Ready to leave laid-back Port Barton and head to spectacular El Nido? Thankfully, getting between these two popular Palawan destinations is relatively straightforward.
Port Barton and El Nido are around 90 kilometers apart, and for most travelers the easiest way to make the journey is by shared van. You can also travel using local public transport or arrange a private transfer.
There’s even a very different option if you have time to spare: rather than traveling by road, you can turn the journey into a three-day boat expedition along Palawan’s beautiful west coast.
For most travelers though, I recommend taking a shared van from Port Barton to El Nido. It’s inexpensive, there are several departures each day and the fastest services take around 3½ hours.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the options so you can work out which is best for you. I’ll also explain how to travel in the opposite direction from El Nido to Port Barton.
Map: Port Barton To El Nido
Port Barton is on the west coast of Palawan, south of El Nido. The distance from Port Barton to El Nido is around 90 kilometers, although the actual driving route is longer.
Allow around 3½–5 hours for the journey by van depending on the service you choose. Some vans make additional stops to pick up or drop off passengers, which can add to the Port Barton to El Nido travel time.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Port Barton To El Nido
The easiest and fastest way to get from Port Barton to El Nido is by shared van.
Several companies operate the Port Barton to El Nido shuttle route, with departures in the morning and afternoon and some later services. The fastest scheduled vans take around 3½ hours, although I would allow up to five hours depending on the operator and stops along the way.
You can check the latest schedules and book your Port Barton to El Nido van in advance on 12Go.
Here’s a quick comparison of your options:
| Transport | Travel Time | Approximate Price | Best For | Book |
| Shared van | 3½–5 hours | PHP 690+ | Best option for most travelers | Book here |
| Local transport via Roxas | 4½+ hours plus connection time | Varies | Cheapest option | Check locally |
| Private transfer | 3½–4 hours | US$119+ per vehicle | Families, groups and convenience | Book here |
| Boat expedition | 3 days / 2 nights | From PHP 18,900 per person | An adventure rather than a transfer | Book here |
Prices and schedules can change, so always check the latest information before traveling.
Option 1: Port Barton To El Nido Van / Shuttle
Taking a Port Barton to El Nido van is the option I recommend for most travelers.
There are several companies operating the route, including Recaro Transport, SBE Transport, Palajuanders, JCalbert, Lexxus and Fortwally.
Current schedules have multiple vans leaving at around 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with a later service and a 10am service also available on some days. Depending on the operator, scheduled journey times range from around 3½ to five hours.
Most services depart from the Port Barton Bus Terminal on San Jose Road. This is conveniently located in town and is just a short walk from the main beach, although you may want to take a tricycle if you have luggage.
In El Nido, vans generally finish at the El Nido Transport Terminal, around 1.2 kilometers from the main tourist area. From here, you can easily take a tricycle to your accommodation or walk if you don’t have much luggage.
Shared vans aren’t particularly spacious and luggage room can be limited. If you’re traveling with large bags, check the luggage rules when booking.
Van drivers have a reputation for driving too fast and vans can feel squished. But it’s also the best balance of speed and price on this route.
Check the latest Port Barton to El Nido van schedules and prices here.
Option 2: Port Barton To El Nido Bus
Traveling from Port Barton to El Nido using local public transport is possible, but it’s much less straightforward than taking a direct van.
There isn’t a simple direct public bus that I’d recommend relying on. Instead, you’ll need to travel from Port Barton toward Roxas and then connect with one of the buses or vans traveling north to El Nido.
The difficult part is the first leg. Older information refers to a jeepney between Port Barton and Roxas, but recent sources disagree about whether this still operates regularly. Depending on what’s running when you visit, local transport may include a bus or jeepney, shared van, habal-habal (motorbike taxi) or tricycle.
Because these services and departure times can change, I recommend asking at the Port Barton Bus Terminal or your accommodation for the current options rather than planning this journey around an online timetable. And let us know in the comments if you receive a firm answer so we can update this article.
Once you reach Roxas, you can catch a northbound bus or shared van to El Nido.
This can work if you’re on a tight budget and aren’t in a hurry, but you’ll need to organize the journey in stages and may spend time waiting for your connection. For most travelers, I’d pay the extra for the direct Port Barton to El Nido van instead.
Option 3: Port Barton To El Nido Private Transfer
If you’re traveling with children, have lots of luggage or are in a group, a private transfer from Port Barton to El Nido can be a great option.
You can choose a departure time that works for you and avoid waiting for other passengers or making unnecessary pickups and drop-offs.
Current private vehicle listings start at around US$119 per vehicle, with several vans accommodating 8–12 passengers. This can make a private transfer surprisingly reasonable when the cost is divided between a larger group.
Journey times are generally around 3½ to 4 hours.
Click here to compare current private transfer prices.
Port Barton To El Nido Ferry?
Wondering if you can take a Port Barton to El Nido ferry?
Unfortunately, there is no regular direct ferry service connecting the two destinations. Current transport listings only offer road transport for the normal journey between Port Barton and El Nido.
However, there is one very interesting alternative if you’re not in a hurry…
Port Barton To El Nido Boat Expedition
If you have a few days available, you can actually turn the journey from Port Barton to El Nido into part of your Palawan adventure.
Multi-day boat expeditions operate along Palawan’s west coast between Port Barton and El Nido. Rather than simply transporting you between the two towns, these trips spend three days and two nights exploring islands, reefs, beaches and remote stretches of coastline along the way.
One current expedition runs in both directions approximately every eight days during its October–May season and costs from PHP 18,900 per person. Food, accommodation at beach camps and snorkeling equipment are included.
Obviously, this isn’t an alternative to the van if you simply need to get to El Nido. But if you have the time and budget, it’s a pretty spectacular way to travel between the two.
Click here to read more about it.
How To Get From El Nido To Port Barton
Getting from El Nido to Port Barton is just as easy, and once again I’d recommend taking a shared van.
Several companies operate vans from El Nido to Port Barton, with morning and afternoon departures. The journey generally takes around four hours, although this varies by operator and the number of stops.
Vans leave from the El Nido Transport Terminal and travel directly to Port Barton, making this far easier than trying to make the journey using local buses.
Check El Nido to Port Barton van schedules and prices here.
If you’d prefer more flexibility, you can also arrange an El Nido to Port Barton private van. This is particularly useful for families and groups or if you have a lot of luggage.
Traveling by public transport is possible in the reverse direction as well, but again you’ll need to change in Roxas. Unless you’re particularly focused on keeping costs as low as possible, the convenience of a direct van makes it the better choice.
And if you like the sound of the boat expedition, these operate from El Nido to Port Barton too.
Final Words
Traveling from Port Barton to El Nido is easy, and for most travelers there’s little reason to look beyond the shared van.
It’s affordable, direct and much more convenient than piecing together local transport through Roxas. There are also several services each day, making it easy to find a departure that works with your plans.
A private transfer is worth considering if you’re traveling as a family or group, while the three-day boat expedition offers a completely different experience if you have the time and budget.
Check the latest Port Barton to El Nido schedules and prices here and you’ll soon be on your way to gorgeous El Nido.
If you are also traveling between Port Barton and Puerto Princesa, read our guide here.
Once you arrive, make sure you read my El Nido itinerary for 2–5 days to help plan your stay. And if you’re still planning your accommodation, my guide to the best places to stay in El Nido will help you decide where to base yourself. Also don’t miss my full guide to Port Barton here.
