Wondering how to get from Boracay to Coron? More and more travelers are including these two gorgeous destinations in their Philippines travel itineraries. It’s easy to see why travelers want to combine Boracay’s beautiful beaches with Coron’s spectacular island-hopping tours.
As we’ve mentioned before, getting around the archipelago can be a bit of a slog and often takes time. Getting from Boracay to Coron is no exception, as the two destinations are in different parts of the Philippines. That’s why we decided to write this guide, which will make the journey a little easier to plan.
Below, we explain how to get from Boracay to Coron by plane (the fastest but most expensive option) or using a combination of public transportation (the slowest but cheapest). If you have any questions, leave us a comment below.
How to get from Boracay to Coron cheaply (but slowly)
Up for a little adventure and a journey through countless towns, each with its schools, basketball courts, and churches? Then make the journey from Boracay to Coron by public transportation. Note that, due to ferry timetables, you’ll most likely need to spend the night along the way, but it’s part of the experience. Below, we break down the cost of each leg. Budget around 2,000 pesos per person for the whole trip plus the cost of an overnight stay.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to plan your journey around the days when boats depart from San José, Mindoro, for Coron. At the time of writing, they depart on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Therefore, you should leave Boracay on Monday or Friday. Confirm the latest schedules directly with the ferry companies, as they can change without notice in the Philippines.
Here’s how to get from Boracay to Coron on a budget, although it’s a long journey. This map will give you an overview of the route:
1. Boat from Boracay to Caticlan
You probably already know how this works, as you most likely arrived on the island this way, but we’ll go over it again. Take a tricycle from your hotel in Boracay to Cagban Port. The fare depends on where your hotel is located, but a shared tricycle from Station 2 on White Beach usually costs about 30 pesos per person. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes.
Ignore anyone who approaches you to sell something and buy your bangka ticket to Caticlan at the ticket window. These boats run frequently around the clock. The daytime fare is 50 pesos. You’ll also need to pay 200 pesos in port fees. The crossing to Caticlan Port takes just 10 minutes.
2. Ferry from Caticlan to Bulalacao
At Caticlan Port, ask where to catch the ferry to Bulalacao, Mindoro. FastCat operates this route using roll-on/roll-off ferries. Ferries depart from Caticlan for Bulalacao daily at 3:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Always confirm the latest schedule before traveling. The fare is 780 pesos per person in the non-air-conditioned economy section. You’ll also need to pay a 100-peso port fee. The journey takes 3–4 hours.
⭐ By the way, if you’re exploring lesser-known corners, you might like to know that you can also take a fantastic island-hopping tour from Bulalacao. Expect very few other tourists.
3. Van or bus to San José (Mindoro)
As soon as you get off the boat you’ll find vans going from Bulalacao to San José, one of the largest towns in Occidental Mindoro. The journey takes around two hours and costs about 200 pesos. Buses are sometimes available and are a little more comfortable, although the journey takes longer. San José has several terminals, and your van will drop you off at the operator’s terminal. The town is fairly compact, and getting around by tricycle is very inexpensive.
Since the boat from San José to Coron leaves early in the morning, you’ll most likely need to spend the night in San José. If that’s the case, we recommend the Seasons Hotel and Convention Center and the SJ Mansion Hotel.
⭐ Heads up: Sablayan is only a couple of hours from San José and is the departure point for boats to Apo Reef, one of the most impressive places to go diving in the Philippines. If you have three extra days, this detour is well worth it. You can also visit Pandan Island, a beautiful island where you can swim with sea turtles.
4. Boat from San José to Coron
The final leg of the journey from Boracay to Coron is the boat from San José to Coron. First, make your way from central San José to the port on the outskirts of town. A tricycle normally costs around 40–50 pesos per person. The ride takes no more than 15 minutes. Don’t expect to find taxis.
The only shipping line operating boats from San José to Coron is Bunso Transport. The boat departs on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:00 AM. As always, contact the company on Facebook to confirm the latest departure days and times, as schedules often change. The journey takes 6–7 hours and the cheapest fare is 1,400 pesos for a bed in the non-air-conditioned section. A light meal is included, so it’s a good idea to bring some snacks or buy something on board.
You’ve made it to Coron! The port is a short distance from Coron Town. To save money on the ride to your hotel in Coron, take a shared tricycle. The usual shared fare is 20 pesos per person.
© Bunso Transport
How to get from Boracay to Coron fast (but pricey)
The most convenient way to travel from Boracay to Coron is by plane. It’s also the fastest option and usually the most expensive, although it can still be reasonably affordable if you book in advance.
First, bear in mind that there are no direct flights from Boracay to Coron; you’ll have to connect in Manila. The quickest itineraries, including the layover, can get you to Busuanga Airport, near Coron, in around 4.5 hours. Fares vary considerably, but expect to pay roughly €80–100 if you book reasonably early, and considerably more if you wait until just a few days before departure. Take a look here:
Search flights from Boracay to Coron
Your first flight could be delayed, causing you to miss your connection. For this reason, it’s best to book both legs on a single ticket with the same airline. That way, the airline will be responsible for rebooking you if a delay causes you to miss your connection.
When you arrive at Busuanga Airport, take one of the vans to Coron Town. The fare is 250 pesos per person, and the van will drop you off at your hotel.
From Boracay to Coron via Kalibo
As we explain in How to get to Boracay, the closest airport to the island is Caticlan (IATA code: MPH). However, Kalibo International Airport (KLO), around 70 kilometers away, is also worth considering, as flights to Manila are often cheaper from there. Check prices here:
Search flights from Kalibo to Coron
To travel from Boracay to Kalibo, you have three options (once you’ve taken the bangka to Caticlan port):
- Van: you’ll be offered one as soon as you leave the port. The journey takes roughly 90 minutes. Vans usually drop passengers off at the airport, but confirm this before boarding. A seat in the van costs around 200 pesos.
- Bus: the yellow Ceres buses drop you off at Kalibo’s Ceres Bus Station. The journey takes around two hours, and fares range from 80 to 110 pesos (depending on whether the bus is air-conditioned). Once in Kalibo, take a tricycle to the airport.
- Transfer: for a hassle-free journey, book a service that will pick you up at your hotel in Boracay and drop you off at the airport. You can book with 12go or Klook, two popular transportation-booking platforms in Asia. Klook often has good deals, so compare prices on both platforms:
How to get from Coron to Boracay
Looking for the reverse route from Coron to Boracay? Simply follow the steps explained above in reverse order.
Getting from Coron to Boracay by plane
If you’d rather fly, look for flights from Busuanga Airport to Caticlan. You’ll have to connect in Manila, so look for a convenient itinerary, ideally booked on a single ticket, to avoid an overnight stay at Manila Airport. Take a look here:
Search flights from Coron to Boracay
Another option is to fly from Busuanga Airport to Kalibo, which is 1.5–2 hours from Boracay by road. It’s usually a bit cheaper but, of course, also slower. You’ll also need to connect in Manila:
Search flights from Coron to Kalibo
Once in Kalibo, you can continue to Boracay by van, bus or private transfer. We’ve explained each option above.
Getting from Coron to Boracay by public transport
To travel from Coron to Boracay more cheaply, albeit more slowly, follow these steps:
- Shared tricycle to Coron Port: 20 pesos per person.
- Bunso Transport boat to San José, Mindoro: boats depart on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 AM. Always confirm the latest departure schedule. The journey takes 6–7 hours and costs 1,400 pesos for a bed in economy class. You’ll also need to pay a 20-peso port fee.
- Shared tricycle from San José Port: around 40 pesos per person. Tell the driver you’re heading to Bulalacao so they can drop you off at the correct van terminal, as the town has several terminals.
- Van to Bulalacao: the fare is 150 pesos per person and the journey takes around two hours.
- Ferry from Bulalacao to Caticlan: FastCat ferries are scheduled to depart at 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The economy fare is 780 pesos. The crossing takes 3–4 hours.
- Bangka from Caticlan to Boracay: boats run 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes 5–10 minutes. Fares start at 50 pesos and may vary depending on the time of day. You’ll need to pay 200 pesos in port fees and 300 pesos for Boracay’s environmental fee.
- Tricycle to your hotel in Boracay: the fare depends on the distance and whether you take a shared or private tricycle.
That’s it! We hope this guide has made planning your journey between Boracay and Coron a little easier. If you have any questions, leave us a comment and we’ll be happy to help.
You’ll find plenty more information about both destinations in our dedicated guides: Boracay Guide and Coron Guide.
