Puerto Princesa to El Nido, Port Barton and San Vicente: vans, buses and a private car (2026)
See your price →El Nido is about 270 km from Puerto Princesa — 5–6 hours by road. There is no ferry, and the direct Puerto Princesa–El Nido flights no longer operate (travellers’ reports, January 2026). Shared vans cost about ₱900 a seat and wait to fill; buses ₱560–750 take 6–9 hours. Our private car from the airport is $190 per car to El Nido and $150 to Port Barton. Prices checked .
- El Nido: about 270 km, 5–6 h
- Port Barton: about 160 km, 3.5 h
- San Vicente (Long Beach): about 185 km, 4 h
- Private car: El Nido from $190, Port Barton from $150, San Vicente from $165
Is there a ferry or flight from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
No ferry. The direct AirSWIFT flights between Puerto Princesa and El Nido no longer operate and are not planned to return; flights from Manila to El Nido still exist (travellers’ reports, January 2026). From Puerto Princesa it is the road.
Van, bus or private car to El Nido?
| Way | Time | Price | What matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared van | 5–6 h + waiting to fill | about ₱900 per person | Drivers approach you at the airport; leaves when full |
| RoRo Bus / Cherry Bus | 6–9 h | ₱560–750 per person | From San Jose terminal, 7 km from the airport |
| PhpRide private car | 5–6 h | $190 per car | From arrivals to your hotel door, stops when you want |
Van and bus: travellers’ reports, checked 27 October 2026.
How do I get to Port Barton or San Vicente?
Both are on the west coast between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, reached by a side road off the main highway. Port Barton is about 160 km from Puerto Princesa (3.5 hours), San Vicente's Long Beach about 185 km (4 hours). Shared vans list departures from El Nido to Port Barton around 08:00 and 13:00 (travellers’ reports, 2025); a private car leaves when you want.
Port Barton has few ATMs and card acceptance outside the bigger resorts is limited — bring pesos from Puerto Princesa. In the wet season the side road is slower.
Which Palawan stop fits your trip?
| Plan | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight to El Nido after landing | Private car from the airport | Land before about 2 pm — night driving on this road is not recommended |
| Quiet beach stop on the way | PPS → Port Barton, later Port Barton → El Nido | Two shorter drives instead of one long one |
| Long Beach resorts | PPS → San Vicente | Resorts spread along the coast — give us the name |
| Back to fly out of PPS | El Nido or Port Barton → PPS airport | Leave at least 6–7 hours before the flight |
How much is a private car in Palawan?
| Route | Sedan | 7-seat SUV / MPV | Van (up to 10) | Premium van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido one way | $190 | $210 | $235 | $340 |
| El Nido to Puerto Princesa Airport one way | $190 | $210 | $235 | $340 |
| Puerto Princesa Airport to Port Barton one way | $150 | $175 | $215 | $280 |
| Port Barton to Puerto Princesa Airport one way | $150 | $175 | $215 | $280 |
| Puerto Princesa Airport to San Vicente (Long Beach) one way | $165 | $185 | $235 | $300 |
| El Nido to Port Barton one way | $145 | $165 | $210 | $265 |
| Underground River day trip from Puerto Princesa (driver waits) driver waits, back the same day | $115 | $130 | $140 | $210 |
You may also need
- Kalibo or Caticlan to Boracay: road, jetty port, fees and late boats (2026)
- Arriving at Manila Airport (NAIA) in 2026: terminals, traffic and night landings
- How much does a private driver cost in the Philippines (2026)
Sources and checks
Fares, timetables and travel times marked «travellers’ reports» come from recent traveller reports we read on 27 October 2026; no official page publishes them — check on the day.
Checked by the PhpRide team on · GG Services Limited (Hong Kong)
Questions
How long is the drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
About 5–6 hours for roughly 270 km.
Is there a ferry from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
No — the trip is by road, or by air from Manila to El Nido.
How much is a private car from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
$190 for a sedan, $210 for a 7-seater, $235 for a van — per car.
How much is a car to Port Barton?
$150 per car from Puerto Princesa, $145 from El Nido.
Can I land in the evening and drive to El Nido?
We advise landing before about 2 pm; with a late flight, stay in Puerto Princesa or stop in Port Barton.
What is included in the price?
The whole car for your group, your own departure time, stops on the way when you want and no waiting for other passengers.