How to Get to El Nido Philippines: My Experience & The Easiest Way to Get There 2025

Last Updated on May 31, 2025 by Oliver

El Nido is one of the big highlights here that almost every traveler in the Philippines ends up going to, and after finally making it there myself, I get why. Between the island hopping, the landscapes, and the general vibe around here, it’s definitely one of coolest and most iconic spots I’ve been to.

When people talk about “El Nido,” they usually mean El Nido town, not the whole northern region of Palawan (even though the whole northern region of Palawan is also called El Nido). That part confused me at first too, so just keep that in mind. Most boat tours, hostels, restaurants, and everything you’re probably heading for are in El Nido town and that’s also what I’m focusing on here.

I’ve spent a decent amount of time in El Nido and written a few guides based on my own experience. This post is just about how to get El Nido, the easiest ways, what I did, and a few extra tips so you don’t get stuck at a dusty terminal wondering where your van is.

How to Get to El Nido Palawan: My Experience

Ok, so let’s start this travel guide with how I actually got to El Nido. There are a few different ways of getting there, but the one I took is definitely the most common and popular, especially if you’re a backpacker or traveling on a budget.

I took the minivan / bus to El Nido, which is what most people end up doing. I personally went from Port Barton to El Nido, but it works basically the same way if you’re coming from Puerto Princesa.

Honestly, the journey itself was super easy to organize. We didn’t have to stress about finding terminals, swapping buses, or figuring out where to go, it was all very straightforward and well-organized.

We got picked up directly from our hotel, and the whole ride took about 5–6 hours and cost around 700 pesos (about USD $13). It was just a regular minivan, so yeah, not the most spacious or luxurious thing ever, but it wasn’t terrible either. The seats were fine, there was aircon, and overall it was totally manageable.

We were dropped off at the El Nido bus terminal, which is a bit outside of the main town, so we had to grab a tricycle to our hotel. You’ll probably have to do the same unless your hotel offers pickup (worth asking in advance). That ride cost us around 200 pesos, just a little heads-up.

I’ll get into more detail below with prices, options, and some photos of the shuttle companies I saw in both El Nido and Puerto Princesa so you know what to expect.

Take the Bus to El Nido from Puerto Princesa (This Is the Most Popular Thing to Do & This is What I Did)

How to Get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa!

Bus Ticket (Puerto Princesa → El Nido): 700 pesos
Duration: 5–6 hours
Comfort: Air-conditioned minivan, not much space though
Schedule: Runs multiple times throughout the day
WhatsApp Contact: +63 930 5683 429

Ok, so we actually took the van from Port Barton to El Nido, but the process is basically the same as going from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Just to keep things simple, I’ll explain it as if I was doing the Puerto Princesa route, since that’s what most people end up doing anyway.

We booked the whole transfer through our hotel (Villa Skanderbeg, a great budget hotel near the airport in PP, by the way). They sorted the ticket for us with a company called Recaro, which we ended up using more than once since they run shuttles between El Nido, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa.

In Puerto Princesa, they’ll pick you up and drop you off directly at your hotel, as long as you’re staying somewhere in the downtown area. In El Nido and Port Barton, they’ll drop you off at the local bus terminals, which are a bit outside the tourist zones, so you’ll likely need a tricycle from there.

To be honest, I do think it’s a little expensive for what it is, especially compared to other overland trips I’ve done in the Philippines but it seems like these vans are really your only public transport-style option here. There’s no proper bus system like you’d find in Cebu, for example. So yeah, this is still the cheapest and most practical way I’ve found to do it.

Private Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Private Shuttle Price (whole van): 7,500 pesos (~$130 USD)
Duration: 5 hours
Comfort: Definitely one of the most spacious and comfortable options
Contact: Hello El Nido and El Nido Paradise are two of the most popular companies

If you’re not a backpacker or budget traveler and you’re happy to spend a bit more for comfort, then booking a private shuttle from Puerto Princesa to El Nido might be the way to go.

From what I’ve seen, it’s actually a bit tricky to find private car services for this route. Even if you want private transport, you’ll usually need to book an entire van, which fits up to 10 people plus luggage.

If you’re traveling as a group, even just 4 or 5 people then it can definitely be worth it. You’re looking at around $30 each, and the more people you’ve got, the cheaper it gets per person.

This is the kind of option I’d recommend for a family trip or a group vacation where comfort and convenience matter more than squeezing every peso. 

Tip: Depending on where you’re staying in or around El Nido, I’d suggest contacting your hotel or host directly. In many cases, they’ll either organize the whole thing for you or send you the contact details of a shuttle company they trust. Makes life a lot easier.

How to Get to El Nido From Manila by Plane: Yes, You Can Fly to El Nido

Flight (Manila to El Nido): Usually around $200 USD (sometimes cheaper)
Flight time: 1.5 hours
Comfort: Easily the most comfortable way to get to El Nido
Book here: Skyscanner.com

This is something a lot of people don’t realize: yes, you can fly directly into El Nido. There’s a small airport, LIO Airport (aka El Nido Airport), just outside of town, about 20 minutes from El Nido town proper and right near Lio Beach.

The airport itself is honestly kind of great. It’s small, cozy, and definitely feels like it was built with resort guests in mind. The whole place has a hotel-lobby vibe and check-in/security takes maybe 10 minutes total. No chaos, no long lines, no stress.

Obviously, this is the most convenient way to get to El Nido. And while it’s not exactly a budget option, it’s not that bad either. The only airline that flies here is AirSwift (owned by Cebu Pacific), and they currently only do the Manila–El Nido route.

Prices can hit $250 USD if you’re booking late or during peak season, but I’ve seen deals for as low as $100 USD if you book early or get lucky. Definitely worth checking Skyscanner or the AirSwift site directly.

How to Get to El Nido from Manila by Ferry // The Cheapest Option

Ferry (Manila to El Nido via Coron): ~$33 USD
Duration: 18 hours (overnight)
Comfort: Easily the least comfortable option on this list
Book with: 12go.asia, they’re reliable and easy to use

Depending on your plans and where you’re coming from, taking the ferry might actually be the cheapest way to get to El Nido. If you’re starting your trip in Manila and want to save cash, this is worth considering.

There’s usually one ferry per day leaving from Manila Port that goes all the way to El Nido (via Coron). It leaves around 4 PM and takes about 18 hours total. Yep, it’s an overnight ferry. It’s not glamorous at all. It’s hot, crowded, and pretty uncomfortable… but it only costs around $30 USD, so it’s a fair trade-off if you’re traveling on a tight budget.

My Quick tip: if you’re planning to do the famous Coron to El Nido expedition (the 3-day island hopping trip), I’d actually recommend taking the ferry from Manila to Coron instead. It’s the same ferry, they just drop you off earlier. From Coron, you can then hop on one of the multi-day expeditions that take you through the islands to El Nido. It’s a much more scenic (and fun) way to travel, and it can actually save you time and money if you’re already planning that route.

More Travel Tips on How to Get to El Nido Philippines

• Book at least a day ahead: Especially for vans and buses. They do fill up quick and definitely book out too.
  
• WhatsApp the shuttle companies directly:  Most of them are super responsive, and it’s often easier than using a website. I’ve included a contact above that worked well for me.
  
• Bring snacks and water: Whether you’re on a van, ferry, or even flying, don’t assume food will be available (or edible). A few biscuits and a cold drink go a long way.
  
• Expect random delays: Especially for vans. Just because they say “5 hours” doesn’t mean it’s not going to be 7. That’s just part of the deal in the Philippines from what it seems.
  
• Keep small cash ready: Tricycle rides, terminal fees, snacks, they’re all cash-only, and no one ever has change.
  
• Arrange your El Nido hotel transfer ahead of time: Most vans drop you at the terminal outside town. Some hotels will pick you up if you ask, or you can take a tricycle (expect to pay ~200 pesos).

Where to Stay in El Nido Philippines

If you’re staying in El Nido town, it honestly doesn’t matter too much where exactly you stay, as it’s tiny and super walkable. But when you put in “El Nido” into Booking.com, it’ll often show you places across the entire region. That includes some beautiful resorts, yes, but a lot of them are like an hour away from El Nido town. Just something to watch out for.

As long as you’re somewhere near El Nido Beach or Caalan Beach, you’ll be fine. You’ll be close to restaurants, bars, tour offices, and all the island hopping stuff. I’ve got a full breakdown in my ‘Where to Stay in El Nido Philippines’ guide (scroll down for that), especially if you’re thinking about staying at one of the more remote resorts.

But here’s a quick shortlist of my personal favorites in El Nido town, these are all in good locations, walkable to pretty much everything, and ideal whether you want budget or a bit more comfort:

• Frendz Hostel El Nido: This is probably the best hostel in El Nido right now. It’s clean, social, has a rooftop pool, and just generally ticks all the boxes. Perfect if you want to meet people.
  
• Golden Monkey Beach Hotel: Right on the beach with views over El Nido Bay. Private rooms, super chill, and honestly really good value for what you get.
  
• Sea Cocoon Hotel: One of the more comfortable hotels in town. If you don’t want to go full luxury resort outside of El Nido but still want something nice, this is a fantastic option.

What Are the Best Things to Do in El Nido

I’ve got a full guide on all the best things to do in El Nido if you want the deep dive, but here’s a quick breakdown of the top things I’d definitely recommend:

• Island hopping tours (Tour A, B, C or D): If you only do one, go with Tour A. It visits all the postcard-perfect lagoons and beaches El Nido is famous for.
  
• Do the El Nido to Coron expedition: This is a 3-day boat trip where you sleep on remote islands, snorkel in incredible spots, and basically live in a castaway fantasy. Honestly one of the coolest things I did in the Philippines.
  
• Scooter out to the beaches: There are a bunch of pretty cool beaches around El Nido. Duli Beach is my personal favorite, it’s super quiet, great for surfing, and only about 45 minutes by scooter from town.
  
• Sunset drinks on the beach: El Nido town has some fun beach bars and restaurants where you can grab a cold beer, watch the boats come in, and just vibe out.

When is the Best Time to Visit El Nido

Dry season is the best time to visit El Nido  and all of Palawan, really. But just so you know, dry and wet season isn’t the same across every island in the Philippines, so don’t just assume it’s all good weather year-round. If you’re planning to hop around the country, check the seasons for each island separately.

For El Nido, dry season usually runs from November to April or May. That’s when you’ve got the best chance for sunshine, calm water, and blue skies, perfect for island hopping. Of course, it’s still the tropics, so you might get hit with a random downpour. That’s just part of it.

If you can avoid traveling around Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter, do it. It gets packed. Those are the big Filipino holidays, and locals travel a lot during that time (which is awesome, but not great if you’re trying to book last-minute). Hotels fill up, tours get crowded, and prices go up. If that’s when you have to go, just book everything early, ferries, vans, hotels, all of it.

FAQs on How to Get to El Nido, Philippines

Are there good El Nido restaurants?

There are some good ones, yes, but keep your expectations in check. This isn’t Siargao. You’ll find decent beachside bars, a few Western-style cafes, and a couple of good local restaurants.

Is El Nido worth visiting?

Yes, if you’re doing the island hopping. That’s the main reason to come here. If you skip the tours, you’re honestly not seeing El Nido at its best. But if you do them (especially Tour A or one of the expeditions), it’s definitely worth it.

What’s better: El Nido or Balabac?

Totally different experiences. El Nido is way easier to get to, way more tourist-ready, and has more tour options. Balabac is harder to reach and a lot more raw. If you want remote, untouched beaches and don’t mind some effort, go to Balabac. If you want convenience and classic island hopping, stick with El Nido.

What island tour should I book in El Nido?

If you only do one, go with Tour A, it ticks off the big lagoon and most of the iconic spots around El Nido. Tour C is a good second option. Or, if you’re up for something more adventurous, do the El Nido to Coron expedition. That’s a 3-day trip where you sleep on remote islands and see places no day tour goes near. Easily one of the best things I’ve done in the Philippines.

Final Thoughts on El Nido How to Get There

El Nido is easily one of the coolest places I’ve been to in the Philippines. And yeah, of course it is, it’s iconic. I feel like if someone who’s never been to the Philippines had to picture what it looks like, they’d imagine El Nido without even knowing it.

Getting there wasn’t a challenge at all, and honestly, that didn’t surprise me. It’s one of the most popular places in the country for all types of travelers, backpackers, holidaymakers, even local tourists. The infrastructure here actually works, and it kinda feels like El Nido is one of the few places in the Philippines that’s really well taken care of. It’s clear that both the local government and the people know tourism is the lifeline here.

If you’re coming from somewhere else in the Philippines, taking the bus from Puerto Princesa or Port Barton is super easy and straightforward. But if I had the budget? No question, I’d fly straight into El Nido from Manila. It just makes the whole trip so much smoother.

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