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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Best months
- May–Nov
- Avoid
- check
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PGK
- Money
- Currency is the kina (PGK, K). Cards work at larger hotels and some shops in towns; everywhere else is cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget K80–K120 excl. bed · Mid K120–K180 excl. bed · High K180+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns. Buy a SIM in Port Moresby with your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110
- Plugs
- Types I · 240 V · 50 Hz · Same angled flat pins as Australia; bring a power bank, since lodges run generators for set hours.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and hotels: Not expected.; Guides and drivers: K50–100 a day as thanks if service was good (2026 estimate).; Kokoda porters: Operators set a tip pool; also give gear you no longer need, as many trekkers do.; Villages: Pay agreed custom fees rather than tipping individuals.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water; lodges supply rainwater that should be treated.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks. Carry paper and hand gel.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MAG · Madang Airport
- Flights to Port Moresby (Air Niugini) and Mt. Hagen/Wewak (PNG Air); closes 17:00 due to flying‑foxes.Flights to Port Moresby (Air Niugini) and Mt. Hagen/Wewak (PNG Air); closes 5:00 PM due to flying‑foxes.
Typical fares
- 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
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.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 6:00 PM.
See and do
Known for
- Madang market
- Krangket Island boat trips
- Coastwatchers Memorial lighthouse
- WWII wreck sites on the north coast
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Krangket Island | Boat from Madang jetty, departs every 30 min | 5 min boat, plus walk to village |
| North Coast WWII sites | Hire a driver from your hotel, 30–45 min drive | ≈1 h round trip |
| Village stays (Hobe or Haya) | Minibus from Madang, ~30 min ride | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Sorisori |
| Thank you | Tenkyutenkyu |
| How much is it? | Hau mani?hau mani? |
| Where is the market? | Maketi i stap we?maketi i stap we? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Shake hands lightly; greet everyone in a group; avoid: Crushing handshakes or ignoring elders
- Village visit: Arrive with your guide, meet the leaders first, bring a small gift if advised; avoid: Walking into gardens or houses uninvited
- Money and gifts: Pay agreed fees to the right person; avoid: Handing out money or sweets to children
- Anger: Stay calm and let your guide negotiate; avoid: Shouting; public shame can escalate quickly
- Sunday: Expect church and quiet; join a service if invited; avoid: Noisy activities near villages
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; a laplap (sarong) works; avoid: Swimwear or short shorts in villages
Scams and watch-outs
- Airport closes at 17:00 to avoid flying‑fox collisions.
- No taxis after 18:00; walking after dark is not advised.
- Roads can be crowded; vehicle numbers indicate destinations.
Madang 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.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Madang yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Madang market
- Krangket Island boat trips
- Coastwatchers Memorial lighthouse
- WWII wreck sites on the north coast
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- PNG Air: pngair.com.pg/
- Wikivoyage: Madang, revision 4873852 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4873852
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/madang). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.