Puerto Princesa International Airport serves the capital of Palawan, often voted one of the world's most beautiful islands, just 2-2.5 km from the city center.
It is the access point to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, as well as a base for reaching El Nido and Coron.
How to get to Puerto Princesa International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to PPS
Parking near Puerto Princesa International Airport
Parking in front of the terminal is compact in size.
Rates applied are typically moderate.
How to get to Puerto Princesa from PPS
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Puerto Princesa International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the island independently.
Required documents are driver's license, passport, and credit card.
Hotels near Puerto Princesa International Airport
City centre
About 1.6 km and 10 minutes by tricycle or car from the terminal, on Rizal Avenue Extension.
Best for: Short layovers and those who want to stay near the port and the market, a few minutes from the terminal.
- The closest to the terminal of all the hotels in this guide: useful for earlier-than-expected flights
- The Palawan Museum and the port are a few minutes away on foot or by tricycle
- An urban, busy area, not a beach: those looking for the sea need to move elsewhere
- Rizal Avenue Extension is a through road, not very quiet during peak hours
Emerald Beach
About 5.6 km and 18-20 minutes from the terminal, with a free hotel shuttle to the airport and the city centre.
Best for: Those who want a quiet beach without straying too far from the terminal.
- A private, little-frequented beach, far from the bustle of the centre
- Free shuttle to the airport and centre, useful for those without a car
- Isolated at the end of a long road: without the hotel shuttle there's little to do in terms of getting around
- Almost no choice of restaurants outside the property itself
Sabang and the Underground River
About 70 km and 90 minutes by car from the terminal, on the road heading north; many hotels in the area arrange a direct transfer with a dedicated lounge near the airport.
Best for: Those devoting at least one night to the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and who don't want to make the day trip from the centre.
- The Underground River is less than 2 km from the resort, reachable without the day trip from Puerto Princesa
- Sabang Beach, a seasonal nesting ground for sea turtles, right on the resort
- Too far from the terminal for a short layover or a single night in transit
- Few services outside the resort: you depend almost entirely on the property itself
Honda Bay and San Rafael
About 36 km and over an hour by car from the terminal, along the North National Highway up to Km 62.
Best for: Those wanting the islands and snorkelling of Honda Bay as a base for several days, not for a single layover.
- Private beach on the bay and direct boat access to the islands of Honda Bay
- City Baywalk just steps away, handy for an evening out without needing a car
- The longest transfer of all those in this guide, not designed for those with only a few hours' layover
- An isolated residential area: outside the resort you can only get around with your own transport
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern, with strong tourist traffic to Palawan, often voted the world's most beautiful island by international magazines.
The recommended advance arrival for international flights is 2.5 hours.
Map of Puerto Princesa International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the Puerto Princesa Underground River?
A navigable river that flows for kilometers inside a system of limestone caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New7Wonders of Nature, visitable by boat.
Q. Is Puerto Princesa a good starting point for El Nido?
Yes, although El Nido is about 5-6 hours away by car: many visitors reach it via a separate direct flight or a land journey planned at a relaxed pace.
Q. Do you need to book in advance to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River?
Yes, strongly recommended: the number of daily visitors to the park is limited to protect the cave's ecosystem, and permits generally need to be requested through an authorized tour operator before arrival, especially during peak season months.
Q. Is Palawan really considered the most beautiful island in the world?
It has repeatedly been voted among the top spots by international travel magazines for its crystal-clear waters, limestone formations and marine biodiversity.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
