Palawan Island How To Get There
How to Get to El Nido, Palawan?
How to Get to El Nido, Palawan?
Located at the very north end of Palawan island, El Nido is quite a remote place (that's also what makes it a charming place). Until a few years ago, accessing it used to be an adventure in itself, taking up to 24 hours from Puerto Princesa, Palawan's main city, which is "only" 230 km away. Nowadays, this tropical paradise is much easier to reach… even though it still isn't a total piece of cake.
Before planning your trip and choosing your island hopping tours in El Nido, the first thing you'll need to know about it is how to actually get there! This is exactly what we'll discuss here. We'll see what are the most common and the most practical ways to get to El Nido, may it be by road, by air or by sea.
How to Come and Enter The Philippines?
Let's start from the beginning… If you're a foreigner, chances are that you'll arrive in the Philippines by a plane landing in Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There's no advice we could give you about that, except trying to find a cheap flight. For that, you can useSkyscanner. This very popular tool retrieves and compares thousands of flights to allow you to find the cheapest. You can try it here.
The entry conditions in Philippines depends on your nationality. For most European and western countries, you won't need a visa if you're staying for less than 30 days. Nonetheless, you'll need to give a proof of your intent to leave the country in that time window and the customs will ask you to show your exit flight ticket.
Now that you're in Manila, the only advice I can give you is: get out of it as soon as you can. 🙂 That may sound harsh but this huge, overpopulated and polluted city has no real interest for a tourist… Especially if you compare it to the sugar-white sand beaches and crystal-clear water lagoons of the tropical paradise you're heading to.
That's up to you, for sure, but that's the advice I give to all the friends coming to visit Palawan and the Philippines: if you can make the connection to Puerto Princesa the same day you land in Manila, just do it. Just give yourself a window of 3 hours minimum between your arrival and your next flight, so you'll have enough time to go from one terminal to another (Manila is known for its HUGE trafic jams).
What is The Most Common Way to Get to El Nido?
We'll now see what's the most common way to get to El Nido, Palawan. It involves planes, vans and tricycles – exciting, right? This way represents the best compromise between cost and time. It's also the easiest way in terms of organization, and all that probably explain why it's the most popular.
1. Flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa
Most tourists coming to El Nido land on Palawan island in Puerto Princesa International Airport, through a direct flight from Manila. The two main companies operating daily flights between the two cities are Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Thanks to the Skyscanner, you'll find the cheapest prices for these flights. Just click here to access the flights search engine.
2. Taking a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
The journey usually continues with a van direct from Puerto Princesa airport up to El Nido bus terminal. Your van transfer will take between 4:30 and 6 hours, depending on the time of the day, and the price for a seat is around P600 to P700. You will find more information on that topic in this post: How to go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
New: You Can Now Book You Van Online!
3. Riding a tricycle to get to El Nido town
Finally, your van will stop in Corong-Corong bus terminal. This is located just 5 minutes away from El Nido Poblacion (the proper town) with a tricycle. You'll just have to ask you to one of the drivers to take your hotel or guesthouse. During the day, the normal price is P15 per person, but at night, the rates goes up and the tricycle drivers will ask you P50 minimum.
So here you are, well arrived in El Nido! You can now get ready for your island hopping tours. 🙂
This most popular way to get to El Nido will basically take you one day. But, as I was saying, this isn't the only way to reach your destination. Let's have a look at what your other options are…
How to Get to El Nido by Road?
Once in Puerto Princesa, you do have several options to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Mainly, you can either choose between a van (around P600/person) or a bus (around P400/person) trip. It's also possible to rent a car (around P3,000/day) or to rent a motorbike (around P600/day). Travelling by road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido usually takes from 5 hours (van or car) to 9 hours (bus).
We already published a detailed guide on how to go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. It will give you everything information you need to know in order to choose your mean of transportation, and give you the names of the companies operating these trips. Click here to read it: How to Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido ?
For a most convenient trip, we definitely recommend to hire a private van. The cost is between P6,000 and P7,000 and it can accommodate groups up to 12 persons. You can book your private van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido directly on this page.
How to Get to El Nido by Plane?
Taking a plane from Manila to El Nido clearly is the fastest and the most confortable way to get to El Nido. It's also, as you guess, the most expensive one.There is one company, Air Swift (formerly named ITI for Island Transvoyageur, Inc.), which operates several flights a day between El Nido, Manila, Cebu and Caticlan.
How much does a plane ticket to El Nido cost? It depends on the season and the special offers of Air Swift, but most of the time, it's around P7,000 to P9,000.
How long does it take to go from Manila to El Nido by plane? Around 1 hour and a half. Compared to the +12 hours of flying to Puerto Princesa and going by road to El Nido, it's an ultra quick way to get to El Nido.
During the time of ITI, the only way to book a flight ticket was to go through a local booking office in El Nido or Manila. It changed when the company was renamed Air Swift and they now have a website. You can check it to make a booking for flights between El Nido, Manila, Cebu and Caticlan.
How to Get to El Nido by Sea?
It is possible to get from Manila to El Nido by boat. You can book a ticket with 2Go Travel from Manila to Coron and then, in Coron, book another ticket going to El Nido with a local company. But it's a long (loooong) way and it will take you 24 hours at least, plus a night in Coron. So, basically, it's a two days trip. We don't advise you to choose this solution (except, maybe, if you're really afraid to fly!).
Nonetheless, the boat is the best option if you're going from Coron to El Nido. The trip costs around P1,900 and takes around 4 hours. You can book your fast-craft trip from Coron to El Nido thanks to our online booking. Fast craft from El Nido to Coron is also available.
To sum up
The most common way to get to El Nido, Palawan, is by taking a plane from Manila to Puerto Princesa, and then taking a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. It will take you a day, but it's the cheapest way to go.
Another good option is to take a direct flight from Manila to El Nido. That way you don't spend to much of your holiday time in the transportation. It's also most expensive and may not be appropriate for backpackers travelling on a tight budget.
I hope this article helped you planning your trip to El Nido! Don't hesitate to shoot us an email if you have any question or inquiry. We offer bookings for vans between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, as well as boat to and from Coron. And, for sure, we organize many island hopping tours. Just have a look at the miniatures below and at our online booking to see what's available at the time of your stay.
And most of all, we wish you an amazing stay in El Nido, Palawan!
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Palawan Island How To Get There
Source: https://www.elnidoparadise.com/how-to-get-to-el-nido-palawan/
Posted by: linaresfespon78.blogspot.com
31 Comments
Thank you for all of the information! It's been a while since I've been to El Nido but I'm looking at all the options again – the roads and flights have clearly improved since the last time I was there. I took a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and then the ferry from El Nido to Coron. A lot of people seem to worry about the boat but it was honestly OK (it just takes a lot longer than you're told!)
Thank you that info was very helpful! Is it better to get our flight ticket to El Nido from Manila when we arrive at Manila airport or to try and book before?
You're welcome Franks 🙂
Definitely better to try to book it in advance!
Is it possible to take tour c and have enough time to go back to puerto princesa?what time is the last trip back to PP vian van? Thanks!
Hi Roger,
It's a bit short. The last vans go from El Nido around 5:00PM. But it's always possible to take a bus if you miss the last vans.
Good day. For the direct flight to El Nido, what activity do you suggest say after taking the first flight (7:30 am)?
Hi Eugene,
It's generally too late to join a public tour, but you can book a private one, to start a bit later (simply contact us if you want to arrange that). Another option is to go for a half day activity, such as a trip to Nacpan beach or Las Cabanas
hey i am planning ti visit el nido in the month of june and first we are planning to visit boracay and then el nido. Can you tell me the shortest way to go there because our total trip is for a week only so. I read you can go to a city name ilio or something from caticlan and then take a flight to peurta princessa.But i dont want to waste my time by travellinb to peurta princessa.
We have to go back to cebu and our flight is 11am. Is there a van that we can ride before our flight? I know it is 6-7 hrs, maybe like 3am in the morning? Or what hours of operation is the van going to the airport?
Hi Gen,
The public vans start around 6:00/7:00AM from El Nido, so it wouldn't be possible. The best solution is probably to go on the day before.
Hello !
1.Is it possible to fly from El Nido to Coron or Manila to Coron ?
2. Is there another way of going to Coron from El Nido except the 8 hour ferry boat ?
3. If I have my flight to Puerto Princesa, can I go to the underground river from there, and after that going to El Nido or it is advisable to go straight to El Nido from Coron ?
4. How many days do you suggest to visit the following: underground river, el nido and the tours, coron and other islands nearby?
Thank you so much and congratulations for this amazing website!
Marta
Hi!
We wil arrive at PPC monday 230pm and our flight back to manila is thursday after lunch. I would like to ask for your advise on how to maximise those days, like if we should go directly to el nido and have a tour at PPC before going back to manila? or the other way around?
Thank you so much and more power!
hi it is possible for us – foreigner to rent a car to Elnido? is it advisable? we will arrived at PPS around 8pm from Cebu and we wish to go Elnido directly from airport as we have limited time.
Hello good day
Is there any inn's or hotel which cost cheaper for travelers like us and affordable when we arrived in elnido…???
Hii
I am from India and planning a trip to el Nido in first week of december with my hubby this year. I can't find a direct flight booking from India to el nido airport all I can see are the flights to manila. How to book a flight from manila to el nido sitting here in India. We just have a week's time so can't waste much time on traveling.
Also what is the whole concept of tour A B C and D and how to book one.
TIA!
Hi Tripti,
The company operating between Manilla and El Nido is Air Swift. It's small planes and you will have to transfer to the airport where you can get your flight in Manilla. There is no automatic luggages transfer for example. But you can book from their website: http://air-swift.com.
The tours A, B, C are the main island hopping tours to have in El Nido. You can find much more details and how to book these activities from this page: https://www.elnidoparadise.com/island-hopping/el-nido-tours/
Hi cebu to el nido flights..how much it cost usually?
Is there another airline other than Airswift. We can find flights going to El Nido from Manila but flights going out is not available for at least 7 days. We are traveling in Mid Feb. Thank you in advance.
Did you end up flying with Air Swift?
Hi. Thank you for this very informative website. Is it better in waiting and less expensive to book tours when we arrive at El Nido?
Hi just wondering how much is the flight vost from puerto princes to el nido and how will I order it if there is no flights for november. Thanks in advance
Hi Gytis,
The prices range from around P3,000 to P9,000 depending on the time of the year (November being the start of the high season). If you cannot get a flight, the most common way is to take a van. The public van is around P600/person, and the private ones around P6,500 for a group of up to 12 people. Another options are a car rental (generaly more expensive), or simply taking a public bus (the cheapest but longest way).
In any case, have a good trip in Palawan! 🙂
Hi there,
Much appreciated for the information about ElNido Palawan. My question is :In which area should I stay? and would it be possible to catch all the Activities if I stay in one area ? or do I have to move from area to another ?
Thanks in advance,
Hi Aziz,
Thanks for your comment! Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa are all around 1 day/half-day of travel from each other. But if you stay in El Nido and speak only of that, the area where you stay doesn't matter as the town is very small. 🙂
How small is the plane going to El Nido.as I am a bit scared to ride small planes.
Hi Susima,
The one going from Puerto Princesa is fairly small. If you don't like small planes, you might not enjoy this one.
Hi Pierre – we hope to fly to El Nido from MNL, however, the connecting time looks to only be about two hours! I am nervous that is not enough. Probably not worth the risk right? So, wait a day — however, you also say get out of MNL asap! 🙂 I have heard of a new flight option into San Vicente, but it seems with that we also still only have about two hours connection. Last flights are at 2pm – not very late! We are traveling in November. Thank you for any suggestions.
Hi Rhonda,
Yes, 2 hours is a little short, except maybe if you arrive in and depart from the same terminal (which probably won't be the case here but you can always check).
I couldn't tell you much about the flights to San Vicente, but in any case if you arrive there you'd have to then take a private van to El Nido – which you can find here: https://www.elnidoparadise.com/booking/transportation/private-van-transfer-san-vicente-to-el-nido/ But this is quite a long ride again…
Spending the night in Manila may be indeed the easiest solution in your case. My advise would be to find a hotel near the airport. If you arrive/depart from Terminal 3, there are a few hotels that can be reached directly by walking or with a free shuttle.
Cheers,
Pierre