Balikpapan

Most people arrive by air.

By plane

• Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International AirportIt has frequent flights from Jakarta, and commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Palu, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Denpasar, and numerous smaller airports in Kalimantan. There are also international flights from Singapore operated by SilkAir 6 times a week and from Kuala Lumpur operated by Air Asia 3 times a week. The airport is on the coast just outside of the city, around 8 km away from the city center. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination (starting from Rp 70,000, as of March 2016). You may be offered an unofficial fare outside the main exit if you walk to the left past the official taxi ranks; while some of these drivers may offer a slightly cheaper fare, many will quote an inflated price when they see a foreigner, so make sure you've asked the official fare to your destination in the taxi booth if you intend to bargain with them.

• Susi Air

  phone: +62 811 211 3080
  Service from local destinations across Kalimantan.

Despite the numerous signs which you'll see after leaving the baggage claim area, as of March 2016 there's no airport bus service to Balikpapan; the buses mentioned on these signs are going to Samarinda.

By car

Balikpapan can be reached from Samarinda, Bontang and Banjarmasin by land through 2 bus terminals. From Samarinda and Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar, and from Banjarmasin at the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.

By ferry

Semayang's seaport that serves cruises from Makassar, Pare Pare, Tarakan, Surabaya, and other eastern parts of Indonesia. This port is one of the busiest in Indonesia and the main gateway to Borneo, serving passenger Pelni ferries and cargo ships not only from Indonesia but from the rest of South East Asia and beyond.
Get to the terminal with minibus #6 (dark blue) which plies the coastal road. The No 3 (light Blue) will also take you to and from. Cost 5000 Rp (September 2019).

Traffic does not yet inhibit travel within the city but is increasing by the day as relatively high living standards help to support a sea of small motorcycles.

By taxi

Some taxi companies operates in Balikpapan. It is advisable to call for their call center, tell your location and wait the call center arrange their unit to pick you up. It is uncommon to wait for empty taxis on the street because they usually stop and wait for orders from their call center.
List of taxi companies and their call center number:

• CIty Taxi (+62 542 743417 or +62542 8520001)
• Mawar (+62 542 873145)
• Kalung Mas (+62 542 762222)
• Globalindo Taxi (+62 542 878787)
• Neotax

Public transport

Public transportation in Balikpapan consists of small minibus named angkutan kota or angkot for short. Locals often call angkot as taxi and metered taxi as taxi argo. There's no public bus inside the city. Minibuses serves public transport between points. Although there are dedicated routes, they often deroute due to passenger's request. They also sometimes don't serve the whole route.
The color of the minibuses determines their routes. Common routes are as follows:

• White top/Orange bottom (Route 1): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Batu Ampar
• White top/Light Green bottom (Route 2A): between Terminal Damai and Terminal Batu Ampar through Ring Road (possible deroute to Balikpapan Baru housing and or Damai III area)
• White top/Gray bottom (Route 2B): between Balikpapan Baru and Jalan A Yani through Jalan AMD
• White top/Light Blue bottom (Route 3): between Terminal Batu Ampar and Pelabuhan Semayang through Klandasan. This No 3 bus will take you to and from the Pelabuhan Semayang Ferry Terminal (from outside the terminal) to Balikpapan Plaza via Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Road (along the waterfront). This same No 3 Bus will also go from the Balikpapan Plaza to the Bus Terminal Angkutan Kota Batu Ampar along Jalan (Jenderal) Almad Yani and Jalan Soekarno Hatta going pass the Rapak Plaza and the Bus Terminal Palau Indah Jaya. Cost 5000 Rp (September 2019).
• White top/Yellow bottom (Route 5): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through A. Yani
• White top/Dark Blue bottom (Route 6): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through Pelabuhan Semayang
• White top/Green bottom (Route 7): between Terminal Damai and Gunung Tembak
• White top/Light Yellow bottom (Route 9): between Terminal Batu Ampar and KM 24 to Samarinda
• The No 5 white top, orange bottom will take you from Balikpapan Plaza to Baru Tengah (Maps me, the village on the water) at Jalan Letjan Suprapto. Cost is 5000 Rp (September 2019).

• (BOS) Orangutan Sancuary and Eco lodgeSee rescued orangutans and sun bears in their natural habitat. Just roaming around for the day or stay at the eco lodge for a few nights and experience the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2-week or 4-week volunteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1-hour journey by car from the city centre and if you stay the night or volunteer you will need outdoor equipment such as walking boots, spare clothes, insect repellent, etc.

• Crocodile Farm

• Pantai Menpora

• Bukit Bangkirai

  phone: +62 542 736-066
  The main attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is famous in East Borneo. It was built for biological study of the ecosystem in the canopy of the tropical rainforest. It is now popular for the public to view the beauty of the rainforest from 30 m (90 ft) above the ground. It's also a very nice place to enjoy nature or to camp and watch the stars.

• On Merdeka (Independence) Square you can play soccer and other sports.
• Local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and orangutan tours.
• There are beautiful beaches, such as Manggar and Lamaru located just outside the city, and Kemala Beach further off Klandasan with nice views of the sunset.

Visit one of the nice local markets.

• Plaza BalikpapanThis is the most popular shopping mall. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors.

  A good western supermarket can be found on the ground floor.

• Kebun Sayur Traditional Market CenterStones, gems, jewelry and diamonds of various types and price. Borneo is acknowledged as a rich island, not just with oil and coal, but with beautiful gems.

A local delicacy is Amplang/Kuku Macan, a kind of chips made from fish. Pacifica Food Court in Balikpapan Plaza Mall has good food and a lot of choice.

• Segeri
• Tip-Top
• Beach House Restaurant - Batakan/Manggar
• Batakan Beach Cafe
• Lia's Bar and restaurant - Batakan Kecil
• Yuli's Cafe (bar and restaurant) - Batakan Kecil
• Palm Court Restaurant - Batakan
• Dapeen Cafe - kelandasan
• Ocean's Seafood Restaurant - Klandasan

• Bondy RestaurantA big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.

• Kepiting Kenari

  address: Jalan Iswahyudi
  A very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of sauce (black pepper, sweet and sour, oyster sauce, boiled, etc.)

• Dandito

  address: Jln Jend. Sudirman
  Crab specialist restaurant.

• Kepiting Tambora

  address: Jalan Jendral Sudirman
  Crab specialist restaurant.

• Pondok Nelayan Seafood Rest.

  phone: +62 542-5660066
  address: Jend. Sudirman Street No. 561
  Originates from Pontianak's (West Kalimantan) well-known seafood restaurant.
• To eat local. These food stalls are situated right on the water front. Found on the beach side of Pasar Klandasan. About 200 meters west of the Masjid At Taqwa and 800 meters east of Plaza Balikpapan. There is also a couple of simple food stalls on the old wooden jetty. Its has a close to "local" with a good vibe feel about it.

• Color Beat Pub (Blue Sky Hotel)
• Borneo Bar(Le Grandeur Hotel)
• Borneo Sports Fishing Club (prev. Sid's Bar) at Jl Sudirman 24, Gunung Bahagia. Bar with sea views.
• Rende Vu (Novotel Hotel)
• Red Square (Sagita Hotel)
• Lamaru Pub (Hotel Grand Senyiur)
• SQ (Adhika Bahtera Hotel)
• Nakhoda (Adikha Bahtera Hotel)
• Suzannas Liquor Store- you can buy alcohol by the case to drink at home.

There are a number of star-rated hotels poised on the hills and at the beach that are perfectly adequate.

• Bahana Surya / Blue Sky Hotel. One of the better places in town. With a nice swimming pool (external entry Rp 30,000 per person).
• Hotel Bahtera. From Rp 400,000.
• Hotel Benakutai
• City hotel
• Dusit Hotel/ Le Grandeur
• Gran Senyiur Hotel. The first 5-star hotel in town, owned by local people. phone : +62 542 820211

• Hotel Haai

  phone: +62 542 766-309
  address: Sepinggan by pass
  The only "back to nature" hotel in Balikpapan, cottage/bungalow style rooms with private garages, room rate from Rp 280,000, 3 min from airport (10 min to city).
• Hotel Murni. A cheap option.
• Novotel
• Hotel Nuansa Indah
• Town House Bukit Damai Indah, 0542-8879 650

• Aiqo Hotel

  phone: +62 542 750-288, +62 542 750336,+62 542 750267
  address: Jl. Apt Pranoto No.9
  Within 5 minutes walk of Balikpapan Plaza, 15 minutes drive from the Sepinggan airport. Clean and comfy. From Rp 228,000.

• Sentosa76 Guest House

  phone: +6285332793118
  address: Jalan Ataka Raya no 60, Pasir Ridke
• Hotel Citra Nusantara. Jalan Gajahmada 76. Tel.0542 425366. From the pedestrian overpass at the Balikpapan Plaza (Junction of Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani and Jalan Jenderal Sudirman), walk one block north, turn left, walk about 50 meters, the hotel is on your right. Price (September 2019) starts at 150,000, (very basic), then 175,000 (basic) and 200,000 for a double bed with aircon. There are also more expensive options. Simple breakfast included. Free tea and coffee. Wifi is good if you are in a good location.

Splurge

• Le Grandeur Balikpapan

  phone: +62 542 420-155
  address: Jalan Jenderal Sudirman
  185 rooms and suites, the hotel sits in its own extensive gardens, adjoining a beautiful sandy beach, and overlooking the Makassar Straits. It is Kalimantan's only beachfront hotel.

• Novotel Balikpapan

  phone: +62 542 820820
  address: JL Brigjen Ery Suparjan No 2

Consulates

• France Consular Agency

  phone: +62 542 533-999
  address: c/o Total Final Elf E&P, Jl. Gunung Bugis

• Philippines Honorary Consulate

  phone: +62 542 25-687
  address: Jl. Projakal 157, Klandasan Ulu

• Samarinda