How to Get to El Nido

This post was most recently updated on January 4th, 2018

There are several ways on how to get to the El Nido Palawan, it will just depend on your budget. I listed the possible options below:

By Air

If money is not an issue, you can take a direct flight from Manila to El Nido Palawan. The only airline that flies from Manila to El Nido is AirSWIFT, previously known as Island Transvoyager, or ITI Air. The round-trip ticket ranges from 12,000 – 14,000 pesos. Pricey, right? However, it is the easiest and the fastest access having about only an hour of flight to El Nido coming from Manila. From Lio Airport, you can ride a tricycle to drop you off in town for 150 – 200 pesos.

By Land

A cheaper and the most popular way to get to El Nido is flying to Puerto Princesa via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia. From the airport, you can catch a van or a bus to El Nido town.

I’d highly recommend going by van, you can save more time by 1-3 hours and besides there isn’t that difference when it comes to the price. The cost of a shuttle van is about 500-600 pesos per person, one way. Shuttles usually run every hour from 6am, however vans can get overcrowded during peak season. One more thing: Book an early morning flight to Puerto Princesa and an afternoon flight going back to Manila so you can arrive to your destination before dark, roads going to El Nido from Puerto Princesa can get scary during the night. Most of the vans drop passengers in El Nido terminal. From there, ride a tricycle to your hotel accommodation for a fixed rate of 50 pesos.

By Boat

If by any chance you want to go to El Nido from Coron, a boat might be your easiest option.

You may choose between Ferry, Fastcraft, and Passenger/Cargo Ship. Price varies from 1000 to 1800 pesos and travel duration from 4 hours to 9 hours. As these trips are very weather dependent, cancellations happen sometimes. Your accommodation should be able to help you book a boat, many booking agencies in town that sell tickets, or you can directly get tickets at the port.

Puerto Princesa to El Nido Palawan Breakdown of Fares

• Tricycle from bus or van terminal to your hotel accommodation 50 pesos
• Van shuttle 500-600 pesos one way
• Tricycle from van and bus terminal to your hotel 50 pesos
• RoRo Bus aircon 380 pesos
• RoRo Bus nonaircon 290 pesos
• Cherry Bus aircon 480 pesos
• Cherry Bus ordinary 380 pesos
• Motorbike rental 400-500 pesos per day

Don’t know what to do in El Nido Palawan? Here’s an extensive travel guide to make the best out of your 4 Days and 3 Nights in El Nido. Learn more about the island-hopping tours destinations, on what islands to choose from. See the beautiful lagoons of El Nido, Palawan. Book yourself an island hopping tour A. Or give yourself a laid back feels in the powdery-white sands of tour C with lots of snorkeling sites. You have the option to do combination of tours, too!