How To Get To Port Barton: Schedule & Fare
Are you thinking of adding Port Barton to your Palawan itinerary, but don’t know how to get there?
This post will let you exactly how to get to Port Barton, from Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, or El Nido.
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Port Barton is a sleepy beach town located on Palawan’s western coast in the Philippines.
Although Port Barton has been growing in popularity in recent years, it has not been overwhelmed with tourism.
The town is pretty undeveloped and the natural surroundings, from beaches to waterfalls, remain untouched and pristine.
As a more off-the-beaten-path destination, you might be wondering the best way to get to Port Barton?
Port Barton is very straightforward to reach, so there is no excuse not to add it to your Philippines itinerary.
Whether you prefer to travel by flight or ferry, this post will cover exactly how to get to Port Barton in Palawan, from all popular destinations.
How to get to Port Barton: Overview
If you haven’t got time to read the whole article, below is a summary of how to get to Port Barton.
- Flight to Puerto Princesa on Palawan
- Bus from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton: 4 hours (book here)
Where is Port Barton?
Port Barton is a small fishing village located on the western coast of Palawan, in an area called San Vicente.
It is located about halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Compared to its more popular neighbors, Port Barton has not experienced a large influx of tourism.
This means that this sleepy beach town remains pretty underdeveloped and retains its laidback charm. Compared to the tourist playgrounds of El Nido and Coron, Port Barton is like a breath of fresh air.
Port Barton is a must-visit destination in the Philippines for those looking for an authentic glimpse into a pristine destination not yet overrun by tourists.
Stay in the heart of Port Barton right next to the beach. Private rooms with good wifi and hot showers.
Shared kitchen and lounge area. Free water and tea/coffee, as well as board games, a dart board, and free use of the kayak.
Does Port Barton have an airport?
The village of Port Barton does not have an airport. The nearest airport is the general airport for Palawan; Puerto Princesa Airport.
Puerto Princesa Airport is located about 4 hours from Port Barton.
As with most destinations in the Philippines, the WiFi in Port Barton can be a little patchy and unreliable. For a stress-free trip, I would suggest getting a data plan with an Airalo eSIM.
How to get to Puerto Princesa
As the main airport for the island of Palawan, knowing how to get to Puerto Princesa is the first step.
It is most common to fly to Puerto Princesa Airport. However, it is also possible to travel by ferry if you prefer.
Wherever you’re traveling from in the Philippines, you will most likely have to change in Manila or Cebu before reaching Puerto Princesa.
Manila to Puerto Princesa
Many travelers fly into Manila when visiting the Philippines, which is the first stop on many itineraries.
Knowing how to get to Palawan from Manila can therefore save you a lot of time. Whether you choose to fly or take a ferry, you will have to travel to Puerto Princesa either way.
Philippines Essentials Packing List
Option 1: Flight from Manila to Palawan
Flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa is the quickest and easiest way to reach Port Barton. If you book your tickets in advance, it can also be the cheapest option.
There are direct flights from Manila to Palawan all day every day.
The Manila to Puerto Princesa flight schedule is super regular with the following airlines offering flights at the same time each day –
Tip: I would recommend using Skyscanner to compare the cheapest flight prices. However, always make sure to check prices with the airline directly too.
The Manila to Palawan flight time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. The prices for this journey start from about $25.
Option 2: Ferry from Manila to Palawan
A Manila to Palawan ferry will take a very long time and is generally more expensive than flying.
However, if this is the option you prefer, there is a direct ferry from Manila to Puerto Princesa once a week with 12GO.
The direct ferry departs from Manila North Harbour Pier 4 to Puerto Princesa at the following time –
- Friday at 4:00 PM
This journey will take about 28 hours in total. The Manila to Palawan ferry price starts from about $20.
BOOK YOUR FERRY IN ADVANCE HERE
Top Tip: as soon as you know your travel dates, I recommend booking your flight or ferry tickets in advance to save money.
Cebu to Puerto Princesa
Centrally located in the Philippines near all the main tourist destinations, knowing how to get from Cebu to Palawan is a great help.
Again, you can choose to fly or take a ferry.
Option 1: Flight from Cebu to Palawan
Flying from Cebu to Puerto Princesa is the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to reach Port Barton.
The following airlines offer flights from Cebu to Puerto Princesa every day –
This journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. The Cebu to Palawan flight prices start from about $26.
Option 2: Ferry from Cebu to Palawan
Currently, there is no direct Cebu to Puerto Princesa ferry. If you are hoping to make this journey, you will first have to travel to Iloilo and then from Iloilo to Palawan.
The first step is to get from Cebu to Iloilo. The Cebu to Iloilo ferry schedule is super regular with the following ferries each week –
- Trans Asia Shipping Lines – Sunday & Thursday @ 7:00 PM
- MYE Travel & Tours – Monday & Friday @ 6:00 PM
This Cebu to Iloilo ferry takes about 15 hours. Prices start from about $30.
BOOK YOUR FERRY IN ADVANCE HERE
Once you have reached Iloilo, you need to take a ferry to Palawan.
Two companies operate the Iloilo to Palawan ferry route via Cuyo. These two companies are Montenegro Shipping and Milagrosa Shipping.
I was unable to find a fixed Iloilo to Puerto Princesa ferry schedule – it seems to change each week.
Therefore, if you are looking to book this journey, be sure to check the Facebook pages for the updated schedule.
How to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
Once you have reached Puerto Princesa, the journey to Port Barton is super straightforward.
The best way to travel from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton is by shared mini-van, but there is also a public bus.
By shared mini-van
This is the most common way to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton and the way that I would recommend.
These shared mini-vans come with air conditioning, and some even offer hotel pick-up.
There are a range of companies to choose from, with vans leaving for Port Barton roughly every hour until 5:00 PM.
Most vans start at Puerto Princesa Airport, then pass through the bus terminal in Puerto Princesa town, before making the journey to Port Barton.
Note: be sure to double-check where your van departs from. There are a couple of different terminals in Puerto Princesa, depending on which company you choose.
I would recommend booking this journey in advance online to guarantee yourself a seat. However, we arrived at Puerto Princesa Airport without booking in advance.
There are many mini-vans waiting in the car park outside of the airport. They wait for them to fill up before departing.
The Puerto Princesa to Port Barton travel time in a shared van is roughly 4 hours. You will also have a 20-minute toilet break halfway.
Whether you book online in advance or on the day, there is a set price of 600 PHP ($10).
BOOK YOUR TRANSFER IN ADVANCE HERE
By public bus
There is also a Puerto Princesa to Port Barton bus.
The bus departs from San Isidro Bus Garage twice a day at the following times –
- 7:30 AM
- 1:30 PM
The public bus costs about 400 PHP ($7) and also takes 4 hours.
The Puerto Princesa to Port Barton bus is not much cheaper than the shared mini-van and takes the same amount of time. It is also much less comfortable than a van, with no air conditioning or toilet stops.
Note: the public bus departs from San Isidro Bus Garage in Puerto Princesa town. If you are arriving at Puerto Princesa Airport, you are best to take a shared mini-van.
El Nido to Port Barton
If you are already in El Nido, then reaching Port Barton is super easy.
The shared mini-van departs every day from the El Nido Bus Terminal at the following times –
- 8:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
The journey time from El Nido to Port Barton is about 4 – 5 hours depending on the company you book with. There is also a 20-minute toilet break halfway through.
As there are fewer journeys per day, I would recommend booking online. You can expect to pay about 600 PHP ($10).
BOOK YOUR TRANSFER IN ADVANCE HERE
Port Barton to El Nido
The reverse journey from Port Barton to El Nido departs at the exact same time as above.
There are two mini-vans per day departing at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Where to stay in Port Barton
Port Barton is definitely not the destination for beachfront resorts and the luxury traveler. The island has a back-to-basics feel; hot water and fast wifi can be hard to come by.
I would suggest staying in Port Barton town. This way, most of the main tourist spots and restaurants can be reached on foot.
Cocorico Hostel
The best Port Barton hostel for backpackers & solo travelers.
This is the ultimate social hostel with amazing parties nearly every night. They have a delicious restaurant, as well as their very own boat party.
Prices for dorms start from $17.00 per night.
Aquarius
The best place to stay in Port Barton for couples or groups with a medium budget.
All rooms are spacious and modern, with hot showers from solar power and good wifi. This hotel is located minutes from the beach and restaurants.
There is also a shared kitchen equipped with free water and coffee, as well as a terrace area to socialise. There are board games, a dart board, and free use of the kayak.
Prices start from $28.00 per night.
Holiday Suites Port Barton
The best Port Barton accommodation for more luxury travelers.
A choice of family, deluxe, or superior rooms, some offering sweeping views of Itaytay Beach.
This accommodation features a swimming pool, a beach bar, and a delicious restaurant. Staff will be happy to help you organise any island hopping tours.
Good wifi and free breakfast included. Rooms start from $125.00 per night.
Is it worth going to Port Barton?
Port Barton is most definitely worth visiting and adding to your Philippines itinerary.
Located halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Port Barton has not experienced the influx of tourism like its more popular neighbours.
This sleepy beach town therefore remains pretty undiscovered and untouched. Two main dirt tracks run parallel through the center of town, with more and more restaurants and homestays popping up each year.
However, Port Barton remains super laidback and undeveloped. It provides an authentic glimpse into a beautiful destination not yet overrun by tourism.
If you are a traveler looking to get off the beaten path and out of the tourist playground, then you cannot miss this Palawan hidden gem.
Must Read: ULTIMATE PORT BARTON TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: Budget & Itinerary
How many days do you need in Port Barton?
I would say that 2 – 5 days is the ideal amount of time in Port Barton.
There are many amazing things to do in Port Barton, such as pristine beaches, snorkeling, and waterfalls.
I would recommend checking out both White Beach and Coconut Beach.
With many paradisiacal islands and snorkeling spots dotted around Port Barton, island hopping is something you cannot miss.
In the modern world, it can be hard to find untouched natural beauty and an atmosphere of tranquility absent of tourists.
Therefore, whilst you can visit the main tourist spots in a couple of days, be sure to leave some extra time to relax and enjoy the slower pace of life.
Full Post: Top 9 BEST Things To Do in Port Barton
Is Port Barton better than El Nido?
Both Port Barton and El Nido are unmissable destinations in the Philippines.
Comparing the two is difficult, as they offer something completely different to the traveler.
The limestone cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and white sands of El Nido are some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world.
As a popular destination, El Nido is well-geared towards tourists.
You will find many world-class resorts, delicious restaurants, buzzing nightlife, as well as many tours and day trips exploring the nearby islands.
Must Read: Top 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in El Nido
Port Barton on the other hand has only recently become a popular tourist destination, and the infrastructure is lacking in certain areas.
Whilst more restaurants and hotels pop up each year, Port Barton has not been designed for the tourist. It is a better place to visit if you are looking to understand Filipino daily life better.
The natural surroundings are certainly not as striking as those in El Nido.
However, getting to appreciate such stunning beaches, islands, and thriving coral reefs totally absent of tourists, makes the overall experience much more special.
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What is Port Barton known for?
Port Barton could be seen as El Nido’s more relaxed little brother.
It is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, vibrant and thriving coral reefs, and pristine islands surrounding it.
As Port Barton is west-facing, it is also known for its stunning sunsets each night. More generally, Port Barton is known for its slower pace of life and more authentic representation of Filipino culture.
This post has detailed exactly how to get to Port Barton, so there is no excuse not to add this destination to your Palawan itinerary.
If you’re going to spend some time in Port Barton, feel free to check out my other helpful guides –
- White Beach Port Barton: EVERYTHING You Need To Know
- ULTIMATE PORT BARTON TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: Budget & Itinerary
- Coconut Beach Port Barton: EVERYTHING You Need To Know
- Where To Eat: Top 9 BEST Port Barton Restaurants
- Top 9 BEST Things To Do in Port Barton
For inspiration or help planning your Philippines adventure, check out the following –
