Need to know how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido? We can help!
El Nido is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines. With its gorgeous coastline and great beaches, there is so much to love about a trip here. Of course, before you can enjoy it, you need to make it there!
Puerto Princesa is a common entry point to Palawan with usually better flight prices and options than flying to El Nido directly. From here, you can travel overland to El Nido.
While the distance from Puerto Princesa to El Nido isn’t that far, this journey can seem complicated – at least until you take it step-by-step. It’s actually quite straightforward with many people taking this trip every day.
Below, I break down exactly how to go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido so you know exactly what you need to do, when, whether you are looking for a flight, a van orvbus route. This way, you will be in paradise as quick as possible!
I also describe the reverse journey from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.
Map: Puerto Princesa To El Nido
The following map shows the most direct overland route between these two places.
How far is El Nido from Puerto Princesa? About 268 kilometres.
How far is Puerto Princesa airport to El Nido? About 271 kilometres. This is the road distance.
The travel time is about 4.75 hours. However, the exact time depends on what method of transport you take and the road and traffic conditions on the day.
The table below gives you a better idea of how long this journey might take you.
BEST OPTION: How To Get From Puerto Princesa To El Nido
The quickest and best option for traveling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is to take a private taxi or a van.
Here’s a summary of your options:
| Mode of transport | Duration | Best For? | Book |
| Flights | 8+ hours | People who only want to fly | Book here |
| Bus | 8 hours | The cheapest option | Book here |
| Van | 5.5 hours | The best combination of price and speed | Book here |
| Car | 4.75 hours | People who are happy to hire a car or who like to stop along the way | Book here |
| Taxi | 4.75 hours | The easiest and quickest way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido | Book here |
Here are full instructions for how to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by each of these transport options.
Option 1: Puerto Princesa To El Nido Flight
It’s not possible to take direct flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. This means that if you want to fly between these places, you have to take at least two flights. This involves either flying via Manila or Cebu.
By the time you take two flights, it usually takes longer and costs more than traveling overland.
For this reason, I don’t recommend you fly between these places.
If you really want to fly, there are flights with AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines out of Puerto Princesa. You then need to connect with a Cebu Pacific/Cebgo flight to El Nido.
This will take at least 7 hours of flying/transit time and then you need to factor in time to get to and from airports, check-in, go through security, etc.
Click here to see the prices and options for your dates.
Option 2: Bus From Puerto Princesa To El Nido
Taking a bus is a better option.
Buses take around 6-7.5 hours and depart in the morning and evening. The night bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido departs around 9:30pm.
Tickets start at ₱1,157. The bus line is Cherry Bus. Buses depart from the Puerto Princesa Central Land Transport Terminal which is about 10 kilometres northwest of the centre of Puerto Princesa.
They finish at the El Nido Transport Terminal which is about a 5-10 minute tricycle ride from El Nido Town or a 20 minute walk.
It’s best to buy a ticket in advance, and it’s recommended that you arrive at the bus station 45 minutes early.
Buses can be much more comfortable and safer than vans where people can be crammed on.
Click here to see the latest Puerto Princesa to El Nido bus schedule and the latest prices now.
Option 3: Puerto Princesa To El Nido Van Transfer
An even better option is to take a van transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The van price is cheaper than the bus and quicker.
These depart throughout the day from 3am to 6pm. They only take about five hours, and there are many providers of this service. Ticket prices start at ₱820.
Vans have different pick-up points depending on the company. You can be picked up at the airport by some or the Centro Transport Terminal. Look at the different options and pick one that leaves from the most convenient location for your travel plans.
Most companies take you to the “El Nido Transport Terminal”. This is by the public market. So again, check out the options here and look for a company that is convenient for you.
Vans have a reputation for fast driving and if you van is full, it’s likely to be quite squished. They also don’t have room for much luggage so check the luggage rules before booking an option.
They stop along the way and are an easy way to travel otherwise.
Click here to see the latest van prices and schedules.
Option 4: Drive From Puerto Princesa To El Nido
Another option is a car rental. Then, you can drive and explore along the way.
As above, it’s about 268 kilometres and takes about 4.75 hours.
The downside is that the price can add up, especially if you want to take a private car from Puerto Princesa to El Nido but not return again. There will be a one way fee in this case.
Click here to see car rental prices for your dates.
Option 5: Taxi From Puerto Princesa To El Nido
Your final option is the easiest which is to take a Puerto Princesa to El Nido private transfer. This is also nice and quick.
However, this is not just the most expensive option, but can take a little more effort to organise unless you book online beforehand here. You can also try asking at your hotel or ask vans and taxis at the airport on arrival if they will take you.
There are also sometimes private van options at the bus station.
You can also find taxis at this link starting at ₱7,300.
Boat From Puerto Princesa To El Nido?
Unfortunately, there is no ferry from Puerto Princesa to El Nido so if you want to travel by boat, you are out of luck.
Take one of the options above instead.
How To Get From El Nido To Puerto Princesa
If you are traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa instead, don’t worry. Your options are the same and you can basically reverse the transport instructions above.
If you would like a flight, again, I don’t recommend this. It doesn’t really save time as you’ll have to fly via Manila or Cebu.
The best transportation from El Nido to Puerto Princesa for budget travelers are buses or vans.
The bus schedule has departures in the morning and evening. The bus is with Cherry Bus lines and takes about 7 hours.
The van schedule is throughout the day starting at 4am. Vans take around five hours and cost a similar price to the buses.
Click here for the latest prices and schedules for vans and buses from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.
You can read more about the bus and van services in the section above.
You can also hire a car or taxi to travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.
Final Words
I hope you found this guide to traveling from El Nido from Puerto Princesa useful.
The distance isn’t far, and this is an easy journey to make overland whether you choose to take a bus, van, taxi or hire car. I don’t recommend you fly.
A taxi is the easiest option, but a van is a good combination of price and time.
Click here for the latest prices and schedules.
You can find all the best things to do in El Nido here and the best hotels In El Nido here. Also find our complete travel guide to Palawan here.
