How to Get From El Nido to Coron: The Three Best Ways, Ranked
Hopping from El Nido to Coron isn’t quite as easy as it looks. Separated by a couple of hundred kilometres of ocean, these two popular Palawan destinations require some fore-planning.
There are three main ways to make this popular ‘hop’ over the ocean – ferry, direct flight or island-hopping – so, in this post, I’ll break down cost, advantages and time required for each.
I’m approaching my third trip to Palawan, so I’m no stranger to this journey.
If you’re heading to Coron from somewhere else in the Philippines, head on over to my complete guide for how to get to Coron from Manila, Cebu and other regional destinations.
And if you’re still not quite sure how to plan your Palawan itinerary, start with my Palawan itinerary, where I explain the best (and most popular) routes in more detail.
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
QUICK INFORMATION
Quickest: Direct flight (AirSWIFT)
Cheapest: Ferry (check availability on 12Go)
Best way: Multi-day island-hopping expedition (like Big Dream Boatman ⛵)
The 3 Best Ways to Get From El Nido to Coron
There are three main ways to get from El Nido to Coron, some easier than others. I think it’s most important to note here that the quickest way is not always the best.
Yes, the direct 40-minute flight may be efficient. However, is it worth missing out on the spectacular islands and coral reefs located between Coron and El Nido? That’s ultimate for you to decide.
- Take a direct flight – The flight itself only takes 40 minutes, but you must get to and from the airports. You’ll also miss out on the incredible scenery between El Nido and Coron.
- Take the ferry – The 3.5-hour ferries are a little notorious for causing seasickness, but they are quick enough, affordable and efficient.
- Take an island-hopping expedition – The bucket-list-worthy expeditions last several days and visit remote and uncrowded islands and coral reefs. No wonder they’re so popular.
All of the above work for the reverse route from Coron to El Nido, too. Let’s go into some more detail…
1. Direct flight – The Quickest Way!
Best for: Those who are short on time.
Time needed: 40 minutes (minus the journey to and from the airports).
Cost: 3,500 – 4,400 PHP (£45 – £65)
If you’re limited on time, you should take the quickest route from El Nido to Coron: the direct 40-minute flight by AirSWIFT.
The cost depends upon the time of year and availability, but typically falls within the 3,500 – 4,400 PHP (£45 – £65) range.
Remember, though, that it takes time and money to get to and from the airports.
For example, El Nido Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride from the town proper. Coron’s Francisco B. Reyes Airport is a 30-minute ride from Coron town proper.
Taxis don’t cost an arm and a leg, but will add to more than the total cost of the flight ticket alone.
2. Island Hopping Expedition – The Best Way!
Best for: Island hopping, snorkelling and exploring remote islands.
Time needed: 3 – 5 days
Cost: $650+
The thing is, when you take a flight from El Nido to Coron, you’re missing out on exploring Linapacan.
The remote area is hardly touched by tourists. In fact, its tiny islands and coral reefs are only accessible by booking a multi-day island-hopping expedition.
I’ve done the expedition route twice, and still think about it – not only did it allow me to skip the arduous ferry journey, but I spent my daylight hours snorkelling and gliding past spectacular islands.
When the sun went down, I ate barbecued seafood, gathered around the fire, and spent the night in a bamboo hut next to the beach.
The expeditions, led by experienced locals, take place on a traditional bangka boat and range from 3 – 5 nights (all inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and snorkelling gear).
Depending upon which company you book with, you can expect to be in a group of 20 – 24 people.
There are very few companies running these expeditions, and two clear front-runners:
- Big Dream Boatman: The best value for money and smallest groups (up to 20 people).
- Tao Philippines: The original tour operator, and slightly more expensive.
Big Dream Boatman offers the best value for money for these expeditions, keeping group numbers small (up to 20 people).
Naturally, these tours are popular, and often sell out – so make sure to check the availability in advance.
For more advice on the best places to go island hopping, and getting off the beaten track, check out my ultimate guide to island hopping in Palawan.
3. Ferry from El Nido to Coron – The Cheapest Way!
Best for: Budget travellers
Time needed: 3.5 hours
Cost: 2,800 – 3,000 PHP (£37 – £40)
Ferries are the cheapest way to get from El Nido to Coron, saving you up to 1,400 PHP (£18) compared to flying.
There are two ferry types:
- High-speed ferries (Montenegro Shipping Lines, Jomalia Shipping or Atienza InterIsland Ferries) take 3.5 hours.
- Regular ferries (Atienza InterIsland Ferries only) take as long as 8 hours.
The cost of the high-speed and regular ferries is pretty much identical.
Therefore, you should make sure that you’re booking the high-speed ferry to spend less time on the water.
When the weather conditions are poor, the journey may be longer. It could take you up to five hours to reach Coron from El Nido.
I also recommend that you take some motion sickness tablets before taking the ferry, as the route is known for causing sea sickness.
Most of the high-speed ferries from El Nido depart at 12:00 pm (midday) or 12:30 pm.
You can check availability for the El Nido to Coron ferry on 12Go, using the widget below:
