How to get from El Nido to Coron

Why visit Coron?

Coron is one of the Philippines’ most popular destinations. Part of the Palawan group of islands, Coron boasts white-sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters. But the best part about it is not on the surface, it’s underwater. Its vibrant marine life is home to beautiful coral gardens and impressive shipwrecks.

The main island is where most accommodations are. There are a few attractions here, but you’d want to go on a boat tour to the nearby smaller islands to really uncover the beauty of Coron. Some of the must-visit spots include Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon.

There are 3 ways to travel the 277 kilometers (172 miles) from El Nido to Coron. You can choose between the flight, fast ferry and slow boat or ‘Bangka’*. The journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 9 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by slow boat or ‘bangka’* with tickets starting at 2,420 PHP ($43.50).

Slow boats or ‘bangka’ are local boats usually utilized for island crossings. The slow boats used for the El Nido to Coron route are bigger than the ones that locals often use since it’s a longer trip.

Bunso Transport used to operate slow ferries from El Nido to Coron. The ferry departed El Nido every other Thursday at 07:00. Ferry tickets were 2,420 PHP ($43.50) and this fee included a free lunch.

These slow boats can accommodate only 80 passengers, so you need to buy your tickets early if you want to take this ferry. Since there online booking isn’t available for slow boats, you need to visit a travel agency in El Nido to buy tickets. You may also ask your hotel for assistance.

These boats only have small engines, so they take around 6 to 9 hours to reach El Nido to Coron. The length of the trip mainly depends on the weather conditions. During heavy rain, these boats may not operate at all. It’s an interesting travel experience, but strong currents can affect the journey.

We don’t really recommend taking a slow ferry from El Nido to Coron. The 6 to 9 hours travel is time-consuming, so it’s better to spend a few more dollars on a 5-hour fast ferry.

Passenger-cargo ship from El Nido to Coron

Passenger-cargo ships also used to operate from El Nido to Coron. One of these ships was MV May Lilies, operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries.

There was only one trip in a week, with the ship departing El Nido Port every Wednesday at 07:30. An economy ticket used to cost 1,500 PHP ($27) per person. Meanwhile, tickets for the air-conditioned passenger lounge were about 1,650 PHP ($29.50) for the 8-hour ferry trip from El Nido to Coron.

The last time we checked (February 2023), Atienza Interisland Ferries now plies the Manila to Coron route as a cargo ship. This means they no longer offer passenger-cargo ships from El Nido to Coron. We couldn’t confirm if there are other passenger-cargo ships operating on this route.

The El Nido to Coron ferry ride is not just a mode of transport, but also a great experience. The ferries on this route pass a few well-known islands, such as Linapacan and San Miguel, all with beautiful beaches and landscapes.

The fastest way to travel by boat from El Nido to Coron is by fast ferry. You can choose between Montenegro Shipping Lines, Atienza Interisland Ferries and Jomalia Shipping. Phimal and Jomalia also used to operate on this route, but they haven’t resumed their operations since the pandemic.

From daily trips pre-pandemic, ferry companies are now operating on alternate days. Make sure to check the ferry company available on the day of your trip before buying your tickets. Ticket prices start from 2,690 PHP ($48) per person for the 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes ferry ride to Coron.

The fastest way to travel from El Nido to Coron is by flight. The flight itself takes 40 minutes, and with the transfers to and from the airport, total travel time is just around 2 hours.

The total cost of 3,950 PHP ($71) includes the tricycle ride to El Nido Aiport, as well as a minivan transfer upon arrival in Coron.

Note that short-haul flights like this have a negative effect on the environment due to the high emissions caused by taking off and landing. If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

There are two airports in the northern part of mainland Palawan. Flights to Coron depart from El Nido Airport, located about 5 km from El Nido town centre.

From your hotel, you can take a tricycle or tuk-tuk ride that lasts around 20 minutes and costs around 300 PHP ($5.40) for two people and luggage.

AirSwift is the sole company offering direct flights between El Nido and Coron. Flights are usually every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, but in summer months (April and May), they start offering flights daily.

Flight prices from El Nido to Coron start from 3,500 PHP ($63) for a one-way ticket. It takes only 40 minutes to reach Coron.

Check Skyscanner for the latest updates.

Flights arrive at Franscisco B. Reyes Airport on the island of Coron. This airport is also known as Busuanga Airport.

Outside Busuanga Airport, there are shared and private vans, as well as tuk-tuks, to take you to your hotel in Coron. Travel time between the airport and Coron town centre is about 45 minutes.

Both the shared van and the tuk-tuk costs 300 PHP ($5.40) per person. Note that the minivan leaves only when it’s full. The waiting might not take a long time, though, as passengers from the flights would likely take a shared van to the town.

If you’re travelling in a big group, you can book a private van for around 1,800 PHP ($32.50) with 10 passengers max. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel prior to your trip if they offer airport pick-up so that you wouldn’t have to worry about the ride to Coron town.