How to Travel From Puerto Princesa to El Nido in 2026 (All Options Explained)
El Nido is widely considered one of the premier destinations in the Philippines, and after travelling all over the country, it’s easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Towering limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches, and dramatic island scenery make it feel like something out of a postcard.
But getting there isn’t as simple as it looks on the map.
What seems like an easy transfer from Puerto Princesa can quietly turn into a long, uncomfortable travel day if you choose the wrong option. I learned that the hard way through hotel pickups, cramped vans, and winding island roads that stretched the journey far longer than expected.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through every realistic way to get to El Nido, what each option actually feels like, typical costs, comfort levels, and which one I’d personally choose next time so you can arrive relaxed instead of exhausted.
If you want to see what this journey actually looks like in real time, I filmed the whole Puerto Princesa to El Nido trip and you can watch it here on YouTube.
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How Do You Get From Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
After travelling all over the Philippines, I’ve learned that getting from place to place is rarely as simple as it looks on the map, and the trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is no exception.
There are a few different ways to make the journey, each with its own mix of time, comfort, and cost, and the choice you make can really change how the day feels. Some options are all about saving money, others are far more comfortable, and a few even turn the drive into part of the experience.
Best Way to Get From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
I actually took the shared van on this route recently, and I have to say, I have regrets. It was cramped, took longer than expected, and by the time we arrived I was already exhausted.
If I were doing the trip again, I’d choose the long distance bus operated by Cherry Bus without hesitation. There are a few comfort levels available, but the higher end coaches with reclining seats, air conditioning, and an onboard bathroom make a huge difference on such a long, winding journey. Having the extra space alone is a game changer.
It costs a bit more than the cheapest option, but it’s absolutely worth it for how much better you feel when you arrive in El Nido.
Taking a Shared Van From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
This is the option I personally took on the journey, and it’s also the most common one you’ll see around town. The biggest advantage is the price, since it’s usually the cheapest way to get to El Nido, and most vans offer hotel pickup, which sounds convenient at first.
Pros: Very affordable, widely available, and includes hotel pickup
Cons: Long delays while picking up passengers from multiple hotels, extremely cramped seating, possible wheel well seats with little leg room, no onboard bathroom, and very limited rest stops
In practice, hotel pickup usually means stopping at five or six different places around town before the van even heads toward El Nido, which can easily add an extra hour to the trip. Once inside, space is extremely tight, and if you end up over the wheel well, leg room is even worse.
I’m about 6’2″, and for taller travellers especially, it can be an awkward and uncomfortable ride. There’s no bathroom onboard, and on my trip we only stopped once during the entire journey, which made an already long day feel even longer.
That said, the shared van is still a totally workable option, especially if you’re travelling on a budget or want the convenience of hotel pickup. We left in the morning and made it to El Nido before the sun went down, it’s just far less comfortable than taking the bus.
Flying From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
For most travellers, flying isn’t very practical. Most routes go through places like Manila or Cebu City first, which means backtracking before heading to El Nido.
By the time you add in connections, baggage fees, airport transfers, and ticket prices that often hover around a couple hundred dollars one way, it rarely feels worth it. It’s possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it for most people.
Renting a Car From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Normally I wouldn’t recommend renting a car in the Philippines, especially in busy places like Manila where traffic can feel chaotic. Palawan is completely different. The roads are fairly quiet, the island isn’t very crowded, and the drive is surprisingly easy compared to most parts of the country.
The route is winding but not stressful, and it’s actually one of the more scenic drives you’ll do in the Philippines, with plenty of spots to stop for photos along the way. Being able to pick up a car at the Puerto Princesa airport and drop it off in El Nido also makes this a really convenient option if you like flexibility and comfort.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices can vary quite a bit depending on how you choose to travel between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Shared vans are usually the cheapest option at around $16, while the more comfortable Lazy Boy bus comes in slightly higher at roughly $18 for a one way trip.
Flying is on the opposite end of the spectrum and typically costs at least $200 one way plus baggage and transportation fees. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility but averages around $300 for the journey. For me, the bus easily felt like the best value for the comfort you get.
How Far Is El Nido From Puerto Princesa and How Long Does It Take?
The distance between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is roughly 267 kilometres, which doesn’t sound too bad at first. In the Philippines though, trips almost always take longer than you expect, with winding roads and very few fast highways like you’d see in places such as Canada or the US.
You should plan for about six to seven hours of travel. With shared vans, passengers are picked up from several hotels spread around town, which can easily add another hour to the journey before you even start heading north toward El Nido.
Where to Catch Buses and Vans in Puerto Princesa
Most shared vans offer hotel pickup, but the time they give is usually just an estimate. I waited around 30 to 45 minutes before ours arrived, then we stopped at several other hotels to pick up more passengers before finally heading toward El Nido, which can really stretch out the day.
The bus is more straightforward. The Cherry Bus terminal sits in the northern part of town and is a quick, inexpensive tricycle or taxi ride away. It takes a little extra effort to get there, but you skip the long hotel pickup process and get on the road right away.
Seat Assignments From Puerto Princesa to El Nido: What to Expect
From my experience, seating in the shared vans is basically first come, first served, so where you end up depends a lot on timing and a bit of luck. If you can, try to avoid the wheel well seats, since your legs end up in awkward positions for most of the ride. For taller travellers especially, the best spots are usually in the front next to the driver or directly behind them where there’s a little more room.
On the Lazy Boy style bus, everything is much more organised. You’re able to choose your seat when booking, which makes a huge difference in comfort on such a long journey.
Palawan Itinerary Route: Start in Puerto Princesa or Coron?
Most people visiting Palawan end up hitting the same three main highlights: Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron. Since they’re spread across the island, it makes the most sense to start at one end and travel through rather than backtracking.
I personally started in Puerto Princesa with a cheap flight from Manila (around $40), took the van up to El Nido, then hopped on a ferry over to Coron before flying back to Manila and on to Canada. A lot of travellers follow this same northbound route, while others do it in reverse. Either way works smoothly thanks to buses, ferries, and flights connecting everything.
How Long Should You Stay in Puerto Princesa?
Puerto Princesa is really more of a starting point than a destination you need to spend a lot of time in. The main reason most people stop here is for the underground river, which takes a full day once you factor in the drive and the tour itself.
From my experience, two days is plenty. I spent one day walking around the city and did the firefly river tour in the evening, then used the next day to visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It ended up being one of the highlights of my time in Palawan and well worth the long day.
Not sure if Puerto Princesa is worth spending time in? I covered it here.
Going with a guided tour makes everything simple since they pick you up and drop off at your hotel, handle transport to and from the river, include the boat ride through the cave, and even provide lunch so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Why El Nido Is Worth the Journey
After spending time travelling all over the Philippines, El Nido is one of those places that still manages to impress the moment you arrive.
The landscape here is completely different from most coastal towns, with massive limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, calm turquoise lagoons you can swim into, and dozens of islands scattered just offshore. Most days are spent island hopping, snorkelling, or simply soaking in the views, and the town itself is compact and easy to explore on foot.
Out of everywhere I’ve visited in the country, El Nido easily ranks among the most beautiful. It’s the kind of place that makes the long journey feel worth it the second you see the water.
How Many Days to Spend in El Nido
El Nido isn’t a place you want to rush. Between island hopping tours, exploring town, beach time, nightlife, and activities like scuba diving, there’s more than enough to fill your days.
From my experience, four days is a great minimum. The island hopping tours take up most of the day, with morning pickups and returns around dinner time, and they’re more tiring than you’d expect.
Tour A is widely known as the best of the El Nido routes and covers many of the classic lagoons and scenery people come here for. Tour C is also popular, but the two share a lot of similar landscapes. I did both, and if I were planning again, I’d skip Tour C and use that day for either Tour B or Tour D instead, which offer a different experience.
Beyond the tours, you’ll want time to wander around town, enjoy a slower beach day, and recover after long days on the water. I also spent a full day scuba diving, which flew by, and the nightlife alone can easily turn into late nights and slow mornings.
One thing I’m really glad I had was proper beach shoes, my own snorkel and mask, and a waterproof dry bag. The island hopping tours are very boat and beach focused, with lots of hopping in and out of boats and walking across rocky shorelines, so the shoes help a lot. The waterproof bag keeps your phone and valuables dry as you move between lagoons and beaches, and having your own snorkel and mask is far more comfortable than using the usual low quality rentals.
Why the Journey to El Nido Is Worth It
After spending days out on the water, it’s easy to see why El Nido is considered one of the top destinations in the Philippines. The mix of towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and crystal clear swimming spots feels completely different from anywhere else in the country.
It’s the kind of place that makes the long travel day from Puerto Princesa feel completely worth it the moment you arrive.
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- Watch the full video on YouTube