How to get from Manila to El Nido

Why visit El Nido?

El Nido is Palawan Island’s northernmost tip, popular around the world as the gateway to paradise — the Bacuit Archipelago. This group of picture-perfect limestone islands boasts white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, enchanting lagoons, and beautiful underwater.

El Nido’s town centre leaves much to be desired with its mediocre beach, narrow streets, and mostly backpacker and mid-range hostels. But the island-hopping adventures from here are some of the best you will see in the world. Outside town, you should also include in your El Nido itinerary a visit to Nacpan-Calitang Beach and a hike to Taraw Peak.

There are 5 ways to travel the 623 kilometre (387 miles) distance from Manila to El Nido. You can choose between the direct flight, direct ferry, flight + minivan via Puerto Princesa, flight + minivan via San Vicente* and indirect ferry via Coron. The journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes to 1 day 12 hours and the quickest way is by direct flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by direct ferry with tickets starting at 1,940 PHP ($33).

You can reach El Nido by flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa. This is the most common option because it’s cheap. It’s not as fast as a direct flight, but still faster than taking a ferry. 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 around 2,190 PHP ($37).

The easiest way to get to Manila Airport from anywhere in Metro Manila is by Grab car. Rates start from 230 PHP ($3.90) to Terminal 3 and 370 PHP ($6.30) to Terminal 2, depending on where you’re coming from. You can also hail a taxi from the street. Just make sure the driver turns on the meter!

If you want to pre-book your transfer, Klook offers private rides with prices from 1,170 PHP ($19.80) for a 4-seater.

Alternatively, UBE Express operates point-to-point buses to several locations across Metro Manila to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Here are the ticket prices:

• • 150 PHP ($2.50) – from Pasay, Parañaque and Robinsons Manila
  • 200 PHP ($3.40) – from Araneta City and Alabang

Check out our guide for Manila Airport for more details.

AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines (PAL) offer multiple flights a day from Manila to Puerto Princesa. AirAsia and PAL depart from Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific departs from Terminal 3.

The flight time from Manila to Puerto Princesa is about 1h 20m - 1h 35m.

Flight ticket prices start from 1,350 PHP ($23), but they usually go up the closer you get to the departure date.

TIP: Cebu Pacific and AirAsia offer many promotions annually. Keep an eye out for these seat sales to book a cheaper flight for this route!

At Puerto Princesa Airport, you can travel with several minivan companies, including Palajuanders Travel and Tours, Island View Travel, Eulen Joy Express and Fortwally. Minivan tickets start from 685 PHP ($11.60) and travel time from the airport to El Nido is about 5h - 5h 30m.

We recommend booking a van ride online beforehand so that you won’t have to worry about your transport. You can even check the reviews of van companies to be assured that you’re travelling with a trusted one.

Minivans are also available at the airport. Just head outside and you’ll find drivers 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.

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.

The easiest and direct way to travel from Manila to El Nido is by a direct flight with either AirSWIFT or Cebu Pacific.

El Nido is a popular spot, but its airport has a short runway, so only small planes can operate here. That makes flight tickets quite expensive. But this is your best option if you’d rather save time than money.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Flights from Manila to El Nido depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City. AirSWIFT flights depart from NAIA Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific (5J) flights depart from Terminal 3.

The easiest way to get to Manila Airport from anywhere in Metro Manila is by Grab car. Fares usually start at 230 PHP ($3.90) to Terminal 3 and 370 PHP ($6.30) to Terminal 2, depending on your pickup point. You can also flag down a regular taxi, just make sure the driver turns on the meter.

If you want to book ahead, Klook offers private rides with prices from 1,170 PHP ($19.80) for a 4-seater.

Check out our guide for Manila Airport for more details.

AirSWIFT and Cebu Pacific operate multiple direct flights from Manila to El Nido daily. The earliest flight schedule is at 04:45 with the last flight of the day at 18:00. Travel time takes around 1h 30m.

The best time to fly from Manila to El Nido is during the dry season, which runs from December to May. You’ll get the best weather for exploring, and one-way ticket prices usually start from 6,700 PHP ($115).

Although flights tend to be cheaper during the wet season (June to November), there’s a higher chance of rain. Since only small aircraft fly to El Nido, bad weather can lead to delays, reroutes, or even cancellations.

Flights land at El Nido Airport, about 5 km away from El Nido town centre. If your hotel doesn’t offer airport pickup, you can take a tricycle to El Nido town. Fares start at 300 PHP ($5.10) for two passengers with luggage.

You can 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.

Like the flight, there are direct and indirect ferries for the Manila to El Nido route. Indirect ferries are faster. They make a stop in the beautiful Coron Island, so you can consider spending a few days there before continuing to El Nido.

2Go Travel operates direct ferries from Manila to Coron, taking around 13h. There’s just one trip a week — leaving every Friday from Manila North Harbour Pier 4. It’s an overnight journey, but the ferry’s pretty comfy and makes for a unique travel experience.

Economy tickets start at 2,780 PHP ($47), but prices vary based on how early you book and your seat class. You’ve also got the option to book directly on their official website.

2Go ferries dock at Coron Port.

There are fast and slow ferries from Coron to El Nido, but your best option is to book a fast ferry that takes around 3h 30m - 3h 40m. You can choose between Phimal, Montenegro Shipping Lines, Atienza Interisland Ferries and Jomalia Shipping. Ferry ticket prices start from 2,630 PHP ($44.50).

You can read more about this route in our guide for Coron to El Nido or book your tickets online via BookAway.

If you’re looking for a direct sea route to El Nido, Atienza Interisland Ferries is your only option from Manila.

The company runs a passenger-cargo ship that leaves Manila on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, then arrives at El Nido after 1 day 12 hours. Note that the day and time of departure vary every week. We recommend checking their Facebook page for the latest updates.

An economy class ticket costs 1,940 PHP ($33), while an airconditioned tourist class ticket costs 2,170 PHP ($36.50).

Departure and arrival ports

The Atienza ferry leaves from Baseco Port Area, which is accessible via taxi or Grab from anywhere in Metro Manila.

If you’re coming from the province, it’s best to take a provincial bus to Pasay or Parañaque. Once you’re there, just grab a taxi or book a Grab to the pier for around 380 PHP ($6.40) to 450 PHP ($7.60).

The ferry arrives directly at El Nido Ferry Terminal.

*The last time we checked (June 2025), there were no available flights from Manila to San Vicente. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed.

Looking for a more scenic route to El Nido? You can fly into 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.

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 ($68), but you can score tickets as cheap as 1,000 PHP ($16.90) during seat sales.

From Manila to San Vicente Airport, flights take 1h 45m.

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 ($13.30) 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 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 ($5.10) 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 ($6.80), while buses would be a bit cheaper.

Private transport

If you prefer a private transfer, you can rent a private minivan with rates from 6,300 PHP ($105).