Puerto Princesa to El Nido by Van: Fares, Times, Tips

The road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is the trip almost every Palawan traveller makes, and it is longer than most people expect. A shared van takes about five to six hours, including a stop for food, and costs around ₱650 to ₱800 a seat. A bus is cheaper and slower, a private van buys comfort rather than speed, and a flight saves the day but costs much more.

For most people, a morning shared van is the best choice. Leave Puerto Princesa between 7:00 and 9:00, and you reach El Nido by mid-afternoon with enough light to check in and catch the sunset. This guide covers where the vans leave from, what to book, how the bus compares, what the ride is like and where to break the trip if you have the time.

Schedules and fares change with the season and with fuel prices, so treat the figures here as a guide and confirm the departure time with your operator or guesthouse the day before.

Your Options at a Glance

• Shared van: about 5 to 6 hours, around ₱650 to ₱800 per seat, several departures a day
• Private van: about 5 hours, priced per vehicle, leaves when you want
• Public bus: about 7 to 9 hours, roughly ₱500 to ₱800, from San Jose Terminal
• Flight to El Nido: about an hour, much higher fares and few seats

There is no ferry on this route. The only boat links from El Nido go north to Coron.

Shared Van: The Usual Choice

Shared vans are white Toyota HiAce minivans with 10 to 12 seats, run by several companies. Departures start as early as 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning and continue every hour or two until the early evening. Common slots include 8:00, 9:00, 11:00 and 1:00 in the afternoon, though each operator keeps its own timetable.

Most vans leave from San Jose Terminal, about 7 kilometres north of the airport, and many will also pick you up at the airport or your hotel in the city for a small extra charge. In El Nido, vans usually drop passengers at the Corong Corong terminal, about ten minutes from town. A tricycle into town or to a beach hotel costs around ₱50 to ₱100.

You can book online through an operator, through your hotel or at a ticket booth at the terminal. In December to April, and on long weekends, book at least a day ahead, especially for the morning vans. Pay in cash if you buy at the terminal.

How to get a better seat

Seats are often assigned in the order people book or board. The front row beside the driver and the first row behind him are the most comfortable for anyone who gets carsick. The back row sits above the rear wheels and feels every bump. Luggage usually goes on the roof or in the rear, so keep a small bag with water, snacks and a jacket for the air conditioning with you.

Private Van: Worth It for Groups

A private van costs more per vehicle, but split between four to eight people it is not far off the shared rate per person. The bigger benefits are a fixed pickup at the airport or your hotel, a departure time that suits your flight, and the option to stop where you like. A common request is a stop in Port Barton or a lunch break on the beach along the way. Book through your hotel or a transport agency, and agree the price, the stops and whether waiting time at stops is included before you go.

Public Bus: Cheapest, Slowest

Buses run from San Jose Terminal to the Corong Corong terminal through the day, with departures from early morning into the evening. The ride takes about seven to nine hours, because the bus stops in towns along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. Fares are similar to or a little below the van rate, depending on whether you take an air-conditioned or ordinary bus.

The bus is the better choice if you get carsick in a van, since the larger vehicle sways less on the curves, or if you have a lot of luggage. It is also a good fit for budget travellers who are in no hurry and want to see the towns along the way.

What the Ride Is Like

The road is paved the whole way, but the second half runs through hills with many curves, and van drivers tend to drive fast. If you get carsick, take a motion sickness tablet before you leave, and avoid a heavy breakfast.

Vans usually make one stop of 15 to 30 minutes, often around Roxas or Taytay, at a roadside restaurant with toilets. Food there is simple and cheap. Carry some small bills, as there may not be a way to pay by card or GCash.

Signal can be patchy in the hills, so download maps and your hotel booking before you leave.

Breaking Up the Trip

If your schedule allows, the road is easier in two shorter legs. Port Barton is about three hours from Puerto Princesa by van and four to five hours from El Nido. A night or two there gives you a quiet village beach and island-hopping trips that are far less crowded than El Nido's.

San Vicente's Long Beach, a little north of Port Barton, is another option for a slow stop. Our San Vicente Long Beach guide explains how to reach it and where to stay. Make sure the van you book goes to the right San Vicente, because the name is shared with other places in the province.

Timing Tips

• Take a morning van. Arriving after dark means finding your hotel in the dark, and the curvy section is harder at night.
• If you land in Puerto Princesa in the afternoon, stay one night in the city and leave the next morning.
• Going the other way, allow a buffer before your flight. A van leaving El Nido at 5:00 in the morning reaches Puerto Princesa around 11:00, which suits an afternoon flight.
• Avoid booking a van on the same day as an island-hopping tour. Both take most of the day.

Is It Worth Flying Instead?

Flying straight into El Nido skips the road entirely, but the small airport has few flights and fares are often several times the van price. It makes sense if your time is short, or if you can fly in from another city and skip Puerto Princesa altogether. If you still want to see the Underground River, though, you will be in Puerto Princesa anyway, and the van is the simplest way north.

Booking Your Trip North

Book a shared van for the morning, ask for a front seat, carry cash and snacks, and plan your first El Nido boat day for the day after you arrive. Our guide to El Nido Tours A, B, C and D helps you choose that first tour, and the Palawan itinerary for 5, 7 or 10 days shows where the van ride fits in a longer trip.