Searching for how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?!
This route very much depends on your priorities and how much time you have.
Some people don’t mind taking the slower, cheaper route and soaking up the scenery on the way. Whereas others might be in a rush, wanting to head straight into adventure, and don’t have time for the long journey.
Whatever your case, I’m going to provide you with all the information you need on how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa including travel times, the different modes of transport, and how much each travel option is going to cost.
PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO – OVERVIEW
If you don’t have time to go through the entire guide, here are the 3 ways to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido:
- Book a Van to El Nido From Puerto Princesa – Best option, comfortable, inexpensive.
- Take a Bus From Puerto Princesa to El Nido – Cheapest but longest option.
- Rent a car in Puerto Princesa and Drive to El Nido – Convenient but pricier option.
- Fly to El Nido – Most expensive but most convenient option.
Before starting this guide and going through each, I wanted to point out that there is no Puerto Princesa to El Nido ferry.
So if you were looking for a Puerto Princesa to El Nido boat, I’m sorry to disappoint, but you’ll have to pick one of the options above!
Considering how far is Puerto Princesa to El Nido, which is about 270km, or 5 to 6 hours’ drive, all of them are pretty reasonable options.
OPTION 1: PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO – BY VAN
Traveling by van to El Nido from Puerto Princesa is probably the most popular way to reach North Palawan.
Costing around 900 pesos per person, the El Nido to Puerto Princesa travel time by van is around 5 to 6 hours.
Most travelers choose this option as not only is it cutting down on the travel time, but it’s also a lot more convenient, compared to the unpredictability of the buses.
When you leave the airport at Puerto Princesa, you’re likely to be approached by van drivers wanting to fill their van.
Although convenient as you don’t have to go looking for them, be aware of whose van you’re getting into and the fact they won’t leave until their van is completely full… adding time to your transfer.
My advice to simplify your travel day to El Nido is to book a private online which is hassle-free and reliable for bigger groups.
Alternatively, if you travel alone or with a small group, the best way to get to El Nido is to book a shared van, which is affordable and convenient.
Check out the below Puerto Princesa to El Nido van, which is the best value for money:
If you don’t want to book in advance, you can just turn up at the Puerto Princesa airport terminal and hop on; however, doing this may change the price and travel time I’ve mentioned above.
OPTION 2: BUS FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO
Although the cheapest option with prices varying from 560 – 750 pesos per person, taking the bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is by far the longest mode of transport.
Puerto Princesa To El Nido Travel Time:
The bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes around 6 to 9 hours depending on stops, the weather, and the time of day in which you travel.
You have two bus companies to choose from which are RoRo Bus and Cherry Bus, both of which depart from the San Jose Terminal, located 7 km from the airport.
The buses are generally quite comfortable and are air-conditioned.
They both arrive in El Nido at the El Nido transport terminal. From there you’ll be able to hop on a tricycle or pre-arrange transport to your hotel, hostel, or resort in El Nido.
BEST EL NIDO TOUR
The BEST Island Hopping trip you can get is the El Nido Tour A!
It includes hotel pickup, lunch, entrance to the lagoon, the environmental fee, and a fun guide to spend the day with!
OPTION 3: RENT A CAR IN PUERTO PRINCESA AIRPORT
Another option to get from Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido is to rent a car and drive on your own.
Of course, with a car, you’ll also be able to get from El Nido to Puerto Princesa on your way back, and that adds a layer of convenience to your trip.
While this will be more expensive than taking the bus or a van, it’s more convenient, and you can stop on the way whenever you need.
I normally use Discover Cars whenever I travel, but there seems to be limited options in Puerto Princesa.
So in case there is no availability, I recommend contacting private rental car agencies at the airport or in town, such as RENT A CAR Palawan or Rey Car Rental Palawan.
Also, if you’re wondering how many hours from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by car, it’s about 5 hours non-stop, or less than 6 hours with a few stops.
All in all, it’s a great option to get from PPS to El Nido!
The BEST Hotel in El Nido
Need a place to stay? Lagùn Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of El Nido Town.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Lagùn Hotel offers the best of both worlds.
OPTION 4: PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO BY PLANE
Without a doubt, the most straightforward, quickest, though expensive form of transport from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is by plane.
Flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido only last 50 minutes. However, while this was a popular way for how to go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, flights have apparently stopped after the pandemic.
AirSWIFT used to offer direct flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido Airport, but they are not available anymore, and they do not plan on reopening this route for now.
Alternatively, if you plan to fly from Manila to El Nido, flights are available, and despite the cost, they’re a good way to reach the town.
I always search and book all of my flights on Skyscanner which is the best online flight directory to find the cheapest and most convenient flights in the Philippines.
Pssst! Check out this AWESOME travel bag!
The Nomatic 40L is the best travel bag on the market, perfect for weekend trips or month-long adventures!
Featuring multiple compartments for clothes, shoes, laptop, water bottle, RFID-protected pocket, and more.
It’s designed to fit the maximum size allowed for carry-on luggage, so you’ll never have to spend money on check-in baggage again!
THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO
Now that you’ve got all the information on how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, you may want to read my El Nido travel guides below.
- El Nido Island Hopping – Tour A
- Taraw Peak Sunrise Hike
- 3D2N El Nido To Coron Island Hopping Expedition
WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
El Nido has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Lagùn Hotel
Lagùn Hotel is one of the best and most modern hotels in El Nido featuring an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and free wifi throughout the property.
The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen tv, wardrobe, work desk, fridge, kettle, private bathroom, and some with a balcony.
Recommended place to stay for couples, families, or friends.
Mid Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel
I personally stayed at Sea Cocoon Hotel which is located right in the heart of El Nido town and just a minute’s walk to the beach.
Sea Cocoon Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge.
The rooms are spacious and modern with air-conditioning, large comfy beds, a wardrobe, a balcony, and a private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests.
Affordable place to stay for couples, families, or friends.
Budget: One Hostel El Nido
One Hostel is one of the best budget accommodations in El Nido which is centrally located and within walking distance of the bus terminal, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and beaches.
There are dorm rooms, double rooms, and quadruple rooms available with air-conditioning. The hostel also has free wifi and a shared lounge area for guests to hang out.
It’s the perfect place to stay in El Nido for solo travelers, couples, or friends on a budget.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN EL NIDO, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST EL NIDO TOURS
Looking for the best El Nido Tours?!
Visit the Viator website to see all of the top-rated tours in El Nido. Be sure to book online in advance to be guaranteed the best rates!
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!
Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
More Philippines Travel Guides
Click the button below to view all articles related to the Philippines!
FINAL THOUGHTS – EL NIDO FROM PUERTO PRINCESA
I hope you enjoyed reading this Puerto to El Nido article and if you have any questions at all about how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations on how to go to El Nido from Puerto Princesa to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.
Search all rental cars in your next destination.
Need travel insurance for your next trip?
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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