So, you’ve landed in the main city of Palawan (Puerto Princesa) and despite being a pretty cool city to explore, you’re understandably keen to make tracks to El Nido. Because let’s be honest, El Nido is the main reason you’ve taken that janky plane over from Manila in search of paradise.
My friend, you’re in for a treat when you do hit El Nido, this is The Philippines you dreamt of. The memories of an overcrowded and polluted Metro Manila will soon fade into the distance once your feet touch the white sands of the palm tree-lined beaches.
But there’s the small task of how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido first. You’ve completed the hard part by getting to Palawan itself, from here there are a few options when it comes to getting from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, each with their own plus and minus points.
So, if you’re wondering how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, read on!
Image: The Roaming Renegades
| Means of Transport | Puerto Princesa to El Nido Travel Time | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Bus | 7.5-9 Hours | ₱572 – ₱787 | Cheap. Runs Often. | Slow and uncomfortable. |
| Shared Van | 5-6 Hours | ₱644 – ₱787 | Affordable. Comfortable | Go off your own schedule. Personal space. |
| Private Van | 5-6 Hours | ₱6,440 – ₱7,155 | Room to spread out and you can stop when you want. | Expensive if travelling less than 5 people. |
| Rental Car | 5-6 Hours | ₱1,953 – ₱3,005 per day. | Stop off on the way. Heaps of space. | Expensive for hire and insurance. Can be stressful. |
| Flight | 1.5 Hours + 1.5 Hours + Transit | ₱10,000 – 15,000 (For both flights) | Comfortable and more relaxing. | No direct flights. Expensive. Slower with transits. |
Note: There is no Puerto Princesa to El Nido ferry.
How to Get From Puerto Princesa to El Nido: 5 Best Ways
Alright, enough faffing about, let’s get down to business and get you on that damn beach! Here is how to go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
1. Local Bus: Cheap and Dodgy!
If you’re a budget backpacker with a young and flexible spine or just a creaky bum who still hasn’t managed to upgrade to flashpacking, then congratulations, you’ve found your method of transport from El Nido to Puerto Princesa!
We love a good local bus, there’s no better way to save money and experience a bit of local life while you’re at it. But be prepared, you’re more than likely going to be sharing a seat with someone’s chicken and you’ll feel every bump along the way! But hey, it’ll save you some cash for a massage!
Two of the main companies that run this route are Roro Bus and Cherry Bus, personally, I prefer Cherry Bus Palawan, but both operate from the San Jose Bus Terminal which is 7km from the main airport in Palawan. To get here just take a tricycle from either Puerto Princesa town or the airport, they are super cheap.
Cost:
The Puerto Princesa to El Nido bus fare is around: £8 – £11 | $10 – $13.50 | ₱572 – ₱787.
Travel Time:
The public van travel time is 7.5 – 9 hours.
Pros:
The local bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is the cheapest option. Plus, the Puerto Princesa to El Nido van schedule is pretty regular.
Cons:
The Puerto Princesa to El Nido bus can be crowded, slow and not overly punctual. It also often stops for people at the side of the road which can result in people standing in the aisles and additional travel time.
Tips for Bus travellers:
- Book ahead during peak season and check for any local holidays that might be ongoing.
- Bring along some travel sickness tablets or wristbands.
- Bring some snacks and water.
- Pack some long pants or a blanket because the AC can sometimes be overwhelming.
- Pack a powerbank for your phone or tablet to keep entertained.
- Keep your belongings with you at all times.
- The bus terminates at Corong-Corong bus terminal, you will need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper.
2. Van: Comfortable And Affordable
The next most popular way of making the Puerto Princesa to El Nido transfer is to take a van or minibus. These are smaller than the local buses and take at least a few hours less time. Here once you set off you won’t be picking up randoms on the road and you’ll have a bit more leg room to yourself.
With no one getting on and off and usually backpackers for company on board, you can feel a lot more relaxed about your gear and it’s an overall more comfortable ride. Plus, there are way more vans going per day so you can be more flexible with your plans.
Tbh. If anyone wants a straight up answer for how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, I usually tell them to just jump in a shared van.
Cost:
The Puerto Princesa to El Nido van fare is around: £9 – £11 | $11 – $13.50 | ₱644 – ₱787.
Travel Time:
The travel time from Puerto Princesa to El Nido via minivan is 5-6 hours.
Pros:
Vans are not overfilled so there are usually only 12 passengers. Plus, it takes a good 2.5 hours less time than the public van and you’ll get at least one comfort break.
Cons:
Sometimes vans can be worse for those who suffer from travel sickness and I do find the back seats to be a little more cramped.
Tips for Van Travellers:
- Book ahead during peak season and check for any local holidays that might be ongoing.
- Bring along some travel sickness tablets or wristbands
- Bring some snacks and water.
- Pack some long pants or a blanket because the AC can sometimes be overwhelming.
- Pack a powerbank for your phone or tablet to keep entertained.
- The bus terminates at Corong-Corong bus terminal, you will need to take a tricycle to El Nido town proper.
Image: The Roaming Renegades
3: Private Transfer or Taxi: Most Convenient
If you’d rather not slum it with the povo backpackers then why not splash out and get your own private transfer? After all, this is The Philippines, so it’s still going to be relatively affordable if you’re on a holiday.
This way you can be sure to arrive without any delays, take a break or stop for a photo whenever you feel like it and have your own space along the way. Basically, you can make it fit your Puerto Princesa to El Nido itinerary.
The other main benefit to a Puerto Princesa to El Nido private transfer is that you can organise to get picked up and dropped off right at the door to your accommodation meaning no bartering with tricycle drivers or carting around luggage.
Cost:
You’ll pay for the van as a whole (You can then split this between how many people are travelling) which will be around: £90 – £100 | $110 – $122 | ₱6,440 – ₱7,155.
Travel Time:
A private van will take a similar amount of time at around 5-6 hours.
Pros:
It is totally flexible in terms of pick-up times and locations. You get much more space to spread out and you can even ask for a Puerto Princesa to El Nido via underground river tour too.
Cons:
A lot more expensive if you’re travelling with less than 5 or 6 people and it takes pretty much the same amount of time as the shared van.
Tips for Car travellers:
- Bring along some travel sickness tablets or wristbands
- Bring some snacks and water.
- Pack a powerbank for your phone or tablet to keep entertained.
- Let your driver know where you want to be dropped off in El Nido
- Speak to your driver about any interesting stops along the way or let them know if you need a comfort break.
Our Favourite Backpacks
Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview
4: Rent a Car: Best For Flexibility And Freedom
The absolute best way to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, if you are confident enough, is to rent your own car. This way you get to stop whenever you want, whether that’s to stretch your legs and use the bathroom or take in some of the amazing scenery along the way.
I don’t know about you, but I often look out of the bus window longingly at the world going past me wishing I could pause for a moment and take it in. With your own transport, you can even make a multi-day trip of it stopping in Port Barton and some other off-the-beaten-track places along the way as well as taking the Puerto Princesa to Underground River trip.
Cost:
An economy car costs around £27.30 | $33.30 | ₱1,953 per day and an SUV will set you back around £42.00 | $50 | ₱3,005. Fuel is expensive for the country in Palawan but cheap compared to Western standards.
Travel Time:
In a private car without many stops, it takes 5-6 hours.
Pros:
You can take your time, stop where you want and even make a multi-day trip of it where you see more things. It’s by far the most comfortable way to travel. Plus, you can travel directly from Puerto Princesa airport to El Nido.
Cons:
You need to be confident driving overseas and have the correct insurance and license. It can be quite expensive.
Tips for Car travellers:
Make sure you have the correct insurance and a full driver’s license from your home country and an international license if needed. Also, bear in mind that the roads here are a little more hectic than you might be used to! I would also go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido via the underground river if you’ve hired a car.
5: Fly: Expensive and non-direct
Unfortunately, you cannot take a direct Puerto Princesa to El Nido flight anymore and instead will have to take two flights, one back to Manila and then an onward flight to El Nido.
This can make the trip expensive and take longer than the bus once all is said and done. However, the nearest airport to El Nido, Palawan is just 3.9km from the town, so it is quicker if travelling direct from Manila.
However, some people do prefer to fly and if your itinerary will be taking you back to Manila anyway, then it might work out for you. If so, go for it! The views are great from the window.
Cost:
Puerto Princesa to Manila: £35 – £45 | $43 – $55 | ₱2,504 – 3,220
Manila to El Nido: £115 – £180 | $140 – $220 | ₱8,229 – 12,880
Travel Time:
Each flight takes around 1-1.5 hours each & Transit time.
Pros:
Some folks prefer flying to travelling overland, especially if they are car-sick. Plus, they are often more comfortable than being cramped up in a bus and you can take a longer stopover in Manila if you like.
Cons:
The flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido are the most expensive way to take this journey for sure and with transiting in Manila (no direct flight from Puerto Princesa to El Nido) it will probably take you longer overall. Plus, El Nido airport is pretty small and planes over to here are propeller-powered!
Find More Options For How to Get to Puerto Princesa From El Nido Here:
The Best Things to Do in El Nido Once You Arrive
Ok, so now you’ve figured out how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, here are a few of my favourite things to do in this wonderful town.
There are plenty more things to do in El Nido, but these are a great starting point depending on how many days you have.
BOOK An El Nido
The BEST El Nido Tour
Whilst much of El Nido can be explored independently, the main items on most people’s itineraries include island hopping. For this you’ll need to book one of the tours, named “A, B, C & D.”
These take you to different areas of the region including many beaches, coves and lagoons. It’s up to you which one you choose, but our favourites are A and C.
Tour A includes:
- Small Lagoon
- Big Lagoon
- Shimizu Island
- Secret Lagoon
- Lunch
Tour C includes:
- Secret Beach
- Hidden Beach
- Matinloc Shrine & Viewpoint
- Turtle Sanctuary
- Lunch
Where To Stay In Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is a city that is well worth staying in for a few nights if your plans allow. Not only does it have the magnificent Underground River, but it’s a refreshingly off-the-beaten-track place to explore that doesn’t get much tourist attention despite being the gateway to Palawan.
Here are some of the best spots to base yourself in before you tackle how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
The Best Backpacker Option: Mongki’s Pensionhouse
If you’re looking for a cheap, clean and welcoming place to stay in PP then check out Mongki’s Pensionhouse. Offering aparthotel accomodation set in lovely gardens, its the perfect place to chill for a night or two before heading down to El Nido.
The Best Mid-Range Option: At Home
As the name suggests, you’ll feel At Home in your own beautifully presented traditional bungalow. Surrounded by lush gardens, but with all the mod cons you could ever need, plus a pool, you’ll find your stay relaxing and peaceful.
The Best Affordable Luxury Option: The Funny Lion
If you’re looking for style, sophistication and comfort in Puerto Princesa, then look no further than The Funny Lion. Despite the name, it’s no joke and you’ll be relaxing by the pool without a care in the world in no time.
Where To Stay In El Nido
El Nido is a backpacker heaven, seriously, this town is like hitting up Thailand 15 years ago and it’s everything and more you dreamt of when you set off to Southeast Asia. So wherever you stay, you’re gonna have a blast. But I honestly do think that having good quality digs to come back to with amazing vibes makes a massive difference. In the end, it doesn’t matter how many hours from Puerto Princesa to El Nido it takes, as long as you get there!
So here are some spots I recommend.
The Best Backpacker Option: Kame House Hostel
Ya’ll want a hostel with a pool, well here it is! Check out Kame House Hostel if you’re looking for a backpacker hangout that offers great prices but doesn’t compromise on comfort or facilities. With super helpful staff, great chill-out areas and good AC, you’ll have a blast in El Nido.
The Best Mid-Range Option: Balili Villas El Nido
Balili Villas El Nido offers private beachfront accommodation that won’t break the bank. What’s more, there’s an onsite bar and you get a continental breakfast included. Say hello to lazy days on the beach and watching the sun go down over the ocean of an evening.
The Best Affordable Luxury Option: ANITSA RESORT
If you’re looking for a slice of peaceful island life (FYI: not an island!!) whilst in El Nido then Anitsa Resort offers private apartment bungalows in stunning gardens. With an infinity pool, terrace and room service you’ll literally only need to leave to go island hopping!
How To Get To Puerto Princesa
In order to visit El Nido from Puerto Princesa, you kinda need to get to PP first, amite!? Now, I’ve kinda already told you this above if you were paying attention but I will forgive you if it meant skipping past the flights section because you’re on a budget and wrote that one off before it even began.
So, as you might have figured out, Palawan is an island and therefore you can’t currently rent James Bond’s amphibious car for the journey (cries!). This means you’ll need alternative methods of transport.
Travelling in The Philippines, as opposed to travelling around Southeast Asia as a whole, requires a little more preplanning and forethought being island and all.
The quickest, easiest and cheapest way is to jump on a domestic flight. I mean, I think there are ferries available, but honestly, they take like 24 hours on rough ass seas, so I wouldn’t recommend it!
The flight is about £30 and takes between 1-1.5 hours.
How to get from Puerto Princesa to Coron
Ok, so I do have a full post giving a full rundown of our trip from El Nido to Coron because it’s a pretty popular (and highly recommended) place to continue on to from El Nido. But I’m going to give you a brief overview here for how to get from El Nido to Coron.
From El Nido to Coron you’ll have to take a ferry, this can be the slow boat taking around 8 hours or the fast boat which takes 3.5 to 4 hours. Of course, the fast boat is much more expensive and can be a bit rough, but it saves a lot of time.
This journey was one of the best bits of transport we got on during our time in Southeast Asia alongside the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai and is super scenic. So even on the slow boat, it’s a wonderfully relaxing way to spend the day.
In high season I highly recommend booking ahead if you plan on taking this trip as this route is quite popular and does book out ahead of time. But it’s well worth the effort as Coron is a great place to visit whilst exploring Palawan and offers an even more laid-back vibe.
Best Time To Visit El Nido
November to May is the dry season where you’ll get beautifully sunny days and clean waters to enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving. Plus, the seas will be much calmer and the roads clearer for more relaxing transport between Puerto Princesa and El Nido and beyond.
However, bear in mind that December to February are peak months so the area will be at its busiest during this time.
Avoid June to October which is the rainy season where many boat trips will be cancelled and you might even encounter a typhoon!
How Many Days Is Enough For El Nido?
In order to fully enjoy all the town has to offer I recommend staying for 4 to 5 days. This way you can take a couple of boat trips, explore all the beaches around the town, hike up to the many viewpoints and enjoy a lazy day by the pool.
If you are short on time, then you could get away with 3 days and just do the highlights.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance
Whatever you do, always remember to travel with good insurance. This is especially important when visiting some of the islands around The Philippines here healthcare can be questionable and there are plenty of hidden dangers in the sea and on the roads. We highly recommend SafetyWing.
Final Thoughts On How To Get From Puerto Princesa To Coron
Ok then, hopefully, I have answered all your questions when it comes to how to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Visiting Palwan was a highlight of our time in The Philippines and both Puerto Princesa and El Nido were fun places to explore for completely different reasons.
I highly recommend having at least a full day in Puerto Princesa to see the way of life in this island city and meet some of the wonderful locals who call it home. Then of course comes El Nido and maybe even Coron, both of which are the literal definition of paradise!
Final verdict – how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: Shared minibus.
Enjoy!
Buy Us a Coffee
A few people have asked us recently how they could help us out on our travels, so we thought we’d add our very own tip jar for those who can’t support us by clicking through our affiliate links.
We work hella hard on this site to bring you all the most epic and up-to-date travel info from around the planet. So if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen, then we’d appreciate anything, no matter how small, you can contribute as a thank you.
Above all, thank you for being here and reading our content, it means the world to us.
Nic & Paul
