1. Overview
This article provides essential information about traveling to El Nido, Palawan, including various transportation options, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips for an unforgettable experience.
El Nido, Palawan is a pristine, exotic island destination in the Philippines that can be reached by air, van, bus, or ferry. It’s not hard to get there, but there are various options, which can be a bit confusing. Consequently, there are some old pages with conflicting or outdated information. Hopefully, this post clears some things up about how to get to El Nido!
Table of Contents show
Where To Stay In El Nido
How To Get To El Nido Palawan
• Direct Flights
The easiest, fastest, and most expensive (but recommended) way to get to El Nido is through direct flights sold by AirSWIFT. However, El Nido airport (ENI) is not served internationally, so you’ll first need to fly to one of the major cities in the Philippines — Manila or Cebu — and proceed to El Nido from there.
You can shop for flights to the Philippines at Skyscanner. AirSWIFT operates the El Nido airport as a private airport, making it the only airline company for flights to this destination. This unique setup simplifies the process, even though it can increase prices.
(Tip: Sit on the left side of the plane for the best island views when flying in from Manila!)
The Lio airport, just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from El Nido town, has a drive time of about 20 minutes. Upon arrival, motor tricycle drivers will be available to transfer you to town, or your accommodation can arrange a pickup if necessary.
• Van From Puerto Princesa
An alternative method to reach El Nido is via a van from Puerto Princesa, which is one of the most popular choices. You can access the Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) through flights from Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB). Vans are readily available at the PPS airport, operating daily to El Nido, or some companies can arrange for pickups at local hotels.
From Puerto Princesa, the northbound drive spans about 270 kilometers (170 miles) and takes approximately 5-6 hours with a cost of around 875 PHP (~$17) per person.
• Bus From Puerto Princesa
The bus option from Puerto Princesa offers another accessible route to El Nido. After arriving at Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) from either Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB), note that the bus terminal is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away. You will need to take a tricycle to reach the terminal.
Two main bus companies operate on this route: Cherry Bus and RoRo Bus. The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido lasts 6-8 hours and costs about 500 PHP (~$10 USD) per person.
• Ferry Boat From Coron
Coron, often regarded as El Nido’s less renowned counterpart to the north, shares the breathtaking Palawan scenery. Consequently, many travelers visit both destinations sequentially. For those planning this, taking a fast ferry from Coron to El Nido is a feasible option. The journey typically lasts about 4 to 5 hours.
Numerous companies run ferry services between these two locations, with online booking available at 12Go, Biyaheroes.com, or Bookaway.
• Multi-Day Sailing Expedition
If you have sufficient time, another fascinating way to get to El Nido Palawan is through a multi-day sailing trip that lasts up to 4 days and 3 nights between Coron and El Nido, exploring various islands along the way. This journey provides an exceptional opportunity to experience island hopping in paradise, avoiding the crowds and constraints of traditional day tours. It also allows for an enjoyable way to meet fellow travelers.
Several companies offer multi-day trips in Palawan, with one of the highest-rated being Big Dream Boat Man, known for their unique sailing expeditions that stop at stunning sites en route.
Additional Travel Tips for Palawan
We hope this information proves helpful for your trip planning to Palawan. For further insights into this captivating island in the Philippines, be sure to check out the complete El Nido Travel Guide, which includes free tips, stunning photos, and more!
