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Overview | Van | Bus | Motorbike
How To Get From Puerto Princesa to Port Barton?
Port Barton is a small coastal village in the Philippines, in the town of San Vicente, Palawan. Though not as famous as El Nido, Port Barton is worth a visit. Its calm vibe and uncrowded beaches and resorts make it a great place to unwind and reconnect with nature. If you can’t get enough of island-hopping adventures, be sure to include Port Barton in your plans.
Planning to travel the 160km distance from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton? You have 3 choices: you can take the van for 3 hours, the bus for 4 hours, or a motorbike for 5 hours. Rates range from 250 PHP ($5) to 500 PHP ($10).
We recommend taking the van for this route if you want both comfort and speed. Vans are air-conditioned and they take only 3 hours to reach Port Barton. You can get a seat for 400 PHP ($8) and this already includes free pick-up from your hotel in Puerto Princesa town center.
The bus is the cheapest option, but only non-aircon buses are available for this route. That’s not very comfortable for a 4-hour ride across bumpy roads and in scorching hot weather. A bus ticket costs 250 PHP ($5).
The last option is to go on the adventure path and rent a motorbike to explore the north of Palawan. When you go by motorbike, it will likely take a bit longer as you don’t want to compete with fast-moving vans. Daily rental rates start at 500 PHP ($10), but can go lower if you’re renting long-term.
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van | 3 hours | 400 PHP ($8) | Check van tickets |
| Bus | 4 hours | 250 PHP ($4.70) | Check bus tickets |
| Motorbike | 5 hours | 500 PHP ($10) – 900 PHP ($18) per day | Online tickets not available |
View itinerary from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
Motorbike
- Puerto Princesa
- 5 hours
- Port Barton
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Van
Duration: 3 hours
Costs: 400 PHP ($8)
Taking a van from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton gives you more options when it comes to departure times. You can also depart straight from Puerto Princesa Airport or from San Jose Terminal if you’re already in town.
Fares start at 400 PHP ($8) for the 3-hr ride. Klook offers the cheapest option, which also includes free pick-up. However, they have limited schedules. We’ve included options from BookAway and 12go.Asia for more flexibility on departure times. The great thing though is that all the options below receive good reviews. See here their schedules and booking links:
| Van Operator | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klook | 09:30-13:00 11:30-15:00 14:30-18:00 17:30-21:00 | 3h 30m | 400 PHP ($8) + free pick-up |
| Lexxsus (from San Jose Terminal) Book with BookAway | 08:00-11:00 10:00-13:00 13:00-16:00 17:00-20:00 | 3h | 480 PHP ($9.50) |
| Recaro (from San Jose Terminal) Book with 12GoAsia | 06:00-09:30 07:30-11:00 09:00-12:30 10:00-13:30 11:00-14:30 12:00-15:30 13:00-16:30 14:00-17:30 15:00-18:30 16:00-19:30 17:00-20:30 18:00-21:30 | 3h 30m | 500 PHP ($10) + free pick-up |
| Fortwally (from airport) Book with BookAway | 06:00-09:00 07:00-10:00 09:00-12:00 11:00-14:00 14:00-17:00 15:00-18:00 16:00-19:00 17:00-20:00 | 3h | 500 PHP ($10) |
| Diskubre Transport (not available until July) Book with BookAway | 07:30-11:00 09:00-12:30 11:00-14:30 13:00-16:30 14:00-17:30 16:00-19:30 | 3h 30m | 500 PHP ($10) |
If you’re coming from San Jose town, we recommend getting a ride that already includes free hotel pick-up.
You will be dropped off at Port Barton Bus Terminal in the town center.
PRO-TIP: The van is the most preferred mode of transport in Palawan. The seats can fill up quickly, so always try to book a van at least 1 day in advance!
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Bus
Duration: 4 hours
Costs: 250 PHP ($5)
From Puerto Princesa, you can take the bus from San Jose Terminal. Unfortunately, there are only 2 trips per day, so plan ahead. These depart at 08:45 and 13:30, with a travel time of 4 hours.
A ticket costs 250 PHP ($5). You can buy your ticket at the terminal. But because there are limited trips, you can also consider booking your ride online beforehand through 12go.Asia.
Note that only non-airconditioned buses are available for this route. They park at Port Barton Bus Terminal in the town center.
Check Bus Tickets with 12go.Asia
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Motorbike
Duration: 5 hours
Costs: 500 PHP ($10) – 900 PHP ($18) per day
Motorbikes are also available for rent in Puerto Princesa. This is a good option if you prefer a more independent way of travelling. You can enjoy the rural sights and make a stop whenever you want.
Most of the bike rental shops are located along Rizal Street, between Junction No. 1 and the Old Airport. The shops charge a rental fee of 500 PHP ($10) – 900 PHP ($18), depending on the type of motorbike you rent. They usually give discounts for long-term rentals.
The downside with renting a motorbike is that the shop often takes your passport until you return the motorbike. Also, most of the motorbikes are not insured. Basically, you have to rent a motorbike at your own risk.
Rental conditions
Always read the terms and conditions of the contract before you sign. Also, it’s a good idea to inspect the bike and list any scratches or minor damages. Be sure to provide one copy of the list to the shop.
Vans at the San Jose Terminal are willing to bring your luggage for you for 50 PHP ($1) per bag. You can arrange the luggage pick-up with the dispatchers or drivers. The usual pick-up place is at Ballesteros Street in Port Barton.
Have money to spare? Why not rent a car? You can expect to pay 3,000 PHP to 5,000 PHP ($59 – $98.50) per day. As a precautionary measure, also make sure you read the contract and understand it fully.