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How to get from El Nido to Manila
The fastest way is a direct flight from El Nido (Lio Airport) to Manila, about 1 h 15, with AirSwift. The cheaper and more common route is a van to Puerto Princesa (about 5–6 h) and a flight to Manila (about 1 h 20), which takes most of a day.
Best option: Flight. The direct flight from El Nido saves the long road trip to Puerto Princesa.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Direct flight from El Nido Lio Airport to Manila with AirSwift | about 1 h 15 | a few flights a day | about PHP 6,000–12,000 | Small aircraft with strict baggage limits; book ahead. |
| bus Van or bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, then a flight from Puerto Princesa to Manila (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and others) | about 5–6 h road plus about 1 h 20 flight | vans roughly hourly; many flights a day | about PHP 500–700 for the van plus about PHP 1,500–5,000 for the flight | Leave plenty of margin between van arrival and flight departure. |
| ferry Long-distance ferries between Puerto Princesa and Manila have operated infrequently | about a day or more | irregular | varies | Check current schedules; not a practical option for most travellers. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book the AirSwift flight early; it sells out in high season.
- El Nido vans to Puerto Princesa can be booked from hotels and the town terminal.
- Check baggage limits carefully on the small aircraft.
- Coron is another hub with ferries and flights if you are island-hopping.
Common questions
Is there a direct flight from El Nido to Manila?
Yes. AirSwift operates direct flights from El Nido's small Lio Airport to Manila, taking about 1 h 15. Flights are on small aircraft, fares are higher than flights from Puerto Princesa, and baggage limits are strict. Book well ahead in high season, as seats are limited.
What is the cheapest way?
Take a van or bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, which takes about 5–6 hours, then a low-cost flight to Manila. This takes most of a day but is much cheaper than the direct flight. Leave a big margin before your flight, because road delays are common.
Is there a ferry to Manila?
Long-distance ferries between Palawan and Manila exist but have run infrequently and take a day or more. For most visitors they are not practical. Check current schedules if you want to try one, and expect changes and cancellations in bad weather.
How early should I leave El Nido for a flight from Puerto Princesa?
Allow at least 6–7 hours for the road trip plus check-in time. Many travellers take a very early van or stay a night in Puerto Princesa before a morning flight. Delays from traffic, roadworks or weather are common on the road.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.