Palawan Airport Transfer Guide (2026) - All Options & Tips
Learn Palawan airport transfer options for Puerto Princesa and El Nido, including essential tips and common scams to avoid.
Puerto Princesa International is close to the city centre, so the transfer into town is short, typically by tricycle or van. El Nido and Port Barton are a long drive north, and El Nido also has its own small airport.
We have not yet verified how travellers currently reach Palawan from the airport serving it, so we are not publishing routes, operators or fares we cannot stand behind. For what is running on the day you travel, the arrivals information published by your arrival airport is the reliable source, and your accommodation will usually know what works best for the hour you land.
Helpful Tips
Tricycles are the main local transport in Puerto Princesa and El Nido, always agree on the fare before boarding.
Book a shared van shuttle between Puerto Princesa and El Nido in advance, as the roughly five-hour journey fills up quickly in peak season.
Bangka outrigger boats are the standard way to island-hop, group tours depart daily from El Nido and Coron town.
Rent a motorbike in El Nido to reach Nacpan Beach and surrounding areas on your own schedule.
Common Scams to Avoid
Tricycle overcharging at Puerto Princesa Airport: Tricycle drivers waiting outside the arrivals area commonly quote fares well above the standard local rate, to first-time visitors unfamiliar with typical pricing. To avoid this, check the posted fare guidelines near the terminal exit or arrange a hotel transfer in advance, having a benchmark rate makes negotiation straightforward.
Aggressive tour-package selling at arrivals: Touts inside and just outside the terminal approach arriving passengers to sell multi-day island-hopping and Underground River tour packages at marked-up prices, often pressuring an immediate decision. There is no need to commit on the spot, accommodations and tour operators in town generally offer the same trips at lower rates, and booking through your hotel gives you a layer of recourse if something goes wrong.
Unlicensed or informal airport transfers quoting flat rates: Some drivers who are not part of the official airport transport queue offer private rides at inflated flat fares, sometimes claiming the metered or regulated options are unavailable. This is a common tactic at airports across the Philippines, not unique to Palawan, stick to the designated transport area and confirm whether official shuttle or van services are running before accepting an informal offer.