Although they are located in the same province of Palawan, a lot of travelers don’t know how to go from Coron to El Nido, nor how tricky it can sometimes get. These two popular tourist destinations in the Philippines are separated by 280 kilometers of sea, along which you’ll find the areas of Culion and Linapacan islands.
As land transportation is obviously not an option, we’ll see here the few ways that you can travel from Coron to El Nido. This includes air, sea and a special kind of expedition we organize either as a group-open or private tour: the Ultimate Adventure Tour. Let’s see that!
Traveling from Coron to El Nido with a fast-craft
The fast-craft recently became one of the most popular way to go from Coron to El Nido (or from El Nido to Coron). The fast-craft is a type of ferry boat which can accomplish the travel in around 4 hours. Since a few years, they have replaced the (infamously slow) “ferry boats” which were doing the same journey in about 8 to 9 hours. These slow ferries were known for being very uncomfortable.
But the fast-craft is nowadays a way better option. Without qualifying in any way as a first-class travel, you’ll get to enjoy a fast ride in padded seats in an aircon compartment. Compared to the wood benches and the sultriness of the former ferries, that’s a huge improvement. Most of them even have a TV playing for the passengers’ entertainment.
The ride itself costs around P1,800 per person. There are two companies operating these trips: Phimal Fast Ferry Inc. and Montenegro Fast Ferry. The main downside to these companies is that they have an history of overbooking and cancelling bookings at the last minute. That’s why we stopped working with them, but you can have a look at our dedicated transportation booking page. We may have resumed this service at the time you’re reading these lines.
In any case, make sure to book your fast-craft tickets way in advance, as the availability is limited, especially at the peak of the high season (from end-December to mid-January).
Flying from Coron to El Nido
It’s possible to book a direct flight going from Coron to El Nido. This is obviously a very convenient way to travel between the two destinations, but it’s also – as you can predict – the most expensive.
The company operating these flights is AirSwift. They have one flight a day from Busuanga airport to El Nido airport in Lio (which is located only 15-20 minutes away from the town itself). The departure time of the flight is generally around 9:35AM and the journey itself will take only 40 minutes.
The cost will vary depending on the time of the year, but it should be around P4,000 to P5,000 during the high season. During the low season, it can go as low as P1,700 to P1,800. If you value your time and wish to be in El Nido as soon as possible, then this is the way to go.
Going from Coron to El Nido by plane and van
If you cannot find any available seats at the time you’re traveling to El Nido, either with the fast-craft or with the direct flights, there’s an alternative route that can bring you there within one day. But be aware that it won’t be the cheapest nor the fastest.
What you can do is take a flight from Coron to Puerto Princesa. These flights will have to stop in Manila, Clark or Cebu before connecting with a flight to Puerto Princesa. The cost will vary greatly depending on the time of the year, the company, etc. Expect it to cost around P5,000 (you can have a look in Skyscanner to compare the different options).
Once you’ll be in Puerto Princesa, you’ll be able to get a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. You can book either a public van or a private van (highly recommended) directly on our website. The van ride will take around 5 to 6 hours in any case.
Because it will take a full day at least, and because it’s by no mean the cheapest option, we wouldn’t root for this alternative route (no pun intended)… But if you have no other choice, that can be the way to save the day.
An awesome alternative way to go from Coron to El Nido
Now, if you ask us what’s the best way to go from Coron to El Nido, we will assuredly answer that it is with one of the expeditions we organize in Northern Palawan! They can last from 3 days and 2 nights to 5 days and 4 nights, and they will take you in some of the most beautiful and remote spots of Palawan.
We call this expedition the Ultimate Adventure Tour. It’s available both as a public tour and a private one (if you want to have the expedition organized for your group only). Departing from Coron, it will take you to Culion and then to the Linapacan islands, before arriving in El Nido on the last day. For more information about the itinerary and the scheduled tours, we invite you to check this page.
Why is this the best way to travel from Coron to El Nido? Well, because it will make this journey a part of your trip and, according to many of our guests, it can even become the highlight of your whole vacations in the Philippines. Among the different activities including with this tour, you’ll be snorkeling, turtle watching, cliff jumping, overnight camping on deserted islands, stargazing at the milky way next to a big bonfire while having a drink…
If you’re ready to join the adventure, discover the different scheduled trips here. And if you have any questions about your travels, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to help you organize the best vacations possible in Palawan!
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