How to Transfer Between Puerto Princesa and El Nido in Palawan, Philippines

Exploring the beauty of the natural wonders of the Philippines is on top of many travellers’ bucketlists. Also known as the last frontier of the Philippines, Palawan offers everything imaginable for a perfect holiday – white sandy beaches, coral reefs, the Puerto Princesa Underground River and the El Nido marine reserves. And whilst you can explore some of these places within one week it is a great idea to visit both Puerto Princesa and El Nido, which is our focus for this article. We will explain how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and back.

Why Visit Puerto Princesa and El Nido?

As mentioned above, Palawan offers a few must-see attractions like the Subterranean River National Park, but also the stunning natural beauty of both Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Located in the northern part of Palawan, El Nido is all about beautiful rock formations, powdery beaches, dive sites and many unexplored islands. Both towns offer wonderful destinations for travellers and can be easily accessed by flights to and from Puerto Princesa or Manila.

Puerto Princesa is quite popular for its peace and tranquility, pretty views of mountains and seas, abundant marine life, snorkelling and diving and many island trips available by boat. Common activities also include touring around Honda Bay, visiting the Crocodile Farm, exploring the spectacular underground rivers, taking a dip in the renowned Ugong Rock and more.

How to Get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and Back

Getting from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is quite easy, whether you decide to take a flight or use ground transportation. You will find below some options on how to transfer between the two destinations.

Option 1: Flights

There are daily flights connecting Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) to El Nido Airport (ENI). The flight takes about one hour with AirSWIFT being the only airline offering flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Please note, however, that AirSWIFT does not operate direct flights from Manila so you need to connect in Puerto Princesa first. Book your flights ahead for a smooth transition and to enjoy pocket friendly fares and exciting offers.

Option 2: Bus

For those who wish to take a more scenic and adventurous route, catching a bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is definitely an option. R travels offers bus rides from designated bus terminals in Puerto Princesa towards El Nido town. The bus ride passes through the magnificent rolling hills lined up with an array of palms trees and incredible views at every corner, taking about 8 hours depending on road conditions. Keep in mind though that the roads in the Philippines are quite narrow so if you’re prone to motion sickness try taking some anti-sickness tablets before boarding the bus.

Option 3: Van

Another popular way of getting around Palawan is taking what locals call a “van’ as it’s more convenient than taking a local bus. SuperShuttle is one of the companies that offers direct transfers from Puerto Princesa airport to El Nido for about 6 hours of total travelling time. At SuperShuttle all their vehicles are air-conditioned with comfortable leather chairs and a maximum capacity of 10 passengers to ensure you have enough space for yourself during the ride. They make various stops along the way at popular tourist spots so you can stretch your legs from time to time.

Option 4: Private Transfers

The most convenient option for getting from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is booking a private transfer – especially if you’re travelling with a bigger group or if you’re running on a tight schedule. Various companies offer private transfer services at competitive market prices, ranging roughly between 4000PHP and 5000PHP each way with the ability to add optional stopovers depending on the route. Negotiating a price directly with your driver is also possible if you decide to book these services from your hotel receptionist or from other tourist shops but make sure you have all arrangements nailed down prior to setting off for your journey.

Conclusion

When it comes down to travelling between Puerto Princesa and El Nido there are multiple transportation options available – be it by flight, roadside or private transfer. All choices depend on one’s budget, time constraints as well as preference in terms of comfort level. So make sure you plan your trip accordingly and – if need be – book your transportation tickets in advance. And why not add some extra activities during your stay in Palawan? Check out this link for activities that will surely make your Palawan trip one for the books!