Transportation to Puerto Galera from Manila Airport

[Rob11_d]

Hello,
I will be arriving in Manila airport terminal 1 at 11am on Saturday, January 11th and wanted to head straight to Puerto Galera. I was told this was the best place to ask for some logistical advice on managing lining up my bus and ferry. The bit of research I did myself make it seem pretty easy, but my friend tells me that Philippines transportation routes and schedules are not always as reliable and straightforward as they seem. Any first any knowledge and advice would be truly appreciated.
Thank you very much,
Rob

 

[Johnboy70_99]

If you are used to the way public transport works there are busses from Manila to Batangas, where you can catch a public ferry. Personally I have never tried to deal with that, I have gotten private transport from my resort which will consist of a van and speedboat usually.

 

[Centrals]

@Rob11_d

eTravel

Philippine One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System

etravel.gov.ph

Apply this FIRST, not wasting time on arrival.
How long would it takes to step out of the arrival hall in Manila is anybody guess.

Private transfer from NAIA to PG is about US$300.00 one way if no one to share the cost!!!

Ferry Schedules To Puerto Galera From Batangas Vice Versa

Ferry Schedules to Puerto Galera from Batangas to Muelle and Balatero fastcraft and RORO services; MSL Shipping, Starlite Ferries, Atienza Interisland, RDI Genesis and Montenegro

www.pgyc.org

Last ferry from Batangas to Balatero is 16:30.
Bus takes about 2hrs if there is no heavy traffic.
In theory you should be able to make it on the same day but........better has plan B which is overnight in Manila or Batangas or Calapan.

FastCat Batangas-Calapan Ferry: 2025 Schedules & Fares

FastCat's RoRo ferry schedule from Batangas to Calapan. 6 daily trips with fares from ₱540. Business Class & vehicle transport available.

bustickets.ph

You will need a taxi if arriving after 17:00.

Good luck.

Thread 'Easy Access Schedule Puerto Galera Ferry Service'

Nov 12, 2019

• Blueringocto_73
• Replies: 110
• Forum: Philippine Paradise Divers

• 

 

[Living4Experiences]

I, too, have a trip in March with the same quandary about getting from the airport to Puerto Galera. I am pretty savvy at do-it-yourself transfers when I travel, but this one seems like more hassle than I'm willing to deal with. My travel agent recommends private transport, so that's the way I'm going. It will cost a lot more but worth it for me. She said as we get closer to the date, she'll check with El Galleon Resort for the possibility of sharing transport with others.

 

[Living4Experiences]

If you are used to the way public transport works there are busses from Manila to Batangas, where you can catch a public ferry. Personally I have never tried to deal with that, I have gotten private transport from my resort which will consist of a van and speedboat usually.

What company do you use for your private transport?

 

[staggsSevin]

We had El Galleon arrange it for me when I was in PG, for arrival and departure. I've also had Solitude Acacia do it for me when I went to Anilao as well. There was three of us, and we just did the private transfers.

 

[Centrals]

Overnight in Manila to recover from the flight and start early on following morning. Plenty of time to do 2 - 3 dives on the same day.

Depending on arrival time, taxi(white colour) from NAIA to Batangas Pier is about P5,000.00. Yellow airport taxi is far too expensive for the same journey.

 

[YYCLuke]

Si-kat for me. I'm arriving at 5:30am, taxi or grab to city state in Ermita, take the Si-kat for 1500 pesos. If I was staying overnight I'd do that, if not paying 5k ($125CAD) might be worth it if you can catch the last ferry and get an extra day of diving the next day.

 

[hdtran]

Hello,
I will be arriving in Manila airport terminal 1 at 11am on Saturday, January 11th and wanted to head straight to Puerto Galera. I was told this was the best place to ask for some logistical advice on managing lining up my bus and ferry. The bit of research I did myself make it seem pretty easy, but my friend tells me that Philippines transportation routes and schedules are not always as reliable and straightforward as they seem. Any first any knowledge and advice would be truly appreciated.
Thank you very much,
Rob

Rob,

Welcome to Scubaboard!!!

I'm not traveling until May, and my flight is scheduled to land a bit earlier (9:30am-ish). Before departing, I plan to get a QR code from the e-travel app to show Philippines immigration. Here are my plans in case you find that helpful:
(a) Upon landing, use the grab application to see if I can get a taxi from MNL (NAIA) to Batangas pier at a reasonable (to me) price, or look for a coupon taxi (approx P2200 according to web sources).
(b) If no success with (a), take taxi (coupon or metered) to the Buendia bus terminal (Taft Ave, Pasay, Manila). The Ceres/Goldstar bus there has hourly departures to Batangas port. (approx P300 for the bus). I'm thinking this bus line because I found a youtube video of someone doing this bus to Batangas port, and the (slow) ferry to Puerto Galera. From the video, the Goldstar bus has a functional (but odoriferous) toilet, in case I need to recycle coffee during the bus ride.
(c) Once at Batangas port (whether taxi or bus): Buy ferry ticket (for me, there look to be fast ferry departures at 1pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm). Then, pay the ferry terminal fee (P30), board and get to Balatero port/Puerto Galera. I'll contact my resort once I'm on the ferry. See Batangas-Puerto Galera Ferry Schedule 10/2024 for a recent schedule.
(d) I don't have the guts to negotiate a trike myself in Balatero port--they will arrange to have someone meet me and pick me up at Balatero port after I exit the port (QR code and environmental fee of P120).

Please report after you land what you chose for transportation and how you did! And also a dive trip report!

 

[Centrals]

a, There is NO such thing as coupon taxi and P2,200 fare to Batangas is not possible.
b. There are a few bus terminals around the area. Schedule is flexible ie. not enough passengers.
c. Ferry do get cancel for lack of passenger so aim the 15:30 departure to be on the safe side.
d. No need to negotiate a trike as it is P250.00 flat rate(not sure if there might be fare hike by May).