Palawan is arguably one of the most visited places in the Philippines. The island has so much to offer: El Nido’s secluded lagoons, Puerto Princesa’s mysterious underground river, and Coron’s sandy beaches. So little time, yet so many places to see!
As you may already know, Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron are situated in different areas. It takes some time to go back and forth from each municipality. We’ve put together a short guide for getting around Palawan. Maximize your trip by planning the most convenient route from Puerto Princesa to El Nido or Coron.
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How to Get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa
The fastest way to El Nido is to take a direct flight via AirSWIFT. However, this tends to be pricier. The majority of travelers choose to fly to Puerto Princesa instead and then travel by land to El Nido. You’ll need to allot almost a day just for traveling but it’s also more affordable than the AirSWIFT.
Once you land, you can get a van to take you straight to El Nido. These will be faster with a travel time of only 5-6 hours. Arrange for your shuttle before your arrival for a hassle-free transfer. You may also opt to take the public bus. If you prefer to commute, see the bus schedule to El Nido below.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido Bus Schedule
7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 9:20 AM | 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM
3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM
Buses are not readily available at the airport so you’ll have to make your way to the San Jose Terminal. El Nido is a top destination so you might have to fight tooth and nail to get a seat during peak hours. Booking your Cherry Bus ticket online means you won’t miss out on your preferred departure time.
Just a heads up: Puerto Princesa to El Nido by bus may take up more of your time. The bus will make several stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. Fares range from 400-900 PHP depending on the type of bus you choose. Make sure to ride the air-conditioned one as it will be a very long drive.
How to Get to Puerto Princesa from El Nido
To return to Puerto Princesa, you’ll just have to reverse the steps we’ve mentioned. You can find the buses heading south at El Nido’s Transport Terminal in Corong Corong. It’s not very far from El Nido’s hotels. Depending on where you’re staying, you can even walk to the terminal! But if your bags are too heavy, it might be more practical to call for a tricycle.
El Nido to Puerto Princesa Bus Schedule
7:00 AM | 7:20 AM | 9:00 AM | 9:20 AM | 1:00PM
3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM
Take note that the bus schedule from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is slightly different. Aim to arrive early at the terminal if you haven’t pre-booked your bus tickets. But if you have, then you can rest easy and just wait for your scheduled departure. Again, arm yourself with patience because you’ll be sitting for quite a while. If you want to cut down your time in transit, you can go for night trips since they tend to be just a little bit faster.
How to Get to Coron from Puerto Princesa
Coron is an island away so you would need to travel either by air or by sea. Even though it’s not connected to the main island, it’s still very much part of Palawan. The Calamian group of Islands makes up the breathtaking municipality of Coron. Below is the ferry schedule from Puerto Princesa to Coron and vice versa.
Puerto Princesa to Coron Ferry Schedule
The 2Go ferry leaves Puerto Princesa port only once a week for Coron. It departs at 7:00 AM on Sundays, with an arrival time of 6:00 PM. Travel time is roughly 11 hours. The Puerto Princesa port is only 15 minutes away by car from the airport. Buy your tickets early to avoid being left out!
How to Get to Puerto Princesa from Coron
To get to the Coron Pier, just hire a tricycle to take you. The accommodations in Coron are near the airport and pier so 10 minutes should be enough time to get there.
Coron to Puerto Princesa Ferry Schedule
Just like the ferry from Puerto Princesa to Coron, the return trip has only one departure scheduled per week. It leaves at 8:00 AM on Saturdays. You’ll be arriving on the main island at 7:00 PM on the same day. Because of the low frequency of trips, you might have to line up extra early just to save a spot for yourself. Avoid the pains of queuing by purchasing tickets online.
Now you have all the info you need on how to get to El Nido and Coron from Puerto Princesa! Be a smart traveler and buy tickets as early as possible. It’s always best practice to prepare your travel plans and itinerary beforehand. Remember to check for hotel availability early on as well. Click here to score early booking deals!
Tour Packages in El Nido & Puerto Princesa
Check out these top-rated activities and services in Palawan. Book them in advance for a hassle-free trip!
Related Destinations
- Puerto Princesa to El Nido Travel Guide 2023
- Coron to El Nido Ferry Guide and Schedule 2023
- Boracay vs Palawan for Vacation: A Comparison
- Port Barton: Travel Guide to Palawan’s Hidden Gem
- Getting Around Palawan: Puerto Princesa to El Nido & Coron
- Coron Island Hopping Tour & Activities
- Calamian Islands in Palawan is a Must-See Paradise
- Best Dive Spots and Diving Centers in Coron
- How to Get from Manila to El Nido, Palawan
- Manila to Coron Ferry Guide & Schedule
*Last updated: April 20, 2024