How to get to Puerto Princesa by Plane and Boat

Last updated on August 7th, 2022 at 04:39 pm

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan where most of the travelers get on the way to Coron or El Nido. In this blog post we will write with all the details how to get to Puerto Princesa from Manila, Cebu and other destinations. You can get to Puerto Princesa by plane which is the easiest but you can also reach by boat.

We will also mention how to get to Puerto Princesa from Port Barton and El Nido in case you are spending the time of your life in Palawan Island. Did you know Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines? And obviously is home to El Nido and Coron, two of the most visited destinations in the country. Read here our Puerto Princesa travel guide!

Read here Puerto Princesa Itinerary and 10 Days Palawan Itinerary!

Read here where to stay in Puerto Princesa!

Read here how to get to Coron and how to get to El Nido!

Read here how to get to Puerto Princesa Underground River!

Best Time to visit Puerto Princesa

The best time to visit Puerto Princesa is from December to May since the rain usually falls in the middle of the year. Being the rainy season from June to October. Puerto Princesa is always busy since there are a few daily flights coming from Manila and Cebu and they are so cheap.

Click here to know more about the weather in Puerto Princesa!

How to get to Puerto Princesa

How to get to Puerto Princesa by Plane

The fastest and most comfortable way to reach Puerto Princesa in Palawan is by plane. There are flights from all over the country and the world that land at Puerto Princesa International Airport from airlines like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and Philippine Airlines.

If you’re coming from Manila, Clark and Cebu, you can reach Palawan in an hour and 15 minutes on the plane. There are also flights within Palawan from Puerto Princesa to El Nido that only last 30 minutes. If you’re coming from Boracay, you can book flights to Puerto Princesa on Tuesdays. 

How to get to Puerto Princesa from the airport

There are tricycles charging 50 PHP to get to Puerto Princesa City from the airport. If you are going to the San Jose Bus Terminal expect to pay around 150 PHP from the airport by tricycle.

There are mulitcabs going to the Bus Station in Puerto Princesa but you have to walk 15-20 minutes to get them from the airport. Or just take a tricycle to the main street in Puerto Princesa for 50 PHP from the airport.

How to get to Puerto Princesa from Manila

There are a few daily flights to get to Puerto Princesa from Manila with Cebu Pacific and Air Asia. The flight will take 1 hour 20 minutes and prices are starting 1500-2000 PHP.

You can get to Puerto Princesa by boat from Manila. There is a weekly boat on Friday leaving at 7 pm with Super Ferry. It takes 24 hours to get to Puerto Princesa and expect to pay around 2200 PHP for economy class. Every Thursday, Negros Navigation has trips to Puerto Princesa from Manila.

Click here to book your transfer to Puerto Princesa!

How to get to Puerto Princesa by Boat

There are scheduled boat trips from Manila to Palawan if you want to travel on the sea. This is a much cheaper option than flying but obviously takes longer than a plane. Every Thursday, Negros Navigation has trips to Puerto Princesa while the Super Ferry goes to the island every Friday. The trip takes around 18-22 hours.

How to get to Puerto Princesa from El Nido

From El Nido to Puerto Princesa by van

There are vans leaving El Nido from 4 am to 10 pm on the way to Puerto Princesa. It will take around 5 hours are starting from 500-600 PHP and they are faster than the bus. The only challenge the van is not very comfortable comparing to the bus and depending with seat you have can make an uncomfortable journey.

Click here to get your discount booking your transfer to El Nido with Klook!

From El Nido to Puerto Princesa by Bus

From El Nido to Puerto Princesa by bus this trip can last about 6 hours. Buses departure is around 6 am without air condition PHP 280 to 8pm air condition bus for the Roro 380 PHP bus lines which costs less than the Cherry Bus line, charging for 450 PHP.

From El Nido to the Bus Terminal you can ride a trycicle for 50 PHP. Once in San Jose Bus Terminal there are multicabs going to the city for 15 PHP or tricycle if you prefer more comfort. There are only 6 kilometers distance from the Bus Terminal to the proper town.

Click here to book El Nido to Puerto Princesa by bus!

Read here how to get from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.

How to get to Puerto Princesa from Cebu

If you want to get to Puerto Princesa from Cebu. There are a few daily flights with Air Asia and Cebu Pacific. The flight will take 1 hour 20 minutes and prices are around 2000 PHP.

If you want to go by boat from Cebu to Puerto Princesa you will have to transfer in Iloilo and the trip will last around 40 hours. So we don’t think is pretty convenient.

How to get to Puerto Princesa from Port Barton

From Port Barton to Puerto Princesa by Van

There are a few companies as Recaro and Lexxus with vans from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa. Prices are around 500 PHP and it will take 3-4 hours journey.

Click here to book online your private transfer!

From Port Barton to Puerto Princesa by Jeepney or Bus

There are jeepneys and buses going to Puerto Princesa from Port Barton. The travel time will be around 4-5 hours and the price is 250 PHP.

You can also rent a motorbike from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa. It will cost 500 PHP and it will take you around 4 hours to reach Puerto Princesa.

Read here a full blog post how to get to Port Barton!

How to get to Puerto Princesa from Coron

If you are going to Puerto Princesa from Coron. There are flights but not direct you will have to stopover in Manila, Cebu or Clark with Philippine Airlines. It will take 4 hours and it will cost 5000-7000 PHP for one way.

Click here to check Puerto Princesa to Coron ferry ticket!

The best way is getting the fast boat to El Nido and enjoying a few days on the way to Puerto Princesa. If you have no time to stop in El Nido. You will have to ride a bus or a van from El Nido to Puerto Princesa following the steps that we mentioned above from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.

Click here to book Van plus Ferry Ticket Puerto Princesa to Coron!

How to get to Puerto Princesa from Sabang

If you are coming from Sabang to see the Underground River UNESCO Site. There are vans going to Puerto Princesa. It will take 2 hours and the price is around 300 PHP. You can stay at Sabang or do a day trip. We did a day trip from Puerto Princesa and from there we went to Port Barton by van.

Click here if you want to get your discount booking the Underground River with Klook!

How to get to Puerto Princesa from San Vicente

There are vans from and to Puerto Princesa leaving every hour and the price is 300 PHP. We went by local bus 180 PHP from Puerto Princesa to San Vicente. The departure is supposed at 6 am but it´s leaving when is full. The trip lasts around 5-6 hours with a long stop in Roxas. The bus journey is long but great. All the trip surronding of nice beaches and palm trees everywhere.

Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

There are many choices for accommodation in Puerto Princesa and quality price they are quite good comparing to El Nido and Coron. You can find prices around 800 PHP per night in a dorm. You can get a room with air condition around 1200-1500 PHP. Cool, right? What’s even cooler is you can do also Airbnb. Click here to get a great deal off your first booking with AirBnB!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH AGODA!!!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK WITH BOOKING.COM!!!

Let us know if we are missing information how to get to Puerto Princesa. If you have questions let us know in the comments below.

Happy Travels!