Every corridor, written up.
The cheap way in, the food at the pier, the sources for every fare — the depth a Manila publication would give it. What you do each day lives in Itineraries; today’s spreads in Prices.
Skip the spike. Fly through Davao
Same beach. But when the fare spikes toward ₱27,400, you fly through Davao instead — and see it.
Along the way: Philippine Eagle Center · Sugba Lagoon · Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw in September
Puraran is the second-best break in the Philippines
The duopoly bills it like it is the first.
Along the way: Mt Mayon · Puraran beach · Catandungan Festival in October
Cebu to El Nido, the long way is cheap
The same Lio monopoly, priced from Cebu — and the same way around it, through Puerto Princesa.
Along the way: Underground River · Big Lagoon · Honda Bay
One airline owns Lio. Go around it
El Nido's tiny airstrip has exactly one airline. Fly into Puerto Princesa instead — and take all of Palawan home.
Along the way: Honda Bay · Secret Beach · Iwahig fireflies
The canonical NowNa case
No commercial direct exists. Tour bundles fill the gap and overcharge.
Along the way: Mantayupan ridge · Katibawasan Falls · Lanzones Festival in October
The bus takes the boat
The Ceres bus drives straight onto the barge across the strait. One ₱372 ticket, no flight — and the gateway to Apo Island and Siquijor.
Along the way: Hayahay reggae · Apo Island diving · Buglasan Festival in October
Don't fly to the island you can see
There's no nonstop flight between two islands a two-hour ferry apart — so booking a 'flight' connects through Manila for ₱10,000. The fast craft is ₱1,760.
Along the way: Loboc River · Alona Beach · Chocolate Hills
Don't fly to the island next door
Camiguin is across a narrow strait. To fly there you'd backtrack 200km out to Cebu and in again. Locals just take the ferry.
Along the way: White Island · Sunken Cemetery · Lanzones Festival in October
When Caticlan spikes, fly Kalibo
Boracay's own airport is a single slot-scarce runway. When it spikes to ₱14,000, fly into Kalibo instead and ride in by land.
Along the way: Puka Shell Beach · Love Boracay · White Beach
There is no flight
There has never been one. The bus is the answer the duopoly cannot price.
Along the way: Banaue Viewpoint · Kiltepan sunrise · Tappiya Falls hike
The surf weekend La Union does not want you to find
₱6,500 in a private van and a beachfront resort, or ₱2,800 on the Joybus and a board-rental hostel. Same break. Friday-night-to-Sunday-night format.
Along the way: Diguisit rock pools · Aliyah's beachfront huts · Ditumabo Falls
The overnight-ferry classic almost no one in Manila has done
₱4,500 in a tour bundle to an island most people cannot place on a map, or ₱1,800 on a DLTBCo overnight bus and the Dalahican ferry. Friday-night-to-Sunday-night format.
Along the way: Port canteen breakfast · Moriones cultural museum · Poctoy White Beach
Three ferries away from the mainland and the rates have not changed since 2018
₱8,000 for the package tour or ₱1,400 with two ferries and a tricycle. Siquijor is the cheapest island in the Visayas to reach if you know which ferry.
Along the way: Apo Island day trip · Lazi Convent · Buglasan Festival in October
Two ways to Palawan. Neither is wrong
Fly direct to Coron, or thread the whole of Palawan for about the same money. Same price — three times the country.
Along the way: Underground River · Big Lagoon · Twin Lagoon
Every published guide ships with the verified ledger, the sources, and the food worth stopping for. These corridors are next.
A pair we haven’t written up? The planner prices any of the 29 places, both directions.
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