Balikpapan

The questions people ask first about Balikpapan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
• SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
• Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
• TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
• SafetyGenerally calm and orderly for a city of its size; the real issues are wet-season rain, long unlit roads to out-of-town sights…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or tea at a warungRp 10,000–25,000
• Street or quick mealNoodle or rice plateRp 20,000–45,000
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRp 100,000–200,000
• Budget bedHostel or budget guesthouse bed, a night, per personRp120,000
• Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp600,000
• High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp1,200,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 · Mid Rp800,000 · High Rp1,800,000

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 →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

BPN Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport (Sepinggan) (About 8 km (5 mi) from the centre; fixed-fare airport taxis from the terminal, angkot route 7 passes the front)BPN Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport (Sepinggan) (About 5 mi (8 km) from the centre; fixed-fare airport taxis from the terminal, angkot route 7 passes the front)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

Rp 350,000–600,000 excl. bed

Mid

Rp 600,000–1,200,000 excl. bed

High

Rp 1,200,000+ excl. bed

• No real dry season: rain falls in every month, so carry a shell and plan indoor backups.
• Unofficial taxi touts outside the terminal may quote inflated fares to foreigners; use the official taxi booth.
• Some sights sit 30–60 km (19–37 mi) out (Samboja, Bukit Bangkirai, the botanical garden) with no public transport: budget a car and a half-day.Some sights sit 19–37 mi (30–60 km) out (Samboja, Bukit Bangkirai, the botanical garden) with no public transport: budget a car and a half-day.
• The Teritip crocodile farm may have closed: check before travelling out.