FAQ
Everything You Need Before Booking
Travel time, fares, safety, luggage and terminal questions — answered plainly. If something here reads like a dodge, tell us and we’ll fix the answer.
The route
How long is the bus ride between Puerto Princesa and El Nido?
Roughly 5–7 hours, depending on road and weather conditions, over about 260km.
How many buses run each day?
Six confirmed daily departures in each direction: ~7:00 AM, 8:00 AM (CB3), 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 9:00 PM, and 9:30 PM.
Is it a direct bus, or do I need to transfer?
Direct between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, with comfort stops along the way. No transfer required.
Which Palawan towns does Cherry Bus not serve?
Port Barton, San Vicente, Sabang / Underground River, and Coron are not served directly. Travelers currently connect via the Roxas junction and onward tricycle or van. Coron isn’t connected to El Nido by road at all — that crossing is by ferry.
Do schedules change in rainy season?
The timetable is fixed year-round, but road time varies with weather. If you’re connecting to a flight between August and November, leave more buffer than you would in the dry months.
Fares & booking
How much is the fare?
Economy runs about ₱714 per seat and Lazyboy Elite about ₱1,410 per seat, with a blended average of about ₱1,258 across all classes. Regular AC fare is confirmed at booking. Your exact fare is shown again before you pay.
How far in advance should I book?
Median booking lead time is about four days, and roughly a third of bookings are same-day or next-day. Booking ahead is fine — you just don’t have to.
Do I need an account to book?
No account needed. Choose your class and time, pay online, and you’ll get a confirmation. It takes about 2 minutes.
Are there student, senior or PWD discount fares?
Discount eligibility is confirmed with our terminal staff — message or call us before you pay and we’ll tell you what applies to your booking.
What are the group and barkada rates?
Group rates depend on headcount, class and date. Message us with your details and we’ll quote the actual total — see the group bookings page for what to send.
What’s the cancellation or reschedule policy?
Booking policies apply and the full written terms are shown at checkout before you pay. We’d rather show you the real policy than promise something we can’t back.
Onboard
Is there a toilet on board?
Only on Lazyboy Elite — the only class on this corridor with one. Economy and Regular AC make comfort stops along the route instead.
Is there WiFi or charging?
We don’t currently claim WiFi or USB charging on any class. If that changes, we’ll update this page — we’d rather tell you plainly than have you find out onboard.
How much luggage can I bring?
Coaches have overhead bins plus spacious hold storage underneath, so you don’t need to travel with a bag on your lap. For unusually bulky items, message us before your departure.
Is Cherry Bus safe? What about the reckless-driving review?
We’re not going to argue with that review or bury it. What we can tell you plainly: Cherry Bus runs a fixed, published schedule with assigned seating, not a race to fill and go. That’s a structural difference from an ad hoc van dispatch — and it’s the only claim we’ll make without inventing a certification we can’t verify.
Terminals & connections
Where do I catch the bus in Puerto Princesa?
San Jose Terminal, Brgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City — about 6km, roughly 15 minutes by tricycle from Puerto Princesa Airport. Hotel pickup at PPC Hotel is also available.
Where do I catch the bus in El Nido?
El Nido Transport Terminal, Rizal St., Barangay Corong-Corong — a shared, multi-operator terminal. Look for the Cherry Bus signage or ask terminal staff.
Does the bus drop off at Puerto Princesa Airport?
Cherry Bus arrives at San Jose Terminal. Plan for a short tricycle transfer to the airport — about 6km, roughly 15 minutes — and build that into your buffer before check-in.
Can I ship cargo instead of traveling?
Yes — Cherry Cargo moves parcels and business supplies on the same fixed schedule as the passenger coaches. Message us for a same-day quote.
Still not answered?
Message or call us — a real person at the terminal will answer, and we’ll add the question here if others are likely asking it too.