Tuesday 19 March 2024 18:55:30 PHT

Getting to Bohol, Philippines

IJsselstein, Friday, 18 May 2001 (updated: Wednesday, 1 June 2011)

Domestic Flight Schedules | Fast Ferry Schedules | Regular Ferry Schedules

Bohol is located in the central Philippines, and can be conveniently reached by air and boat.

Coming from abroad, you have two options: you can fly to Manila or Cebu. Cebu is the most convenient, but only a limited number of international flights will arrive there. Coming from Europe, you'll need to have a stop-over in either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong, however, it will save you the hassle of going through Manila (including a transfer from NAIA to the domestic airport, and dealing with stricter luggage-weight restrictions on domestic flights).

Among others, the following airlines fly international routes to Cebu: Silk Air, Malaysia Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

Airplane
Airplane

If you come via Manila, you'll probably want to take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is also possible to take a boat to Bohol, but will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time at hand and enjoy a trip on sea, or have to travel on a rock-bottom budget or with a lot of luggage. Currently, there are numerous daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran.

If you fail to catch a direct flight, you can also fly from Manila to Cebu, and then continue by boat. The flying time is about 50 minutes. The transfer by taxi from the airport to the pier takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic conditions, and should cost 165 pesos (2007). The following airlines fly from Manila to Cebu: PAL, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Astro Air, and Grand Air.

It is always worthwhile to look for a promotional fare if you fly. You can save a considerable amount of money by asking around a little.

Ferry
Ferry

If you come via Cebu, you can take the one and a half hour trip with a fast boat to Tagbilaran. The regular boat to Tagbilaran will take about four hours. It is also possible to take a boat to Tubigon and Talibon, and a number of other towns on Bohol, which may be more convenient if you want to be on the west or north coast of the island.

The most economical way to get from Cebu to Tagbilaran by boat is to catch a ferry to Tubigon, and continue by bus or V-hire from Tubigon to Tagbilaran. This is sometimes both faster and cheaper than taking a boat directly to Tagbilaran.

Note that security regulations on domestic flights in the Philippines no longer allow bringing liquids (such as perfumes and bottles of wine) as carry-on items into the cabin. Even if you had those liquids sealed by duty-free shops on the airport of origin, you may be forced to throw them away if you are not able to place them in your checked-in luggage.

See Domestic Flight Schedules, Fast Ferry Schedules, and Regular Ferry Schedules.

Jeroen Hellingman

What readers think...

Bohol Online Store wrote:
Tuesday, 4 February 2020 23:23:37 PHT
We deliver grocery items in Bohol, Philippines. If you are an OFW, overseas worker or far from Bohol, and you want to send money to your family, instead of money you can send them groceries. Visit our website at www.boholonlinestore.com Or send us an email at storebohol@gmail.com
Blue Freedom Apnea wrote:
Monday, 6 January 2020 12:09:42 PHT
There is new freediving school open in Panglao, Bohol. They are non-profit organization that offer AIDA and Molchanovs courses from beginner level to instructor level. If you want to explore Balicasag island in Panglao, you can also do fun dive with them. Checkout their website is https://bluefreedomapnea.com . You can also send an enquiry to their enquiry page Send Enquiry. #freedive #freediving panglao #freediving bohol #freediving philippines
karen wrote:
Friday, 2 June 2017 00:06:45 PHT
Sa mga pupunta pa lang, I suggest na mag rent na lang kayo ng car (w/driver para mapili nyo yung talagang gusto nyong puntahan. Kami pinagsama namin yung countryside and panglao tour sa car rental service pero selected na yung tourists spots na pupuntahan. Hindi na namin pinuntahan ibang places like butterfly farm, python kasi marami naman yan dito sa Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Bale P1,800 pag countryside tour lang. Add na lang kayo ng konti para sa iba pang spots for Panglao) Make sure lang na pag dating nyo ng Loboc River Cruise paalis na yung boat para hindi sayang sa oras kasi yung natapat na boat sa amin nag hintay pa sa ibang passengers. Sabihin nyo din sa driver dalhin kayo sa Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park. Pwede kayo mag zip line at cable car dun. P350 yung zip line tapos pwede kayo kunan ng pics habang nasa zip line kayo. Price ng pics w/cd and 1 printed copy of your chosen photo is P250. There are approximately 50+ shots sa isang cd. Very thankful kami sa driver (Rowell) kasi dinala nya kami dito kahit wala talaga sa itinerary namin ito. Dito kami talaga sa Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park nag enjoy ng husto. By the way, yung driver din namin is para na ring tour guide kasi habang nasa car and tourist spots marami na syang share na info/history sa amin. Ang contact nga pala namin sa car rental is : Mr. Hansel Requillo Mobile # 09276307926 Website : http://www.boholspeedrentacar.com
cheapest rent a car van in bohol philippines wrote:
Thursday, 11 May 2017 23:32:14 PHT
Chocolate Hills RENT A CAR VAN WITH DRIVER AND FUEL day tour Itinerary 1 day tour Blood Compact Shrine (Tagbilaran City) Baclayon Church (Baclayon) Largest Python in Captivity (Alburquerque) Tarsier Sanctuary (Loboc) Loboc River (Loboc) zipline Hanging Bridge (Loboc) Man-made Forest (Bilar) Butterfly Garden (Bilar) Chocolate Hills (Carmen) Aproniana Souvenir Shop (Baclayon) Car Rental Bohol Countryside Tour RATES (up to 4 pax) 1-4 pax P 2000 Van Rental for day tour. Bohol Countryside Tour (up to 18 pax) 5-14 persos P 2500 we also offers self drive car 1500 1800 2000 per day units vios rio picanto manual automatic call or text 09399510574 09567331540
Ferdy Chua wrote:
Monday, 20 February 2017 07:31:53 PHT
I am taking the ferry to Tubigon from Cebu. I need to go to Carmen/Chocolate Hills. I know there are Aircon V-hires in Tubigon to Tagbilaran. However, I need an aircon V-hire to Carmen. Is there a regular aircon V-hire schedule from Tubigon to Carmen and then Carmen to Tagbilaran? What are the times? Thanks, Ferdy

Read all 512 comments by readers.

Also give your comments on this article

your name
your e-mail address
show email address
your comments on "Getting to Bohol, Philippines"

We reserve the right to remove or edit comments posted on this website. Please read our conditions of use for details. You can use <i>italics</i>, <b>bold</b>, <p> new paragraph, <a href="url">link</a>. Other markup will be removed. Use of the forums for advertising is prohibited. Enterprises located in Bohol can request to be added to the business directory.