Puerto Princesa Airport Guide 2026
Puerto Princesa International Airport (IATA: PPS) is the main gateway to Palawan, the Philippines' most beautiful province and home to El Nido's lagoons, the UNESCO Underground River, Coron's shipwrecks and some of the world's most pristine beaches. Located in Puerto Princesa City, the airport serves primarily domestic flights from Manila and Cebu, with the majority of passengers transiting to El Nido, the Underground River or Honda Bay. The airport is small but functional, and the city itself is worth 1-2 days before heading deeper into Palawan.
Airport Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| IATA Code | PPS |
| Official Name | Puerto Princesa International Airport |
| Location | Puerto Princesa City, Palawan |
| Terminal | Single terminal |
| Distance to City Centre | 3 km (10 min) |
| Distance to Underground River | 80 km (2.5-3 hours by van) |
| Distance to El Nido | 230 km (5-6 hours by van) |
| Key Airlines | Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia |
Transport & Connections
| Destination | Transport | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa City | Tricycle | ₱50-150 | 10 min |
| Underground River (Sabang) | Organised tour / van | ₱1,500-2,500 (tour) | 2.5-3 hours each way |
| El Nido | Shared van / bus | ₱500-700 | 5-6 hours |
| El Nido | Private van | ₱4,000-6,000 | 5-6 hours |
| Port Barton | Shared van | ₱500 | 3-4 hours |
| Honda Bay | Tricycle to wharf | ₱100-200 | 20 min |
El Nido tip: Book your van to El Nido in advance, especially during peak season (Dec-Apr). Cherry Bus and Fortwally Travel operate regular services from San Jose Terminal. Alternatively, fly direct to El Nido from Manila via AirSWIFT to skip the long road journey.
Routes from Puerto Princesa (PPS)
| Destination | Code | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Ninoy Aquino International Airport | MNL | Cebu Pacific, Z2, All Nippon Airways |
Route data from Departra.com.
Things to Do Near Puerto Princesa
- Puerto Princesa Underground River: UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. 8.2km navigable underground river through a limestone cave. Book a tour (₱1,500-2,500) as permits are limited and sell out. Half-day trip from the city.
- Honda Bay Island Hopping: Visit Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island. Boats from Honda Bay Wharf (₱1,200-1,800 per boat). Crystal-clear water and good snorkelling.
- Iwahig Firefly Watching: Paddle through mangroves at night surrounded by thousands of fireflies. ₱800 per person. One of the most magical experiences in Palawan.
- Baker's Hill: Hilltop garden park with views, peacocks and famous hopia pastries. Free entry. Great for families.
- Seafood market: Puerto Princesa has excellent, affordable seafood. Kinabuch's Grill and Kalui Restaurant are famous.
Quick Links
Popular Routes from Puerto Princesa
Domestic Routes
| Destination | Code | Airlines | Flight Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila | MNL | PAL Express, Cebu Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, ANA, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia Philippines | 2P2786, 5J634, 5J636, 5J646, MH5921... |