Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa
El Nido
Thu, Mar 19
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Destination Reviews

БВ
Бондарь В
It was the worst and most dangerous trip of my life. 1) The voucher said they would pick us up at the airport, but that was a lie. We had to walk another 10 minutes and drag our suitcases to the boarding area. 2) The departure time was listed as 3:00 p.m., which was also a lie; we waited for the vehicle for another 30 minutes, and then it took 15 minutes to load everything, so we didn’t leave until 3:45 p.m. 3) The minivan was very small for that many passengers and all the luggage; the luggage didn’t fit in the trunk, so some of it had to ride with us. 4) Minivans of this type are not designed for such long trips; we couldn’t stretch our legs, there was very little space, and our backs ached. 5) The driver spent half the trip talking on the phone, which is unacceptable from a traffic safety perspective. 6) The driver overtook trucks on curves, dangerously veering into the oncoming lane without checking for oncoming traffic. 7) Midway through the trip, he picked up another female passenger and seated her next to him in the driver’s seat, which is absolutely unacceptable. To sum up, this is an absolutely unsafe and uncomfortable service that does not care about the safety and comfort of its customers.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 16, 2026
MG
Michal G
Ticket from Puerto Princesa to El Nido at 9 am: van was 1,5 late and we had to call and chase information about situation. Change pick up spot after hour was just tip of an iceberg. Driver told us that they overbooked first van so we were the unlucky ones who had to wait for extra van. NEVER AGAIN. This company doing boat trips in El Nido also, after that ride I would never booked anything with them cause such irresponsibility!
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Lakkbay Travel Services (Lakkbay Travel service), Mar 16, 2026
AA
Amin A
Amazing trip! Comfy seats, A/C, driver skills. I would always choose this before a Van. We arrived 20 before. The break was well timed!
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Bus Lazyboy WC, Cherry Bus, Mar 15, 2026
MK
Marloes K
Very happy that they could pick us up from the hotel, but it felt like it was a livestock transport of tourists combined with a pick up point for locals..
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 15, 2026
EH
Ella H
The transfer left an hour late and stopped many times. Little communication from the driver and arrived almost 2 hours later than advertised.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Mar 11, 2026
EL
Eveliina L
Shit information. They told us they will pick us up from the airport but we had to walk to their office. Nobody told us this before and some airport guy told us when we asked him. In the office we had to wait a lot and started our trip late. The trip took around 5 hours but we had to stay in the car over 6 hours.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 4, 2026
JT
Josef T
all on time
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 4, 2026
NA
Nicolas A
Driver wasn't very friendly. He picked up my cousin and I along with another couple from the airport. He was on time and was waiting for at least one other person for about 15-20 minutes past the designated 5:30 pickup time. Then, he brought us to a nearby location where we were told to transfer to another van, which had people in it already. I'm guessing they just wanted to consolidate, which is fine but he should've at least told us that was the plan. We were almost at maximum capacity when we left that second spot...but then we picked up one more person, who sat in the passenger side of the front. Then we went to the gas station to fill up. Why wasn't the van already full of gas? We probably didn't get on the road until about 6:15pm. Even though he was on time as far as picking us up at the airport goes, we were still late in leaving Puerto Princesa. I'll give the driver credit for driving FAST, especially since it was very dark. It felt like we were riding in a roller coaster! We stopped at a restaurant as the halfway point for about 15 minutes. We finally got to our destination but the driver didn't say much as far as info goes. More than anything, the driver should've been more informative and friendly.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, JCalbert, Mar 3, 2026
WY
Wang Y
No any contract information,No right position of
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Feb 26, 2026
EW
Elisabeth W
We left 1 hour late, I think because the van was not full. You are supposed to be there 30 min. earlier, then wait and wait....
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Feb 22, 2026
4.4
593 customer reviews
5
44%
4
22%
3
16%
2
18%
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Private Van 11pax
Any time
+4h
€83.73
  5.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
03:00
08:00
€6.99
  3.6
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
04:00
09:00
€7.60
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
04:40
11:30
€268.24
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
05:30
10:30
€7.60
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
06:05
15:30
€314.06
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
06:35
19:30
€203.00
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
07:00
12:00
€6.99
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
07:30
12:30
€8.74
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
08:00
13:00
€6.99
  3.6
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
08:40
19:30
€171.79
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
09:00
14:00
€6.99
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
09:30
14:30
€8.74
  4.0
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
10:00
15:00
€7.60
  3.4
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
10:30
15:30
€8.74
  4.0
Bus
Cherry Bus
Lazyboy WC
11:00
17:00
€11.07
  4.3
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
12:45
11:00
€185.00
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
13:30
18:30
€8.74
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
14:00
19:00
€6.99
  3.6
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
15:00
20:00
€6.99
  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€10
Fastest Transport4h
Earliest Departure3:00 AM
Latest Departure9:30 PM
Departures per day5
Distance200 kilometers
Transport CompaniesCebGo, CebGo, Cebu Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Cherry Bus, Eulen Joy Express, Fortwally Travel and Tours, Lakkbay Travel Services, Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Recaro Transport