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How to Get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Compare Cherry Bus, shared vans and private vans from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: departures, travel times and prices for the 260 km ride.

Philippines Puerto PrincesaEl Nido

Last updated: October 29, 2026

How to Get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Contents

The road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido runs about 260 km up the spine of Palawan, through forest and small villages, and ends at Bacuit Bay, where limestone cliffs rise straight out of the sea.[1] For many travellers it is the ride that turns a city stopover into an island holiday. You can take a Cherry Bus, share a van with other travellers or hire a private van for your group. Compare schedules and book on GoAsia.cc.

Train, Bus, Flight and Ferry tickets

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Puerto Princesa to El Nido by Bus

Cherry Bus runs four trips a day in each direction, and the ride takes around 5 hours. Buses leave Puerto Princesa at 07:00 (Economy), 09:00 (Deluxe AC), 11:00 (Lazy Boy) and 21:30 (Lazy Boy).[1]

Lazy Boy with toilet

The Lazy Boy is the most comfortable bus on the route: 2x1 seating with extra legroom and reclining seats, air conditioning, an onboard toilet and a speed limiter. It runs non-stop.[2] The 21:30 departure is the one to take if you would rather travel overnight.[1]

Deluxe AC and Economy

The Deluxe AC bus has 2x2 reclining seats, air conditioning, an onboard toilet and scheduled stops along the route. The Economy bus has 2x2 or 2x3 seats, no air conditioning and makes multiple stops, so the breeze comes in through the windows.[2]

Puerto Princesa to El Nido by Van

Shared vans and minivans run on this route throughout the day. On booking platforms a seat costs from about $11 to $13 (October 2026), and the trip takes from about 5 hours, longer when the driver drops passengers along the way or the road is busy.[3]

Puerto Princesa to El Nido by Private Van

A private 11-seat van costs from about $120 for the whole vehicle on booking platforms (October 2026) and takes from about 4 hours.[3] Split between a group of eight or ten, the price per person comes close to a van seat, and you travel on your own schedule.

Comparing Your Options

ModeDurationPrice (USD)
Cherry Bus Lazy BoyAround 5 h, non-stop[2]Depends on the class
Cherry Bus Deluxe ACAround 5 h, with stops[2]Depends on the class
Cherry Bus EconomyAround 5 h, with stops[2]Depends on the class
Shared van or minivanFrom about 5 hFrom about $11 to $13 per seat[3]
Private 11-seat vanFrom about 4 hFrom about $120 per van[3]

Tips for Traveling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

  • Book in advance: In the dry season, buses and vans fill up. Reserve your seat on GoAsia.cc before you arrive.
  • Motion sickness: The road winds through hills. If you are prone to car sickness, take medication an hour before departure and sit near the front.
  • Bring a layer: Air conditioning in Philippine buses and vans is often set very cold. Keep a light jacket in your hand luggage.
  • Carry small bills: You need Philippine peso notes for tricycles and snacks on arrival.

Timetable

Puerto Princesa - El Nido More info / Tickets
Bus Puerto Princesa - El Nido $ 11.48โ€“17.49 5h 7m
  • โ†’ย  Regular AC 09:00
  • โ†’ย  Lazyboy WC 11:00, 21:30
  • โ†’ย  Economy Non AC 07:00
Taxi Puerto Princesa - El Nido $ 118.42โ€“127.53 4h โ€“ 5h
  • โ†’ย  Private Van 11pax
Van Puerto Princesa - El Nido $ 11.43โ€“13.01 5h โ€“ 5h 30m
  • โ†’ย  Shared van 03:00, 07:00, 07:30, 08:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 15:30, 17:00, 17:30
  • โ†’ย  Minivan 04:00, 05:30, 07:30, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 13:00, 15:00, 15:30, 17:30, 18:30

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, including current prices and schedules.

What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

A shared van or minivan seat starts at about $11 on booking platforms (October 2026). Cherry Bus fares depend on the bus class and are shown when you book.

What is the fastest way to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

A private van is the quickest, from about 4 hours. The Cherry Bus Lazy Boy runs non-stop and takes around 5 hours.

How long does it take to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

A Cherry Bus takes around 5 hours, a shared van from about 5 hours and a private van from about 4 hours.

Are there night buses from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

Yes. The Cherry Bus Lazy Boy leaves Puerto Princesa at 21:30, and the return bus leaves El Nido at 21:00.

Does the bus have a toilet?

Yes, the Cherry Bus Deluxe AC and Lazy Boy buses have an onboard toilet.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

  1. [1] Cherry Bus Palawan: Trips. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  2. [2] Cherry Bus Palawan: Bus Types. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  3. [3] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Puerto Princesa - El Nido. Retrieved October 25, 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.