HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO?
FIND OUR UPDATED TRAVEL INFORMATION WHEN PLANING A TRIP TO EL NIDO, PALAWAN FOR 2020. INCLUDING LATEST FLIGHTS, FERRY AND VAN TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL TO EL NIDO, PALAWAN?
YOU HAVE 4 CHOICES TO REACH PALAWAN
- Direct flights to/from El Nido
- Flights to Puerto Princesa + Bus
- Ferry from Coron, Busuanga
- Flights to San Vicente, Palawan + Bus
SURELY OPTION 1 IS THE MOST CONVENIENT ONE!
1. Direct flights with Air-Swift to / from El Nido Airport. Connections are available with:
- Manila (Terminal 4)
- Clark (2 hours north of Manila)
- Cebu
- Boracay / Caticlan
- Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
- Coron (Island of Busuanga)
This is by far the most convenient and time-efficient way with brand new Aircrafts. Prices vary pretty much from 3500php up to 9000php one way. Flights in high season are sold out early. In Typhoon Season August, November + December expect delays/cancellations/re-bookings. From El Nido Airport simply take a trycicle, no reservation is needed. To ou location Lugadia Beach, CoronCoron it takes 20 minutes for only 400php. We dont arrange airport pick up. Careful: Don't underestimate Manila traffic and Taxi cues between the Terminals. From T4 to T3 takes 1,5hours at rush-hour.
You travel with diving gear?
There are 7kg hand-carry and only 10kg check-in luggage included. You can add another 10kg check-in luggage in advance for only 200php. At the airport fees are way higher.
2. Via Puerto Princesa (PPS) with flights from / to
- Manila T3 or T4
- Cebu
- Clark
- Taipei (Taiwan)
- Incheon (Korea)
Domestic flights with Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Air Asia. Early bookings can be cheap as 2000php one way. International connections so far are charter-flights only.
HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO FROM PUERTO PRINCESA?
- Grab a mini van or bus to El Nido
- Departures are right at the airport or outside the gate until the last flight arrives
- We recommend DAYTRIPPER PALAWAN known for being safe operation
- You will always find a random ride - even without reservation
- The shaky ride takes 6 hours including 2 stops
- The lowest price is 500php per person
- A private van is 6000php or more
- Sorry, we do not arrange transportation
GOOD TO KNOW
If you are planing to visit the Underground River in Sabang we recommend to stay 1 night in Sabang. It's much cosier than PPC and already part of your travel to/from El Nido. Puerto Princesa is pretty boring unless you are planing to dive Tubbataha Reef by liveaboard.
3. Daily Ferry from / to Coron on Busuanga Island with 3 companies from El Nido Pier
- Montenegro
- Phimal
- NEW 2020: Jomalia
- Atienza (1 trip per week)
Speed Ferries take 5 - 7 hours depending on wind and waves. Ticket price is 1800php one way. There is usually 1 early morning departure and 1 noon-time departure. But better double check. A reservation is definitely required in advance from December - May. It can be a rough ride so bring enough motion sickness pills. If you are planning to fly out from Coron, Busuanga book your ticket in advance.
IMPORTANT
Cancellations due to weather or engine-problems are not uncommon. Check weather forecasts with windy.tv and PAGASA. If Palawan is under 'Storm Signal' ferries can't operate. We have seen many people being 'stranded' every December due to no reservation or cancellations.
4. Flights via San Vicente (3 - 4 hours by bus to El Nido), connections from Clark only with
- Air Juan
- PAL Express
This is just an alternative route if you run out of options. It takes 3 - 4 hours by van from San Vicente to El Nido.
TIP
You can use this connection if you want to combine a trip to El Nido and Port Barton: a cosy quiet beach-village. Its not too far from San Vicente Airport, by van it takes 1,5 hours.