How to Get to Palawan from Manila: The Traveler’s Guide

My trip to Palawan province in the Philippines taught me something that every traveler should know before booking: Palawan is not one destination. It is three: Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron, each requiring a different route and, as of 2026, a different departure airport. Getting this right from the start is the single most important step in planning a hassle-free Palawan journey.

*Important 2026 Update: As of March 29, 2026, all turboprop (propeller) flights to Coron (Busuanga) and El Nido have been fully relocated from Manila’s NAIA Airport to Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga. Only jet-engine flights to Puerto Princesa continue from NAIA. If you are heading to Coron or El Nido, you must depart from Clark—a separate airport located about 80 to 100 kilometers north of Manila.

Flying to Puerto Princesa

I flew from NAIA to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS)—and  this remains the most straightforward route into Palawan. Philippine Airlines operates from NAIA Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific departs from Terminal 3. One-way fares start from around P2,000 (approximately $32) upward from around P4,500 ($75) on Philippine Airlines.

Steeping off at Puerto Princesa Airport, I was met immediately by a lively arrival zone—transport coordinators, tourism booths, and shuttle van operators ready to assist. The city itself carries a relaxed, tropical urban feel: a gently, unhurried gateway before you head deeper into Palawan’s countryside. If you are continuing by van to El Nido, shared vans often circle the city briefly to collect passengers from various hotels before hitting the main northern highway.

Getting to El Nido

There are two ways to reach El Nido. The route I personally took was overland from Puerto Princesa—and it is an experience worth knowing in detail before you choose it.

Option 1: Fly to El Nido From Clark International Airport

Based on current schedules and research, the fastest way to reach El Nido is by flying directly to El Nido Airport (ENI). Since July 1, 2026, these flights operate under Cebgo (DG), following the full integration of AirSWIFT into the Cebu Pacific Group. Flight time is approximately one hour, with fares starting from around P4,500 ($75) one-way. Note that Clark is a separate airport from Manila’s NAIA—see the Clark section below for how to get there.

Estimated door-to-door time from Manila: allow approximately five to six hours in total, including the NAIA-to-Clark road transfer (two to three hours by P2P bus), check-in at Clark, the one-hour flight, and the tricycle transfer from El Nido Airport to town.

Option 2: Fly to Puerto Princesa, then Travel Overland by Van

I chose this route—a budget-friendly combination of a short flight from NAIA to Puerto Princesa, followed by a shared van journey north to El Nido. Shuttle vans depart from both Puerto Princesa Airport and various points around the city, operated by companies including Cherry Bus, Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel, and Fortwally Travel. Fares start from around P600 to P900 ($10-$16) per person.

The van I rode was a Toyota Grandia seating 10 to 12 passengers—air-conditioned, but space can feel tight when fully packed. The driving style is fast and the road winds considerably through mountain passes, so motion sickness is common. I recommend sitting near a window and keeping water and snacks on hand. Drivers typically make one to two rest stops along the way.

The road itself is a mix of paved highways, winding mountain sections, and rural stretches that can be bumpy in parts. Expect the journey to take between five and seven hours, depending on traffic, road works, and how long you wait for the van to fill up before departing. It is scenic, characterful, and genuinely worth doing at least once—but go in knowing it is not a quick or particularly comfortable ride.

Flying to Coron

I did not proceed to Coron on this trip, but based on research and current airline information: Coron is reached via Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) on Busuanga Island—not mainland Palawan. It is a separate island group north of Puerto Princesa and El Nido, not connected by road to either destination. Flights from Clark International Airport (CRK) are operated by Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines, with a flight time of approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Round-trip fares typically range from from P4,000 to P8,500 ($64-$136). From the airport, a van or tricycle transfer to Coron town takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

*USU is the IATA code for Francisco B. Reyes Airport, located in Concepcion, Busuanga—not in Coron town itself. Factor in the 45-minute to one-hour ground transfer when planning arrival times.

Clark International Airport (CRK): Key Facts for Travelers

Clark International Airport is located in the Clark Freeport Zone, Mabalacat City and Angeles City, Pampanga—approximately 80 to 100 kilometers north of central Manila. It is a completely separate airport from NAIA, not a terminal of it. Since March 29, 2026, it has become the departure point for all turboprop flights to El Nido and Coron.

International Flights into Clark

Clark has a growing number of international connections. Emirates operates a daily service that departs Dubai, stops at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and continues to Clark—making it a same-plane service via Cebu rather than a nonstop flight from Dubai. Qatar Airways operates a service between Doha (DOH) and Clark (CRK). Travelers from the Middle East or those who can conveniently route through Dubai or Doha may be able to reach Clark without transiting through Manila’s NAIA.

For travelers from the US or Europe, there are no nonstop flights to Clark. One-stop connections are available via the following hubs:

*Middle Eastern Hubs: Passengers from both US and European cities can connect through Dubai (DXB) on Emirates (routing via Cebu) or Doha (DOH) on Qatar Airways.
*Taiwanese Hubs: Travelers departing specifically from Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) can fly through Taipei (TPE) via EVA Air or Starlux Airlines.
*South Korean Hubs: A broad range of US cities also have access to one-stop routing through Seoul (ICN) on Asiana Airlines.

Getting from NAIA to Clark by P2P Bus

The most practical and affordable way to travel between NAIA and Clark is the Genesis Transport P2P bus service, which has been operating direct routes between the two airports since March 2026. Buses depart from NAIA Terminal 3 (P450), NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 (P430-P450), and PITX (P480-P520 JoyBus), with stops at SM City Clark en route. Travel time is approximately two to three hours depending on traffic.

Alternatively, a private car or Grab ride costs approximately P800-P1,700- ($15-$30) and takes one and a half to two and a half hours under normal conditions—faster but significantly more expensive. Because Clark is a separate airport requiring a full road transfer, travelers arriving at NAIA on international flights should allow a generous connection window before their Clark departure—factoring in Immigration processing, baggage collection, the road transfer, and check-in time at Clark. Two to three hours of buffer beyond your estimated transfer time is a reasonable minimum; more during peak travel periods or holiday weekends.

Getting to Palawan by Ferry

For travelers who prefer sea travel or are looking for the most budget-conscious option, 2GO Travel operates passenger ferry sailings from North Harbor Pier 4 in Manila to both Coron and Puerto Princesa. Schedules are weekly, not daily, and are subject to change—always verify the current timetable directly at travel2go.com.ph before planning around ferry travel.

Based on the current 2GO sailing schedule, the Manila to Coron service departs Friday evening and arrives Saturday morning, with a crossing time of approximately 13 hours. Fares range from approximately P3,686 to P4,075 depending on cabin class. The Manila to Puerto Princesa service departs Friday evening and arrives Saturday evening, with a crossing time of approximately 17 hours. Fares range from approximately P3,236 to P3,386.

2GO vessels on these routes are equipped with air-conditioned cabins, onboard dining, and Wi-Fi on select ships. Note that 2GO does not operate a direct passenger sailing to El Nido. Travelers wishing to reach El Nido by sea would need to sail to Puerto Princesa first, then continue overland.

*Ferry schedules and fares are subject to change without notice and may be affected by weather, sea conditions, and operational factors. Always confirm directly with 2GO Travel before booking.

Best Time to Visit Palawan

The dry season runs from November to May and offers the most reliable conditions for flights, ferries, and island-hopping tours. November to April is the most ideal time—calm seas, clear visibility for diving, and minimal disruption to inter-island boat trips in El Nido and Coron. The wet season from June to October brings rough seas that can force the cancellation of island-hopping tours and slow ferry sailings, particularly in September and October. Peak periods—Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, and the April to May school holidays—bring higher airfares, heavier crowds, and limited availability; booking at least two months in advance is strongly advised during these windows.