The Bohol-Panglao International Airport: A Review and Traveler's Guide

Bohol Panglao International Airport is a modern airport located on Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines. It opened in 2018 and has since become the main airport serving Bohol. If you're planning to travel to or from Bohol Panglao International Airport, this blog entry details everything that you need to know.

View of the new Panglao International Airport facade from the tube (Photo © iHeartPH.com 2019)

Construction and Development

The Bohol-Panglao International Airport was transferred from Tagbilaran to Panglao and was opened in November 2018. Good news to all Panglao travelers, the airport is now just 10-15 minutes away from Alona and Dumaluan Beaches, where most of the resorts are located. Bad news though to those staying in Tagbilaran City as it will now take you 30-40 minutes via bus/van to travel from the airport to where you are staying rather than the usual 10-15 minutes tricycle ride.

Construction of the airport began in 2015 as part of the government's efforts to improve infrastructure and support the country's growing tourism industry. The airport was built on a 216-hectare property on Panglao Island, which is located south of the main island of Bohol. The location of the airport was carefully chosen to take advantage of the island's stunning natural beauty and to provide easier access for tourists. The project was completed in 2018, and the airport replaced the old Tagbilaran Airport as the main gateway to the province of Bohol. The construction of the airport cost around 7.8 billion pesos and was funded by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The airport's modern design and state-of-the-art facilities were intended to provide a world-class travel experience for passengers. The airport's terminal building features a contemporary design inspired by the natural beauty of Bohol, with a sweeping roof that resembles the waves of the sea. The airport also features a 2,500-meter runway and a modern air traffic control tower that meets international standards.

Since its opening, Bohol Panglao International Airport has become a key driver of economic growth in the region. It has helped to boost tourism in Bohol, providing better access for international visitors and contributing to the local economy. In addition, the airport has created more job opportunities for local residents, both directly and indirectly, such as those working in restaurants, transportation services, and other businesses that support the airport's operations.

The airport continues to be developed and improved. As of 2021, there are plans to expand the airport's capacity and add more amenities for passengers, including a new passenger terminal building and additional parking spaces. The airport is also looking to implement more sustainable practices, such as the use of solar energy and rainwater harvesting, to reduce its environmental impact.

Entrance/exit for domestic arrivals in the new Panglao International Airport (Photo © iHeartPH.com 2019)

Facilities and Amenities

Reasons why I love this new airport:

It’s huge, at least for a Tier 2 city airport! A far cry from the old Tagbilaran Airport which looked more like a bus station than an airport. At some point, due to its size, it has become overcrowded and couldn’t catch up with the increasing number of tourists.
It’s the first eco-airport in the Philippines which uses air conditioning only in some areas and the rest uses natural ventilation.
I love the exterior design – they say it’s supposedly mimicking the rolling waves of Panglao.
There are plugs and charging stations almost everywhere. (Updated September 2019) However, recently they decided to cover and remove the outlets on the floor as it was an obvious hazard. These outlets are located in the middle of the walkway so people passing through with their luggages are getting tripped over and cellphones being charged are getting stepped on.
Again, it’s only 10-15 minutes away from your resort wherever in Panglao.
Public transportation going to and from your resort in Panglao is no longer a hassle. If you are staying in Alona Beach, the public buses will pass through Alona Beach first before heading to Tagbilaran.
No waiting in line for the buses because the buses will be there outside of the airport waiting for everyone to board. There are a lot of buses going to and fro so they won’t run out. I’ve flown through this airport from Manila thrice now since it became operational and there was not one trip where I had to wait for the bus.
The fare is reasonable. Coming from the airport, the fare is P40 to Alona Beach and P50 to Tagbilaran City, including Dao terminal.

Check-in area in the new Panglao International Airport (Photo © iHeartPH.com 2019)

Some of the things that need improvement on:

We need more places to eat. As of March 2019, there are only 2 food booths at the ground floor. Don’t expect to find any restaurants in this airport where you can have a proper meal because there is none. So make sure have get your breakfast, lunch or dinner somewhere else before heading for the airport.
We can use more seats. The airport is huge but the seats are limited only to a certain portion of the departure area, both lower and upper floors. I saw some travelers had to stand up or sit on the floor while waiting for boarding.

How do I go to Alona Beach or Tagbilaran from the airport?
You can always rent a private car or van from the airport to wherever you need to be in Bohol. Klook offers both Private Transfers from Panglao Airport or Shared Transfers. Or perhaps check with your resort if they are offering free/paid airport transfers. Through public transport, here is what you need to do:

Go outside the airport and the buses to Tagbilaran will be waiting there.
Hop on on one of the buses and tell the driver/conducter where you are headed.
Pay the indicated fare. As of 2019, the fare to Tagbilaran and Dao Terminal is P50 and Alona Beach is P40.

How do I go to the airport from Alona Beach or Tagbilaran?
Going to Alona Beach or Tagbilaran from the airport is pretty straightforward but going to the airport would require you to do the following:

If you are coming from any point of Bohol (except Panglao), head to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal. If you are coming from Tagbilaran City, you can go to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal via tricycle.
If you are coming from other towns in Bohol, options like jeepneys, buses and v-hires (vans) should be available and traversing along the national roads. Just ask your resort where you need to be to be able to board and head to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal.
Once you get to the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal, look for and board the Southern Star Bus with Tagbilaran to Panglao Airport signage.
The bus will pass through some other villages/barangays in Panglao but the endmost point should be at the Panglao Airport. So if you are coming from Alona Beach, just walk up to the main road and wait for the airport buses there.

Again, you also have the option to book a Shared Transfer from Panglao to Airport ahead of time or if you are coming from other parts of Bohol such as Anda, Loboc and Tagbilaran, you can book here: Private Transfers between Panglao Airport to Other Parts of Bohol

Which places does the airport bus pass through and how much is the fare?
Here are the bus route and fare coming from Tagbilaran City:

Totolan/Mariveles – P15
Tinago – P20
Lourdes – P25
Libaong Acacia – P25
Crystal E – P30
Poblacion/Looc – P35
Daorong Danao – P40
Alona – P40
Panglao Airport – P50

How many minutes or hours is the travel time from Tagbilaran to the new Panglao Airport?
The travel time will depend on whether you are in a private vehicle or in a public bus. If you are taking the public bus, it will take you about 45-60 minutes. So make sure you consider these timings when you have a flight to catch.

If you have your own vehicle and won't be passing through any other places and just going directly from Tagbilaran to the new Panglao airport, it will only take you around 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic in Tagbilaran. Yes, traffic in Tagbilaran has become heavier through the years. Heavy traffic usually happens during early mornings and late afternoons, basically during rush hours but I believe there are government actions set in place to somehow ease the traffic congestion.

Read about Tagbilaran Traffic: http://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2018/04/11/tagbilaran-traffic-delays-travel-time/

Which airlines fly through Bohol and to/from which destinations?
Currently, there are 4 airlines which operate in the new Panglao Airport -- Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and Air Asia. Here are the current routes being served:

Philippine Airlines - to/from Manila, Davao and Clark
Cebu Pacific Air - to/from Manila, Davao, Clark and Cagayan de Oro
Air Asia - to/from Manila

Philippine Airlines used to travel to and from Incheon (South Korea) International Airport but have recently ceased operation until further notice. Read: http://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2019/02/12/pal-stops-korea-bohol-flights/

To book your hotel/resort in Bohol at budget-friendly prices, click on the Agoda and Booking.com boxes below to start searching:

Booking.com

To check out prices and book your countryside and island hopping tours in Bohol, click on the Klook box below:

Klook.com

WHERE TO STAY IN PANGLAO

To book a hotel in Tagbilaran City, click here.

OTHER DESTINATIONS IN BOHOL

KEY CONTACTS

To book your countryside tour, you may call/text Kuya John at +639161765683. He is able to offer a car for smaller groups (4 people max) or a van for bigger groups (12 people max).