Overview Compare Direct Flight via Puerto Princesa via San Vicente Ferry
How to get from Manila to El Nido
Ready to escape Manila’s hectic city life and head to one of the Philippines’ best paradises? El Nido is renowned for its beautiful coral reefs, pristine white sand beaches, colourful lagoons, and dramatic cliffs. It’s a small town in the north of Palawan from where you can embark on many island-hopping adventures.
Whether you’re looking for a prestigious getaway or a smaller-budget hotel, you’ll find it in and around El Nido. If you are looking for a truly relaxing getaway, nearby Miniloc and Lagen islands host some of the world’s best resorts.
Whether you’re looking for a prestigious getaway or a smaller-budget hotel, El Nido is the ultimate place in Palawan to stay before you embark on an island-hopping adventure.
COVID-19 Travel Advisory: Since the beginning of 2022, the Philippines eased travel restrictions for foreign travellers and locals alike. The main requirement is to be fully vaccinated.
Taking a flight? As of December 2022, all international travellers bound for the Philippines must register on the eTravel website 72 hours before arrival in the country.
4 ways to get from Manila to El Nido
The distance from Manila to El Nido is 623 km (387 miles). In this post, we compare the four best options to travel from Manila to El Nido: by a direct flight (1.5 hours), by flight and minivan via Puerto Princesa (7 hours), by flight and minivan via San Vicente (3hr 45m), and by ferry (1-3 days). Ticket prices range from 1,670 PHP ($30) to 4,785 PHP ($87).
The direct flight from Manila to El Nido with AirSwift is the fastest option, taking only 1.5 hours. There are multiple flights operating daily and airfares start from 4,000 PHP ($72).
Taking a flight via Puerto Princesa is the most common option travellers choose because it is both convenient and affordable. The flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa takes 1.5 hours, and it is followed by a 5.5-hour minivan ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Combined rates start from 1,670 PHP ($30).
Another option to reach El Nido from Manila is to take a flight to San Vicente. This town is only 2 to 3 hours away from El Nido, so it is a good option if you’re planning to visit San Vicente first before heading to El Nido. The downside is that flights from Manila to San Vincente depart only twice a week.
The ferry is the slowest option. There are two ferry companies you can choose from and the cheaper option is a 1-day ferry with Atienza Interisland Ferries. You can also take the 2Go Travel ferry, but this option requires an overnight stay in Coron and another ferry ride from Coron to El Nido. Ferry tickets start from 2,210 PHP ($40).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Itinerary from Manila to El Nido
Manila to El Nido by Direct Flight
The easiest and direct way to travel from Manila to El Nido is by a direct flight with AirSwift.
Note that El Nido is a prime location, so flight tickets are quite expensive. But this is probably your best option if you’d rather save time than money.
AirSwift operates multiple direct flights from Manila to El Nido daily. The earliest flight schedule is 05:15 with the last flight of the day at 18:55. Travel time takes around 1.5 hours.
A one-way ticket starts from 4,000 PHP ($72) and can get up to 7,500 PHP ($135), depending on the day and time of flight.
How to get to Manila Airport
Flights from Manila to El Nido depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City. Note that there are four airport terminals with different entry points that are a bit far from one another. AirSwift flights depart from NAIA Terminal 4.
The airport is accessible by taxi or Grab if you’re coming from Metro Manila. You can also look for a Point-to-Point bus heading to the airport.
How to get from El Nido Airport to the town centre
Flights land at El Nido Airport, about 5 km away from El Nido town centre. If your hotel doesn’t offer airport pick-up, you can take a tricycle to El Nido town. Fares start at 300 PHP ($5) for two passengers with luggage.
Manila to El Nido via Puerto Princesa by Flight and Minivan
If the direct flight is out of your budget, your best option is to fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa. From Puerto Princesa Airport, you can continue by van to El Nido.
Airfares on this route are cheaper than direct flights from Manila to El Nido, making it possible to travel this journey from Manila to El Nido via Puerto Princesa for a price of around 1,670 PHP ($30).
Step 1: Manila to Puerto Princesa by Flight
AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines (PAL) offer multiple flights a day from Manila to Puerto Princesa. PAL departs from Terminal 2, while the two other airlines depart from Terminal 4.
The flight time from Manila to Puerto Princesa is about the same as the flight time from Manila to El Nido: about 1.5 hours.
If you’re booking at least a month in advance, you can find flights ranging from 1,000 PHP ($18) to 2,000 PHP ($36). Flight fares tend to be more expensive if you are booking days away from the scheduled flight.
Booking your flight months in advance and during seat sales is the best way to avail cheap tickets. Flight tickets from Manila to Puerto Princesa can get as low as 630 PHP ($11), depending on the airline, day, and time of flight.
TIP: Cebu Pacific and AirAsia offer many promotions annually. Keep an eye out for these promotions to book a cheaper flight for this route!
Step 2: Puerto Princesa to El Nido by Minivan
Upon arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport, head to the exit hall. You’ll find drivers outside the exit hall who will happily guide you to their minivans. If you’re not sure where to go, you can always ask the transport counter at the airport for assistance.
At Puerto Princesa Airport, you can travel with several minivan companies, including Eulen Joy Express, Lexxus and Fortwally. Minivan tickets start from 670 PHP ($12), and there are trips from 05:00 to 17:30. Travel time from the airport to El Nido is about 5.5 hours.
We recommend booking a van ride online beforehand so that you won’t have to worry about your transport. Also, you can check the reviews of van companies beforehand to be assured that you’re travelling with a trusted company.
Note that there are reviews about the lack of legroom and the van not leaving on time. Unfortunately, these are common occurrences when taking a van in the Philippines.
Arrival station in El Nido
Minivans and buses are not allowed to enter El Nido town due to its small roads. The drop-off point for shared vans from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is El Nido Bus Terminal. From here, a tricycle to the town centre costs 50 PHP ($0.90).
You can check out our route from Puerto Princesa to El Nido for more information.
Manila to El Nido via San Vicente by Flight and Minivan
Another option is to take a flight to San Vicente, a town about 2 to 3 hours away from El Nido.
The longest white sand beach in the Philippines is located here, so it’s also an emerging tourist destination in Palawan. Some travellers head to San Vicente first and stay a few days here before heading to El Nido.
Only Sunlight Air operates flights between Manila and San Vicente, and they also offer minivan transfers to El Nido for their passengers.
Step 1: Manila to San Vicente by Flight
Sunlight Air is the sole airline offering flights between Manila and San Vicente, with only two flights in a week. These flights depart at 11:00 on Sundays and at 05:45 on Thursdays.
Airfares start from 4,000 PHP ($72), but you can score tickets as cheap as 1,000 PHP ($18) during seat sales.
From Manila to San Vicente Airport, flights take 1 hour 45 minutes.
Check Flights with Sunlight Air
Step 2: San Vicente to El Nido by Minivan
Since flights are only two days a week, public transportation is not regularly available and quite complicated. Booking private transportation, on the other hand, will make it an expensive trip.
The best option when travelling from San Vicente Airport to El Nido is the Sunlight Air shuttle.
Sunlight Air shuttle
In 2023, Sunlight Air started offering minivan transfers between San Vicente and El Nido for their passengers. Tickets cost 785 PHP ($14) per person, which you can book via their Facebook Page.
You will be dropped off at El Nido Bus Terminal, where you can take a tricycle to your hotel in the town centre.
Public transportation
We also asked some local tour operators in 2023 for possible options when travelling from San Vicente Airport to El Nido by public transport.
Outside the airport, you can take an e-tricycle (electric tuk-tuk) to Roxas town. The 1-hour ride to Roxas Bus Terminal costs around 300 PHP ($5) per person, depending on your negotiation with the driver. At the terminal, vans and buses going to El Nido Bus Terminal depart daily.
You can also ask the e-tricycle driver to take you to the junction where buses and vans from Puerto Princesa to El Nido pass by. Minivan fares start from 400 PHP ($7), while buses would be a bit cheaper.
If you prefer a private transfer, you can rent a private minivan with rates from 5,000 PHP ($90).
Manila to El Nido by Ferry
You can also travel from Manila to El Nido by sea. It’s a much longer journey compared to the flight options, but if you like to make an adventurous trip, this is the way to go.
The last time we checked (January 2023), you have two options when travelling by ferry from Manila to El Nido. The cheaper option with a shorter travel time is a 1-day direct ferry with Atienza Interisland Ferries.
Alternatively, you can take a 2-day ferry with 2Go Travel from Manila to Coron. This option is a great idea if you’re also looking to visit Coron since it requires an overnight stay in town. You’ll take another ferry from Coron to El Nido. We explain both options below.
Departure and arrival port
The two ferry companies have different departure and arrival ports.
The Atienza ferry leaves from Baseco Port Area, while the 2Go Travel ferry departs from Manila North Harbour Pier 4. Both piers are accessible via taxi or Grab from anywhere in Metro Manila.
If you take the Atienza ferry, you’ll arrive directly at El Nido Ferry Terminal. With 2Go, you’ll head first to Coron Port and from here, take another ferry to El Nido.
Option 1: Manila to El Nido with Atienza Interisland Ferry
Atienza Interisland Ferries is the only ferry company offering direct trips from Manila to El Nido.
Atienza’s M/V Star San Carlos allows both passengers and cargo for this route. This direct ferry leaves Manila at 18:00 on a Thursday and arrives at El Nido around 19:00 the day after.
An economy class ticket costs 2,210 PHP ($40), while an air-con tourist class ticket costs 2,405 PHP ($43.50).
Note that they don’t have a website where you can buy your tickets. Instead, you need to go to their office inside the Manila Port Area or message them on their Facebook page.
Option 2: Manila to El Nido via Coron with 2Go Ferry
Unlike the Atienza ferry, 2Go Travel doesn’t offer direct Manila to El Nido trips. With 2Go, you need to take a ferry from Manila to Coron. You can then choose from several ferry companies when travelling from Coron to El Nido.
Step 1: Manila to Coron by Ferry
Pre-pandemic, the 2Go ferry from Manila to Coron takes only 11 hours, so travellers usually book with this ferry company instead of Atienza Interisland Ferries.
However, with 2Go Travel’s new ferry schedule this pandemic, the ferry ride from Manila to Coron now takes 2 days (50 hours). The reason behind this longer journey is the ferry now makes stops in Batangas and Puerto Princesa before heading to Coron.
The ferry departs every Wednesday at 10:30 and arrives at Coron Port on Friday at 12:30. Ticket fares start from 1,330 PHP ($24).
If you want to push through with this 2-day journey from Manila to Coron, you can book your tickets at the 2GO Travel website or with 12GoAsia.
Step 2: Coron to El Nido by Ferry
The ferry from Manila arrives in Coron at 12:30 on Friday, and the earliest Coron to El Nido ferry departs at 07:00 the next day. This means you need to stay for a night in Coron and take the ferry the next morning.
There are fast and slow ferries from Coron to El Nido, but your best option is to book a 5-hour fast ferry. You can choose between Montenegro, Atienza, and Judy Ferry with ferry tickets starting from 2,820 PHP ($51).
You can read more about this route in our post from Coron to El Nido.
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About the author(s)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Your website fulfills what I was always desperately looking for when travelling through SE Asia ! This helps a lot! Many thanks and keep up the great work!
Best regards from Germany
Hi Melanie, that is so good to know! We hope you enjoy Southeast Asia as much as we do. Safe travels!