Review · Island & Airport Transfers
PPS Airport to Astoria Palawan or Vice Versa
A calm start can shape your whole holiday. This private ride from Puerto Princesa International Airport to Astoria Palawan gives you a direct, door-to-door trip after your flight, with no crowded public transport or meter to watch. I like the flat $115 group price and the fact that your driver meets you at the airport arrivals hall.
The other strong point is the personal pickup service. Driver Eugene earned praise for keeping passengers updated by email and text, while another family found their driver waiting outside with a name panel and arranged a hotel pickup at their chosen time. The main drawback is the long ride, about two hours, and the published timing contains an odd reference to Manila Airport, so I would confirm the exact route and pickup details before departure.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Leaving PPS Airport without the usual transport hassle
- The two-hour ride to Astoria Palawan
- Why the flat $115 price can work well
- A private ride means your group sets the tone
- What the airport pickup experience is likely to feel like
- The return trip from Astoria Palawan to PPS
- What is included, and what is not
- Weather, cancellation, and small planning details
- Who will get the most value from this transfer?
- Should you book the PPS to Astoria Palawan transfer?
- FAQ
- Where does the transfer begin?
- Can I book the transfer from Astoria Palawan to PPS Airport?
- How long does the transfer take?
- How much does the private transfer cost?
- Is fuel included?
- Is the transfer private?
- Where do I meet the driver at PPS Airport?
- Is the service available every day?
- Is tipping included?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before booking

- Private vehicle for up to seven people: Your group rides alone, which is useful for families, couples with luggage, or anyone who does not want to negotiate public transport after landing.
- About two hours on the road: The transfer is transport rather than a sightseeing tour, with no listed stops or attractions along the way.
- $115 flat fee per group: The price covers one-way private transport and fuel, making it better value when several people share the vehicle.
- Meet-and-greet at Puerto Princesa Airport: After collecting your luggage, you meet the driver in the arrivals hall. A name panel was used for one family.
- Return service is available: You can book the ride from Astoria Palawan back to PPS Airport, with one family arranging its preferred hotel pickup time.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Late cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.
Leaving PPS Airport without the usual transport hassle

Puerto Princesa International Airport is where this service earns its keep. After your flight, you collect your luggage and meet the driver in the arrivals hall. You do not need to find a public vehicle, bargain over a fare, or work out how to reach Astoria Palawan while tired and carrying bags.
That matters even more if you arrive with children, a larger suitcase, or a group of four to seven people. Public transport can cost less in some situations, but the effort is not always worth the savings after a flight. Here, the basic plan is simple: land, collect your luggage, find your name, and get in the vehicle.
A name panel is a small but useful detail. One family of four had the driver waiting at the airport exit with a sign, which made the meeting point clear. You should still keep your booking information and phone available in case you need to identify the vehicle or contact the provider.
The service runs every day from midnight to 11:30 p.m. according to the stated operating hours. That wide window suits early flights and late arrivals, though you should enter your flight and arrival details carefully when booking. The driver’s job is to connect your airport arrival with the hotel, not to provide a general Puerto Princesa tour.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Puerto Princesa.
The two-hour ride to Astoria Palawan
Once you meet the driver, you begin the direct trip to Astoria Palawan. The expected duration is approximately two hours, with the detailed timing listed as about two hours and 14 minutes. That is a useful planning figure, but it is not a promise down to the minute.
The information for the timing oddly refers to Manila Airport, or MNL, even though the service is for Puerto Princesa International Airport, or PPS. Treat this as a point to check before you pay or travel. Make sure your confirmation clearly shows PPS Airport and Astoria Palawan in San Rafael, especially if you are arranging a return flight connection.
There are no scheduled sightseeing stops, meal breaks, or attractions included. That may sound plain, but it is exactly what many people need after a flight. You can sit back, watch the route pass by, and let someone else handle the driving instead of turning the airport transfer into another task.
The vehicle, exact seating setup, and luggage capacity are not specified in the supplied details. For a group of seven, I would contact CTPH TOUR before booking to confirm the vehicle size and space for bags. The service accepts groups of up to seven, but the number of seats is not the only thing that matters when everyone has full luggage.
Why the flat $115 price can work well
The fare is $115 per group, not per person. Fuel is included, and the service does not use a meter. That gives you a clear total for the one-way trip and removes one common worry after arriving in a new place.
For seven people, the cost works out to about $16.43 each. For four people, it is $28.75 each. A couple pays the full group price unless the provider offers another arrangement, so the value is strongest for families and small groups rather than solo visitors.
The price also buys convenience, not just road time. You are paying for a planned airport meeting, private use of the vehicle, and direct transport to the hotel. If you compare it with a cheaper shared option, consider the cost of waiting, changing vehicles, carrying bags, and splitting up your group.
I would not book this mainly for sightseeing value. No stops are listed, and the service is designed to get you from PPS Airport to Astoria Palawan. If you want a guided tour or scenic detours, this is the wrong product. If you want the simplest arrival day possible, the price is easier to justify.
The reverse trip has the same basic value. A family of four used the hotel pickup and found that sharing the fare helped keep its total cost down. The return option is especially useful when you want a fixed pickup plan rather than finding a ride at the end of your stay.
A private ride means your group sets the tone
This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That gives you more control than a shared shuttle. You are not waiting for several unrelated parties to load luggage, and you do not need to make small talk with strangers when you are tired.
The service also avoids the uncertainty of a meter. You know the group fare before the ride, and fuel is already included. Non-compulsory tipping is not included, so you can decide for yourself if you want to tip the driver.
The available information does not promise a particular vehicle type, air-conditioning setup, Wi-Fi, bottled water, child seat, or luggage limit. Do not assume these extras are included. If one of them matters to you, ask CTPH TOUR before travel.
A private ride is not automatically a luxury service. It is better to think of it as practical transport with a personal pickup. That keeps expectations in the right place. You get a direct trip and your own group, but not a hotel tour, sightseeing guide, or list of included extras.
What the airport pickup experience is likely to feel like
The meeting process is designed to happen after you collect your luggage. You then look for the driver in the arrivals hall. The clearest detail available is the use of a name panel at the airport exit, which gives you a simple visual way to identify your ride.
One passenger also received email and text updates, with Eugene specifically praised for keeping the arrival process organized. That is helpful because airport arrivals do not always run exactly on schedule. Still, you should check your messages and keep your phone charged.
The booking confirmation is received at the time of booking. Save it offline or keep a screenshot, especially if your mobile connection is uncertain after landing. I would also make sure the confirmation includes your arrival date, flight information, group size, and the correct airport code.
The stated opening hours cover Monday through Sunday, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. This suggests the service is available across the full day, including late-night periods. It does not remove the need to provide accurate arrival details, so the driver can match your booking with your flight plan.
The return trip from Astoria Palawan to PPS
You can use the service in reverse, from Astoria Palawan to Puerto Princesa International Airport. The biggest practical question is your hotel pickup time. One family arranged its preferred time directly with the hotel pickup, which shows why it helps to set the departure clearly in advance.
A two-hour drive is the stated estimate, so leave enough room before your flight. The supplied information does not provide a recommended airport arrival buffer, and it does not promise a live flight-monitoring service. You should choose a pickup time with your own flight schedule in mind and confirm the timing with the provider.
The return service is not a round trip by default. The included service is one-way private transport, so you need to book the outbound and return legs as separate transfers if you want both. Check the total price for both directions before finalizing your plans.
For a family or group, the shared flat fare can be practical. For a solo passenger, the same cost may feel high. The main benefit on the return is not sightseeing. It is knowing that a private vehicle is arranged to collect you at the hotel.
What is included, and what is not
The included service is narrow and clear:
- One-way private transfer between PPS Airport and Astoria Palawan
- Fuel
- Pickup service
- Private participation for your own group
Tipping is not compulsory and is not included. There is no stated inclusion for food, drinks, sightseeing stops, entrance tickets, guide service, extra destinations, or accommodation.
That simple structure is good for price checking. You can compare the $115 fee without wondering if fuel will be added later. At the same time, you should avoid reading more into the word private. It means your group has the transfer to itself, not that a tour guide or sightseeing program is included.
Most people can participate, according to the available information. No special access limits are listed. The data does not give detailed accessibility information, so anyone who needs a particular vehicle setup should ask before booking.
Weather, cancellation, and small planning details
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, you do not receive a refund, and changes made inside that period are not accepted.
The cutoff follows local time. That detail matters if you are booking from another country. Do not wait until the last minute to alter your arrival or hotel information.
The service also requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The policy does not say how weather decisions are made, so keep an eye on local conditions and stay in contact with the provider if forecasts look poor.
Confirmation arrives at the time of booking. I would save the provider’s contact details and keep your booking reference handy. These are simple steps, but they can make the arrivals hall much less stressful.
Who will get the most value from this transfer?
I would recommend this service most strongly to:
- Families heading to Astoria Palawan after a flight
- Groups of four to seven sharing the $115 fare
- People carrying substantial luggage
- Couples who value a private ride over the cheapest possible option
- Anyone who wants an arranged return pickup from the hotel
- Passengers arriving at an unusual hour covered by the operating schedule
I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone and focused only on the lowest price. The flat group fare may be hard to justify for one person.
I would also pause if you want a guide, local commentary, or scenic stops. None of those are included. This is a transfer, and its success depends on meeting the driver and reaching the hotel without fuss.
For large groups, ask about luggage space before booking. Seven passengers may fit within the stated limit, but the available information does not confirm how much room is left for suitcases.
Should you book the PPS to Astoria Palawan transfer?
Book it if you want a private, fixed-price ride and your group can share the cost. The airport name-panel pickup, driver updates, direct hotel service, and return option all solve real arrival-day problems. Eugene’s helpful communication is also a good sign for anyone who values clear contact before the ride.
Think twice if you are a solo passenger seeking the cheapest transport or if you expect a guided experience. Also check the airport code carefully because the timing information contains a reference to MNL rather than PPS. For a group arriving at Puerto Princesa and heading straight to Astoria Palawan, this is a practical choice that puts convenience first.
FAQ
Where does the transfer begin?
The one-way service begins at Puerto Princesa International Airport, also identified by the airport code PPS, and goes to Astoria Palawan.
Can I book the transfer from Astoria Palawan to PPS Airport?
Yes. The service is also available in the reverse direction, from Astoria Palawan to Puerto Princesa International Airport.
How long does the transfer take?
The trip takes approximately two hours. The detailed timing is listed as about two hours and 14 minutes.
How much does the private transfer cost?
The price is $115 per group, for up to seven people.
Is fuel included?
Yes. Fuel is included in the one-way private transfer price.
Is the transfer private?
Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.
Where do I meet the driver at PPS Airport?
After collecting your luggage, you meet the driver in the airport arrivals hall. A name panel may be used to help identify the driver.
Is the service available every day?
Yes. The stated opening hours run Monday through Sunday, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Is tipping included?
No. Non-compulsory tipping is not included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.



























