Getting Around Palawan, El Nido & Coron: Scooter, Ferry & Van Guide for Indians
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Palawan is not one trip, it’s a chain. Puerto Princesa airport on the east, El Nido 230 km north, Port Barton in between, and Coron across the water on Busuanga Island. Indian backpackers usually land in Manila, fly to Puerto Princesa, and then have to figure out how to move along this spine without getting soaked by taxi mafias, ferries that don’t show up, or scooter shops that “don’t have helmets” until you pay a “deposit.” This guide sorts the real options by cost and time, written for the way Indian travellers budget. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
One thing worth knowing before you plan: PHP and INR are close enough in value that small price differences don’t matter much. Right now 1 PHP ≈ ₹1.50, so a 300 PHP tricycle reads as roughly ₹450 (~$4.67) in your head, which makes mental math easy. A 1,500 PHP El Nido to Coron ferry becomes about ₹2,250 (~$23.36), a small line item compared to the 4,500-7,000 PHP flights that crisscross the country.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest way El Nido town → Nacpan Beach | Single motorcycle taxi ride (habal-habal) | ~₹150 (~$1.56) |
| Puerto Princesa → El Nido shared van | 5-7 hr, multiple daily, door-to-door drop-off | ~₹900 (~$9.34) |
| El Nido → Coron ferry (cheapest, slow boat) | 8-10 hr, typically one operator | ~₹1,800 (~$18.68) |
| Coron → El Nido by speedboat | 3.5-4.5 hr, weather dependent | ~₹3,750 (~$38.93) |
| Scooter rental in El Nido, per day | Manual 110-125cc, with helmet on request | ~₹600-₹900 (~$6.23-$9.34) |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: For a Palawan loop, plan it as Puerto Princesa → El Nido (van) → Coron (ferry or flight) → Manila (flight). Going back the way you came wastes a full day each way.
How the Palawan Transport Map Works
Palawan is shaped like a thin crooked finger pointing northeast. The main road, sometimes called the “Palawan Highway” but just a two-lane highway with potholes and chickens, runs from Puerto Princesa up through San Vicente, Roxas, and Taytay, then a final stretch into El Nido. There’s no rail, no motorway, and only one coastal road. If you want to move along the spine, you have exactly four options: van, bus, private car, or a chain of habal-habals (motorcycle taxis).
Crossing to Coron is a different problem entirely. Coron sits on Busuanga Island, separated from El Nido by open water, so it’s ferries, speedboats, or a 30-minute flight via Manila. There is no road.
The mental shortcut: treat Palawan like two separate systems. North-south along the mainland is vans, buses, and scooters. East-west across the sea to Coron is ferries and flights. Don’t try to “connect” them by going back to Puerto and around; fly.
Getting From Puerto Princesa to El Nido (and Back)
This is the single most-travelled hop on Palawan, and Indian backpackers do it two ways: shared van or public bus. Vans win on almost every metric.
Shared Tourist Van (the default)
SIXT, E2 Transport, Fort Wally, and a handful of local operators run shared vans daily. Vans leave Puerto Princesa between 6 AM and 8 PM, take 5 to 7 hours depending on weather and stops, and drop you directly at your hostel in El Nido town. The price hovers around 600 PHP per person, more like 700 PHP during high season (December to May). Book the night before through your hostel, or walk into the San Jose terminal in Puerto Princesa at 6 AM and grab the next seat.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Vans fill up counter-clockwise, so leaving early beats leaving late. A 6 AM departure gets you to El Nido for lunch with time to spare; a 4 PM departure means driving in the dark on a road that has no streetlights and occasional stray carabao.
Public Bus (the budget option)
Cherry Bus and RoRo Bus run from Puerto Princesa to El Nido via the same highway. Tickets run 350-450 PHP, the ride is 7-8 hours, and buses leave at fixed times (usually 6 AM, 8 AM, and 10 AM from the San Jose bus terminal). Buses stop in El Nido town proper, same as vans. The catch: buses take more walk-up passengers, so they fill faster than you expect, and the AC is hit or miss. Most Indian backpackers I talk to end up taking the van anyway, just because the time savings is worth the extra 200 PHP.
Book on 12go for van tickets, Book on 12go for bus tickets, or ask your El Nido hostel to book a seat the night before.
The Private Car Option
A private SUV or van with driver runs 4,500-6,000 PHP one way. For 3-4 people splitting, that’s the same per-person as a shared van, with the bonus that you can stop at any roadside viewpoint you want. Travellers going to Port Barton or somewhere in between often choose this because the shared vans don’t service the middle of the route.
The Port Barton Stop (and Why Most People Skip It)
Port Barton is a small village 2 hours north of Puerto, technically on the way to El Nido, but the buses and tourist vans mostly skip it because the road turns to a narrower side-track. If you want to stop, the only realistic options are:
- Get off the Puerto-El Nido van at the Port Barton junction, then take a habal-habal 4 km into town for 100-150 PHP
- Take a RoRo bus that stops at San Vicente (the municipality Port Barton is part of), then tricycle from there
- Book a private transfer through your Port Barton hostel in advance
For Indian backpackers doing a tight Palawan loop, Port Barton is usually an optional add-on, not a primary stop. El Nido and Coron already fill a week.
Inside El Nido: Town, Beaches, and the Tricycle Question
El Nido town is small, walkable end-to-end in about 25 minutes. Most hostels cluster around the beachfront and the main strip, so once you’ve checked in you may not need transport at all. But for the beaches outside town (Nacpan, Las Cabañas, Duli, Corong-Corong), you need wheels or a ride.
Tricycles and Habal-Habals
Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are the local taxi. The “official” tricycle rate is set by the municipal government, but it only applies to local commuters. Tourist rides cost 50-150 PHP for short trips inside town, 100-200 PHP for Nacpan or Las Cabañas. Drivers will quote higher; you can ask “bayad” (how much) before getting in. Read more on how the tricycle/habal-habal system works across the Philippines in our jeepney and tricycle guide.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Habal-habals (motorcycle taxis) are cheaper than tricycles for solo riders and faster because they don’t get stuck behind jeepneys on the highway. For El Nido to Nacpan, it’s 100 PHP solo, or 50 PHP if you share with another backpacker.
Renting a Scooter in El Nido
Scooter rental is the freedom move. A manual 110cc Honda or Suzuki runs 400-500 PHP per day during low season, 500-700 PHP in high season. A semi-automatic (no clutch, just gears) costs 100 PHP more. Shops ask for your passport as “deposit,” which is normal, but read the Philippines scooter safety guide before you sign anything because the deposit-voiding fine print on scratches is the single most common budget-killer for backpackers in El Nido.
You will need an International Driving Permit. Philippine police occasionally set up checkpoints on the road to Nacpan and Las Cabañas, and a fine for riding without an IDP runs 500-1,000 PHP on the spot. The IDP costs ₹1,000-₹1,500 (~$10.38-$15.57) in India at any RTO and takes 1-2 days.
Walking
El Nido town itself is genuinely walkable. From the market to the terminal pier is 15 minutes. From the bus terminal to most beachfront hostels is 20-25 minutes with a backpack. Don’t book a tricycle for in-town hops unless you’re hauling luggage.
El Nido to Coron: The Big Decision
This is the route every Indian backpacker on the Palawan loop ends up Googling. There are three real options, and they don’t all run every day.
Option 1: Slow Ferry (Cheapest)
One operator, Montenegro Lines (and occasionally Atienza), runs a passenger ferry from El Nido to Coron. Departure is usually 6 AM from El Nido terminal, arrival in Coron around 4-6 PM depending on weather. The fare is around 1,200-1,500 PHP in economy class (aircon but basic), more in tourist class. Travellers report the ride is rough when the monsoon is active (June to October), and seasickness meds are worth packing. The boat does sometimes get cancelled with short notice if the swell is too high. Book on 12go for confirmed schedules.
Option 2: Speedboat/Public Fast Craft
Several operators run speedboats that take 3.5-4.5 hours. Tickets run 2,200-3,000 PHP per person. These run more frequently (some days 2-3 departures), but they cancel even faster than the slow ferry when the sea picks up. The ride is fast and bumpy, with spray coming over the bow. Bring a dry bag for your phone.
Option 3: Flight via Manila (The Reliable Option)
If you have a tight schedule, fly. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines run El Nido → Manila → Busuanga (Coron) routes daily. Total flight time is about 2.5 hours including the Manila layover, but with airport transfers and check-in you’re looking at 6-7 hours door-to-door. Price: 4,500-7,000 PHP one way if booked in advance.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The ferry/speedboat is half the price and three times the adventure, but it only makes sense if you have buffer days. If your Coron hotel is non-refundable and you fly out of Manila in 3 days, take the flight.
Inside Coron: Town, Lagoon, and the Scooter Question
Coron town is bigger than El Nido and more spread out, so walking between hostels and the town proper is annoying. Most backpackers rent a scooter on day one.
Scooter Rental in Coron
Scooters run 400-500 PHP per day, similar to El Nido. The roads in Coron town are paved and flat. The road out to the “uphill” viewpoints (Mount Tapyas, the mangrove area, the way out to Maquinit Hot Springs) is also paved. The IDP checkpoint situation applies here too. Most shops will rent without an IDP but charge a higher “tourist deposit.”
Tricycles
Tricycles in Coron cost 50-150 PHP for trips within town. To Maquinit Hot Springs, expect 200-300 PHP per tricycle (whole vehicle, not per person). To the jump-off point for the Coron Ultimate Tour boats, the rate is around 100-150 PHP.
The Boat Tours (Not “Transport” but Worth Mentioning)
Coron’s whole reason for being is the island-hopping tours. Tour A, B, C, D each cover different lagoons and beaches. Standard rate from operators in town is 1,400-2,000 PHP per person for a day tour, lunch included. Book at your hostel or at one of the dozens of operators along the waterfront. See Coron tour options on GetYourGuide for comparison prices.
Connecting Coron Back to Manila or Puerto Princesa
Coron has its own airport (Francisco B. Reyes, USU), with daily flights to Manila on Cebu Pacific and PAL. There are no direct flights from Coron to Puerto Princesa or El Nido except via Manila. There are no ferries from Coron back to the El Nido mainland, only Coron back to Manila or Coron out to other Visayan islands.
If your plan is Coron → Manila → Puerto → El Nido, count on this eating a full day. Most Indian backpackers do Coron → Manila → home, or Coron → Manila → Cebu, instead of doubling back.
Daily Budget for Getting Around Palawan
| Item | Cost (PHP) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tricycle inside town | 50-150 | ₹75-₹225 (~$0.78-$2.34) |
| Habal-habal to Nacpan Beach | 100-150 | ₹150-₹225 (~$1.56-$2.34) |
| Scooter rental per day | 400-600 | ₹600-₹900 (~$6.23-$9.34) |
| Puerto Princesa → El Nido van | 600-700 | ₹900-₹1,050 (~$9.34-$10.90) |
| El Nido → Coron slow ferry | 1,200-1,500 | ₹1,800-₹2,250 (~$18.68-$23.36) |
| El Nido → Coron speedboat | 2,200-3,000 | ₹3,300-₹4,500 (~$34.25-$46.71) |
| Tricycle Coron to Maquinit | 200-300 | ₹300-₹450 (~$3.11-$4.67) |
| Coron Ultimate Tour | 1,400-2,000 | ₹2,100-₹3,000 (~$21.80-$31.14) |
A realistic 7-day Palawan transport budget for one backpacker: 3,000-5,000 PHP, roughly ₹4,500-₹7,500 (~$46.71-$77.85). Add scooter fuel (40 PHP per litre, a scooter does about 30 km per litre) and you’re looking at maybe 200 PHP per riding day.
1 PHP ≈ ₹1.50 at time of writing.
Common Scams and Gotchas on Palawan Roads
- Scooter damage fine print. The shop wants your passport, hands you a scooter, and charges 3,000-8,000 PHP for “scratches” you didn’t cause. Photograph the bike top-to-bottom before you take it. Read the scooter safety guide before signing.
- “Helmet is extra” is normal in low season, but during checkpoints it becomes a problem. Confirm the helmet is included before you ride off.
- Ferry cancellations are not always refunded. Montenegro and the speedboat operators have different policies. Buy trip insurance or book with a card that has dispute resolution.
- Tricycle drivers quoting “meter broken” in El Nido. The tricycle system in El Nido doesn’t use meters by default, agree on a price first, ask a local hostel staff what the rate should be.
- Nacpan Beach habal-habal return. Drivers sometimes quote a higher price to come back. Confirm the round-trip fare before you leave, or you’ll pay 300 PHP for a 100 PHP ride.
- ATM withdrawals in El Nido charge PHP 200-250 per transaction by the ATM owner, on top of your bank’s forex fee. Bring enough cash from Puerto Princesa, where ATM fees are similar but more ATMs exist. See our ATM fee comparison guide.
- No IDP checkpoint fines. Set at 500-1,000 PHP by police on the highway. Payable on the spot, no receipt. Get the IDP.
SIM Cards and Connectivity on Palawan
Palawan has cell coverage but it’s patchy outside town. Globe and Smart both work in Puerto Princesa, El Nido town, and Coron town. Coverage drops to nothing on Nacpan Beach, at Duli, and on most island-hopping boats.
- Globe or Smart tourist SIM at the airport: 50 PHP for 7 days of data, with a separate 100 PHP add-on for 5 GB more. The airport kiosk price is the same as in town, but the queues in Manila are brutal. Buy at the Puerto Princesa airport instead, or at any 7-Eleven in El Nido or Coron town.
- eSIM alternative: Get Nomad eSIM works in the Philippines, activates before you land, and you don’t have to swap physical SIMs. Useful if you want your Indian number to still ring WhatsApp calls.
Both Globe and Smart throttle after the first few GB. If you need constant connectivity for boat tours or remote beaches, treat the connection as “urban only.” Read our Southeast Asia SIM card setup guide for the full comparison.
Where to Eat Between Rides (Brief Note)
El Nido town has a small but solid food strip. A few that consistently show up in traveller recommendations:
- Ver De El Nido for local Filipino dishes with a view
- Piece of Sky El Nido for a sunset drink and a proper meal
- Cloud 9 Elnido for coffee with the ocean in the background
- The Funny Lion - El Nido if you want somewhere nicer with a wider menu
- Brunch El nido if you slept through breakfast
For Indian/vegetarian food, options are thin in El Nido. Dali Dali is a Korean spot that travellers mention for bibimbap, around 250-300 PHP per person, and a few Indian-run places open and close seasonally. Pack a backup of instant dal or ready-to-eat sambar from India if you’re strict veg and travelling more than a week.
FAQ
How many days do I need for a Palawan loop? Minimum 7 days to do Puerto Princesa → El Nido → Coron comfortably. 5 days feels rushed, 10 days is ideal with a Port Barton add-on.
Is the El Nido to Coron ferry safe? Travellers report the slow ferry is generally safe but rough in monsoon season (June to October). If you’re prone to seasickness, take the flight or pack dramamine.
Can I ride a scooter without an IDP? Legally no. Practically yes, almost everyone does. Police checkpoints on the way to Nacpan do issue on-the-spot fines of 500-1,000 PHP. Get the IDP from any Indian RTO, costs about ₹1,000-₹1,500 (~$10.38-$15.57).
Do I need a 4WD for any road in Palawan? No. The Puerto-El Nido highway is paved the whole way with a few rough patches. Coron town roads are paved. You only need an off-road bike if you’re heading to Duli Beach or remote northern spots, and even then it’s optional.
Is there a direct Coron to Puerto Princesa ferry? No. Coron to El Nido and Coron to Manila are the only passenger routes. You’ll go through Manila to reach Puerto by surface transport.
What’s the cheapest realistic El Nido to Coron trip? The slow ferry at around 1,200 PHP is the floor. There are no backpacker boats, no ride-sharing boats, no informal fishing boats you should take. Ferries and speedboats are the only options.
Can I pay by card or do I need cash? Most transport, scooter rentals, and hostels in El Nido and Coron want cash. Puerto Princesa is more card-friendly. Bring enough PHP from Manila or hit an ATM in Puerto on day one.
Subodh’s Take
Palawan is the kind of place where the transport plan makes or breaks the trip. Spend the money on a real schedule: book your Puerto-El Nido van the night before, decide ferry vs. Flight for the Coron hop based on your buffer days, and don’t improvise scooter rentals on day one when you’re jet-lagged and the shop owner is in a hurry. Once you’ve sorted the chain, the actual riding around is easy, and the Philippines will reward you with some of the clearest water on the planet.
