How to get from Siargao to Puerto Princesa

Why visit Puerto Princesa?

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan in the Philippines. A popular gateway to gorgeous destinations on the archipelago (like El Nido and Port Barton), travellers often skip a visit to Puerto Princesa.

If you’re just passing through, we recommend that you at least check out the interesting cuisine and cosy cafes in Puerto Princesa. But if you have extra time, why not also explore the iconic Underground River? It’s the longest subterranean river in the world! You can also visit Puerto Princesa’s white-sand beaches during the day and watch fireflies across the Nagsaguipi River at night.

There are 2 ways to travel the 806 kilometres (501 miles) from Siargao to Puerto Princesa. You can choose between the flight and ferry. The journey takes 4 hours 25 minutes to 3 days and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at 3,550 PHP ($62).

Travelling from Siargao to Puerto Princesa by flight is the fastest option, although there are no direct flights for this route. You can still reach Puerto Princesa in about 3.5 hours after a short stopover at Manila Airport or Cebu Airport.

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

Flights depart from Siargao Airport, also known as Sayak Airport, located on the west side of Siargao Island.

If you’re staying in General Luna, the airport is about a 45-minute van ride away. A seat on the shared van transfer costs around 300 PHP ($5.30).

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific operate indirect flights from Siargao to Puerto Princesa. These flights take at least 2.5 hours via Cebu or 3.5 hours via Manila, not including layovers. Make sure the flight you book gives you enough time to check in for your connecting flight.

Layovers in Cebu usually range from 1 to 4 hours, while layovers in Manila can stretch up to 9 hours.

You can book separate tickets for each leg, but keep in mind that you’ll be fully responsible for making your connection. That includes collecting your luggage and checking it in again for your next flight.

Booking both legs under a single reservation will make the journey less stressful. To avail cheaper flights for the Siargao to Puerto Princesa route, you need to book your flight months in advance.

PRO-TIP: Cebu Pacific offers many ‘piso fare’ sales annually. Keep an eye out for these promos if you want to book cheaper flights!

Flights from Cebu to Puerto Princesa land at Puerto Princesa Airport, in the southern part of Palawan. Outside the airport, you can take a tricycle or an airport shuttle to the town.

For more info on how to get to Puerto Princesa town from the airport, check out our article on Puerto Princesa Airport.

Travelling the Siargao to Puerto Princesa route by ferry is quite an adventure. The journey takes at least 2.5 to 3 days, not including stopovers. It’s a long trip, but one that offers a deeper look at the Philippines, especially if you’re up for the slow-travel experience.

Important Note: Not all ferry routes operate daily, so you need to plan your connections from Siargao to Puerto Princesa carefully to avoid unnecessary delays or missed departures.

Ferries bound for Surigao City depart from Dapa Ferry Terminal on Siargao Island. If you’re staying in General Luna, the main tourist area, it’s about a 30-minute tricycle ride to the port. Expect to pay around 250 PHP ($4.40) for the trip.

At Dapa Port, you’ll find four ferry operators to choose from. Fares start at 400 PHP ($7) for an economy, open-air seat.

If you’re looking to save time, go with Evaristo & Sons. They operate both a fast craft and a RoRo ferry. The fast craft is your quickest option, getting you to Surigao City in just 1.5 hours

See their schedules below:

Three ferry companies are operating from Surigao Port to Cebu: Cokaliong, Starlite Ferries, and OceanJet.

Cokaliong and Starlite Ferries take around 7.5 to 10 hours to reach Cebu. If you want to significantly cut down your travel time, book with OceanJet. They use fast crafts that complete the journey in just 5.5 hours.

You can only book Cokaliong tickets through their website. For Starlite Ferries and OceanJet, it’s easier to book your tickets online in advance via BookAway.

From Cebu, Trans-Asia Shipping sails to Iloilo, with departures only on Mondays and Fridays. If you need to travel on a Thursday or Sunday, you can go with Cokaliong Shipping.

Ferries arrive at Iloilo Domestic Port.

Ticket fares start from 1,400 PHP ($24.50), and the journey takes around 12h - 14h 30m.

The last leg of the journey is operated by Montenegro Shipping Lines, which usually sails every Saturday. But their schedule can change without notice, so always check their Facebook page or website for the latest updates.

The sailing time is 28 hours, but the entire journey from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa takes nearly 2 days. This is due to a long stopover on the beautiful island of Cuyo before continuing to Puerto Princesa.

Here’s how the trip breaks down:

• Iloilo to Cuyo — 12 hours
• Layover in Cuyo — 18 hours
• Cuyo to Puerto Princesa — 16 hours

You will arrive at Puerto Princesa Port. Fares start from 2,660 PHP ($46.50).