What is the best way to reach El Nido, Palawan?
Situated at the northern tip of Palawan Island, El Nido is a rather isolated destination (which is also what gives it its appeal and helps it to get its name as the last frontier). Just a few years back, reaching it was quite an adventure, requiring up to 24 hours travel in Jeepney’s and buses on unpaved roads from Puerto Princesa, the primary city in Palawan, despite being just 230 km away. These days, it is much more convenient to travel to this tropical heaven ... even though it is still not completely effortless.
Prior to deciding on your island hopping tours in El Nido, it is essential to figure out the logistics of how to reach the destination first. This is precisely the topic we will talk about. We will explore the most popular and efficient methods of reaching El Nido, whether it be by land, by air, or by sea.
Situated at the northern tip of Palawan Island, El Nido is a rather isolated destination (which is also what gives it its appeal and helps it to get its name as the last frontier). Just a few years back, reaching it was quite an adventure, requiring up to 24 hours travel in Jeepney’s and buses on unpaved roads from Puerto Princesa, the primary city in Palawan, despite being just 230 km away. These days, it is much more convenient to travel to this tropical heaven ... even though it is still not completely effortless.
Prior to deciding on your island hopping tours in El Nido, it is essential to figure out the logistics of how to reach the destination first. This is precisely the topic we will talk about. We will explore the most popular and efficient methods of reaching El Nido, whether it be by land, by air, or by sea.
Getting to El Nido by air?
Presuming you have arrived at one of the Philippines main international airports Cebu, Clark or Manila you can take a direct flight to El Nido with local boutique airline Air Swift.
Taking a plane from Manila, Clark or Cebu to El Nido clearly is the fastest and the most comfortable way to get to El Nido. It’s also, as you guess, the most expensive one. There is one company, Air Swift (formerly named ITI for Island Transvoyageur, Inc.), which operates several flights a day between El Nido, Manila, Cebu and Clark.
You can also get flights from Caticlan (Boracay) and Coron. These two destinations are also jewels in the tourism crown of the Philippines and well worth a visit.
How much do flights to El Nido cost?
It mainly depends on the season but generally flights are priced at between 6000 PHP to 8000 PHP per person.
How long does it take to fly to El Nido?
Flights from Manila and Clark take around 1 hour and a half, Cebu is around 1 hours twenty minutes, Caticlan (Boracay) is around an hour whereas from Coron is only around 30 minutes as Coron is situated close and is also part of the Province of Palawan.
How do I book my flight to El Nido?
Previously you could only book directly through travel agencies but now Air Swift boasts an impressive website which accepts all major credit and debit cards. You can reach Air Swift website at www.air-swift.com
How do I get to El Nido town from the airport?
El Nido town is located around 10 – 15 minutes away from the airport by road. Some hotels can organise to collect you from the airport or there are many tricycles (local taxis) outside the airport which will cost around 300-400 pesos for the short journey.
All island hopping tours depart from the main beach in the town of El Nido or from the beach in Corong-Corong which is where our office is located.
Taking a plane from Manila, Clark or Cebu to El Nido clearly is the fastest and the most comfortable way to get to El Nido. It’s also, as you guess, the most expensive one. There is one company, Air Swift (formerly named ITI for Island Transvoyageur, Inc.), which operates several flights a day between El Nido, Manila, Cebu and Clark.
You can also get flights from Caticlan (Boracay) and Coron. These two destinations are also jewels in the tourism crown of the Philippines and well worth a visit.
How much do flights to El Nido cost?
It mainly depends on the season but generally flights are priced at between 6000 PHP to 8000 PHP per person.
How long does it take to fly to El Nido?
Flights from Manila and Clark take around 1 hour and a half, Cebu is around 1 hours twenty minutes, Caticlan (Boracay) is around an hour whereas from Coron is only around 30 minutes as Coron is situated close and is also part of the Province of Palawan.
How do I book my flight to El Nido?
Previously you could only book directly through travel agencies but now Air Swift boasts an impressive website which accepts all major credit and debit cards. You can reach Air Swift website at www.air-swift.com
How do I get to El Nido town from the airport?
El Nido town is located around 10 – 15 minutes away from the airport by road. Some hotels can organise to collect you from the airport or there are many tricycles (local taxis) outside the airport which will cost around 300-400 pesos for the short journey.
All island hopping tours depart from the main beach in the town of El Nido or from the beach in Corong-Corong which is where our office is located.
Flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa
Many tourists will fly to the Island of Palawan from Manila into Puerto Princesa which is the capital of Palawan. There are three main airlines operating on this route, Air Asia, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Flying to Puerto Princesa is the cheaper flight option, however, you still need to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
At Poseidon Tours and Expeditions El Nido we offer convenient comfortable van transfers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Travelling to El Nido from Puerto Princesa takes between 4 – 6 hours depending on the time of day and of course the weather.
Many guests choose to spend 1 – 2 nights in Puerto Princesa before they come to El Nido so that they can go the famous Underground River, Honda Bay or just explore the city of Puerto Princesa with its many restaurants, malls, coffee shops and nightlife, you can see all tours here.
At Poseidon Tours and Expeditions El Nido we offer convenient comfortable van transfers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Travelling to El Nido from Puerto Princesa takes between 4 – 6 hours depending on the time of day and of course the weather.
Many guests choose to spend 1 – 2 nights in Puerto Princesa before they come to El Nido so that they can go the famous Underground River, Honda Bay or just explore the city of Puerto Princesa with its many restaurants, malls, coffee shops and nightlife, you can see all tours here.
Getting to El Nido by sea
It is possible to get to El Nido by ferry from either Manila or Coron. The Manila option takes around 24 hours and is a long journey. You can book tickets with ferry operator 2GO.
From Coron there are fast craft ferries to El Nido which take around 4 hours. You can book your fast craft ferry through us at here.
The port in El Nido is located at the edge of town and tricycles are available to take you to your hotel.
From Coron there are fast craft ferries to El Nido which take around 4 hours. You can book your fast craft ferry through us at here.
The port in El Nido is located at the edge of town and tricycles are available to take you to your hotel.
Getting to El Nido by Road
Once in Puerto Princesa the most convenient way to get to El Nido is by van transfer costing around 700 php per person for a shared van or you can opt for a private van for just you and your companions at around 8000 pesos, or you could take the local bus which costs around 400 php per person. If you would like to make the journey yourself you could also rent a car for around 3000 pesos per day or a motorbike for around 600 pesos per day.
For the most convenient method we would recommend a private van which can accommodate up to 12 passengers. You an book van transfers here.
For the most convenient method we would recommend a private van which can accommodate up to 12 passengers. You an book van transfers here.
Summary…
The most usual way to get to El Nido is by taking a flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa and then taking a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Journey time will take the best part of a full day, but it is the cheapest way to travel.
Another great option is a direct flight to El Nido and this way you do not spend so much of your hard earned vacation travelling and can get to El Nido as quick as possible to start your El Nido adventure. Of course, this way is a little more expensive and may not be suitable for backpackers or those travelling on a tight budget but it is certainly the quickest.
Whichever way you choose I hope this article has helped to give you a few options. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email and we will be happy to help! We offer Van Transfers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa El Nido to Puerto Princesa, ferry from Coron and of course we also organise the all important island hopping tours in El Nido.
Thank you for reading and we wish you a fantastic stay in the paradise of El Nido.
The most usual way to get to El Nido is by taking a flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa and then taking a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Journey time will take the best part of a full day, but it is the cheapest way to travel.
Another great option is a direct flight to El Nido and this way you do not spend so much of your hard earned vacation travelling and can get to El Nido as quick as possible to start your El Nido adventure. Of course, this way is a little more expensive and may not be suitable for backpackers or those travelling on a tight budget but it is certainly the quickest.
Whichever way you choose I hope this article has helped to give you a few options. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email and we will be happy to help! We offer Van Transfers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa El Nido to Puerto Princesa, ferry from Coron and of course we also organise the all important island hopping tours in El Nido.
Thank you for reading and we wish you a fantastic stay in the paradise of El Nido.