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If you are visiting Palawan, we highly recommend a trip to the beautiful El Nido Beach area. So, how do you travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in 2025?
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido independently and on a budget. We will share some inside tips to give you a feel for the journey, and we will also share prices and the best ways to book your trip.
NEED A QUICK OPTION? – Book it on KLOOK – Puerto Princesa to El Nido – Shared & Private Transfer
Overview: Puerto Princesa to El Nido
The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is around 269 km and takes between 5-6 hours by road.
Although the journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is long and tiring, there are a lot of fantastic reasons to visit El Nido. It is an extremely beautiful area with a stunning beach.
There are also lots of epic things to do in the area. You can take a stunning island-hopping trip to the beautiful lagoons, take an exhilarating zipline to an uninhabited island, or explore the coast in a sea kayak. Feeling inspired? Then keep reading, and we will tell you how to do this journey.
FIND OUT MORE – Is it worth staying in El Nido?
Overview: Puerto Princesa to El Nido
1 Take a Bus
The cheapest and most common way to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is to take a bus. The bus journey normally takes around 5 or 6 hours and includes one scheduled stop partway through the journey. You can normally buy food and drinks and use a toilet at the stopping place. They normally use minibuses for this journey. There is some space for baggage in the minibus, but they can be pretty crowded. What’s more, the minibuses are normally full on this route (or nearly full).
The bus journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido normally costs between 500 – 700 pesos. Paying more does not mean you will get more. In many cases, everyone is put on the same bus, so it is worth bartering and shopping around to get the best price. The bus journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is long and tiring. It can also be quite nauseating if you suffer from travel sickness (remember to take a pill before you go). The bus will drop you off in the El Nido Beach area. In some cases, your bus driver may be willing to drive around town a little to drop people off close to their accommodation.
There are several different ways to book your bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. You can book buses through your guest house or hotel in Puerto Princesa. Alternatively, you can book your bus online. In most cases, you should be given the option of a hotel pickup, which is super convenient. They will also give you a pickup window (normally between 7 am – 9 am).
Top tip: If you’re travelling with kids – you normally need to pay a full adult price if you want a seat for your kids (don’t count on seats being available if you don’t purchase a ticket!). Young kids may be able to get a discount of around 50% for seats. Very young kids (under 3) may be able to ride for free but they will not provide a seat if the kid is free.
2 Rent a Car and Drive
If you’re looking for a more convenient and enjoyable journey, you can rent a car in Puerto Princesa and drive to El Nido. Renting a car means that you can depart when you want and go at your own pace, stopping where you need or taking detours. You can sling all of your baggage in the boot. Once you get to El Nido, you can use your car to explore the area and access some more remote locations that other people miss. Renting a car can sometimes be stressful, especially if you are not familiar with the roads. You are responsible for the vehicle, and you may need to pay if there is any damage. Car rental in Palawan generally starts at around 1,000 – 1,400 pesos per day. The cheapest way to get a car rental deal is to look for small rental companies on Facebook and contact them directly. It is always worth negotiating for the best price. Check exactly what is included in the car rental deal (also check the deposit and ask about any additional fees such as drop-off and pickup fees or cleaning fees).
Top tip: If you are planning to rent a car in Palawan, you will need to search for “self-drive rentals.” In some cases, the term “car rental” can refer to a long-distance taxi (renting a car and driver).
3 Book a Flight
If renting a car is not for you, you can also fly from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Most flights connect in Manila and take between 5-7 hours. On average, flight prices range between £150 and £200 (before baggage and booking fees). In most cases, this is not a particularly good option. Taking a flight is relatively expensive, and you are unlikely to save time or energy. Rather than trying to fly from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, consider booking a flight directly to El Nido and skipping Puerto Princesa altogether (unless there are things you’re hoping to see in Puerto Princesa, such as the impressive Underground River).
PLAN YOUR TRIP? Palawan or Cebu – Which Destination is Best?
