Coron is one of those places that photographs so well people assume it’s Photoshopped. Limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise water, sunken WWII shipwrecks you can dive into, lagoons the color of blue Gatorade. It’s also, annoyingly, one of the harder places in the Philippines to actually reach from Manila. There’s no single “best” way to get there anymore, especially after a big change to Manila flights that kicked in earlier this year. So let’s walk through your real options, what they actually cost, and which one makes sense for your trip.
Flying to Coron via Clark
Here’s the thing that trips a lot of people up right now: as of late March 2026, there are no more direct flights from Manila’s NAIA to Coron (Busuanga Airport, code USU). Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both moved their turboprop operations, including the Coron route, over to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. The Busuanga runway still can’t handle full-size jets, so smaller turboprop planes are the only aircraft that fly there, and those got phased out of NAIA entirely.
What this means practically: you’ll need to get yourself to Clark first. Genesis and other bus operators run P2P coaches from various Metro Manila points (Cubao, Pasay, Trinoma) straight to Clark International Airport, and the ride takes around three hours depending on traffic, for roughly 250 to 400 pesos. Some travelers prefer booking a private van transfer instead, which costs more but shaves off waiting time.
From Clark, Cebu Pacific and its regional arm Cebgo run flights to Busuanga, with the actual flight time around an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. One-way fares tend to start somewhere in the 3,000 to 6,000 peso range if you book a few weeks ahead, though they climb fast around Holy Week, Christmas, and the peak summer months of March through May. Add the Clark transfer, and you’re realistically looking at a five to six hour door-to-door journey once you count check-in time.
Once you land at Busuanga, it’s still about a 45 minute to an hour van ride into Coron town itself, which most hotels or tour operators can arrange for around 250 to 350 pesos per person on a shared shuttle.
Taking the Ferry Direct from Manila
If you’d rather skip flights altogether, 2GO Travel runs a direct passenger ferry between Manila and Coron, typically once a week. It’s a proper overnight voyage, around 13 hours at sea, so you board in the evening and wake up pulling into Coron the next day. Fares vary a lot depending on the cabin class you pick, from bunk-style tourist class seats around 1,700 to 2,000 pesos up to private cabins that can run 4,000 pesos or more.
This is a slower option and the schedule is limited to specific sailing days, so you’ll want to check 2GO’s current schedule before building an itinerary around it. It’s also worth packing light snacks and entertainment since Wi-Fi onboard is unreliable at best. That said, there’s something genuinely nice about waking up to the sight of Coron’s limestone cliffs from the deck rather than an airport shuttle window.
The Bus and RORO Ferry Combo
This is the route budget travelers and overlanders swear by, and it’s honestly an adventure in itself. You take a bus from Manila south to Roxas in Oriental Mindoro, which takes roughly six to seven hours depending on where you catch it and how bad the traffic out of Manila is. From Roxas port, you board a RORO (roll-on roll-off) ferry, operated by companies like Atienza Interisland Ferries, that crosses overnight to Coron or nearby Busuanga. That crossing typically runs eight to ten hours, so you’re sleeping on board again.
All in, this combo usually costs less than flying, often somewhere around 1,700 to 2,500 pesos total between the bus and ferry legs, though exact pricing shifts with fuel surcharges and season. The tradeoff is time and comfort. You’re looking at close to 18 to 20 hours of total travel, spread across two separate legs with a transfer in between, and RORO ferries are functional rather than fancy. If you’ve got the days to spare and enjoy that kind of journey, it’s a memorable way to see rural Mindoro and arrive in Palawan by sea.
Which Option Should You Choose
If your vacation days are limited, fly via Clark. It’s genuinely the fastest way to get to Coron right now, even with the added transfer, and for most travelers the time saved is worth the extra cost. If you’re not in a rush and want a simpler, single-leg journey, the direct 2GO ferry is a solid middle ground, just build your dates around its weekly schedule. And if you’re backpacking on a tight budget or just love the idea of island-hopping your way south overland, the Roxas bus and RORO ferry combo gets you there for less money, provided you’ve got a couple of extra days and don’t mind rougher travel conditions.
Worth noting too: if you’re already planning to visit El Nido on the same trip, some travelers fly into Coron first and take a boat or van north to El Nido afterward, turning this into a two-stop Palawan itinerary rather than a single destination trip.
Cost Comparison at a Glance
Flying via Clark: around 3,500 to 6,500 pesos total (bus transfer plus flight), roughly 5 to 6 hours door to door.
Direct 2GO ferry: around 1,700 to 4,000 pesos depending on cabin class, about 13 hours, once weekly.
Bus and RORO combo: around 1,700 to 2,500 pesos, 18 to 20 hours total including the overnight crossing.
None of these numbers are locked in stone. Fuel surcharges, holiday pricing, and how far ahead you book can all swing these figures, so treat them as a general baseline rather than a quote.
Getting Around Once You’re in Coron
Coron town itself is small enough to walk, but tricycles are everywhere and cost around 10 to 15 pesos for short hops within town, more if you’re heading out to specific trailheads or piers. Nearly every hotel and hostel can book you onto an island hopping tour, which is really the main event once you arrive, since most of Coron’s famous lagoons and reefs are only reachable by boat.
If you’ve got extra time in Palawan, it’s worth reading up on the wider Palawan travel guide before you go, since a lot of the practical tips (cash access, SIM cards, what to pack) apply whether you’re based in Coron, El Nido, or Puerto Princesa.
A Few Practical Tips Before You Book
Book your Clark flight or 2GO ferry ticket at least two to three weeks out if you’re traveling during peak season, since seats and cabins do sell out. If you’re flying, double check whether your ticket already includes the Clark transfer or if you need to arrange that separately, since not every airline bundles it in. And if you’re taking the RORO route, bring cash. Small ports along the way don’t always have reliable card machines or ATMs.
Quick FAQ
Can I still fly direct from Manila to Coron? No, not since late March 2026. Direct turboprop flights from NAIA were discontinued, and Coron flights now depart from Clark International Airport instead.
How long does the ferry from Manila to Coron take? The direct 2GO ferry takes roughly 13 hours overnight. The bus and RORO ferry combo via Roxas, Mindoro takes closer to 18 to 20 hours total.
What’s the cheapest way to get to Coron? The bus and RORO ferry combo via Roxas is usually the cheapest, though it takes the longest. The 2GO ferry in tourist class is a close second.
Do I need to book the Clark transfer separately from my flight? Sometimes. Check with your airline first, but many travelers book a P2P bus or van to Clark on their own rather than relying on the airline to arrange it.
