LOOKING FOR HOW TO GET FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO?
Your travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido can very much depend on your priorities. Some people don’t mind taking the slower, cheaper route and soaking up the scenery on the way. Whereas others might be in a rush, wanting to head straight into adventure and don’t have time for the long journey.
In this guide, I’m going to give you all the information you need on how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa.
I’ll be going into detail on the Puerto Princesa to El Nido travel time, the different modes of transport and how much each travel option is going to cost.
Let’s jump right into the guide on how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa.
BUS FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO
Although the cheapest option with prices varying from 380 – 480 pesos per person, taking the bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is by far the longest mode of transport.
Puerto Princesa To El Nido Travel Time: The bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes around 6 to 9 hours depending on stops, the weather and the time of day in which you travel.
You have two bus companies to choose from between Puerto Princesa and El Nido which are RoRo Bus and Cherry Bus, both of which depart from the San Jose Terminal, located 7kms from the airport. The buses are generally quite comfortable and are air-conditioned.
They both arrive in El Nido at the El Nido transport terminal. From there you’ll be able to hop on a tricycle or pre-arrange transport to your hotel, hostel or resort in El Nido.
Bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO – BY VAN
Traveling by van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is probably the most popular form of travel.
Costing around 500 to 600 pesos per person and lasting around 5 to 6 hours, most travelers choose this option as not only is it cutting down on the travel time, it’s also a lot more convenient, compared to the unpredictability of the buses.
The three main Puerto Princesa to El Nido van providers are UV Express Service, Lexxus Shuttle and Eulen Joy Express. When you leave the airport at Puerto Princesa, you’re likely to be approached by van drivers wanting to fill their van.
Although convenient as you don’t have to go looking for them, be aware of who’s van you’re getting into and the fact they won’t leave until their van is completely full… potentially adding time onto your transfer.
If you’re not departing directly from the airport then these travel companies also have the option to pick you up from your hotel on the day you plan to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
My advice to simplify your travel day from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is to book your ticket online with Klook which is hassle-free and reliable.
Book Now → Shared van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Book Now → Private van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
There are more than three Puerto Princesa to El Nido van companies that I’ve listed but these seem to be the most popular and most reliable.
If you didn’t want to book in advance, you can just turn up to the Puerto Princesa airport terminal and hop on, however, doing this may change the price I’ve mentioned above.
Big Lagoon El Nido
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PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO – BY PLANE
Without a doubt, the most straight forward, quickest, yet an expensive form of transport from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is flying.
Costing you around 2000 pesos per person but only lasting 50 minutes, flying from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is for those travelers where time is of the essence and adventure is waiting.
Flying from Puerto Princesa Airport to Lio Airport in El Nido is very dependent on the travel company.
With the short runway at El Nido Airport, it makes it challenging for larger planes to land.
AirSWIFT offers direct flights from Puerto Princesa to El Nido Airport but check with the travel company as I mentioned, times and prices can vary.
I always search and book all of my flights on Skyscanner.com which is the best online flight directory to find the cheapest and most convenient flights in the Philippines.
Whatever mode of transport you decide on, you’re sure in for a hell of an adventure when you get to El Nido. As you can see, there are plenty of options and I hope this guide has helped you plan your journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
Puerto Princes to El Nido by plane
THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO
Now that you’ve got all the information on how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa you may want to read my El Nido travel guides listed below:
- El Nido Island Hopping – Tour A
- Taraw Peak Sunrise Hike
- 3D2N El Nido To Coron Island Hopping Expedition
WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
El Nido has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in El Nido to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Lagùn Hotel
Lagùn Hotel is one of the best and most modern hotel in El Nido featuring an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar and free wifi throughout the property. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen tv, wardrobe, work desk, fridge, kettle, private bathroom and some with a balcony. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Recommended for couples, families and friends.
Mid Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel
I personally stayed at Sea Cocoon Hotel and can’t recommend this place enough! Located right in the heart of El Nido town and just minutes walk to the beach. Sea Cocoon Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar and a shared lounge. The rooms are spacious and modern with air-conditioning, large comfy beds, wardrobe, balcony and private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Affordable place to stay for couples, families and friends!
Budget: One Hostel El Nido
One Hostel is one of the best budget accommodations in El Nido with great reviews! Centrally located and walking distance to the bus terminal, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and beaches. There are dorm rooms, double rooms and quadruple rooms available with air-conditioning. The Hostel also has free wifi and a shared lounge area for guests to hang out. Perfect place to stay in El Nido for solo travelers, couples and friends!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN EL NIDO, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
EL NIDO MAP
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BEST EL NIDO TOURS
AIRBNB EL NIDO
Another option for accommodation in El Nido is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals.
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
LONELY PLANET – PHILIPPINES
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Philippines Travel Guide!
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MORE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDES
- Philippines Travel Guide: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
- Cebu: 15 Things To Do In Cebu
- Bohol: 31 Epic Things To Do In Bohol
- Siargao: 15 Things To Do In Siargao
- El Nido: El Nido Island Hopping
- Coron: Coron Island Hopping
- Boracay: 15 Things To Do In Boracay
- Siquijor: 3 Day Siquijor Itinerary
- Bantayan: 15 Things To Do In Bantayan
- Malapascua: 11 Things To Do In Malapascua
- Camiguin: 13 Best Camiguin Tourist Spots
- Romblon: 12 Epic Things To Do In Romblon
- Tablas: 10 Things To Do In Tablas
- Carabao: 7 Best Things To Do In Carabao
- Dumaguete: Best Dumaguete Tourist Spots
- Sumilon Island: Sumilon Island Itinerary
JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
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WHAT TO PACK FOR PHILIPPINES
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 year worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about how to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Travels!
