Major city · Papua New Guinea
Madang
Spend 2–3 days in Madang to explore the market, nearby islands and WWII sites; longer stays are optional.
Madang is a laid‑back coastal town with a busy market, easy boat trips to Krangket Island, WWII coastal wrecks and village‑stay experiences. Most visitors fit the highlights in 2–3 days, using a local driver for evenings.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- May–Nov
- avoid check
- Airport
- MAG
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Madang112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Madang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyMadang is one of PNG’s safer towns; main risks are after‑dark travel and road traffic; use a driver after 18:00.Madang is one of PNG’s safer towns; main risks are after‑dark travel and road traffic; use a driver after 6:00 PM.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 110 fire · 111 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAG Madang Airport (Flights to Port Moresby (Air Niugini) and Mt.
- Getting aroundMinivan “buses” from the central bus station serve nearby towns; flag down numbered vehicles.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféK5–K8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (if arranged)K20–K35 per short ride
- Budget bedGuesthouse or basic lodge, a night, per personPGK 50
- Mid-range bedMadang Resort standard room, a night, per personPGK 180
- High-end bedMadang Resort standard room, a night, per personPGK 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PGK 80 · Mid PGK 130 · High PGK 200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAG Madang Airport (Flights to Port Moresby (Air Niugini) and Mt. Hagen/Wewak (PNG Air); closes 17:00 due to flying‑foxes.)MAG Madang Airport (Flights to Port Moresby (Air Niugini) and Mt. Hagen/Wewak (PNG Air); closes 5:00 PM due to flying‑foxes.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Madang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Minivan “buses” from the central bus station serve nearby towns; flag down numbered vehicles. Pre‑arrange a driver for evenings as there are no taxis after 18:00.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Krangket Island
goDoor to door: 5 min boat, plus walk to village
Boat from Madang jetty, departs every 30 min
Cost 2 kina; optional lodge K80/night.
North Coast WWII sites
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Hire a driver from your hotel, 30–45 min drive
Includes old Japanese airfield and wreckage; guide fee ≈ US$40 for half‑day.
Village stays (Hobe or Haya)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Minibus from Madang, ~30 min ride
K25 per night; includes birdwatching and WWII hideouts.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Madang Resort Hotel
Resort with dive shop; good base for scuba trips.
The Madang Lodge
Central town location; basic rooms, optional fan‑less rooms.
Lutheran Guesthouse
Double rooms K88 per night, includes breakfast.
Krangket Lodge
Bungalows on Krangket Island; K80 per night, walk from boat landing.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- K80–K120 excl. bed
- Mid
- K120–K180 excl. bed
- High
- K180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Madang Resort standard room2 × 2 nights × PGK 180 | PGK 720 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PGK 130 | PGK 520 |
| Domestic flight (Port Moresby ↔ Madang)2 × PGK 350 · Air Niugini daily service; price check. | PGK 700 |
| Boat to Krangket Island (round trip)2 × PGK 2 · Official price 2 kina. | PGK 4 |
| Guide for village stay (half‑day)2 × PGK 25 · US$25 per person, approx K100. | PGK 50 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 299 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 573 per person per day, bed included | PGK 2,293 |
Includes basic amenities, dive shop access.
2026 estimate in kina; flights and international transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | K5–K8 |
| Meal at a hotel restaurant | K30–K60 |
| Boat to Krangket Island | K2 |
| Taxi within town (if arranged) | K20–K35 per short ride |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Airport closes at 17:00 to avoid flying‑fox collisions.Airport closes at 5:00 PM to avoid flying‑fox collisions.
- No taxis after 18:00; walking after dark is not advised.No taxis after 6:00 PM; walking after dark is not advised.
- Roads can be crowded; vehicle numbers indicate destinations.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire
- 110
- Ambulance
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MadangMadang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis bringim mi long dispela adresTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
US consular services are in Port Moresby; check the embassy page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Madang ↔ Port Moresby (Air Niugini): about K250–K350 one‑way, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Boat to Krangket Island: K2 round trip, 5 min boat
Say or show
- Sori — Excuse me / Sorry (sori)
- Tenkyu — Thank you (tenkyu)
- Hau mani? — How much is it? (hau mani?)
- Maketi i stap we? — Where is the market? (maketi i stap we?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Madang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fly into MAG, arrange driver for evenings at arrival.
- Base at Madang Resort for dive trips; use Madang Lodge for budget stays.
- Combine market visit with a half‑day Krangket Island boat.
Sources
- officialAir Niugini schedule
- officialPNG Air
- secondaryWikivoyage: Madang, revision 4873852 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Madang
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