The Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) is currently the only water-based transportation in Metro Manila that plies the length of the Pasig River and parts of the Marikina River. As of January 2025, the alternative transport option remains FREE to ride for all passengers. The ferry, similar to a water bus, cruises along Pasig River from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila City.
If you’re looking for a different mode of transport for urban exploration, this commuter ferry has stations in Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Manila. While work needs to be done along the riverbanks in many areas, the ferry offers a glimpse of local life and offers a view of notable landmarks from a tourist’s perspective.
When it was first launched, the Pasig River Ferry Service was owned and operated by a private company, but it is currently managed and operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Coast Guard. While it’s not the most reliable transport option in the city, it offers a pleasant alternative to dealing with traffic jams or other transport options.
If you’ve never tried the Pasig River Ferry Service before and are looking for schedules and route maps, here’s the most updated information I can share based on my most recent ferry ride on January 30, 2025.
Check out the route on GoogleMaps.
The Pasig River Ferry currently has 13 stations along the route in the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila. Here are the terminal locations going downstream from Pasig to Manila.
- Pinagbuhatan
- Kalawaan
- San Joaquin
- Maybunga
- Guadalupe (near Guadalupe MRT-3)
- Hulo
- Valenzuela
- Lambingan
- Sta. Ana
- PUP
- Quinta
- Lawton
- Escolta (near Carriedo LRT-1 and Central Station)
I rode from the Guadalupe Station going to Escolta. You need to present an ID for the passenger manifest. You’ll be issued a paper ticket indicating the point of origin and destination, which will be collected at the last stop.
Planned stations
According to news reports, there are plans to add 3 stations in Intramuros (Plaza Mexico), Bridgetown in Pasig, and Marikina City, but these stations are not yet operational. Since the Marikina River is shallow, the stations in Pasig and Marikina can only be constructed after the Marikina River becomes “navigable” after dredging activities. Prior to the MMDA takeover, there also was a ferry station located in Eastwood.
The Pasig River Ferry Service operates from Monday to Saturday, daytime only. There are no trips on Sundays. Coming from Guadalupe, there are 11 trips daily at hourly intervals going downstream to Escolta starting at 7:00 am with the last trip at 4:30 pm.
Guadalupe Downstream (Guadalupe to Escolta)
- 1st: 7:00 am
- 2nd: 7:30 am
- 3rd: 8:30 am
- 4th: 9:30 am
- 5th: 10:30 am
- 6th: 11:30 am
- 7th: 12:30 pm
- 8th: 1:30 pm
- 9th: 2:30 pm
- 10th: 3:30 pm
- 11th: 4:30 pm
Guadalupe Upstream (Guadalupe to Pinagbuhatan)
- 1st: 9:20 am
- 2nd: 10:00 am
- 3rd: 10:53 am
- 4th: 11:55 am
- 5th: 1:00 pm
- 6th: 2:05 am
- 7th: 2:52 pm
- 8th: 3:52 pm
- 9th: 5:00 pm
- 10th: 6:00 pm
- 11th: 6:20 pm
Escolta Upstream
If you’re coming from Escolta going back to Guadalupe, there are also 11 trips to take. The 1st trip is at 8:30 am while the last trip is 5:30 pm.
- 1st: 8:30 am
- 2nd: 9:00 am
- 3rd: 10:00 am
- 4th: 11:00 am
- 5th: 12:00 nn
- 6th: 1:00 pm
- 7th: 2:00 pm
- 8th: 3:00 pm
- 9th: 4:00 pm
- 10th: 5:00 pm
- 11th: 5:30 pm
Here’s the full Pasig River Ferry Schedule and timetable as shared by MMDA. While their official website says the schedule was last updated on June 7, 2022, this is still being followed as of January 2025. The same schedule is posted inside the Guadalupe Ferry Terminal.
Downstream: Pinagbuhatan to Escolta
Upstream: Escolta to Kalawaan
When traveling by public transport, here are some key stations to take note of.
Guadalupe: This is the closest station to the MRT train line. It’ll take about 5-8 mins to walk from the Guadalupe MRT station to the Guadalupe Ferry station.
Hulo: For tourists staying in Makati and Poblacion, this is the most convenient station to ride to get to Binondo (Escolta) and Quiapo (Quinta). Smaller boats stationed at the park near Museo ng Makati offer river crossings to get to the Hulo station.
Quinta: A popular stop for those who work in Quiapo or those interested in shopping around Quiapo and Divisoria. It’s near the Carriedo LRT-1 Station.
Escolta: Currently the last stop and the best way to access Escolta and Intramuros without having to park. From here, you can walk to Binondo Chinatown or cross to Intramuros through Jones Bridge and the Pasig River Esplanade. This is also walking distance from the LRT-1 Carriedo Station and relatively near the LRT-1 Central Terminal (beside Arroceros Forest Park). Lawton is also near the Central Station, but it’s hard to cross the street from there. You’ll have to pass an underground footbridge through Mehan Garden.
Pinagbuhatan
Location: Eusebio Avenue, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City (near the Coast Guard Station at C6 Bridge)
- C6 Bridge
- Labasan Pumping Station
- Sitio Tapayan Elementary School
Kalawaan
Location: R. Castillo St. Brgy. Kalawaan Pasig
- Pasig City Hall
- Pasig City Mega Market
- Kalawaan Barangay Hall
- Pasig Catholic Cemetery
San Joaquin
Location: San Bernardo Street, San Joaquin, Pasig City
- Sumilang Barangay Hall
- Bambang Bridge
- Napindan Hydraulic Control Strucuture
Maybunga
Location: Dr. Sixto Avenue, Pasig (beside Maybunga Barangay Hall)
- Maybunga Barangay Hall
- Pasig Rainforest Park
- Arellano University
- San Antonio Abad Parish Church
Guadalupe
Location: J.P. Rizal Extension, Makati City (near MRT Guadalupe Station)
- MRT Guadalupe Station
- Guadalupe Market
- University of Makati
- MMDA Main Office
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Bonifacio Global City
Hulo
Location: Coronado Street, Hulo, Mandaluyong City (near the church)
- Parish of Our Lady of Abandoned (Mandaluyong)
- Mandaluyong Science High School
- Poblacion
- Museo ng Makati
- Poblacion Barangay Hall
- Casa Hacienda Park
- Rockwell Center
Valenzuela
Location: A. Bonifacio Street, Valenzuela, Makati City (near Bonaventure Garden Homes, Riverside Studios and LTO Makati District Office)
- Makati City District Office
- Makati City Hall
- Manila South Cemetery
- The Circuit Makati
Lambingan
Location: F. Manalo Street, Punta Santa Ana, Manila
- Lambingan Bridge
- Thomas Earnshaw Elementary School
- Earnshaw Linear Park
Sta. Ana
Location: Pedro Gil Street, Sta. Ana, Manila City (near the Sta. Ana Market)
- Sta. Ana Public Market
- Liwasang F. Calde
- Our Lady of Abandoned Parish Chuch (Sta. Ana Church)
PUP
Location: Polytechnic University of the Philippines (beside the Philippine Coast Guard Station), Anonas Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Main Campus
- PUP Interfaith Chapel
- Museo ni Apolonario Mabini
- Eulogio “Amang Rodriguez” Institute of Science Technology (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 Center)
- Quiapo Muslim Town
- Quiapo Heritage Houses
- San Sebastian Church
- LRT-1 Carriedo Station
- Binondo Chinatown
Lawton
Location: Muelle Del Rio Street, Arroceros Manila (near the Quezon Bridge, Plaza Lawton and Post Office)
- Metropolitan Theater
- Arroceros Forest Park
- Manila City Hall
- LRT-1 Central Station
- Lawton Bus Terminal
- Plaza Lawton
- Mehan Garden
- University of Manila
- Liwasang Bonifacio
- National Museum Complex
Escolta
Station: Beside Jones Bridge and Plaza Yuchengco
- Escolta Heritage Buildings (First United Building)
- Jones Bridge
- Manila Central Post Office
- 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 remains free of charge to the public in 2025.
As far as Metro Manila goes, the ferry ride is the most scenic option. You get a glimpse of the local culture and it’s a pleasant alternative to driving and parking or being stuck in traffic. There are some nice riverside murals and notable landmarks including Circuit Makati, Malacanang Palace, Isla de Convalecencia, Manila Central Post Office and Jones Bridge. I found it more pleasant than driving to the area or taking the crowded LRT-1 during rush hour. However, trips are limited, so factor that into your travel plans.
- The ferry is best for tourists who aren’t in a rush to get to their destination, those who want to take advantage of free rides, or those interested to try alternative transport.
- While there are supposed to be 11 trips daily at hourly intervals, the departure times are not strictly followed. I got to the Guadalupe Terminal at 1:30 pm and was told the next trip was 2:30. The ferry left at 2:09 pm since it had already reached the passenger limit. It took 56 minutes to get from Guadalupe to Escolta by ferry.
- Excluding the waiting time, the ferry can transport passengers from Guadalupe to Manila from 45 minutes to an hour, which cuts down travel time significantly than land-based commutes.
- According to their website, there are four ferry boats with a capacity for 55 passengers each. When I rode, the boat was significantly smaller and could only fit 30 people.
- Passengers can only ride on a first-come, first-served basis, so if the ferry is full, you may end up having to wait another hour for the next trip. Unless you’re working with an organized tour group, they don’t allow reservations.
- There is no ferry service on Sundays.
- Stations may be skipped if there are no passengers going down or riding from there.
- Contrary to popular belief, it does not smell bad when riding this ferry along the Pasig River. It’s almost refreshing.
- Pets are not allowed on the ferry.
- You can’t take photos or videos in the vicinity of Malacanang Palace. For the best view of the palace going downstream, sit on the right side of the boat.
- If you plan to travel with kids, they only allow kids aged 5 and up traveling with parents or guardians.
- It would be great if they could increase the trip intervals to encourage more passengers to ride this. The Pasig River is underutilized for transport and tourism. With the high interest in the new Pasig River Esplanade, ferry rides could be a great addition to tours.
- In my opinion, there should be smaller boats to ferry passengers across the river from Intramuros to Binondo similar to the crossing in Makati to Hulo station.
Both folding and full-size bicycles are allowed on the Pasig River Ferry, making it easier for bike commuters and leisure bikers who want to go bimodal and combine their trips with a river ferry ride to get to the Escolta or Intramuros area from other parts of the metro. However, only two bikes are allowed per trip due to the limited seating capacity. There are bike racks outside the Guadalupe Ferry Terminal.
The PFRS may suspend its operations during a storm or other environmental disturbances or for security measures around Malacanang. Based on comments on their social media pages, the schedules are not regularly followed especially in the smaller stations or those upstream from Guadualupe (Pinagbuhatan, Kalawaan, San Joaquin and Maybunga stations). For inquiries and trip schedules, please message MMDA’s PFRS Facebook page directly. Though they don’t always respond to comments, they respond to direct messages.
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