Pekanbaru

By plane

• Sultan Syarif Kasim II International AirportServes frequent domestic flights by all major Indonesian airlines to and from Jakarta (both Soekarno-Hatta and Halim airports), Medan, and Batam, and to a lesser extent from Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Palembang, and Tanjung Pinang. In addition, the airport sees flights to other cities in the province and surrounding areas, such as Dumai and Jambi. There are also direct international flights from Kuala Lumpur (operated by AirAsia), Malacca (Malindo Air) and Singapore (Scoot).

By boat

From inside Indonesia

• To Riau Islands: Several companies operate ferries to Sekupang, Batam. Most ferries make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island as well as Tanjung Buton and Selat Panjang in Riau.

UPDATE: To/From Batam. The way to travel between the Riau Islands and Pekanbaru now involves a 3hr minivan ride and a 3-6 hour ferry. Tickets can be purchased at the Sungai Duku port in Pekanbaru for the mini-van and ferry combination ticket. The minivan picks you up at your hotel, picks up the rest of the passengers, and then drives to the ferry dock in Tanjung Buton, about 3.5 hours away. Then you wait a bit until the ferry comes. The ferry comes, you pay a 1000Rp terminal fee, and then board the ferry. Pekanbaru-Tanjung Balai ticket cost 265000 on March 26, 2011.

From/To Malacca :

No ferries travel from/to Malacca anymore. You must catch the ferry in Dumai.

By bus

The main bus station is inconveniently situated 7 km west of the town center. Departure times are difficult to ascertain but it seems most long-distance services depart early, before 10.00.
Mini-Bus Dumai to Pekanbaru (July 2019). The Karya Maju Travel Agency is on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman No 160 Dumai (Between the small side streets of gg Kuini depan (Jl Kuini) and Jin Sutomo (Jalan Dr. Sutomo)). This is a door to door service, meaning that the driver will pick you up from and drop you off at your hotel, guesthouse etc. Departure times are 08:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 20:00. Cost is 120,000 Indonesian rupiah (July 2019). Journey time is about five and a half to six hours. There are other mini-bus companies, but this company is reported as reliable regarding taking you to where you want to be dropped off.

There are mikrolets (minivan share taxi), buses, ojek (motorcycle taxi), and taxis.
A new mode of transport is the Trans Metro Pekanbaru, a bus rapid transit system like the Transjakarta in Jakarta. Tickets must be bought at the bus stop before riding, and the one-way fare is Rp 4,000. Only part of the system is operational, and other lines are still under construction
The intercity/interprovincial (AKAP) bus terminal is 5km from downtown. From the bus station to town there are many public buses that stop at pre-determined stops. Tickets cost Rp 4,000 and can be purchased inside the bus stop from a ticket agent.

Pekanbaru is not like Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali or Bukittinggi. Pekanbaru is not a tourist destination for either Indonesians or foreigners, but does have some interesting buildings and places to visit, including some distinctive buildings constructed by local government:

• Sang Nila Utama Museum

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.

• Idrus Tintin (MTQ) Building

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman

• Great Mosque of An-Nur

  address: Jl. Syekh Burhanuddin

• Great Mosque of Pekanbaru

  address: Jl. Masjid Raya (Pasar Bawah)

• Soeman H.S. County Library

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman

• Kampung Tionghoa Melayu (Chinatown)

  address: Jl. Dr. Leimena / Jalan Karet

• Labersa Water Park

  address: Jl. Labersa Parit Indah

• Limbungan Reservoir Park

  address: Rumbai

• Alam Mayang Park

  address: Jl. Harapan Raya

• Play golf

  address: Pekanbaru Golf Course Country Club at Kubang, Simpang Tiga Golf Course at Simpang Tiga, Labersa Golf Course at Labersa and Rumbai Golf Course at Rumbai Chevron Camp

There are three major malls in Pekanbaru. The two best are Mall SKA and Mall Ciputra Seraya. The older Mall Pekanbaru is not as well appointed as the other two but is still a good mall and offer a decent selection of restaurants. The location of the three malls are locally well known so getting there shouldn't be a problem. There are several other less interesting malls in Pekanbaru, some are closer to an indoor market then a mall and are great places for bargains.

• Mall Pekanbaru

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman
  Mega Dept. Store, Lucky Mart,Gramedia Book Store, Handphone Centre, Solaria, Bakso Lapangan Tembak, Ikan Bakar Cianjur, KFC, Bread Boutique, MP Night Club.

• Plaza Senapelan

  address: Jl. Teuku Umar
  Suzuya Dept. Store, D'cost Seafood Restaurant, A&W.

• Plaza Sukaramai

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman
  Ramayana Dept. Store, Trade Centre, Market.

• Pasar BawahYou can find souvenirs, traditional foods and snacks, traditional products, and import products.

• Mall SKA

  address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta
  You can find Matahari Dept. Store, Hypermart, Pizza Hut, A&W, Popeyes, J.CO Donuts and Coffee, BreadTalk, Excelsior, RotiBoy, Solaria, Rice Bowl, KFC, Disc Tarra, Electronic Centre, Billiard Centre.

• Mall Ciputra Seraya

  address: Jl. Riau
  You can find Matahari Dept. Store, Food Mart, KFC, Texas Chicken, A&W, Pizza Hut, Solaria, Rice Bowl, J.CO Donuts and Coffee, New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, Bakso Lapangan Tembak, Disc Tarra, Time Zone. Riau21 (a branch of 21 bioskop) is located here.

• Plaza Citra

  address: Jl. Pepaya
  Matahari Dept. Store, Mister Bakso, Timezone.

• Metropolitan City (MTC)

  address: Jl. HR Subrantas km 12
  You can find Giants Hypermarket.Kentucky fried chicken and solaria restaurant.

• Panam Square

  address: Jl. HR Subrantas
  Ramayana Dept. Store.

• Fiji Tours and Travel

  phone: +62 761 860022, +62 761 8306496
  address: JL. Prof. Moh. Yamin No. 88
  you can find cheapest domestic and international air ticket, local car rental and inbound tour

• Durian at durian stalls along Jl. Sudirman

• Kedai Kopi Seleraku

  address: Jl. Teuku Umar No.90 C
  Famous for Nyonya food, lots of choices.One of the oldest Kedai Kopi in PekanBaru

• Restoran Taman Anggrek

  phone: +62 761 571398, +62 761 571425
  address: Jl. Tuanku Tambusai No.
  If your taxi driver can find it, good Chinese and Indonesian food. The chili garlic crab is excellent and if the matriarch is there the service is excellent. There's also Anom Restaurant at Anom Hotel on Jl. Gatot Subroto, they have the same owner. Whatever food you find on Restoran Anom Taman Anggrek, you also can find at Anom Restaurant.

• Koki Sunda

  phone: +62 761849998
  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.247
  Sundanese restaurant.

• Minang Soto

  address: Jl. Pattimura, Rumbai
  Famous for the Soto Padang. There are two restaurants with a same name in the street. Recommended is the one in a shophouse.

• Pondok Samba Lado Hijau

  phone: +62 76136456
  address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 88 F
  The speciality here is Fish, infused with Minangkabau/Malay style.

• RM Kota Buana

  phone: +62 76122874
  address: Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto no. 16
  Minangkabau restaurant. Famous for their Rendang and Cincang Kambing.

• Apollo Seafood Restaurant

  phone: +62 761-858912
  address: Jl. Jend. A. Yani
  is one of a number of Chinese restaurants in Pekanbaru, and also has branch on Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto no. 30-32 Phone +62 761-35234

• Pondok Gurih

  phone: +62 76127069
  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 202
  When you enter this restaurant, the staff will hit the Gong at the entrance.

• Bumbu Desa

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman
  Sundanese restaurant.

• Riau Kuring

  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman no. 405-409
  Located behind VanSquare.

• Tenda Biru

  address: Jl. Arifin Ahmad
  Famous for Mie Aceh (Aceh Noodles)

• Bebek Goreng H. Slamet

  phone: +62 76144886
  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 201

• Ayam Goreng Suharti

  address: Jl. Riau
  Famous for its Javanese fried chicken and Yogyakarta food such as gudeg and sambal krecek.

• Kedai Kopi Kim Teng

  address: Jl. Senapelan
  A Chinese kopitiam (coffee shop). '.

• Bakmi Gila

  address: Jl Gatot Subroto
  A new place in town for people who like noodles & spicy food, bakmi gila means crazy noodle.

• Kedai Kopi Gundaling

  address: Jl. Juanda
  You can taste the most authentic localized Chinese food in this Chinese kopitiam, especially an original menu from Bagan Siapi-api that cannot be found anywhere else. A specialty named Karipeng contains pork and is non-halal.

Online booking for hotels in Pekanbaru is not available, except for high end hotels as listed below.

• Grand Elite Hotel

  phone: +62 761-860 988
  Grand Elite Hotel Pekanbaru is the first Business Hotel in Pekanbaru. Located in the heart of Pekanbaru's China Town in Komplek Riau Business Center at Jalan Riau in the Tampan District, a well-known entertainment area.

• Premiere Hotel

  phone: +62 761-7891818
  address: Jl Jend Sudirman No 389
  New and chic hotel in town, 4 star, spacious rooms.

• Aston Pekanbaru City Hotel

  phone: +62 761 886888
  address: Jl Sudirman No. 158
  3-star Boutique business hotel with an ultramodern theme. One of the few Pekanbaru hotels that offer online booking.

• Hotel Aryaduta

  phone: +62 761-44200
  address: Jl. Diponegoro No. 34
  5-star. Reasonable rates with special discounts during the weekend. Superior room starts from IDR550,000 per night (inclusive of a buffet breakfast). The hotel has a nice swimming pool and soccer field.

• Jatra Hotel

  phone: +62 761-850888
  address: Jl Tengku Zainal Abidin No.1
  4-star hotel. Inside the biggest mall (Mall Pekanbaru), has special services such as Traditional Massage, Sauna and Health club. This Hotel is connected directly to first class entertainment in Pekanbaru, such as Hugo's Cafe, Karaoke club, and KTV. Satisfaction guaranteed.

• Grand Hawaii Hotel Pekanbaru

  phone: +62 761-22233
  address: Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 8
  Modern hotel featuring an outdoor garden, private balcony and walking distance to Mall Pekanbaru and Pasar Pusat Pekanbaru.

• Hotel Grand Zuri Pekanbaru

  phone: +62 761-857888
  address: Jl. Teuku Umar No.7
  4-star hotel directly opposite Mall Pekanbaru and next door to Plaza Senapelan. 24 hour coffee shop, Karaoke Bar, Taurus Health Club and outdoor pool on the 8th Floor.

• Labersa Grand Hotel & Convention Center

  address: Jl. Labersa, Parit Indah
  5-Star. Possibly the most luxurious hotel in Pekanbaru. 10 minutes from the airport. This hotel is one compound with Labersa Golf Course and Labersa Water Park.

• Hotel Pangeran Pekanbaru

  phone: +62 761853636
  address: Jl.Jend. Sudirman No. 371-373
  4-star. Located near Pizza Hut, opposite Martin Boutique and Durian stalls.

• Mutiara Merdeka Hotel

  phone: +62 76131272
  address: Jl. Kom. L Yos Sudarso 12-A
  4-star.

• Furaya Hotel

  phone: +62 76126688
  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 72
  One of the more well known hotels in Pekanbaru for Chinese Wedding Receptions. Located near the Pasar Buah Pekanbaru (Pekanbaru Fruit Market).

• Hotel Ibis Pekanbaru

  phone: +62 761571600
  address: Jl. Soekarno Hatta Kav. 148
  3-star. The only Accord hotel in Pekanbaru.

• Anom Hotel

  phone: +62 76136083
  address: Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No. 1-3
  The original famous Anom Restaurant is located in this hotel, they have now opened a branch on Taman Anggrek.

• Aziza Hotel

  address: Jl. Tuanku Tambusai
  3-star. A modern Islamic hotel in Pekanbaru.

• Sabrina Hotel

  phone: +62 761 789-3292
  address: Jl. Tuanku Tambusai
  Modern budget hotel for travellers. Includes free WiFi, air con, tv and water
• Sabrina Hotel on Jalan Sisingamangaraja (half a block from the Jalan Jenderal Sudirman junction) (July 2019). This Sabrina hotel is in the city center area. Cost for a room is 165,000 (July 2019). What you pay and what you get is rather good value. A good size clean room, air con, TV and good Wi-Fi with hot water showers, and quiet at night. A simple breakfast is also included in the price. English was not spoken, but staff were very helpful.

• Pelangi Hotel

  phone: +62 761854899
  address: Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto 39 B
  Modern budget hotel managed by Grand Zuri.

• Ratu Mayang Garden Hotel

  phone: +62 76140370
  address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 11

• Amaris Hotel

  address: Jl. K.H Wahid Hasyim No. 30

• Wisma 81

  phone: +62 761 858429
  address: Jl Jend Sudirman No 420
  Downsides: Appears to be run by young hooligans. Rooms have insects -flying and crawling. No hot water. Had to argue to get AC remote. Asked for quiet room, was placed in a room near the front desk. Requested to move due to the noise of the staff. Had to argue to get moved. The room smells like an old smokers club. The internet connects but does not work. On the plus side, western style toilets and a small complimentary bar of soap.

• Malaysia Consulate

  phone: +62 761 22-305
  address: Jl. Jend.Sudirman

• Singapore Consulate

  phone: +62 761 41-010
  address: Gedung Surya Dumai, Lantai 4, Jl. Jend. Sudirman no. 395

• Siak Sri Indrapura, a town of old Siak Sultanate. Visit Siak Sultanate Palace and many historial buildings.
• Muara Takus Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple from ancient Srivijaya Kingdom.
• Dumai, a little port and beach town.
• Bagan Siapi-api, a little fishermen's town. Famous for Chinese festivals like "Bakar Tongkang", Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh.
• West Sumatra, the Land of Minangkabau culture. - Padang, only 6 hours drive, Bukittinggi 4.5 Hours drive.
• North Sumatra, the Land of Batak culture, lake, waterfalls, mountains, and orangutans.
• Batam Island, beach resort island. Popular to many Singaporeans.
• Bintan Island, beach resort island. Popular to many Singaporeans.
• Singapore
• Kuala Lumpur and Malacca in Malaysia.