How to Get From Coron to El Nido: The Three Best Ways
Wondering how to get from Coron to El Nido? Separated by several hundred kilometres of sea, it’s not as easy as hopping on a bus and re-emerging several hours later at your destination.
There are three main ways to take this journey between two of Palawan’s most popular island hopping destinations, and each has its pros and cons.
In the following blog post, I will break down how to get from Coron to El Nido by boat, ferry and aeroplane. I’ll also rank them by how quick, budget-friendly and worthwhile they are.
I’ve made the same journey twice in the past five years, so it’s safe to say I know it very well. At this point, it’s practically a rite of passage for your Palawan itinerary.
Getting to Coron from elsewhere in the Philippines? Check out my guide on how to get to Coron.
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QUICK OVERVIEW
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 Coron to El Nido
There are three main ways to get from Coron to El Nido (or the reverse direction, from El Nido to Coron): a direct flight, the ferry or an island-hopping expedition.
The direct 40-minute flight (with AirSWIFT) is the quickest way.
However, the quickest way is not always the best way, especially if you don’t want to miss out on the spectacular islands between Coron and El Nido.
Let’s delve into each option one by one…
1. Direct Flight – the Quickest Way!
Best for: Travelling with time restraints
Time needed: 40 minutes
Cost: 3,500 – 4,400 PHP (£45 – £65)
The quickest way to get between Coron and El Nido is to fly, which takes 40 minutes.
The only airline that offers this route is AirSWIFT.
A ticket costs 3,500 – 4,400 PHP (£45 – £65), depending on the date and time.
While the flight itself only takes 40 minutes, remember that you need to travel to/from the airport and aim to arrive two hours before your flight.
Coron Airport (the Francisco B. Reyes Airport) is a 30-minute drive from Coron town proper. A taxi from Coron town proper to the airport should cost approximately 300 – 500 PHP (£4 – £6.50).
After you land, the journey from El Nido Airport to El Nido town takes only 15 minutes and costs approximately 250 – 350 PHP (£3 – £4.50).
2. Island Hopping Expeditions – The Best Way!
Best for: Island-hopping, snorkelling and adventure.
Time needed: 3 – 5 days
Cost: $650+
Unless you’re limited on time, I highly recommend taking one of Palawan’s famous island-hopping expeditions between Coron and El Nido (also running in the reverse direction).
The area between Coron and El Nido (called Linapacan) is full of ridiculously beautiful and remote islands and coral reefs.
Not only do these expeditions get you from A to B, but they also give you the chance to stay in bamboo huts on remote islands.
Guests travel between coral reefs and islands on a traditional bangka boat, led by a local crew.
I have made the journey between Coron and El Nido twice in the past five years. Both times, I have taken an island-hopping expedition.
They generally last from 3 to 4 nights and include accommodation, meals, transport and snorkelling activities.
The boat usually transports up to 20 to 24 people, depending on the company.
The area between Coron and El Nido is far less crowded than Coron and El Nido, as there are only a few tour operators.
Many of the corals in Coron and El Nido have been damaged by over-tourism, so I also found that the area has a far greater variety of sealife and more colourful reefs.
The main downside of taking an island-hopping expedition is that they require at least 3 to 5 days, and they are more expensive than the ferry/flight.
The two main operators for these expeditions are:
- Big Dream Boatman: The best value for money and the smallest group (up to 20 people max).
- Tao Philippines: The original tour operator, but 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 of the best places to go island-hopping in the province, and lesser-known spots, read my full guide to island hopping in Palawan.
3. The Ferry from Coron to El Nido – The Cheapest Way!
Best for: Budget travel
Time needed: 3 – 5 hours
Cost: 2,800 – 3,000 PHP (£37 – £40)
Taking the ferry is the cheapest way to take the journey, costing between 2,800 and 3,000 PHP (£37 – £40).
The high-speed ferry (run by Montenegro Shipping Lines or Jomalia Shipping) takes 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The regular ferry (run by Atienza InterIsland Ferries) takes 4 hours and 30 minutes.
The price is the same regardless of speed, so you’re better off taking the fast ferry.
During bad weather conditions, the ferries can take up to five hours to reach El Nido.
The earliest ferry departs Coron port at 6:00 am. The latest ferry is at 7:30 am.
The ferries are notorious for causing seasickness, so I recommend picking up some motion sickness tablets from the pharmacy before you travel.
The best place to book the ferry is 12Go. You can use the widget below to check the availability.
I hope you found this blog post useful! Leave a comment below to let me know your trip plans – I’d love to hear from you. One you reach El Nido, you’ll need a plan too; read my El Nido itinerary for the best things to do.
FAQs
The fast ferry from Coron to El Nido takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. The slow ferry takes 4 hours and 30 minutes. However, during bad weather conditions, the ferries can take up to five hours to reach El Nido.
Tao Philippines offers private boat expeditions from Coron to El Nido, lasting several days.
Flying is the quickest but most expensive method, with direct flights by AirSWIFT only taking 40 minutes. The ferry, in comparison, is cheaper but takes 3 to 5 hours.
