How to Get to Bohol: Planes, Ferries, and a Little Bit of Island Patience
So, you’ve seen the photos of dreamy white beaches, rainbow coral reefs, and those slightly confused-looking tarsiers. You’re convinced: you need to get to Bohol. But now comes the question every island-hopper faces sooner or later… how on earth do you actually get there?
Good news: reaching Bohol isn’t hard. It just depends where you’re starting from, how much time you have, and how fancy you feel doing it.
Flying to Bohol
If you’re not a fan of long boat rides or your stomach is known to stage a protest at sea, flying is your best bet.
Bohol’s main airport is Bohol-Panglao International Airport, conveniently located just 20 minutes from Alona Beach. You can fly direct from Manila, Cebu, Davao, or El Nido.
Flights from Manila take about 1 hour and 15 minutes, while Cebu is just a quick 25-minute hop. Prices vary depending on the season, but expect around ₱2,000–₱5,000 one way from Manila and ₱1,000–₱3,000 from Cebu.
Bonus: the views as you land are stunning. You’ll see turquoise water, coconut trees, and possibly the outline of your next diving adventure.
Taking the Ferry from Cebu
If you’re already in Cebu, this is the most popular and straightforward route to Bohol.
Several companies run fast ferries between Cebu City (Pier 1) and Tagbilaran City, the main port of Bohol. The journey takes around 2 hours, and tickets cost between ₱700 and ₱1,200, depending on class and air conditioning (trust us, pay the extra pesos for AC).
Ferry operators include:
- OceanJet
- Lite Ferries
- SuperCat
There are also slower car ferries, but unless you’re bringing your motorbike or your patience collection, go for the fast option.
From Tagbilaran Port, it’s an easy 30-minute drive to Panglao. Many hotels offer transfers, or you can grab a tricycle or taxi straight from the port.
The Long Way (But Make It Scenic)
Feeling adventurous? You can also reach Bohol via a combination of bus and ferry from Negros, Camiguin, or even Leyte.
For example:
- From Camiguin, hop on a boat to Jagna, Bohol (about 3 hours).
- From Leyte, take a ferry from Ormoc or Maasin.
- From Negros Oriental, boats leave from Dumaguete to Tagbilaran.
These routes are great if you’re slowly exploring the Visayas and want to island-hop your way across the Philippines.
A Few Travel Tips
- Book in advance during holidays like Holy Week or Christmas. Boats and flights fill up fast.
- Bring snacks for ferries: the sea breeze makes you hungry, and not every snack bar survives rough waves.
- Check the weather before you travel. Ferries may be canceled if seas get too wild.
- Download offline maps for when you arrive. Island Wi-Fi likes to play hide and seek.
Getting to Bohol might take a little effort, but it’s part of the adventure. Whether you choose to fly over blue lagoons or sail through them, the moment you step onto the island and feel that warm tropical air, you’ll know it was worth every minute.
Now all that’s left is to grab a mango shake, find your favorite beach spot, and plan your scuba diving trips in Bohol.
