Facts about the van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
| Cheapest Van | $11 |
| Fastest Van | 5h |
| Earliest Van | 3:00 AM |
| Latest Van | 5:00 PM |
| Daily Van Routes | 11 |
| Distance | 3401 kilometers |
| Van Companies | Lexxus Shuttle, Palajuanders Travel and Tours |
Vans from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Best Options
$11
$12
Other Options
Transportation from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
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Buses$ 10.73
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Flights$ 108.31
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Taxis$ 112.52
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Vans$ 10.39
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available
Puerto Princesa to El Nido Destination Reviews
BA
Ben A- Booked van from 5pm to take us to el nido
- Read lots of blogs and reviews so expected a semi comfortable journey that would take 5-6 hours
- Called by the company at 3:15 to say meet at 5pm.
- Went to get some food and were called again and rushed to the pick up spot at 4pm
- Arrived at 4:10 and waited for 35 minutes before being taken to the minivan where we waited another 20 minutes presumably for other guests which wasn’t unexpected.
- We are 4 Australian travellers (2 males over 6ft and 2 females over 5”6)
- Read on reviews that the more comfortable ride is in the from seats and behind the driver for slightly better legroom.
- Proceeded to take the seats and were told we couldn’t because they were booked already for priority guests like elderly which we thought was odd but accepted it. We were then told to sit in the back row (please recall rough size guidance given before) which would have been physically impossible so we spread out slightly (see pictures attached
- Another group of 4 arrived and we were then told to occupy the front and unfortunately for the other group they were crammed into the back row like sardines
- After another 15 minutes and more deliberation trying to fit another group of 4 in, the driver gave up and his two colleagues got into the front and we took them round the corner to drop them off
- After dropping them we start on our 6 hour journey up to el nido although using a lot of side roads and dirt tracks which was unexpected
- We then added another random guest 20 minute drive into the countryside) then drove further down a dirt track and waited another 10 minutes after which 4 more guests crammed into the only 2 remaining seats in the back and another into the front
- Comically but worryingly we then drove off for a further 30 minutes to find ourselves back at the spot we dropped the drivers colleagues to drop the 4 most recently joined travellers off (so had spent close to 1.5hours and made absolutely no progress to our destination).
- A further 15 minute drive took place where we stopped in the middle of nowhere down more dirt tracks onto a farm to spend 20 minutes filling up the van with fuel and talking to his friends
- Eventually we leave that spot and drive down the road again to unload the passengers in the front
- 2 hours into the journey duration and 3 hours since we were hassled to arrive early and we had still not left puerto princesa
- Finally arrived at 12:30 and luckily were allowed into he accommodation
Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, May 2, 2024
CV
Clara VWe spent 3h in the van before leaving Puerto Princesa, just oicking uo other passengers. The pickups were tined so badly that often we had to wait for an hour for some of the passengers. The organizstion could be better so that people have to wait the minimmum amount of time possible, and making the pick up route logical would be aopreciated, instead of going around town in circles.
The drivers were poirly communicative the entire time. We often didn’t know why we were stopping, which made us more impatient.
The driving was reckless, speeding too much in small roads. The driver was driving without propper lights at some points during the night.
There was only one driver. I would feel safer if the drivers switch, 8h driving straight is not good for any human and the focus might be lost. Consider adding a second driver, as they do in long distance buses.
We arrived to El Nido 3h later than the scheduled time. I would not do this again…
Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Mar 30, 2024
SB
Soeren BI was more than 30 min early and the driver didnt pick me up. I was told after over an hour later that he just went without me i dont know Why. They helped me than and i could go with an other van but i was really annoyed and late.
Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 26, 2024
HW
Hannah WReady with a sign the minute we walked out of the airport with our name. We only booked the night before. Driver friendly and played chilled music. Tyre blew on the way but he changed it really quickly, dropped off at our hostel.
Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Mar 5, 2024
PW
Patrycja WOur drive was 1 hour late, back seat very uncomfortable
Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Mar 2, 2024
FM
Fanny MNot enough seats on the van for us. Tell us that another van is coming in 10 minutes, we had to wait 1h30. Also van is not comfortable at all, we were 4 where only 3 people could fit.
Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Feb 10, 2024
NP
Nikolett POur trip started about an our later, because they collected people from the airport first. The minivan was full, we didn't have much place. The driver drove very fast and the road is bumpy.
They are not accurate, so don't expect them to be in time, especially when you want to drive early morning to El Nido for your Island hopping tour. There were some people in the minivan who had a tour in El Nido and they arrive too late. (They offered a solution to them too) We were in 1 hour delay. It was not the best travel experience in my life but they brought us from A to B, and it was about 5 hours long...so no reason to complain.
Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Jan 26, 2024
R
Radu The driver was excellent and very kind! However, the vehicle was an absolute disaster. It was a very, very old car, no seatbelts, no license plate in the back and rusty.
Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Dec 17, 2023
AS
Aniol SHe was driving really fast, a bit crazy ride.
Van Shared van, Lexxus Shuttle, Nov 27, 2023
TG
Tara GWe were told to be there for 12:30 the bus did not leave until 2pm as other passengers and the driver had ordered hot food, we were brought to an office in a separate vehicle to other passengers and put under pressure to buy tours in el nido, possible to distract us from the huge delay. Communication regarding delay very poor we were left sitting in van with no explanation as to why. The journey itself was okay, quite full van and several other passengers coughing without covering their mouths for the whole journey.
Van Minivan, Fortwally Travel and Tours (Fortwally Transport Service / Fortwally Travel and Tours), Oct 27, 2023
Popular Routes
From Puerto Princesa
To Puerto Princesa
From El Nido
Popular Routes in Philippines
How to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van
Vans are a faster alternative to buses; vans usually offer more scheduled departures than buses or other means of transport over the same route; vans may serve the routes not served by buses, trains, or flights. What other reasons do you need to opt for a van? Ah! Very often, they are much more affordable than any other means of transport. Van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido departs regularly according to the schedule and is a decent option to get to your destination at a reasonable price. Now van tickets can be booked online what makes planning of your trip more convenient. Before you book your van ticket, remember to read other travellers’ reviews on your operator’s service to ensure it meets your expectations.
Currently the following operators can help you to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van: .
How far is Puerto Princesa from El Nido?
Puerto Princesa sits 3401 km from El Nido.
How long does it take to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van?
Vans cover the distance between Puerto Princesa and El Nido in 5h – 5h 30m hours. Do note that though vans usually stick to their schedule, your journey can take longer if traffic is excessive or the weather is bad. The worst periods in the sense of violation of the timetable is long weekends, national holidays, school vacations and peak season. With roads stuck with traffic do expect delays. Stormy weather with heavy rains or snowfalls can also cause your arrival time to change. Yet in general you can rely on the timing declared by the operator.
The fastest service on this route is provided by Palajuanders Travel and Tours. Lexxus Shuttle’s vans travel slower than others.
How much does it cost to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van?
Opposite to, say, buses, normally vans do not offer a great variety in the sense of ticket class hence the price of the ticket is the same for all seats in a van. Note that some seats offer more comfort during the ride. E.g. in some vans the passenger seat by the driver is also available. If you are lucky enough to get it, you may have more space and definitely a better view there. Similarly, in some vans seats in the back row may be a disappointment as they do not recline due to the trunk filled with travellers’ luggage.
To hop onto a van between Puerto Princesa and El Nido expect to pay from USD 10.39 to USD 11.60. The more convenient the ride, the more you pay – either for extra space or for less stops enroute. Palajuanders Travel and Tours is the cheapest operator on the route while Lexxus Shuttle is the most expensive one.
Travelling by van essentials
- Ensure to check carefully from where your van departs. In many cases vans are stationed not at the city main bus station but elsewhere. Individual van operators may have their own van stops located anywhere, and one and the same operator may sell tickets to their vans from different stops. If you are planning a bus-van connection, be sure you understand where to catch your van as it is easy to assume that vans leave from the same station where buses arrive. No, it is not necessarily so!
- There are different types of vans accommodating from 9 to 15 or more passengers. While on certain routes you have no alternative, on others you can choose. The rule of thumb – fewer seats mean more leg space and more comfort. As well as more money for your ticket. But this is probably the case when it is worth investing into your seat a bit more.
- Vans accommodating more passengers are often cramped and do not provide any additional space for your luggage. In many cases your ticket will include only one piece of luggage, often with limited weight. If you travel with huge suitcases or backpacks you may want – or even need – to buy an extra seat for your luggage. Before booking an extra seat for your luggage though do check with the operator if they allow it. If you did buy a separate seat for your luggage, and the driver during the way tries to pick up an extra passenger to put on a “vacant” seat, insist on right to use it as you paid for it.
- There are obviously no on board toilets in vans but if your journey lasts over two or three hours there will normally be one or more bathroom stop(s) enroute. During the bathroom stop, take a note of your van number plate when you get off. It will make it easier for you to find the van among similar vehicles and in an unhappy case (hypothetically!) of van leaving without you, you can at least report it to the operator.
- Van drivers are notorious for their driving style. Though many companies enforce strict speed limits on their vehicles they are often not observed. This is probably a major downside of van travel in some countries. Anyway, if speed limits are violated do not be shy to ask the driver to go slower. Normally there will be an information plate with the telephone numbers to call if your driver violates traffic rules – report each such case without hesitation. Also, do leave your review if not satisfied with the service to warn other travellers.
- It is compulsory to use belts for all the van passengers. Even if your driver does not insist on it, use the belt for your own safety. Belts are sometimes fixed behind your seat – do not hesitate to release them and use as they are intended to be used.
- Many vans do not have scheduled departures but depart when full. Sometimes waiting periods can be long, especially if you happen to come immediately after the previous van has departed or just in the end of the day when there are not so many passengers. Always make sure you understand whether your ticket is for a scheduled trip or otherwise. Normally operators who allow online booking of their tickets, provide scheduled service meaning your van will depart on time no matter how many passengers show up for the trip.