Make the Drive the Best Day of the Trip

Sabang and the Underground River sit just off the highway that connects Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, San Vicente and El Nido. That geography is the whole idea behind these transfers: instead of spending one day travelling and another day going back down the coast to the river, you do both at once. Your driver collects you in one town, the river happens at midday, and the same vehicle carries you on to the next town by evening — with your luggage aboard the whole time.

What Is Included

One booking covers the private air-conditioned vehicle for your group, hotel pickup and drop-off, the national park entrance and environmental fees, the boat and guided cruise through the cave, a professional English-speaking guide and lunch at a local restaurant. Rates are quoted for two guests with a per-person rate — around ₱2,000 — for each additional traveller.

The Routes

• Puerto Princesa to El Nido and El Nido to Puerto Princesa — from around ₱21,500.
• Puerto Princesa to Port Barton and Port Barton to Puerto Princesa — from around ₱19,000.
• Puerto Princesa to San Vicente and San Vicente to Puerto Princesa — from around ₱21,000.
• El Nido to Sabang from around ₱20,000 and Sabang to El Nido from around ₱18,500, for travellers staying the night at the river.

Booking Notes

• Bring the valid ID whose name is on the booking; it is checked against the manifest.
• Children under 8 are not recommended for the river tour, and some routes set a minimum age of 6.
• Expect some waiting at the park — it is popular, and the day is built around a permit slot rather than the clock.
• El Nido drop-off is included at the bus terminal and in Corong-Corong; the town centre, Lio, Nacpan, Duli, Sibaltan and San Fernando each carry a published surcharge shown on the listing.
• Cancellation terms differ by route; each listing page states its own.

Because permits pin the date, book this before the rest of the week: our guide to Sabang and the Underground River explains the booking windows. Just want the tour from the city and back? See the Underground River tour hub, or compare every road option in the Puerto Princesa to El Nido transfer guide.