Getting to El Nido in Palawan
Part of the Palawan travel guide — see every topic in All Palawan Guides.
El Nido is at the northern tip of mainland Palawan. There are three ways in: fly to the small Lio Airport, fly to Puerto Princesa and ride 5–6 hours north, or take a ferry from Coron. Prices below were checked in November 2026.
Flights to Lio Airport
Lio Airport (ENI) is about 4 km north of El Nido town. Since 29 March 2026 there are no flights from Manila: the small propeller planes moved to Clark, about 2–3 hours north of Manila by road. Flights now come from Clark (about 1 hour 35 minutes, 4–5 a day, about ₱3,500–8,000 one way), Cebu, Caticlan (Boracay), Bohol and Coron. They are run by Cebgo under the AirSWIFT name and sold through Cebu Pacific. Baggage limits are strict: 15 kg checked and 7 kg in the cabin.
Via Puerto Princesa
Many flights from Manila and Cebu land at Puerto Princesa, 175 km from El Nido. Shared minivans cost about ₱720–790 and take 5–5.5 hours; they run from about 3:00 to mid-afternoon. Cherry Bus costs about ₱651–998 and takes about 6 hours. A private van for up to 10 people costs about ₱7,300–8,800. Vans stop at the El Nido Transport Terminal in Corong-Corong; a tricycle into town costs about ₱100 more.
Ferry from Coron
Fast ferries cross from Coron to El Nido in about 3.5 hours. Montenegro Lines leaves at 6:00 and Atienza at 7:00 (about ₱2,850), Jomalia at 7:30 (about ₱3,200–3,250), and Phimal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:20 (about ₱2,750). From June to September there are only about two sailings a week, and boats are cancelled in rough seas. A 40-minute flight from Busuanga to Lio costs about ₱3,850.
On arrival
Every visitor pays the El Nido Ecotourism Development Fee (ETDF) of ₱400, valid for 10 days. A tricycle from Lio Airport to town costs about ₱150–400 and takes 15–20 minutes, and many hotels include a transfer. There are ATMs in town, but they can run out of cash, so bring enough pesos.
Getting to El Nido at a glance
| Manila flights | None since 29 March 2026; fly from Clark instead |
|---|---|
| Clark → Lio | About 1 h 35 min; about ₱3,500–8,000 |
| Puerto Princesa → El Nido | 175 km; van 5–5.5 h, about ₱720–790 |
| Bus | Cherry Bus about 6 h, about ₱651–998 |
| Coron ferry | About 3.5 h; about ₱2,750–3,250 |
| Eco fee | ETDF ₱400, valid 10 days |
| Lio → town | 4 km; tricycle about ₱150–400 |