Ways to get to EL NIDO (cheap and expensive way)

It's been months and i miss EL Nido Palawan already. Who wouldn't? If only time and much needed resources would permit i would jump on a plane and beach bum until my skin would roast no more. But you see, El Nido is not just a long way from Manila but also direct flights come with a price tag. Don't you worry price is subjective . What might be expensive for me may be affordable for you. Mind you i am just such a miser. I always try to find the most affordable way to travel because i need to cure my itchy feet at least 4 to 5 times a year.

There are two ways to get to El Nido from Manila the cheaper longer route version and the more expensive but shorter route. As of writing there is only one carrier who flies directly to El Nido and that is ITI or Island Transvoyager Inc. They have daily flights from Manila to El Nido and back . Please see below their flight schedules:

Manila to El Nido
etd 0730am - eta 0845am
etd 1130am - eta 1245pm
etd 0300pm - eta 0415pm

El Nido to Manila
etd 0930am - eta 1045am
etd 0100pm - eta 0215pm
etd 0500pm - eta 0615pm

Fares:
One Way - P 6,000++ (adult)  P 4,000++ (child)
Roundtrip - P 12,000++(adult) P 9,000++(child)

You are allowed 10kgs baggage only. In excess you will be charged with P100/kg. Take note that your luggage may be offloaded in the event of aircraft overloading so just bring your essential necessities if you don't want your precious luggages to be left behind. You only need your swimming apparels in the islands because you will be doing a lot of immersing in the water. El Nido's beauty is best viewed in the water under or over it if you know what i mean :)

El Nido airport is just 4 kms out of town. Upon arrival you may hire a local tricycle to bring you to town. Or alternatively, if you've made prior arrangements with your resort for airport pickup then that would be less of a hassle for you.

Tip: Book your flights the earliest possible especially during the peak seasons (Holy Week, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, summer months of April to May). The aircraft can only carry 19 passengers at a time.

Contact them through:

E-mail: elnido@mailstation.net 

Website: www.elnidoresorts.com

Contact No. (632) 894-5644 . Fax (632) 810-3620

Now for the less expensive option which i would take at any given time. You may fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa Palawan and from then on do a 6-7 hour land trip to El Nido. This may be done by boarding a RORO bus or renting a private van if you're a big group.

Airlines flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa are Cebu Pacific, Air Asia Zest , Pal Express

Before leaving for El Nido i have read numerous blogs pertaining to ways on how we can do it the cheapest way . Aparrently there are RORO bus plying the PPS to EL Nido route but as i have learned it would take longer to travel because of stops along the way . We have 3 kids on tow so we opted to get a private van . We arranged it through our guesthouse and saved money with this kind of arrangement because they picked us up at the airport instead of going to San Jose Terminal (in Puerto Princesa City) first.

For a more comprehensive and detailed instruction on how to get to El Nido by land and/or even water, i found this very helpful.

I must tell you that it was a loooonngg and bumpy ride for the most part of it but it was surely worth it. The oooohhhss and the aaahhhs i heard from my family upon reaching El Nido was priceless. It surely was comforting for someone who arranged this itinerary.

What about you? How would you like to travel to El Nido?