How to get from Manila 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 2 ways to travel the 444 kilometers (276 miles) from Manila to Coron. You can choose between the flight and ferry. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 12 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry with tickets starting at 2,760 PHP ($48).

Most travellers choose to fly from Manila to Coron because it’s the most convenient and fastest way. There are several flights for this route daily with flight fares from 3,000 PHP ($52), plus a 150 PHP ($2.60) fare for a shared van to reach Coron town.

Travel time is around 1 hour 50 minutes, including the minivan transfer from the airport to Coron town.

Philippine Airlines, CebGo and AirSWIfT all operate direct flights from Manila to Coron.

Manila Airport

Be aware that NAIA has 4 terminals with different entry points. Terminal 2 is exclusive for Philippine Airlines flights, while CebGo and AirSWIfT flights depart from Terminal 4. The two terminals are about a 10-minute drive from each other.

The airport is accessible from most cities in Metro Manila via taxi or Grab. If you’re coming from other provinces and looking for public transport, you can take a shuttle bus to the airport or a provincial bus to Pasay. This is where most bus terminals are located. From here, you can take a taxi to the airport.

See here all details on how to get from and to Manila Airport.

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

The fastest option to travel from Manila to Coron is by direct flight. Philippine Airlines, CebGo, and AirSWIfT operate multiple direct flights. Travel time is about 1h 05min.

Airfares start from 3,000 PHP ($52), but they can get up to 5,600 PHP ($98). Flight fares tend to be more expensive if you are booking shortly before your scheduled flight.

Booking your flight months in advance is the best way to avail cheap tickets for your trip. Flight tickets from Manila to Coron can get as low as 1,600 PHP ($28) during promotions.

Pro-Tip: Cebu Pacific offers multiple “piso fare promotions” annually. Keep an eye out for these promotions so you can book a cheaper flight for this route!

Flights from Manila to Coron land at Francisco B. Reyes Airport. This is the only airport on the island of Coron. This airport was previously named Busuanga Airport.

Busuanga Airport is about 13 km away from Coron town. As soon as you exit the arrivals hall, shared and private vans are available to take you to your hotel in the town centre. The van ride takes just about 45 minutes.

Shared vans cost 150 PHP ($2.60) per person per person, but the van 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 ($31) with 10 passengers max. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel prior to your trip if they offer airport pick-up. This way, you wouldn’t have to worry about the ride to Coron town.

The ferry is a good alternate option, but is very time-consuming. The good thing about it is it’s a bit cheaper than a flight and you can have a great experience while also saving a night on accommodation.

Ferries are a popular way to travel in the Philippines, often cheaper than flights. The downside? They’re slower, so travelling from Manila to Coron by ferry can take up a big chunk of your time.

For this route, you have two options: 2Go Travel and Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc.

2Go Travel is one of the main ferry companies in the Philippines, servicing many of the country’s top destinations like Coron and Boracay.

Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. is a passenger-cargo ship operating between Manila and Palawan.

Departure and Arrival

2Go Travel departs from Manila North Harbor Pier 4 while the Atienza ferry departs from Baseco Port Area in Tondo.

Both ports are accessible via taxi or Grab from anywhere in Metro Manila. If you’re coming from the province, we recommend taking a provincial bus to Pasay City and then a taxi to the pier.

All ferries arrive at Coron Port at the town proper.

Main ferry operator between Manila to Coron: 2Go Travel

2GO Travel offers direct ferries from Manila to Coron that take only 12 hours. Fares for the ferry ride start from 2,760 PHP ($48).

The ferry has only one departure per week. See here the schedule:

• Departure from Manila: Friday, 17:30
• Arrival in Coron: Saturday, 05:30

Although it’s an overnight trip, the ferry is quite comfortable and makes for an interesting travel experience. Ferries going from Manila to Coron depart from Pier 4 of the North Harbour and arrive at Coron Pier.

Once you arrive in Coron, the pier is a 15-minute walk to the town centre. You can also opt to go via local transport. Better yet, arrange your transfer with the hotel you are going to stay in.