Ferries & Boats
Ferries are the backbone of the Philippine transport system. From huge passenger ferries with sleeping cabins to small Bangka outrigger boats — on the water, you can reach most islands.
Types of Ferries
- 2GO Travel: The largest ferry company. Large passenger ferries with cabins on long routes (Manila → Cebu, Manila → Coron). Crossings take 12–22 hours but are an experience. Economy from 800 PHP (€13), cabin from 2,500 PHP (€41).
- FastCraft / OceanJet: Fast ferries between the Visayas islands. Air-conditioned, fixed seats, 1–4 hours travel time. Cebu → Bohol (2h, from 500 PHP), Cebu → Dumaguete (4h, from 700 PHP).
- Bangka Boats: Traditional wooden outrigger boats. Used for island hopping, short crossings, and local ferry connections. Charming, wobbly, authentic. Price: negotiable.
Important Ferry Connections
| Route | Type | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu → Tagbilaran (Bohol) | FastCraft | 2h | 500 PHP (€8) |
| Cebu → Dumaguete | FastCraft | 4h | 700 PHP (€11) |
| Manila → Coron | 2GO | 12h | 800 PHP (€13) |
| El Nido → Coron | FastCraft | 3.5h | 1,800 PHP (€29) |
| Dumaguete → Siquijor | FastCraft | 45 Min. | 200 PHP (€3) |
| Cebu → Malapascua | Bus + Bangka | 5h total | 400 PHP (€7) |
💡 Tipp
Book ferries online via 12go.asia or directly with 2GO Travel. In the high season (December–April), popular routes sell out quickly. FastCraft ferries are significantly more comfortable than the old large ferries, but also more expensive.
Achtung
The safety standards of Philippine ferries are not comparable to European ones. Pay attention to life jackets, avoid obviously overloaded boats, and avoid night ferries in bad weather. Ports are closed during typhoon warnings — respect that!
