Puerto Princesa is known as a gateway to the island of Palawan in the Philippines, and the city itself has so much to offer. With gorgeous beach resorts and incredible biodiversity, it is a great place for families and nature lovers to explore. 

To get from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city centre, you have two options: a tricycle, which is similar to a taxi service, or a private transfer booked in advance. Tricycles are motorised bikes pulling open-walled sidecars fit for 3 or 4 people. They are readily available from outside of the airport Arrivals Hall and the trip shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes in normal traffic conditions. 

If you would prefer a comfortable car to shuttle you to the city centre or your accommodation, we can help. At Welcome, we offer safe, modern private taxis to transport you from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city centre.

2 options to go from Puerto Princesa Airport to city center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€24 10min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Tricycle Taxi
€1.66 10min 24/7
Convenience
Book
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How to get from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city centre by taxi

Typical sedan taxis are scarce in Puerto Princesa unless booked from a private transfer or tour company. Tricycles are commonly found at the airport and along streets throughout the city. As the airport is just 3 km away from the city centre, it shouldn’t take longer than 8-10 minutes to complete the trip unless traffic is heavy.

Another type of vehicle you may see waiting outside Puerto Princesa Airport is a van. Vans are like shared taxis but they rarely go to Puerto Princesa city centre. They are more likely to take passengers from the airport to El Nido or Port Barton which are much longer journeys.

The main alternative to a tricycle is to pre-book a taxi from Puerto Princesa Airport with an international, well-reviewed company like Welcome Pickups.

Tricycle taxi fare from Puerto Princesa Airport to city centre

Tricycles operate with fixed fares in Puerto Princesa. The set price from the airport to the city is €0.83 (PHP 50) per person. Each tricycle takes 3-4 people at a time, depending on the amount of luggage.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Tricycles are available to catch outside of the Arrivals Hall are Puerto Princesa Airport. There typically isn’t a long wait because you can often share with other passengers.

Convenience

Tricycle taxis are the most convenient option for getting from Puerto Princesa Aiport to the city centre because they are available 24/7 and provide an inexpensive, expedient service right to the door of your destination. 

However, even though tricycles are the sole public option for rides into the city, they can be inconvenient at times. They aren’t as comfortable as private Puerto Princesa taxis given the size of the sidecars and the possibility of sharing with other passengers. There is no air-conditioning, and the sides of the vehicle are typically open. Furthermore, tricycles aren’t able to carry much luggage. For ultimate convenience and comfort for you and your loved ones, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance.

Useful Tips

Be sure to confirm the price before you start your ride as some dishonest drivers may try to overcharge you.
Drivers in Puerto Princesa won’t expect a tip as it’s not the custom. However, you are welcome to give a little extra if you are pleased with the service.
You can pay for your ride in cash in Philippine Pesos.
Tricycles can often only hold the luggage for two people. You may need to pay extra to compensate the driver for not carrying a full sidecar of people.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city centre?

The typical way of getting from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city centre is to take a tricycle. These are similar to taxis as they will take you to the doorstep of your destination. Tricycles are efficient and inexpensive, costing only €0.83 (PHP 50) per person for the 8-10 minute journey. Unfortunately, there are no public buses from the airport. Local taxis are also rare given the popularity and abundance of tricycles. The alternative is to book a private taxi in advance. This will guarantee you an exclusive ride in a comfortable journey in a hand-selected vehicle for your group.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Puerto Princesa Airport to the city?

How far is Puerto Princesa city centre from Puerto Princesa Airport?

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Transfer Options in Puerto Princesa