Going to Boracay by Ferry Boat (RORO) from Manila

Travelling to Boracay by Bus, Van, or Private Cars is now a popular and cheap alternative with the advent of the Nautical Highway, a combination of overland highways and roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels that connects the different islands of the Philippines. Aside from the more affordable cost of transportation, Passengers can also visit many interesting places along the Nautical Highway. Travelers have the option to travel by bus or van from Manila. The whole trip lasts from 10 – 13 hours and costs around PHP 950 to PHP 1,100.

Here’s a guide on how to go to Boracay Island by sea via Ferry Boat or Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) Vessel from Manila:

Transporting to Boracay via the Nautical highway is actually a 4 part journey. The first is a trip to Batangas Port, Batangas Province (2 hours if coming from Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila). The 2-3 hours RORO ferry ride to Calapan, Mindoro. The third leg is another land trip to to Roxas Port, Mindoro. And finally, the last part is the 4-5 hours RORO to Caticlan Port in Malay, Aklan. From Caticlan, Boracay is just a 15-minute ferry-ride away.

Going to Boracay by Bus via RORO

Buses leave Cubao at regular intervals throughout the day. Here’s a list of bus companies plying the Manila to Caticlan route:

• Philtranco
  • bus terminal: Terminal: Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; EDSA, Cubao, Quezon City; and EDSA, Pasay City
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 851-8077 / 851-8078 / 851-8079
  • email: reservation.philtranco@gmail.com
  • website: http://www.philtranco.com.ph/
• Alps
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 911 2186
• Dimple Star
  • bus terminal: Bus Terminal: Ali Mall, Araneta center, Cubao, Quezon City; Alabang, Muntinlupa City
  • phone number: (+63)(2)
• Bachelor Express (Ceres)
  • bus terminal:
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 731-7287

* Philtranco and Bachelor Express have received the best passenger reviews

Going to Boracay by Van via RORO

Traveling to Boracay by van is also a good and cheaper alternative. Aside from being affordable, vans doesn’t have to stop at many sub-destinations along the trip, unlike buses, provides a shorter travel time and more comfortable experience. They have a capacity of 10-14 persons. The vans leave Manila at 9pm daily and will arrive in Caticlan at around 2PM the next day. List of Van OPerator Groups:

• Radasco (offers pick-up to any point in Metro Manila for group bookings)
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 7326891 / 09215245394
• Angel Star
  • contact person: Abner
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 7830886
• Gope
  • contact person:Caesar
  • phone number: (+63)(2) 7326891 / 0921-524-5394

Going to Boracay by Private Car via RORO

If you’re up for the challenge of driving all the way to Caticlan, then better bring a good map and take note of these contact details:

• Montenegro Shipping Lines
  • 2nd Floor Old PPA Admin Building
    Sta. Clara, Batangas City 4200
    Official Website http://montenegrolines.com.ph
    Reservation, Travel & Tours : +63.43.723.6980; +63.43.723.8294
    Caticlan office: +63.36.288.737
• Port of Batangas: +63.43.723.1701
• Port of Calapan (Oriental Mindoro): +63.43.288.6187
• Port of Roxas (Oriental Mindoro): +63.43.289.2813

For exact trip schedules you can contact the bus companies/van operators/shipping lines directly.

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