Cherry Bus: Puerto Princesa to El Nido — Schedule, Fares & Booking Guide
If you’re flying into Puerto Princesa and heading straight to El Nido, Cherry Bus is the most comfortable way to make the 5-plus hour overland trip — air-conditioned coaches with real legroom, and both the Deluxe and Lazy Boy classes come with an onboard toilet, so you don’t need to worry about rest-stop timing.
Quick summary:
- Route: Puerto Princesa ↔ El Nido (~260 km)
- Travel time: Roughly 5–6 hours depending on class and stops
- Trips per day: Multiple daily departures each direction, including a late-night Lazy Boy trip
- Classes: Economy (non-aircon), Deluxe (aircon, 2×2 seating, onboard toilet), Lazy Boy (aircon, 2×1 seating, onboard toilet, near-nonstop)
- Terminals: Irawan Central Bus Terminal (Puerto Princesa) and Cherry Bus Terminal (El Nido)
- Also available: Airport and hotel transfers in Puerto Princesa when you book online
Schedule
Times below are Cherry Bus’s most recently published schedule. Departures can shift with road conditions or seasonal adjustments — check cherrybuspalawan.ph or their Facebook page for the latest before you travel.
Puerto Princesa → El Nido
| Departure | Class | Arrival (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Economy (non-aircon) | ~1:00 PM |
| 9:00 AM | Deluxe (2×2 seating, w/ toilet) | ~3:00 PM |
| 11:00 AM | Lazy Boy (2×1 seating, w/ toilet) | ~4:00 PM |
| 9:30 PM | Lazy Boy (2×1 seating, w/ toilet) | ~3:30 AM (next day) |
El Nido → Puerto Princesa
| Departure | Class | Arrival (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Economy (non-aircon) | ~1:00 PM |
| 9:00 AM | Deluxe (2×2 seating, w/ toilet) | ~3:00 PM |
| 11:00 AM | Lazy Boy (2×1 seating, w/ toilet) | ~4:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | Lazy Boy (2×1 seating, w/ toilet) | ~3:00 AM (next day) |
Fares
| Class | Fare (from Bus Station) |
|---|---|
| Economy (non-aircon) | ~₱700 |
| Deluxe (2×2, w/ toilet) | ~₱900 |
| Lazy Boy (2×1, w/ toilet) | ~₱1,200 |
Which class should you pick?
- Just want the cheapest way there? Economy gets the job done, but it’s non-aircon and best for shorter daylight travel when the heat is more bearable.
- Want a normal, comfortable ride with a toilet on board? Deluxe is the sweet spot for most travelers — 2×2 seating, aircon, onboard toilet, reasonable price.
- Landed on a red-eye or hate scheduling around rest stops? Lazy Boy is worth the upgrade — 2×1 reclining seats, onboard toilet, and it doesn’t pick up passengers along the way (just one stop mid-journey), so it’s the closest thing to a direct, sleep-through-it ride between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
Where to catch the bus
- Puerto Princesa: Irawan Central Bus Terminal
- El Nido: Cherry Bus Terminal, El Nido
Coming straight off a flight into Puerto Princesa International Airport, or need a hotel pickup before your bus? Cherry Bus offers airport and hotel transfers in Puerto Princesa for passengers arriving, departing, or staying in the city before or after their El Nido trip — you can add this on when you book your bus ticket online, no separate arrangement needed.
How to book
Book directly on Cherry Bus’s official website — you can select your class, add an airport or hotel transfer, and pay online with major cards or e-wallets. Seats on the popular morning departures and the overnight Lazy Boy trip fill up during peak season (December–April), so book a few days ahead if your travel dates are fixed.
FAQs
Is Cherry Bus non-stop?
Lazy Boy doesn’t pick up passengers along the way and makes just one stop mid-journey at a well-maintained visitor rest area, so it’s the closest thing to a direct trip. Economy and Deluxe trips may make a few more brief stops along the route.
Does Cherry Bus pick up outside the terminals — Nacpan, Corong-Corong, etc.?
Cherry Bus departs from and arrives at its fixed terminals in Puerto Princesa and El Nido town. For beach-specific drop-offs beyond that, check with private transfer operators on our Local Experts page.
Can Cherry Bus pick me up from the airport or my hotel in Puerto Princesa?
Yes — airport and hotel transfers in Puerto Princesa can be added as an option when you book your bus ticket online.
What payment methods can I use to book online?
Cherry Bus accepts all major cards and e-wallets when you book through their website.
How much luggage can I bring?
Standard backpack/suitcase allowance is included; oversized items may incur an extra fee. Confirm with Cherry Bus directly if you’re traveling with dive gear, surfboards, or similar.
Plan the rest of your trip
Now that your ride to El Nido is sorted, get the rest of your itinerary in place:
- Tour A — Lagoons & Beaches — our most popular island-hopping tour
- Where to Stay — featured stays with special direct-booking rates
- Budget & Cost Breakdown — see what a full trip costs, tour by tour
Compare stays and book directly with local hosts.
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