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How to get to El Nido and Coron
How to get to El Nido and Coron
There are no longer direct flights from Manila to El Nido or Coron. Since 29 March 2026 those services fly from Clark instead, about two hours north of central Manila. The alternatives are a flight to Puerto Princesa followed by a five to six hour van to El Nido, a direct flight from Cebu, Caticlan or Busuanga, or the ferry between El Nido and Coron. This page sets out every route with times and fares, updated September 2026.
What changed in 2026
Until March 2026 you could fly from Manila's airport straight to El Nido or Coron in about an hour. That route is gone.
From 29 March 2026, the El Nido and Coron flights moved to Clark International Airport, 100km north of Manila. The aircraft still land at Lio Airport, twenty minutes outside El Nido town — but you reach them from Clark, not from Manila.
This was not one airline's decision. Turboprop aircraft were moved out of Manila's airport as a whole, to relieve congestion there. El Nido and Busuanga are served by turboprops, so every operator on those routes moved — Cebgo and Sunlight Air alike. That is why no airline now flies Manila to El Nido or Manila to Coron, and why the change is unlikely to be reversed.
The airline's name has changed too. AirSWIFT was bought by Cebu Pacific and the brand was retired on 1 July 2026. The same flights are now operated by Cebgo, Cebu Pacific's turboprop arm, under DG flight numbers, and are booked through Cebu Pacific. If you are searching for AirSWIFT and finding nothing, that is why.
If you land at Manila for an international connection, you do not need to cross the city. Genesis Transport runs direct point-to-point buses from NAIA Terminal 3 to Clark Airport, and from Trinoma, Cubao and PITX. Allow two to three hours depending on traffic. See below for fares.
Most guides online still describe the old route. If you are reading a page that tells you to fly Manila to El Nido, it is out of date.
Getting to El Nido
Getting from Manila to Clark
Genesis Transport operates direct point-to-point buses. You do not need a taxi or a private transfer.
|
From |
Fare |
Boarding point |
|
NAIA Terminal 3 |
₱450 |
Arrival area, across Bay 13 |
|
NAIA Terminal 2 |
₱450 |
Bay B2 |
|
Trinoma |
₱350 |
Behind the mall car park |
|
Genesis Cubao terminal |
₱350 |
EDSA corner New York Avenue |
Journey time is two to three hours depending on traffic, and most services stop at SM Clark on the way.
Two things to know. The NAIA and Trinoma buses are walk-in only — you cannot book a seat in advance — and fares are paid in cash. Check the current timetable at genesistransportserviceinc.com before you travel, and allow generous time: two to three hours on the road plus airport check-in.
A private van is ₱5,000 to ₱7,000 for the vehicle, and worth considering if you are a group with luggage or travelling at an awkward hour.
From Manila — two options
The fast one: via Clark.
Fly to Clark (CRK), then Cebgo to Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI) — book it through Cebu Pacific. The flight is about 1 hour
15 minutes and costs roughly ₱5,500 to ₱12,000 one way. Add the transfer from Manila to Clark. Baggage is limited — around 10kg included. Check before you pack.
The cheaper one: via Puerto Princesa.
Fly Manila (MNL) to Puerto Princesa (PPS) on Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or AirAsia — about 1 hour 20 minutes, with roughly ten flights a day, so seats are rarely a problem. One-way fares run from about ₱1,500 in a promotion to ₱5,000 or more in peak season or booked late.
Then travel overland: vans and Cherry Bus coaches run from the airport and the San Jose terminal, roughly every hour from 6am to 5pm, taking 5 to 6 hours for ₱800 to ₱1,000 per person.
Total: about 11 to 12 hours, and roughly ₱2,500 to ₱6,000 depending on the fare you get.
Which to choose. If your time matters more than the fare, fly via Clark. If your budget matters more, fly to Puerto Princesa — the van is long but reliable, and the route is served by three airlines, so fares fall a long way when booked early.
From Cebu (CEB)
Direct Cebgo flights to Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI), with more services in 2026 than before. For European travellers connecting through Asian or Gulf hubs, Cebu is now often the easier gateway than Manila — it avoids the Clark transfer entirely.
From Boracay / Caticlan (MPH)
Direct Cebgo flights from Caticlan to Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI). If you are staying on Boracay, take the short ferry to Caticlan first.
From Bohol / Tagbilaran (TAG)
Direct Cebgo flights from Tagbilaran to Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI). Useful if you are combining Bohol with Palawan, and it avoids Manila and Clark entirely.
From Coron / Busuanga (USU)
Direct flights from Busuanga to Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI) take about 25 to 40 minutes and run daily. Or take the ferry — see below.
Getting to Coron
Coron sits on Busuanga Island, north of Palawan. There is no road between El Nido and Coron — the only ways are by air or by sea.
From Clark (CRK): Cebgo and Sunlight Air both fly to Busuanga Airport, Coron (USU). Sunlight Air is a boutique carrier flying ATR 72s and has its own lounge at Busuanga.
From Cebu (CEB): the best-served route into Coron, with Cebgo, Philippine Airlines and Sunlight Air all flying non- stop — around 29 flights a week, taking about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you are arriving into the Philippines through Cebu, this is the easiest way into Coron.
From Manila (MNL): there are no longer direct flights. Sunlight Air flew this route in the past but no longer does — its aircraft, like Cebgo's, now operate from Clark. Travel via Clark or Cebu, or take the ferry below.
From Puerto Princesa (PPS): there are no direct flights. One 2GO ferry runs on Sundays, leaving at 04:30 and arriving at 17:30 — about 13 hours. Most travellers instead go Puerto Princesa to El Nido by road, then take the El Nido–Coron ferry.
By ferry from Manila: 2GO Travel sails overnight from North Harbour Pier 4 to Coron, taking about 13 hours, with fares from around ₱1,600. Sailings are roughly weekly, so check the current schedule at 2go.com.ph before planning around it. Slow, but a genuine alternative when flights are full or expensive.
From Busuanga Airport to Coron town: about 30 minutes by shared van, around ₱200 per person. Vans wait at the airport and there are plenty, so no need to book ahead.
Between El Nido and Coron
Three ways, and they suit different travellers.
By ferry
Montenegro Shipping Lines and Jomalia Shipping operate the route through the Linapacan Strait.
|
Journey time |
7 to 9 hours on the standard ferry; a fast ferry of about 3.5 hours runs seasonally |
|
Departure |
Typically 6:00–7:30am from El Nido town port; 12:00–1:30pm from Coron Port |
|
Fare |
₱1,800 to ₱2,800 per person |
|
Frequency |
Daily in peak season. Less frequent in the wet months, so check before fixing your dates |
Two things worth knowing. In peak season, December to March, sailings run daily but sell out days ahead. And crossings are cancelled in rough weather — if you have a flight to catch from Busuanga, leave a full buffer day in Coron.
Note: the ferry docks at El Nido town port in the centre, not at Lio Airport.
By air
Direct flights between Busuanga (USU) and Lio Airport, El Nido (ENI) take 25 to 40 minutes and run daily. The fastest option by a wide margin, and the one to choose if your dates are tight.
By expedition
We should declare an interest: this is what we do.
A three-day, two-night boat expedition crosses the same water as the ferry, through Linapacan and Culion, but stops at islands the ferry passes at speed. Nights are spent ashore at beach camps. It runs in both directions and costs from ₱19,800 per person, including all meals and both nights' accommodation.
It is not a transfer, and it should not be compared to one on price. The ferry gets you there in a day for ₱1,800 to ₱2,800. This takes three days and is the holiday rather than the journey to it. If you were going to spend three days in Palawan anyway, it replaces them rather than adding to them.
Arriving
Lio Airport to El Nido town — about 20 to 30 minutes by tricycle, roughly ₱200 to ₱400. Shared shuttle vans also run. If you are staying in the Lio estate itself, you can walk.
El Nido town port — central, walking distance to most of the town.
Sibaltan and the east coast — about an hour from El Nido town by road. A tricycle costs ₱1,500 to ₱1,800 for the trip, not per person, so it is worth sharing if you are two or more.
Busuanga Airport to Coron town — about 30 minutes by shared van, around ₱200 per person. Vans meet every flight; no booking needed.
Which route should I choose?
|
If you are |
Take |
|
Short on time, flexible on budget |
Clark (CRK) to Lio (ENI), or Busuanga (USU) to Lio (ENI) |
|
Travelling on a budget |
Manila (MNL) to Puerto Princesa (PPS), then the van |
|
Coming from Cebu, Bohol/Tagbilaran or Boracay/Caticlan |
The direct flight to Lio (ENI) — it avoids Manila and Clark entirely |
|
Doing both El Nido and Coron |
Fly into one, ferry or fly between them, out of the other |
|
Wanting the journey to be part of the trip |
The expedition |
One planning note. Because there is no road between El Nido and Coron, and sailings thin out in the wet season, book the leg between them before you fix your onward flights, not after.
Questions travellers ask
Can I still fly from Manila to El Nido?
No. Since 29 March 2026 the El Nido flights leave from Clark, about two hours north of central Manila, not from Manila's airport. The flight from Clark to Lio Airport takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and is operated by Cebgo, booked through Cebu Pacific.
What happened to AirSWIFT?
Cebu Pacific bought AirSWIFT and retired the brand on 1 July 2026. The same routes and schedules are now flown by Cebgo under DG flight numbers and sold through Cebu Pacific. Cebgo serves El Nido (ENI) from Clark (CRK), Cebu (CEB), Caticlan (MPH), Tagbilaran (TAG) and Busuanga (USU).
Why did the Manila flights stop?
Turboprop aircraft were moved out of Manila's airport to relieve congestion. El Nido and Busuanga are served by turboprops, so every airline on those routes now flies from Clark instead — Cebgo and Sunlight Air alike. Jets still fly Manila to Puerto Princesa, which is why that route remains the main alternative.
What is the cheapest way to get to El Nido?
Fly Manila to Puerto Princesa, then take a van or Cherry Bus coach for 5 to 6 hours. The total is roughly ₱2,500 to ₱6,000 and 11 to 12 hours, against ₱5,500 to ₱12,000 for the Clark flight. Book the Puerto Princesa leg early — fares on that route rise sharply close to departure.
How long does the ferry from El Nido to Coron take?
Seven to nine hours on the standard ferry, or about three and a half hours on the seasonal fast ferry. Fares run ₱1,800 to ₱2,800. Montenegro and Jomalia sail daily in peak season and less often in the wet months, and sailings sell out days ahead in December to March.
Is there a road between El Nido and Coron?
No. Coron is on Busuanga Island and El Nido is on Palawan. The only connections are by air or sea.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled?
Crossings are cancelled in rough weather. Leave a buffer day before any onward flight from Busuanga.
How do I get from Manila to Clark Airport?
Genesis Transport runs direct point-to-point buses from NAIA Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 for ₱450, and from Trinoma and Cubao for ₱350. The journey takes two to three hours depending on traffic. Buses from NAIA and Trinoma are walk-in only and take cash.
Which airport should I fly into?
Lio Airport for the fastest route to El Nido, Puerto Princesa for the cheapest, Busuanga for Coron. Lio (ENI) is served directly from Clark (CRK), Cebu (CEB), Caticlan (MPH), Tagbilaran (TAG) and Busuanga (USU) — so if you are already elsewhere in the Philippines, a direct flight usually beats routing back through Manila.