Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa
El Nido
Thu, Jan 29
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Destination Reviews

JW
I reserved a lazy bus and “due to technical difficulties” I went on a “deluxe” and wasn’t happy at all with the bus.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Bus Lazyboy WC, Cherry Bus, Jan 26, 2026
TK
Overall OK. Although too many stops on the way.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Jan 26, 2026
JF
I really cannot recomment choosing this operator!! We booked a van from puerto princesa to el nido and arrived with a delay of 3hrs!! First we were told that the pickup would be around 7:30 at our accomodation, but the van came after 8am. Then we started the drive and after 1,5hrs on the road, the driver told us that the car was broken and we need to wait for a replacement van which would come "after 30mins". After 30mins he added again 30mins and again 30mins, which turned into a waiting of more than 2hrs on the road, butnthe van never came and there was no transparency at all!! When we were complaining to the boss through the whatsapp number at one point she didnt reply anymore, even the driver couldnt reach her! In the end we had to hitchhike asking passing by vans if they could take us with them. It was horrible.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 26, 2026
DR
2 hours delay. The company didn't start until the van was full with people from different time tables. The baggage was with the passengers, so was dangerous in case of accident.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 26, 2026
JP
The driver was very good and punctual, I recommend him 5 stars.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 25, 2026
CL
We got to El Nido with almost 2h delay
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Jan 24, 2026
EJ
It took 7:30 hours from the agreed pickup time. Van was too full and driver didn’t seem to know how to control speed smoothly, braking in short bursts and accelerating in small bursts which made the ride more uncomfortable
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 21, 2026
DD
It was a terrible experience. It was as much uncomfortable as it could be. There was small space for luggage so we had our bags in our legs. It was overcrowded so they put some additional “chair” in the passage between door and seats. It picked us up earlier than schedule which was good for us but not sure if they would wait 1h for us to match schedule (as arrived 1h earlier)
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 20, 2026
AS
Waited an hour past our scheduled departure time for two riders. Drove around the city looking for them, wasting everyone else’s time, and putting us behind schedule
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 20, 2026
N
on time
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Jan 15, 2026
4.4
540 customer reviews
5
44%
4
22%
3
15%
2
18%
1
1%

Puerto Princesa to El Nido Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Private Van 11pax
Any time
+4h
€81.83
  5.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
03:00
08:00
€6.83
  3.6
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
04:00
09:00
€7.35
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
04:40
11:30
€259.29
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
05:30
10:30
€7.35
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
06:05
15:30
€303.58
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
06:35
19:30
€203.00
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
07:00
12:00
€6.83
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
07:30
12:30
€8.54
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
08:00
13:00
€6.83
  3.6
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
08:40
19:30
€166.06
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
09:00
14:00
€6.83
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
09:30
14:30
€8.54
  4.0
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
10:00
15:00
€7.35
  3.4
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
10:30
15:30
€8.54
  4.0
Bus
Cherry Bus
Lazyboy WC
11:00
17:00
€10.82
  4.3
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
12:45
11:00
€185.00
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
13:30
18:30
€8.54
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
14:00
19:00
€6.83
  3.6
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
15:00
20:00
€6.83
  3.6

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€9
Fastest Transport45m
Earliest Departure12:50 AM
Latest Departure9:30 PM
Departures per day12
Distance38 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAirSWIFT, AirSWIFT, AirSWIFT, Cebu Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Cherry Bus, Eulen Joy Express, Fortwally Travel and Tours, Lakkbay Travel Services, Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel and Tours