How To Get From Manila to Coron Palawan
The Ultimate Guide
How To Get From Manila to Coron Palawan
The Ultimate Guide
Manila to Coron is without a doubt one of the most popular routes to take during your Philippines backpacking trip! Travelers usually fly into Manila to start their trip, then make their way to Coron to start their Palawan adventures before moving onto other glorious destinations in the Philippines.
Unlike most other places in the Philippines, getting from Manila to Coron is really not a hard task at all. It’s quite simple and easy to travel to and from Manila and Coron.
Other destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Siquijor or Siargao are a little bit more difficult to get to and to be honest it’s quite a headache. So luckily, traveling from Manila to Coron is a pretty straightforward task with only two options: taking one of the Manila to Coron Flights or the Manila to Coron Ferry.
Keep reading to find out which option is best for you when traveling from Manila to Coron Palawan or Coron to Manila.
How To Get From Manila To Coron Palawan
Manila to Coron Flights
Departs: Multiple times per day, every day from Ninoy Aquino Internation Airport Terminal 4 (domestic terminal)
Arrives: Fransisco B. Reyes (Busuanga) Airport.
And vice versa for Coron to Manila flights
Taking a flight is by far the best way to get from Manila to Coron Palawan.
Flights depart pretty much all day every day with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, from Ninoy Aquino Internation Airport Terminal 4 (domestic terminal) and arrives at Fransisco B. Reyes (Busuanga) Airport. The flight time is just over 1 hour and the price is usually around $70 USD one way.
It’s one of the more expensive domestic flights you’ll take within the Philippines, but it is well beyond worth it when compared to the other option of taking a ferry from Manila to Coron. It’s a no brainer, really.
The airport is about 10 minutes away from Makati (the main tourist hub in Manila), however in peak hour traffic this can take up to an hour, so take this into consideration when flying from Manila airport.
The airport in Coron is about 40 minutes away from Coron Town, and if you don’t have a shuttle pre-booked with your accommodation, don’t worry as there will still be a shared shuttle van to take you straight to your accommodation for about 150 PHP per person.
Usually, the drivers of the shuttles are just waiting at the airport and will approach those who do not have pre-booked shuttles and drop everyone off at their respective accommodations, so it is fairly easy to find a way from Coron Airport to Coron Town.
PSA: There’s a Cinnabon inside the domestic terminal (Terminal 4) at Manila airport, do with that news as you please.
Coron to Manila flights are around the same price and are also as frequent as the Manila to Coron route!
Manila to Coron Ferry
Departs: Fridays at 7 pm from North Harbor Pier 4 in Tondo, Manila
Arrives: Saturdays at 6 am at the Coron Port (there’s only one port in Coron)
The Coron to Manila Ferry departs every Sunday at 8 pm from Coron Port to arrive in Manila at 7 am on Monday at the North Harbor Pier in Tondo.
The ferry option from Manila to Coron is definitely the least desirable option.
You board from the North Harbor Pier 4 in Tondo, Manila, and arrive at the Coron Port which is only 10 minutes away from Coron Town. Firstly, it takes 11 hours to get from Manila to Coron Palawan via ferry.
It’s an overnight ferry that runs only on Fridays from 7 pm-6 am, and tickets start from 2300 PHP (45 USD) which is around half the price of a flight from Manila to Coron. To me, this price isn’t cheap enough to make me choose an 11-hour ferry over a 1-hour flight.
In saying that, it’s one night out of the trip where you won’t need to pay accommodation for seeing as you’ll be on the ferry overnight, so if you’re on a super tight budget, then this may be the option for you.
Another thing to add is that it’s not a regular ferry like the ones that take you from Coron to El Nido. This ferry is run by 2Go Travel and it is huge, more comfortable, and less rough on the water.
It’s more of a cruise ship than a ferry, featuring an onboard restaurant, café, convenience store, salon, spa, and there’s even a place where you can sing karaoke.
It’s safe to say it will be a fun and relaxing trip! The good thing about it is you won’t be sitting in uncomfortable chairs the entire way there, instead, you will get a bed to yourself in a shared cabin with other passengers on bunkbeds. Ticket prices vary depending on which class and cabin you choose.
It varies from 2300 PHP for a non-airconditioned cabin all the way up to 6000 PHP for a 2 person air-conditioned suite, and you can choose which cabin when buying a ticket. The Coron to Manila ferry is the same price, however, it runs only on Sundays from 8 pm to arrive in Manila by 7 am the next morning.
For more information and to buy tickets for the Manila to Coron Ferry, visit the 2 Go Travel website.
Overall: Manila to Coron Flight vs Manila to Coron Ferry
This is an easy answer for me. The Manila to Coron flight all the way!
I can’t say I’ve ever taken the ferry from Manila to Coron and I can’t say that I ever will, because the Manila to Coron flight is just too convenient to ever second guess it.
While it may be the more expensive option, I am more than happy to pay the extra and get from Manila to Coron Palawan in one hour. AND I can have a Cinnabon (or two) on the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Days Do I Need In Manila?
Manila is one of those places where it’s a means to an end. There’s not much to see in Manila, and it’s just a big city (that isn’t too nice in my opinion).
It’s basically the hub that gets us to where we actually want to go in the Philippines, but if I could skip Manila all together, I would. It just so happens to be the city that gets you literally everywhere in the Philippines and no matter what, most of us will have to fly into Manila to even enter the Philippines in the first place.
Personally, I like to spend the least amount of time there as possible, and that way I can maximize the time I have everywhere else for my Philippines backpacking trip.
Therefore, one night in Manila is a sufficient amount of time to get off your long international flight, get a good night’s rest and then get on a plane straight away the very next morning to start the real adventures!
How Many Days Do I Need In Coron?
Coron is a different story. Coron is one of the best places in the Philippines and there are quite a few things to do there, beaches to lay on, and islands to explore. I would say spending 3-4 nights in Coron is sufficient, depending on how many boat tours you want to do.
While most people would be happy with 3 nights (and this is definitely enough time to be satisfied with Coron), I’m leaning towards 4 nights because, during the last trip to the Philippines, our group went for 3 nights and did 2 full days of boat tours, however, there is one boat tour we didn’t get the chance to go on because we ran out of time, and now I feel the need to go again just to do that one boat tour we missed out on.
But that’s just me.
Where To Stay In Manila?
I can’t really say there is a ‘best’ area to stay in Manila, however, Makati is the most central and most touristy due to the wide variety of restaurants and nightlife in the area.
In saying this, if you’re staying in Manila for one night just to get on another flight the next morning, then staying somewhere close to the airport is the most convenient option. Makati is only 10 minutes away from the airport, however in heavy traffic during peak times this 10 minutes can stretch out to 1 hour, so keep this in mind.
The best places to stay in Manila for backpackers are:
Z Hostel Manila
Z Hostel is the number one hostel in Manila for those who are looking for a more fun social scene. Located in Makati, Z Hostel is just steps away from all the best bars and clubs in Manila.
Z Hostel hosts nightly events and makes it easy for solo travelers to meet new people to go out partying with.
Click here to check prices on Hostelworld.
Bunk 5021 Hostel
Bunk 5021 Hostel is yet another social hostel located in Makati, the tourist hub of Manila. If you’re not into socializing, there is also a whole floor dedicated for the private rooms and quiet areas of the hostel.
Click here to check prices on Hostelworld
Where To Stay In Coron?
Most travelers visiting Coron Palawan usually opt to stay in Coron Town, as it is centrally located with any convenience you need within walking distance. It’s a no brainer when it comes to where to stay in Coron.
Other than Coron Town, you may want to maximize your authentic tropical island experience for a night here and there by camping on an island like Black Island or living lavishly at the Two Seasons 5-star Resort on Bulalacao Island.
The best places to stay in Coron Town for backpackers are:
Hop Hostel
Hop Hostel is probably the most popular hostel in Coron Palawan, and dare I say the only ‘party hostel’ in Coron with its rooftop bar offering the best view of Coron. I use the term party hostel very lightly, as it’s more of a nightly social scene with drinks, music, and drinking games, but it is definitely the most social hostel in Coron and the closest thing the island gets to a party hostel!
It’s located just a 5-minute walk up a hill from the main streets of Coron Town.
Click here to check prices on Hostelworld
Bam Bam Hostel
Bam Bam Hostel is by no means a party or a social hostel.
It’s quiet, but it’s located smack bang in the center of town and it fulfills the job of a means for accommodation just perfectly.
Click here to check prices on Hostelworld
PHILIPPINES CONTENT GUIDE
Malcapuya Island Coron Palawan {The Malcapuya Beach Guide}
Kayangan Lake Coron Island Boat Tour {The Ultimate Guide}
Twin Lagoon Coron Palawan {The Ultimate Guide}
31 Best Things To Do In Southeast Asia {SE Asia Bucket List}
Best Party Hostels In El Nido Palawan {The Backpackers Guide}
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