There are generally two main ways to reach Boracay Island:
- First, you can fly into Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and then take a domestic flight to Caticlan Airport (MPH). From there, you’ll transfer to Caticlan Pier and catch a boat across to Boracay.
- The second option is to fly directly to Kalibo Airport (KLO), followed by a land transfer to Caticlan Pier, and then a boat ride to the island.
On this trip, we landed in Kalibo, one of the main gateways for international travelers heading to Boracay.
Whichever route you take, one thing is certain: it’s an exhausting, multi-leg journey either way.
How long does it take to get to Boracay? In short: easily a full day of travel.
So let us walk you through our full journey to Boracay—yes, by land, sea, and air, all in one go.
Getting to Kalibo from the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Australia
If you're planning a trip to Boracay from outside the Philippines, your final flight will most likely land at Kalibo International Airport (KLO). Whether you’re flying from the U.S., the U.K., Canada, or Australia, expect a long-haul journey with often one or two layovers. Most routes pass through Manila or Cebu before connecting to Kalibo.
Here’s a quick look at the typical total travel time to Boracay via Kalibo:
| Departure City | Typical Route | Approx. Total Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | LAX → Manila → Kalibo | ~20–23 hours |
| New York (JFK) | JFK → Doha / Tokyo → Manila → Kalibo | ~24–29 hours |
| London (LHR) | LHR → Doha / Singapore → Manila → Kalibo | ~18–22 hours |
| Toronto / Vancouver | Canada → Tokyo / Taipei / Hong Kong → Manila → Kalibo | ~21–26 hours |
| Sydney (SYD) | SYD → Manila → Kalibo | ~15–18 hours |
These numbers may vary depending on the airline, season, and layover duration. But regardless of where you're flying from, once you touch down at Kalibo Airport—your real journey to Boracay is only just beginning.
What to Expect When Landing at Kalibo International Airport (KLO)
After countless hours of flights, layovers, and crossing time zones, touching down at Kalibo International Airport felt like a small victory.
We were running on fumes—sleep-deprived and jet-lagged—but stepping onto Philippine soil gave us a second wind.
It didn’t matter whether we came from Manila or from halfway across the globe—just knowing the flights were over felt worth celebrating.
Somewhere between time zones and tray tables, we were served a simple in-flight meal. It didn’t matter which airline it was—we were simply relieved to be on the final leg of the journey.
We assumed we were almost there. But as we’d soon learn, the adventure was far from over.
Currency Exchange and SIM Cards at Kalibo Airport
We eventually touched down at Kalibo International Airport—a surprisingly tiny terminal that nonetheless handles international arrivals for travelers heading to Boracay.
Despite its size, it functions as a fully operational international airport and gets the job done.
Once we stepped outside, the first thing our guide pointed out was the currency exchange booth on the right side of the terminal: Queen’s Money Exchange.
There’s only one exchange counter here, so there aren’t many alternatives.
Before the trip, we’d heard that exchange rates at Kalibo Airport were worse than on the island, so we were hesitant.
However, our guide assured us that the difference is minimal—especially for the small amounts most travelers exchange.
In the end, we followed her advice and changed everything we needed right there.
After that, we walked over to the left side of the terminal to buy a local SIM card.
Which provider is best? That’s the million-peso question.
Our guide just laughed and said, “Honestly, they’re all the same on the island… equally slow!”
We ended up getting a Globe Free Prepaid SIM with 1 GB of data for ₱398 (approximately $7 USD).
It wasn’t blazing fast, but it was enough to get us online, book transport, and stay in touch with friends.
With our pesos exchanged and our SIMs activated, we thought—finally, time to head to the resort and sprawl out on White Beach.
But nope. Just when we thought the journey was over, our guide led us to the next step: a two-hour minibus ride across the countryside.
Minibus Ride to Caticlan Pier (2 Hours)
The ride from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Pier is surprisingly long.
We spent a solid two hours on a tourist minibus, winding through the countryside.
About an hour into the drive, our guide announced a quick break at a rest stop in the middle of, well, somewhere completely unidentifiable.
The fact that a scheduled pit stop was built into the itinerary says it all: this leg of the journey is no joke.
This random local rest area felt like a small roadside stop tucked into the hills. There were bathrooms and a snack stand, giving us a chance to stretch our legs before hopping back in for another hour on the road.
Fortunately, our guide was incredibly engaging, sharing practical tips about Boracay—must-try foods, restaurant suggestions, haggling advice, transportation tips, and even cultural dos and don’ts.
It definitely helped the time pass, but still… there was no chance for a proper nap.
After two full hours, we finally reached Caticlan Pier, and at last—the ocean came into view.
Speedboat to Boracay (12 Minutes)
They say Caticlan Pier gets packed during peak season, and we believe it.
Thankfully, we arrived in the off-season, so the line wasn’t too bad.
Since our charter package already included boat tickets, our guide handled everything while we queued. The whole process was smooth and fairly quick.
If you're not on a tour package, you'll need to purchase tickets on-site. In addition to the standard fare, there’s also a mandatory environmental fee (the amount varies by season).
For first-time visitors, we highly recommend pre-booking a transfer package to avoid haggling and unnecessary stress at the pier.
Caticlan Pier is relatively small but has a few snack stalls and seating areas.
After the flight and minibus ride, it was a good place to catch our breath.
We didn’t have to wait long—about 20 minutes later, we were boarding the boat.
We’d read in other travel blogs that most transfers use Boracay’s iconic “banca boats”—those narrow outriggers with bamboo arms. They’re picturesque but slow, wobbly, and notorious for causing seasickness.
So we were a little nervous. In our sleep-deprived, worn-out state, would we survive 20+ minutes on a bouncing banca boat without tossing our cookies?
Do they even have barf bags on board? Or are you just expected to aim for the sea?
Thankfully, that drama never happened. Turns out, our ticket was for a small speedboat.
It was still bumpy, but the crossing only took around 12 to 13 minutes. Smooth sailing—more or less.
Tricycle Ride to White Beach (40 Minutes)
By the time we got off the boat, our brains were completely fried.
All we wanted to do was collapse on the sand at White Beach.
So when our guide told us there was still a tricycle ride ahead (a local motorized rickshaw), it nearly broke our spirit.
Another transfer? Seriously?
Hopefully, Boracay really is worth it.
Because this whole “suffering builds character” routine—aching muscles, empty stomachs, running on fumes—was starting to feel like a spiritual trial.
What made it worse? The university students on the same flight looked totally refreshed, as if they’d just left home an hour ago.
That’s when it hit me—this wasn’t travel fatigue.
It was simply age catching up with us.
After another 30+ minutes bouncing around in the back of a tricycle, we finally—finally—arrived at the McDonald’s on Main Road near White Beach.
That’s when we knew: our vacation had officially begun.
Lots of travelers wonder: “How long does it really take to get to Boracay?”
From countries like the U.S., the U.K., Canada, or Australia, the journey can easily stretch beyond 24 hours—crossing oceans and time zones, catching connecting flights, navigating ground transfers, and finally crossing the sea.
And it’s not only long-haul travelers who feel it. Even for travelers coming from nearby Asian hubs, the trip to Boracay can still take up most of a full day.
Still, with the right flight schedule and a little luck, it’s possible to arrive just in time to drop your bags, walk to the beach, and watch the sun melt into the sea.
After everything, the Boracay sunset really does feel like a reward.
Strangely enough, the moment we sat down on the beach and watched the sun dip into the sea, every ounce of fatigue vanished.
Suddenly, we felt just as fresh and carefree as those energetic college kids.
Don’t forget to watch our video documenting the full island-hopping marathon to Boracay—this was one hard-earned sunset!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Boracay worth the long travel time?
A: In short—yes, if you value natural beauty and that sense of reward at the end of a long journey. Getting to Boracay isn’t easy, but the moment you step onto White Beach and watch the sunset makes the long road, sea, and air journey feel genuinely earned.
Q: How long does it take to get to Boracay via Kalibo?
A: From countries like the U.S., the U.K., Canada, or Australia, the total journey usually takes between 18 and 29 hours. Even for travelers coming from nearby Asian hubs, the multiple transfers involved mean you should plan for easily a full day of travel.