The Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) is at present the one water-based transportation in Metro Manila that plies the size of the Pasig River and components of the Marikina River. As of January 2025, the choice transport choice stays FREE to journey for all passengers. The ferry, just like a water bus, cruises alongside Pasig River from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig Metropolis to Escolta in Manila Metropolis.
If you happen to’re searching for a distinct mode of transport for city exploration, this commuter ferry has stations in Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Manila. Whereas work must be performed alongside the riverbanks in lots of areas, the ferry gives a glimpse of native life and gives a view of notable landmarks from a vacationer’s perspective.
When it was first launched, the Pasig River Ferry Service was owned and operated by a personal firm, however it’s at present managed and operated by the Metropolitan Manila Improvement Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Coast Guard. Whereas it’s not essentially the most dependable transport choice within the metropolis, it gives a pleasing various to coping with site visitors jams or different transport choices.
If you happen to’ve by no means tried the Pasig River Ferry Service earlier than and are searching for schedules and route maps, right here’s essentially the most up to date info I can share primarily based on my most up-to-date ferry journey on January 30, 2025.
Try the route on GoogleMaps.
The Pasig River Ferry at present has 13 stations alongside the route within the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila. Listed below are the terminal areas going downstream from Pasig to Manila.
- Pinagbuhatan
- Kalawaan
- San Joaquin
- Maybunga
- Guadalupe (close to Guadalupe MRT-3)
- Hulo
- Valenzuela
- Lambingan
- Sta. Ana
- PUP
- Quinta
- Lawton
- Escolta (close to Carriedo LRT-1 and Central Station)
I rode from the Guadalupe Station going to Escolta. It’s essential to current an ID for the passenger manifest. You’ll be issued a paper ticket indicating the purpose of origin and vacation spot, which will probably be collected on the final cease.
Deliberate stations
In line with information studies, there are plans so as to add 3 stations in Intramuros (Plaza Mexico), Bridgetown in Pasig, and Marikina Metropolis, however these stations will not be but operational. For the reason that Marikina River is shallow, the stations in Pasig and Marikina can solely be constructed after the Marikina River turns into “navigable” after dredging actions. Previous to the MMDA takeover, there additionally was a ferry station situated in Eastwood.
The Pasig River Ferry Service operates from Monday to Saturday, daytime solely. There are not any journeys on Sundays. Coming from Guadalupe, there are 11 journeys every day at hourly intervals going downstream to Escolta beginning at 7:00 am with the final journey at 4:30 pm.
Guadalupe Downstream (Guadalupe to Escolta)
- 1st: 7:00 am
- 2nd: 7:30 am
- third: 8:30 am
- 4th: 9:30 am
- fifth: 10:30 am
- sixth: 11:30 am
- seventh: 12:30 pm
- eighth: 1:30 pm
- ninth: 2:30 pm
- tenth: 3:30 pm
- eleventh: 4:30 pm
Guadalupe Upstream (Guadalupe to Pinagbuhatan)
- 1st: 9:20 am
- 2nd: 10:00 am
- third: 10:53 am
- 4th: 11:55 am
- fifth: 1:00 pm
- sixth: 2:05 am
- seventh: 2:52 pm
- eighth: 3:52 pm
- ninth: 5:00 pm
- tenth: 6:00 pm
- eleventh: 6:20 pm
Escolta Upstream
If you happen to’re coming from Escolta going again to Guadalupe, there are additionally 11 journeys to take. The first journey is at 8:30 am whereas the final journey is 5:30 pm.
- 1st: 8:30 am
- 2nd: 9:00 am
- third: 10:00 am
- 4th: 11:00 am
- fifth: 12:00 nn
- sixth: 1:00 pm
- seventh: 2:00 pm
- eighth: 3:00 pm
- ninth: 4:00 pm
- tenth: 5:00 pm
- eleventh: 5:30 pm
Right here’s the complete Pasig River Ferry Schedule and timetable as shared by MMDA. Whereas their official web site says the schedule was final up to date on June 7, 2022, that is nonetheless being adopted as of January 2025. The identical schedule is posted contained in the Guadalupe Ferry Terminal.
Downstream: Pinagbuhatan to Escolta
Upstream: Escolta to Kalawaan
When touring by public transport, listed below are some key stations to be aware of.
Guadalupe: That is the closest station to the MRT practice line. It’ll take about 5-8 minutes to stroll from the Guadalupe MRT station to the Guadalupe Ferry station.
Hulo: For vacationers staying in Makati and Poblacion, that is essentially the most handy station to journey to get to Binondo (Escolta) and Quiapo (Quinta). Smaller boats stationed on the park close to Museo ng Makati supply river crossings to get to the Hulo station.
Quinta: A preferred cease for many who work in Quiapo or these fascinated about purchasing round Quiapo and Divisoria. It’s close to the Carriedo LRT-1 Station.
Escolta: At present the final cease and one of the simplest ways to entry Escolta and Intramuros with out having to park. From right here, you possibly can stroll to Binondo Chinatown or cross to Intramuros by way of Jones Bridge and the Pasig River Esplanade. That is additionally strolling distance from the LRT-1 Carriedo Station and comparatively close to the LRT-1 Central Terminal (beside Arroceros Forest Park). Lawton can also be close to the Central Station, but it surely’s laborious to cross the road from there. You’ll must cross an underground footbridge by way of Mehan Backyard.
Pinagbuhatan
Location: Eusebio Avenue, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig Metropolis (close to the Coast Guard Station at C6 Bridge)
- C6 Bridge
- Labasan Pumping Station
- Sitio Tapayan Elementary Faculty
Kalawaan
Location: R. Castillo St. Brgy. Kalawaan Pasig
- Pasig Metropolis Corridor
- Pasig Metropolis Mega Market
- Kalawaan Barangay Corridor
- Pasig Catholic Cemetery
San Joaquin
Location: San Bernardo Avenue, San Joaquin, Pasig Metropolis
- Sumilang Barangay Corridor
- Bambang Bridge
- Napindan Hydraulic Management Strucuture
Maybunga
Location: Dr. Sixto Avenue, Pasig (beside Maybunga Barangay Corridor)
- Maybunga Barangay Corridor
- Pasig Rainforest Park
- Arellano College
- San Antonio Abad Parish Church
Guadalupe
Location: J.P. Rizal Extension, Makati Metropolis (close to MRT Guadalupe Station)
- MRT Guadalupe Station
- Guadalupe Market
- College of Makati
- MMDA Principal Workplace
- Nationwide Shrine of Our Girl of Guadalupe
- Bonifacio International Metropolis
Hulo
Location: Coronado Avenue, Hulo, Mandaluyong Metropolis (close to the church)
- Parish of Our Girl of Deserted (Mandaluyong)
- Mandaluyong Science Excessive Faculty
- Poblacion
- Museo ng Makati
- Poblacion Barangay Corridor
- Casa Hacienda Park
- Rockwell Middle
Valenzuela
Location: A. Bonifacio Avenue, Valenzuela, Makati Metropolis (close to Bonaventure Backyard Properties, Riverside Studios and LTO Makati District Workplace)
- Makati Metropolis District Workplace
- Makati Metropolis Corridor
- Manila South Cemetery
- The Circuit Makati
Lambingan
Location: F. Manalo Avenue, Punta Santa Ana, Manila
- Lambingan Bridge
- Thomas Earnshaw Elementary Faculty
- Earnshaw Linear Park
Sta. Ana
Location: Pedro Gil Avenue, Sta. Ana, Manila Metropolis (close to the Sta. Ana Market)
- Sta. Ana Public Market
- Liwasang F. Calde
- Our Girl of Deserted Parish Chuch (Sta. Ana Church)
PUP
Location: Polytechnic College of the Philippines (beside the Philippine Coast Guard Station), Anonas Avenue, Sta. Mesa, Manila
- Polytechnic College of the Philippines (PUP) Principal Campus
- PUP Interfaith Chapel
- Museo ni Apolonario Mabini
- Eulogio “Amang Rodriguez” Institute of Science Expertise (EARIST)
- DPWH North Manila Engineering
- V. Mapa LRT Station
- Pureza LRT Station
- Sta. Mesa PNR Station
Quinta
Location: Carlos Palanca St., Quiapo, Manila
- Quinta Market and Fish Port
- Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)
- Plaza Miranda
- Masjid Al-Dahab (Manila Golden Mosque and Cultural Middle)
- Quiapo Muslim City
- Quiapo Heritage Homes
- San Sebastian Church
- LRT-1 Carriedo Station
- Binondo Chinatown
Lawton
Location: Muelle Del Rio Avenue, Arroceros Manila (close to the Quezon Bridge, Plaza Lawton and Publish Workplace)
- Metropolitan Theater
- Arroceros Forest Park
- Manila Metropolis Corridor
- LRT-1 Central Station
- Lawton Bus Terminal
- Plaza Lawton
- Mehan Backyard
- College of Manila
- Liwasang Bonifacio
- Nationwide Museum Complicated
Escolta
Station: Beside Jones Bridge and Plaza Yuchengco
- Escolta Heritage Buildings (First United Constructing)
- Jones Bridge
- Manila Central Publish Workplace
- Binondo Chinatown
- Binondo Church
- Calle Ongpin
- Divisoria
- Intramuros (Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Casa Manila Museum)
- Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz
The Pasig River Ferry Service stays freed from cost to the general public in 2025.
So far as Metro Manila goes, the ferry journey is essentially the most scenic choice. You get a glimpse of the native tradition and it’s a pleasing various to driving and parking or being caught in site visitors. There are some good riverside murals and notable landmarks together with Circuit Makati, Malacanang Palace, Isla de Convalecencia, Manila Central Publish Workplace and Jones Bridge. I discovered it extra nice than driving to the world or taking the crowded LRT-1 throughout rush hour. Nevertheless, journeys are restricted, so issue that into your journey plans.
- The ferry is greatest for vacationers who aren’t in a rush to get to their vacation spot, those that need to reap the benefits of free rides, or these to strive various transport.
- Whereas there are purported to be 11 journeys every day at hourly intervals, the departure instances will not be strictly adopted. I obtained to the Guadalupe Terminal at 1:30 pm and was informed the following journey was 2:30. The ferry left at 2:09 pm because it had already reached the passenger restrict. It took 56 minutes to get from Guadalupe to Escolta by ferry.
- Excluding the ready time, the ferry can transport passengers from Guadalupe to Manila from 45 minutes to an hour, which cuts down journey time considerably than land-based commutes.
- In line with their web site, there are 4 ferry boats with a capability for 55 passengers every. Once I rode, the boat was considerably smaller and will solely match 30 folks.
- Passengers can solely journey on a first-come, first-served foundation, so if the ferry is full, you might find yourself having to attend one other hour for the following journey. Except you’re working with an organized tour group, they don’t permit reservations.
- There isn’t any ferry service on Sundays.
- Stations could also be skipped if there are not any passengers happening or driving from there.
- Opposite to fashionable perception, it doesn’t odor unhealthy when driving this ferry alongside the Pasig River. It’s nearly refreshing.
- Pets will not be allowed on the ferry.
- You’ll be able to’t take photographs or movies within the neighborhood of Malacanang Palace. For the perfect view of the palace going downstream, sit on the best aspect of the boat.
- If you happen to plan to journey with children, they solely permit children aged 5 and up touring with mother and father or guardians.
- It will be nice if they might improve the journey intervals to encourage extra passengers to journey this. The Pasig River is underutilized for transport and tourism. With the excessive curiosity within the new Pasig River Esplanade, ferry rides might be a fantastic addition to excursions.
- In my view, there ought to be smaller boats to ferry passengers throughout the river from Intramuros to Binondo just like the crossing in Makati to Hulo station.
Each folding and full-size bicycles are allowed on the Pasig River Ferry, making it simpler for bike commuters and leisure bikers who need to go bimodal and mix their journeys with a river ferry journey to get to the Escolta or Intramuros space from different components of the metro. Nevertheless, solely two bikes are allowed per journey because of the restricted seating capability. There are bike racks outdoors the Guadalupe Ferry Terminal.
The PFRS might droop its operations throughout a storm or different environmental disturbances or for safety measures round Malacanang. Based mostly on feedback on their social media pages, the schedules will not be usually adopted particularly within the smaller stations or these upstream from Guadualupe (Pinagbuhatan, Kalawaan, San Joaquin and Maybunga stations). For inquiries and journey schedules, please message MMDA’s PFRS Fb web page straight. Although they don’t at all times reply to feedback, they reply to direct messages.
