Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa
El Nido
Tue, May 20
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Destination Reviews

NB
Firstly, pick-up was planned for 3-3:30pm and we waited one hour to get picked up, after that we picked up other people so we left puerto princesa at 5pm(2hours late). We were 4 on the backseat which was made for 3 ……… (very very close to each other for FIVE hours and without any spare room for legs ). Additionally, in the very few space available for luggage our bags were put in a very nonchalant way, in each time the driver would open the truck almost every bag would fall…
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 16, 2025
SR
Fast and good !
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 15, 2025
CK
The driver was very accommodating throughout the entire travel.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 14, 2025
ML
Driver is on time. His driving skill is great. We also arrived ahead of time.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 14, 2025
MR
The overall service was smooth from the pickup to the drop off, set off at the correct time. The way I was spoke to from the drivers on the other hand was shocking when I informed them I suffered from travel sickness, so I asked on arrival to the van if I could sit near the front. I was advised that the seats were reserved for the elderly, which then turned out to be 3 young people. If I had known that this was possible to request ahead of time I would informed the company. Because I was a young solo traveller they just expected me to sit at the back. Apart from that the transfer was smooth.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Minivan, Eulen Joy Express, May 14, 2025
GG
The van was 1.5 hours late to the airport which was not communicated to us and led us to think we would need to arrange another means of transport. We messaged and called the WhatsApp number multiple times and did not receive a reply for 1 hour. The van was very cramped and we needed to have bags on our laps throughout the journey. One suitcase was tied onto the roof and the driving was quite erratic. We did get to our destination in one piece and there was a stop along the way which was good.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 10, 2025
EC
good instructions for pickup, nice food at the dinner stop however the driver was dangerous on the road clocking speeds of over 90, back wheels frequently skidding round corners. when asked to slow down as we were scared he pulled over, shouted at us and felt like he was going to throw us off the bus ‘why don’t you drive yourself then’, it posed a very nerve wracking and uncomfortable journey. i’m use to drivers being a bit racey around south east asia but this was another level!
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 9, 2025
JM
It departed 40 minutes late. However, we just arrived 15 minutes after the original arrival time. The bus was really comfortable.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Bus Lazyboy WC, Cherry Bus, May 7, 2025
AI
about an hour outside of Puerto Princesa, we sat and waited for over an hour for another random passenger who got on and then got off several hours later. That plus lots of smoke breaks for the driver meant we arrived over an hour and a half later than scheduled. Keep this in mind when booking, buffer several hours
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, May 3, 2025
NC
Two hours and a half delay, van changed in the first 5 minutes to a worse one with bad conditions seats, no space for the legs, no safetbelts.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), May 2, 2025
4.4
373 customer reviews
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Private Van 11pax
Any time
+4h
€92.40
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
03:00
08:00
€7.71
  3.6
Flight
Cebu Pacific Air
Economy
03:25
06:15
€261.00
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
04:00
09:00
€8.05
  3.3
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
04:40
11:30
€264.00
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
05:25
15:30
€337.90
Flight
Cebu Pacific Air
Economy
06:00
19:35
€333.00
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
06:35
19:30
€289.50
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
07:00
12:00
€7.71
  3.6
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
07:20
06:15
€319.00
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
08:00
13:00
€7.71
  3.6
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
08:20
06:15
€220.50
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
08:40
15:30
€112.61
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
09:00
14:00
€7.71
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
09:30
14:30
€9.64
  4.0
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
10:00
15:00
€8.05
  3.3
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
10:30
15:30
€9.64
  4.0
Van
Lexxus Shuttle
Shared van
11:00
16:30
€8.36
  3.8
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
11:50
06:15
€282.00
Flight
Cebu Pacific Air
Economy
12:45
11:00
€284.00

What is the traditional food of El Nido?

Local cuisine in El Nido prominently features seafood, given its coastal location. Traditional dishes include kinilaw, a Filipino ceviche made with raw fish marinated in vinegar and citrus juices, often mixed with onions and peppers. Adobo, a dish made with chicken or pork simmered in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices, is also popular. Rice is a staple accompaniment. For a sweet treat, try halo-halo, a dessert made with shaved ice, evaporated milk, and a mix of fruits and sweet beans.

Dining options range from local eateries (carinderias) offering meals for around 100 PHP ($2) to mid-range restaurants where meals cost 300-500 PHP ($5-$9). Remember that tap water is not safe to drink in El Nido, so it is advisable to use bottled water.

What is the lifestyle like in El Nido?

El Nido offers a laid-back lifestyle, appealing to tourists and locals alike. Public transportation includes tricycles and boats, with tricycles costing around PHP 10-50 ($0.20-$1) depending on distance. Popular activities include island hopping tours, snorkeling, and diving, showcasing the area's marine biodiversity. Dining options range from local eateries serving Filipino dishes to international restaurants, with meals typically costing PHP 150-400 ($3-$7).

The local markets provide fresh produce and seafood, reflecting the region's reliance on fishing and agriculture. Visitors are advised to drink bottled water, as tap water may not be safe for consumption. Local customs emphasize respect and friendliness, with English widely spoken, making communication easier for travelers. Accommodations vary from budget hostels to luxury resorts, catering to different preferences and budgets.

Does Puerto Princesa get more tourists than El Nido?

While Puerto Princesa and El Nido both attract tourists, they cater to different interests. Puerto Princesa serves as the gateway to Palawan and is known for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It typically receives more tourists due to its accessibility via the international airport and its role as a transportation hub.

El Nido, famous for its limestone cliffs and island-hopping tours, draws more visitors seeking beach and nature experiences. However, it is less accessible, requiring a longer journey from Puerto Princesa by van or bus (approximately 5-6 hours). Therefore, while Puerto Princesa might see more overall tourists due to transit, El Nido is often the primary destination for those specifically interested in coastal and marine activities.

How to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

If you need to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido your choice is rather limited: you can opt either for a bus or a shuttle van.

How far is El Nido from Puerto Princesa?

The distance between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is approximately 230 kilometres.

How long does a trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido take?

You will need between 5 hours and 9 hours to get to El Nido.

What is the price of tickets for the Puerto Princesa–El Nido trip?

The ticket price depends on your choice of transportation but expect to shell out from PHP500 one way.

How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa airport

Puerto Princesa airport is a gateway to the island of Palawan and sits slightly to the north of the centre of the island. El Nido, also on Palawan, is located in the northern part of the island. To get to El Nido, take a regular shuttle van from the airport – try Lexxus Shuttle.

How often do vans depart from the airport?

There are regular departures every hour and a half or every two hours depending on the time of the day.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets normally cost under PHP700.

How long does a trip from Puerto Princesa airport to El Nido takes?

The trip takes between 6 and 7 hours. The airport is located some 40 km south of the city of Puerto Princesa, and the major part of the road leading up north to the city is quite winding. Thus it takes about one hour longer to get to El Nido from the airport than from the city of Puerto Princesa.

A word of warning

There are different vans waiting for passengers outside the airport building. They come to meet each flight and depart for El Nido only when full. In certain cases this can mean hours (!) of waiting as if there are not enough passengers, drivers will wait for the next flight. It is important that you realize this especially if you are pressed of time.

How to get from Puerto Princesa Town to El Nido by bus

The Puerto Princesa-El Nido route is served by big buses, too. There are both air-conditioned and non-aircon buses; some offer on-board entertainment systems and even Wi-Fi.

Where do buses to El Nido depart from?

Buses to El Nido depart from San Jose Terminal.

How much time does a bus need to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa?

Bussing to El Nido takes from 6 to 9 hours.

Which companies ply the route between Puerto Princesa and El Nido?

There are only two companies that operate big buses between Puerto Princesa and El Nido: Roro and Cherry Bus.

What is the bus fare to El Nido?

The fare generally ranges between PHP600 and PHP900, depending on the bus class. There are regular and elite class buses.

Are there many departures during the day?

Buses usually run every 2 hours with the first bus departing at 4am and the last bus at 10pm.

Are there night buses from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

Yes, there are night buses but some of them arrive somewhat inconveniently in the small hours – between 2am and 4am. It means that you probably won’t save any bucks on a hotel room, alas.

How to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van

Vans from Puerto Princesa town to El Nido depart frequently and are operated by a number of companies. The majority of the vans depart from the same bus terminal which serves big buses – San Jose.

What are the popular van operators between Puerto Princesa and El Nido?

The most popular operators are Eulen Joy, Fort Wally Shuttle Services, and Lexxus Shuttle.

How long does a van travel to El Nido last?

Vans are the quickest way to get to El Nido – expect the trip to last about 5 hours.

How much do van tickets cost?

Van tickets to El Nido from Puerto Princesa cost PHP600-PHP700.

Travelling to El Nido by bus or van? Read these simple tips

Sit on the left side of the bus or van if you are traveling during the daytime and you will be rewarded with a view of the sea as you approach El Nido.

There is a short stretch of a relatively rough road between Puerto Princesa and El Nido – hence the travel time.

All buses and vans make a stop about halfway between Puerto Princesa and Port Barton for a quick meal and toilet.

Transportation from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Facts about the transport from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Cheapest Transport€11
Fastest Transport4h
Earliest Departure5:25 AM
Latest Departure11:45 PM
Departures per day7
Distance200 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAirSWIFT, Cebu Pacific, Cherry Bus, Lakkbay Travel Services, Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel and Tours