of traveling via Caticlan Airport or Kalibo Airport.

Caticlan Airport is the nearest airport to Boracay, located just off the island's southern tip in nearby Caticlan. On the other hand, Kalibo Airport is located in the capital city of Aklan and is the bigger airport between the two gateways as it can accommodate larger aircraft.

When comparing the two, Caticlan Airport offers a more convenient route to Boracay and is significantly closer. In fact, even those flying to Kalibo Airport must still go through Caticlan since it is close to the jetty port, which serves as the departure point for trips to Boracay. However, Caticlan Airport has fewer flights than Kalibo, especially evening flights.

In order to know which Boracay Airport is best for your upcoming flight, you have to consider your allotted time and budget. If you have a flexible budget and you want to have less travel time, fly via Caticlan Airport. You will only have to take a short van or bus ride transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port, then a short boat ride transfer to Boracay Island’s Cagban Jetty Port. Once there, you can ride a tricycle or van Boracay transfer going to your hotel booking in the Philippines.

If you’re looking for promo flights to Boracay and don’t mind traveling for more than 2 hours, fly via Kalibo Airport. You will need to travel via van or bus Boracay transfers for approximately 2 hours from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port, and then ride a boat to Cagban Jetty Port. Once there, you can ride a tricycle or van going to your Boracay accommodation.

• Book Boracay airport to hotel transfers for a hassle-free vacation

If you’re flying from other countries, you will also have to check whether your chosen airline has flights coming to your preferred Boracay Airport. Most domestic flights land on Caticlan Airport, while international flights land on Kalibo Airport. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of available airlines for the airports to Boracay. You can read more about it below.

Which airport is closer to Boracay?

Caticlan Airport and Kalibo Airport are the two main access points to Boracay. When it comes to the airport closer to Boracay, Caticlan Airport is closer, around 6.7km away, and will take at least 30 minutes to get to the island. However, the Boracay airfare is expected to be much higher. Kalibo Airport, on the other hand, is farther from Boracay. It is approximately 76km away, involves a two-hour drive to the port, and at least 30 minutes of boat transfer, but flights are generally less expensive.

Caticlan Airport: Distance from Boracay & Flights

Caticlan Airport (MPH), locally known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport is located in the Malay municipal area in the Philippine province of Aklan. It is one of the two gateways to Boracay Island, one of the best islands in the Philippines. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines classifies the airport as a Class 1 principal domestic airport.

With more than half a million passengers handled in 2021, the airport ranked as the fourth busiest airport in the Philippines and the busiest in the Western Visayas area. Due to modernization efforts, this airport has now been renamed the official Boracay Airport and has an expanded 1800 m long runway. This airport in Boracay can now accept bigger aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 series.

Boracay’s White Beach is only 5.4km away from the airport, which is why it’s highly recommended to fly from Caticlan Airport to Boracay. While plane tickets to Kalibo Airport are often cheaper than those to Caticlan Airport (MPH), keep in mind that Kalibo Airport is farther by van or bus and has a busier airport. The fastest way to get to Boracay Island is to fly via Caticlan Airport.

Currently, there are 5 airlines that fly to Caticlan: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, AirSWIFT, Philippine Airlines, and Cebgo. The Philippine destinations that have direct flights to Caticlan Airport include Manila in Luzon, Cebu in Visayas, Clark in Pampanga Luzon, and El Nido Palawan.

There are 5 airlines that offer direct Manila to Boracay flights AirAsia, AirSWIFT, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines. 

On the other hand, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines all provide Cebu to Boracay flights to Boracay’s Caticlan Airport. 

For Clark to Boracay flights, you can fly directly to Caticlan via AirAsia or Cebu Pacific. 

Meanwhile, AirSWIFT offers nonstop flights from El Nido to Boracay’s Caticlan Airport. This is a seasonal route that runs from October to March. 

Kalibo Airport: Distance from Boracay & Flights

Photo by Kalibo International Airport

Considered the busiest airport in the Western Visayas, Kalibo International Airport (KLO), is another gateway for Boracay Island, which is known for its Philippine geographical features. The airport is situated in the provincial capital of Aklan, Kalibo. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has designated the airport as an international airport.

Kalibo Airport is situated 2km east of the main area of Kalibo and 68km from Caticlan port in Malay. It is 74.6km away from Boracay’s White Beach, so travel time is a lot longer with this route. The airport has a single 2,500 m long runway and can take narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 series.

The airport features a two-level passenger terminal. The check-in desks, security checks, and the pre-departure area are all located on the first floor. The second floor holds the airline offices, as well as different kiosks. Restaurants and pasalubong shops may also be found in the pre-departure area.

Although there are drawbacks of flying from Kalibo to Boracay, such as longer travel time, it is perfect for those traveling on a budget.  For cheap flights to the Philippines, head over to Kalibo Airport from Manila instead of a direct flight to Caticlan Airport. You can also get cheap flights to Manila from Kalibo Airport. There are also more domestic, international, and charter flights that arrive and depart from Kalibo airport.

There are a lot of airlines that fly from and to Kalibo. The top airline carriers include AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, Air Busan, Air Seoul, Jin Air, T’way Air, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, Royal Air Philippines, China Eastern Airlines, and Pan Pacific Airlines. 

Aside from Manila, Kalibo Airport's central location in Southeast Asia makes it an ideal transit hub linking many major Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore, Seoul (Korea), Busan (Korea), and Hong Kong. Charter flights are offered by bigger travel agencies and service Beijing (China), Shanghai (China), Hangzhou (China), Changsha (China), Chengdu (China), Wuxi (China), Wuhan (China), and Taipei (Taiwan).

How to Go to Your Boracay Hotel from Boracay Airport

Photo by Southwest Travel & Tours

Boracay tourism is rising again since it reopened to local and international travelers with complete Philippine travel requirements. If you want to visit the island for your next beach vacation, you should be aware of the steps on how to get to your Boracay accommodation. Here's a brief step-by-step guide to getting to your hotel from any of the two Boracay airports:

Caticlan Airport to Boracay Island Hotel

Once you land at Caticlan Airport, claim your luggage, leave the terminal, and go across the street where you will see a row of motor tricycles. Hire one and ask the driver to drop you off at Caticlan Jetty Port. It will take you approximately 10 minutes to get to the port, depending on land traffic. You can also book Boracay airport to hotel transfers or Boracay packages with flights, transfers, and hotel for a hassle-free vacation.

Once you arrive at the Caticlan Jetty Port, you must queue and pay for terminal and environmental fees outside before entering. This applies to all tourists, both local and foreign. Once inside Caticlan Jetty Port, you must register with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and produce your accredited hotel reservation for approval. You are not authorized to enter unless you have a hotel reservation. There are a lot of accredited hotels in Boracay and Boracay beachfront resorts to choose from, so make sure to do your research beforehand. 

Choose between riding an ordinary pump boat or an Oyster ferry, which will take you to Boracay faster. For guests waiting to board their different boats, the Caticlan Jetty Port includes a nice rest area. When it's time to board your boat, a member of the port's personnel will call your name. Hand over your ticket for verification as you board. Even if you just take a pump boat, you'll get to the Boracay port in around 15-20 minutes.

After landing at the Cagban Jetty port, get your luggage and proceed to the port tricycle terminal so you can be transferred to your Boracay hotel. Simply tell the driver the name of your hotel and the Boracay Station it's in, whether it's part of Boracay Station 1 resorts, Boracay Station 2 Resorts, Boracay Station 3 resorts, and more beachfront resorts in Boracay  You may anticipate being in your hotel in 10-30 minutes, depending on where you're staying and the flow of traffic.

You can also book an airport transfer from Caticlan to Boracay for a more convenient experience. Most packages already include land and sea transportation to both Caticlan Jetty Port and Cagban Jetty Port, as well as a transfer service to your hotel.

Kalibo Airport to Boracay Island Hotel

Unlike Caticlan Airport, getting to your Boracay Island hotel from Kalibo Airport might take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes of total travel time. The most convenient way to go from Kalibo Airport to Boracay is to take a van or bus transfer.

These Boracay airport vans or buses will transport you right to Caticlan Jetty Port from Kalibo Airport. The journey takes around 2 hours, and the vans and buses are normally scheduled to meet the flights, so you won’t have to wait a long time.

Another inexpensive option for getting from Kalibo Airport to Boracay is to take the local bus. You can ride a tricycle from the airport to Kalibo town proper and head over to the Ceres Terminal. Ask the driver to drop you off at Caticlan Jetty Port.

Taking a private van or a private car from Kalibo to Boracay is another way to get to the island. You may pre-arrange this by booking Boracay airport transfers or find booths where several tour operators provide a shuttle service from Kalibo to Boracay when you exit the airport.

When you arrive at Caticlan Jetty Port, you must wait in line and pay terminal and environmental costs. This applies to all tourists, both domestic and international. Once entering the Caticlan Jetty Port, you must register with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and show your approved hotel reservation. Unless you have a hotel reservation, you are not permitted to enter. 

The Caticlan Jetty Port has a rest place for passengers waiting to board their various boats. A member of the port's staff will call your name when it's time to board your boat. As you board, hand over your ticket for verification. Whether you take a pump boat or an Oyster ferry, you'll be there in about 15-20 minutes.

When you arrive at the Cagban Jetty Port, get your luggage, then head to the port tricycle station to catch a ride to your accommodation in Boracay. Depending on where you are staying and the volume of traffic, you can expect to arrive at your hotel in 10-30 minutes. Just give the driver the name of your hotel and the Boracay Station it is part of. Some of the Boracay hotels and resorts you might opt to stay in include Movenpick Boracay, Crimson Boracay,  Shangri-La Boracay, and Discovery Shores Boracay.

• For a hassle-free trip, you can also book Boracay packages with flights and airport transfers

Boracay Airport Travel Tips

Boracay Island is one of the best beaches in the Philippines and one of the best Visayas tourist spots. For a hassle-free experience at Caticlan Airport or Kalibo Airport, especially if it's your first time flying to Boracay, take note of these essential tips: 

What to Wear

Boracay is the ultimate tropical destination, that’s why the dry months from December to May are the best time to visit the Philippines. In order to travel in style without having to compromise comfort, wear something light, like a loose-fit shirt, short pants, summer dresses, and breathable footwear or flat sandals.

However, make sure to bring a packable jacket that you can wear during your flight to Boracay and vice-versa (Boracay to Manila flight or other domestic and international cities). Generally, planes are cold and you won’t experience the humid weather of Boracay until you land there.

When it comes to necessary items to pack, make sure to include COVID-19 health essentials such as face masks, hand sanitizer, travel disinfecting wipes, and a first aid kit that includes water and emergency medicine for motion sickness.

If you’re going on a Philippine island hopping experience in Boracay, pack necessary items such as swimwear, sunglasses, a beach blanket, a sunscreen lotion, a waterproof phone bag, and a dry bag.

What Boracay travel requirements to prepare

Both domestic and foreign visitors may now enjoy the stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters in Boracay. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic threat, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has issued a series of Philippines travel requirements for travelers to follow and take into account before booking flights to Boracay.

Travelers who have been fully vaccinated are excused from providing a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result and should instead produce a vaccination certificate obtained by vaxcert.doh.gov.ph.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated and partly vaccinated travelers must get a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result within 72 hours of departure, so prepare accordingly. As an alternative, unvaccinated guests might show a negative saliva RT-PCR test result. Take note that parents or guardians of children under the age of 11 must complete and submit a Certificate of Undertaking for Traveling with Minors.

All visitors planning to go on a Manila to Boracay flight must also show a valid ID proving their Philippine residency (or a passport for foreigners and OFWs), roundtrip tickets, a confirmed booking with any of the DOT-accredited hotels and resorts in Boracay, and a screenshot of the OHDC confirmation page obtained by registering on touristboracay.com. For more detailed information on Boracay travel requirements, read our Boracay Travel Guide.

Plan Your Boracay Vacation Now

Boracay Island, with its world-class beaches and bright seascapes, is a must-see for any adventurer or beachgoer. The island is one of the most romantic places in the Philippines, making it a popular destination for Philippine honeymoon packages.

It’s also one of the best family-friendly destinations in the Philippines, making it a popular destination for all-inclusive family vacation packages. A solo backpacker? No problem! Boracay Island is also one of the best places for solo travel in the Philippines.

Whether you're playing beach volleyball, snorkeling in crystal blue waters, or simply soaking up the sun in a beach-side hammock, you're sure to capture an Instagram-worthy moment at Boracay Island. If you’re looking to explore this tropical paradise, make sure to book a flight to the Philippines and check out some of the best Boracay tourist spots, Boracay activities, and Boracay vacation packages during your stay.

For a more convenient and hassle-free Boracay vacation, check out our all-inclusive Boracay packages with flights.