Palawan is a pristine island province in the western Philippines, often called the Philippines' Last Frontier for its untouched natural beauty. Home to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and the stunning limestone karst landscapes of El Nido and Coron, Palawan offers some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic scenery. Its turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and white-sand beaches consistently earn it recognition as one of the world's best island destinations.
- Public
- No conventional public bus network; jeepneys and tricycles handle local transport. Inter-town vans are the closest equivalent to public buses.
- Taxi
- Tricycles serve as local taxis — agree on price before boarding (₱100-300 typical for short town rides). In Puerto Princesa, Grab app works for car rides.
- Rental
- Motorcycles and scooters are the most flexible option for exploring El Nido and Coron surrounds. Cars can be rented in Puerto Princesa.
- Walking
- El Nido's main strip is walkable (1.5km). Coron town center is compact and walkable. Puerto Princesa requires tricycles between attractions.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- ₱200-350, 10-15 min to Puerto Princesa center
- Taxi Info
- No metered taxis at PPS airport; negotiate fixed rate or use Grab app
- Shuttle
- ₱150-200 shared tricycle for short distance
- Shuttle Info
- Tricycles available immediately outside arrivals
- Bus
- No public bus from airport
- Bus Info
- Jeepneys pass the main road but are impractical with luggage
- Private
- ₱300-500 private car via Grab or hotel arranged pickup
- Private Info
- Book hotel pickup in advance for a hassle-free transfer
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Tricycles dominate local transport at ₱50-300 per trip depending on distance and negotiation
Alternatives
Motorcycle rentals from ₱500/day, bicycle rentals from ₱200/day in El Nido, Grab car service in Puerto Princesa
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- No meter — negotiate fare upfront. Short town rides ₱100-200, longer distances ₱300-600
- Apps
- Grab (Puerto Princesa only)
- App Names
- Grab
- Typical Fare
- ₱150-250 for average town tricycle ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
No formal long-distance bus. Shared vans: Puerto Princesa-El Nido ₱850 (5-6h), Puerto Princesa-San Vicente ₱300 (2.5h), Puerto Princesa-Coron (no direct road)
Shared
Shared van terminals at the Puerto Princesa Lexus Terminal (El Nido) and San Jose Terminal (southern Palawan routes)
Flights
Cebu Pacific and AirAsia fly Manila-Puerto Princesa from ₱1,500-5,000 one-way; Manila-Coron from ₱2,000-6,000
Private
Private van hire Puerto Princesa to El Nido from ₱5,500-8,000 per vehicle
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Palawan is a long, narrow island province with limited road connections and no rail network. The main forms of transport are domestic flights to three airports (Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Busuanga/Coron), shared vans between towns, and bangka (outrigger) boats for inter-island travel. Puerto Princesa is the main gateway with daily flights from Manila and Cebu.
Airports
Puerto Princesa International Airport
El Nido Airport (Lio Airport)
Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga/Coron)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Grab
Ride-hailing app for car and motorcycle rides in Puerto Princesa — most reliable app-based transport
Philippine Airlines App
Book domestic flights and manage bookings for flights to/from Puerto Princesa
AirAsia App
Budget airline with frequent Manila-Puerto Princesa routes — book early for best fares
Cebu Pacific App
Popular budget carrier serving Puerto Princesa and Coron with frequent seat sales
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book El Nido-bound vans through your accommodation or at Puerto Princesa terminal the day before
El Nido to Coron speedboats operate seasonally (October-June) and cancel in bad weather — have a backup plan
Always negotiate tricycle fares before boarding and clarify if it's per person or per trip
Flying Manila to El Nido direct (Air Juan) saves the 5-6 hour van ride but costs significantly more
The Puerto Princesa-El Nido van journey passes through stunning limestone landscapes — sit by the window
Boat transfers between islands are subject to weather and sea conditions — be flexible with your schedule
Download the Grab app before arriving in Puerto Princesa for the most reliable city transport