Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Puerto Princesa
El Nido
Sat, Feb 7
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Puerto Princesa to El Nido Destination Reviews

LB
horrible ride, not recommend
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Minivan, Eulen Joy Express, Feb 3, 2026
C
Our ride was cancelled without them letting us know. We found out once we arrived to the airport. We were advised to go to one of their offices so they can help us only to be told they can’t help us but will offer a refund. Two days later and I never received notification that the refund is coming, nor a response from the message I was instructed to send by their agent. I do not recommend this company. There are better and more affordable options.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Bus Regular AC, Cherry Bus, Feb 2, 2026
MZ
No information about the meeting place, in the ticket it said wait outside arrival. Had to go outside, was 2 hours late.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Minivan, Island View Travel, Feb 1, 2026
AZ
This transport service is extremely dangerous and should be reported. I booked for 2:00 PM, but we didn’t leave until 5:15 PM because they were waiting for other passengers. There was no explanation, no apology, and no respect for passengers’ time—only constant orders to “wait.” The driving was reckless, irresponsible, and terrifying. The driver was speeding aggressively, to the point where I genuinely feared for my life, and I am not someone who is normally afraid of fast driving. To make matters worse, it was raining during part of the journey. On two separate occasions, the driver nearly ran over a dog, and when I reacted, he laughed. Even more alarming, he was texting and talking on his phone while driving, completely ignoring basic safety rules. This behavior is not just unprofessional—it is life-threatening. Avoid this transport at all costs. It is a massive waste of time and poses a serious risk to passengers and everyone else on the road. This service should not be allowed to operate.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Feb 1, 2026
AA
The bus departed on time and the ticket collector was friendly. The bus had air conditioning and was quite empty, which made the journey comfortable. We travelled on a Monday and arrived in El Nido slightly earlier than expected. The total journey time was 6 hours and 30 minutes, which was better than the original estimate. There were no unnecessary delays during the journey or long stops along the way, which was great. At the end of the trip, once we were already in El Nido, we asked the driver if we could get off a little before the final Cherry Bus stop, as our hotel was located there and we had luggage. We only asked because there was a safe shoulder in some areas with no parked cars, so it would not have disrupted traffic. The driver refused and told us to wait until the final stop. This felt uncomfortable, especially because he had stopped several times earlier along the route for other passengers. As a result, we had to take a tuk tuk back to our hotel. This small courtesy would not have affected the journey for other passengers. Another couple of tourists also wanted to get off at the same point as us. I felt that the refusal may have been because we were tourists rather than locals, and the driver did not allow any opportunity for discussion. For this reason, I am reducing my rating by one star. Overall, the journey was good, comfortable, and faster than planned.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Bus Regular AC, Cherry Bus, Feb 1, 2026
KS
Squishy
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Van, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Jan 28, 2026
PM
Positive: We have not being charged extra for our bigger backpacks. After having changed the pick up location from the airport to another place, they paid the transport from one to another. Nice and good English speaking staff at the office. Suggestions: - Mention clearly that the stated departure time is only an estimated earliest time. In the information on 12Go I could only see an estimated arrival time, which is quite normal. But in our case, the van left more than 2 hours later than the stated time and they said this is normal for shared vans. - Pack the van with fewer seats and people. I didn’t count the number of passengers, but the bus was heavily packed, which was very uncomfortable on a 6 hour drive. I would accept paying a bit more and having more space and comfort on the van.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Lakkbay Travel Services (Lakkbay Travel service), Jan 27, 2026
TK
Overall OK. Although too many stops on the way.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, 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
4.4
552 customer reviews
5
43%
4
22%
3
16%
2
18%
1
1%

Puerto Princesa to El Nido Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Private Van 11pax
Any time
+4h
$97.35
  5.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
03:00
08:00
$8.13
  3.6
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
04:00
09:00
$8.74
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
04:40
11:30
$308.29
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
05:30
10:30
$8.74
  3.4
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
06:05
15:30
$360.95
Flight
Philippine Airlines
Economy
06:35
19:30
$239.90
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
07:00
12:00
$8.13
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
07:30
12:30
$10.16
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
08:00
13:00
$8.13
  3.6
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
08:40
19:30
$197.44
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
09:00
14:00
$8.13
  3.6
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
09:30
14:30
$10.16
  4.0
Van
Fortwally Travel and Tours
Minivan
10:00
15:00
$8.74
  3.4
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
10:30
15:30
$10.16
  4.0
Bus
Cherry Bus
Lazyboy WC
11:00
17:00
$12.87
  4.3
Flight
Cebu Pacific
Economy
12:45
11:00
$218.62
Van
JCalbert
Shared van
13:30
18:30
$10.16
  4.0
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
14:00
19:00
$8.13
  3.6
Van
Palajuanders Travel and Tours
Shared van
15:00
20:00
$8.13
  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$11
Fastest Transport45m
Earliest Departure3:00 AM
Latest Departure11:40 PM
Departures per day12
Distance38 kilometers
Transport CompaniesAirSWIFT, Cebu Pacific, Cherry Bus, Eulen Joy Express, Fortwally Travel and Tours, Lakkbay Travel Services, Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel and Tours