If you’re wondering how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido (or the reverse), don’t worry. It’s easier than you might think.
I took this easy, five-hour journey on my latest island hopping in Palawan trip. The only thing that went wrong was me leaving my favourite water bottle in the van, a struggle that I’m sure many of you will relate to.
In this guide, I’ll break down how to book your van, the cost, journey duration and what to expect.
After you’ve booked your transport, don’t forget to check out my Puerto Princesa itinerary and El Nido itinerary for tips on the best things to do in each destination.
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Short on time?
Shared minivans are the best and cheapest way to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
🚐 Check availability: Van to El Nido
🚐 Check availability: Van to Puerto Princesa
Don’t miss these experiences in El Nido/Puerto Princesa…
1. Big Dream Boatman expedition to Coron ⛵
2. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River – underground river tour 🛶
3. Tour A (El Nido) – turquoise lagoons 🏝️
How Far Is the Journey?
Puerto Princesa and El Nido are both located on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. However, they are separated by a distance of 270 kilometres.
Unlike the journey from El Nido to Coron, you don’t need to take a boat or flight from A to B. The journey only takes five hours by road.
How to Get From Puerto Princesa to El Nido
While you can fly from Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) to El Nido Airport (ENI), I don’t recommend it.
Short-haul flights have a large carbon footprint. Plus, with the time you’ll spend getting to/from the airports, you might as well just take a minivan.
To get from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, all you need to do is take a five-hour shared minivan. These shared, air-conditioned minivans only cost 610 – 700 PHP (£8-9).
Better yet, they pick you up directly from your hotel in Puerto Princesa and drop you off at your hotel in El Nido (as long as it’s within the town proper).
Most vans will stop for lunch in the middle of the journey, which is at a service station that serves basic meals and packaged snacks and drinks. The service station has basic squat toilet facilities but no loo roll, so it’s best to pack your own.
Like me, you can pre-book your bus online. Check the availability for the van to El Nido in advance on 12Go.
You’ll also notice that private vans are available. However, these cost significantly more: 7,020 PHP (£91). That’s the cost for comfort, I suppose.
There are also larger buses available, although the journey takes 6-7 hours and the cost is actually higher than booking a shared minivan.
Tip! Pack anti-sickness tablets if you’re prone to motion sickness, as there are some winding roads towards El Nido. I was totally fine, but I have heard of other people getting sick.
💡 Once you’re in El Nido, check out my guide to picking the best El Nido island-hopping tours, where I compare tours A, B, C and D.
Where to Stay in El Nido
Frendz Hostel El Nido (£££)
I stayed here!
The Funny Lion (£££)
How to Get From El Nido to Puerto Princesa
Getting from El Nido to Puerto Princesa follows very much the same route. You can fly, but it’s better to pre-book your van to Puerto Princesa online at 12Go.
Again, the journey takes around five hours, excluding a lunch stop in the middle. The cost is 610 – 700 PHP (£8-9) for a shared van or 7,020 PHP (£91) for a private van.
Try these highly-rated hotels in the city proper…
Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel (£££)
Puerto Pension Inn (£££)
Mojo Hostel (£££)
I hope you found my guide useful. Leave a comment below to let me know your trip plans!