How to Get from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa
Find the best way from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa. Compare bus, shared van and private van with typical travel times and booking-platform prices.
Last updated: October 18, 2026
Contents
Leaving the quiet, hammock-filled shores of Port Barton for Puerto Princesa marks a shift from off-the-grid relaxation to the urban gateway of Palawan. Most travelers make this trip to catch a flight or to visit the Underground River in Sabang, which is easily reached from the Puerto Princesa area.
You can choose between a budget bus, a shared van and a private van. You can book your seat in advance through GoAsia.cc.
Port Barton to Puerto Princesa by Van
The minivan is the most common way to travel the road to Puerto Princesa. The tourism office of San Vicente, the municipality that includes Port Barton, gives about 3 hours by van and about 5 hours by bus for the 186 km highway between Puerto Princesa and San Vicente.[1] Booking platforms list the Port Barton vans at 3 to 4 hours and shared seats at about $9 to $14 (October 2026).[2]
Private transfers are listed at about $88 to $123 for a 10 to 12 seat van (October 2026).[2] A private van lets you set your own schedule and skip the stops of shared transport.
San Vicente's tourism office names the Puerto Princesa terminal at the New Public Market as the starting point for buses and shuttle vans on this highway.[1] If you need the airport or a particular hotel, ask the operator where your vehicle drops you when you book.
Port Barton to Puerto Princesa by Bus
For the most budget-conscious travelers, the local bus is the cheapest option. Booking platforms list ordinary buses at about $7 and about 4 hours (October 2026),[2] while the municipality's figure for the longer road to San Vicente's town is about 5 hours.[1] Ordinary buses are the no-frills choice and you can ask the operator whether they are air-conditioned.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary bus | About $7[2] | About 4h |
| Shared van | $9 - $14[2] | 3h - 4h |
| Private van | $88 - $123[2] | 3h - 4h |
Tips for Traveling from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa
- Book in advance in the dry season: Port Barton is a small village with limited vehicles, so vans can fill up in busy months.
- Allow a buffer for flights: If you are heading straight to Puerto Princesa International Airport, plan a generous margin for the long road, because delays can happen.
- Cash: Carry enough Philippine pesos before leaving Port Barton, because card payment may not be available in the village.
- Luggage space: Shared vans have limited room for bags. If you travel with a very large suitcase or a surfboard, tell the operator in advance or book an extra seat.
- By boat: Registered motorized bancas link Sabang (Puerto Princesa) and Port Barton in about 4 hours, an alternative if you are heading to the Underground River area.[1]
Timetable
| Bus Port Barton - Puerto Princesa $ 6.97โ7.13 4h | |
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| Taxi Port Barton - Puerto Princesa $ 87.07โ122.57 3h โ 4h | |
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| Van Port Barton - Puerto Princesa $ 8.71โ14.12 3h โ 4h | |
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| Taxi Puerto Princesa - Puerto Princesa $ 12.19โ87.07 30m โ 2h | |
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| Taxi Palawan - Puerto Princesa $ 122.48 3h 30m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Palawan to Puerto Princesa, including current prices and schedules.
The ordinary bus, listed on booking platforms at about $7 (October 2026). It is slower than a van and you can ask the operator whether it has air conditioning.
A van or private van, listed at 3 to 4 hours. The San Vicente tourism office gives about 3 hours by van and about 5 hours by bus on the highway between Puerto Princesa and San Vicente.
Booking platforms list 3 to 4 hours by van and about 4 hours by bus. Traffic, road conditions and pick-up stops can change this.
San Vicente's tourism office names the Puerto Princesa terminal at the New Public Market as the starting point for buses and shuttle vans on this highway. Ask your operator where exactly you will be dropped off.
No, but it suits families or groups of four or more. Booking platforms list private vans at about $88 to $123 for the whole vehicle, which can be comparable to several shared seats.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Municipality of San Vicente, Palawan: Tourism - San Vicente, Palawan. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: Timetable Port Barton - Puerto Princesa. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.