Major city · Papua New Guinea
Rabaul
Spend 2–3 days: volcano views, war‑site tours and a dive day; reach via Tokua (RAB) airport, then bus or taxi to town.
Rabaul offers volcanic scenery, WWII heritage and good diving. A short stay covers the main sights; longer only for multiple dive trips.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- avoid check
- Airport
- RAB
- 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 Rabaul112 ▾
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 Rabaul, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; monitor volcanic alerts and use reputable transport; road conditions can be poor after rain.
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 · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (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.
- AirportRAB Tokua Airport (Rebuilt after 1994 eruption; occasional ash closures.).
- Getting around1A bus between Kokopo and Rabaul (≈40 min, K3.5, K5 in rain); taxis similar cost; hire cars K240 day + fuel, 4WD advised on damaged roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus 1A ticketK3.5–K5
- Museum or sight ticketWar cemetery entryFree
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPGK 15
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPGK 80
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomPGK 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PGK 30 · Mid PGK 45 · High PGK 70
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
- RAB Tokua Airport (Rebuilt after 1994 eruption; occasional ash closures.)
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
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rabaul: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
11 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 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
1A bus between Kokopo and Rabaul (≈40 min, K3.5, K5 in rain); taxis similar cost; hire cars K240 day + fuel, 4WD advised on damaged roads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Tavurvur & hot springs
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round
Hire car or tour from town, 15 min drive
Parking K5, hot springs view only.
Bitapaka War Cemetery
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus or car, 20 min from town
Free entry, maintained by Australian War Graves Commission.
Japanese Barge Tunnel
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Car or organised tour, 30 min drive
Rough track, entry K7.
Kokopo War & Cultural Museum
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Bus or walk, 10 min
Entry K10.
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.
Rabaul Hotel
34 rooms, central, near bus stop.
Kokopo Village Resort
Mid‑range, Kokopo centre.
Rapopo Plantation Resort
Resort with beach access.
Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort
Beachside, rooms from K550+.
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
- K30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- K45–70 excl. bed
- High
- K70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 2 nights × PGK 80 | PGK 160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PGK 45 | PGK 180 |
| Airport‑to‑town taxi or bus2 × PGK 40 · check | PGK 80 |
| 1A bus ticket RAB‑Rabaul2 × PGK 5 | PGK 10 |
| Dive day (incl. gear)2 × PGK 800 · check | PGK 1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 203 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 558 per person per day, bed included | PGK 2,233 |
2026 estimate in PGK; flights not included.
Prices of common things
| Bus 1A ticket | K3.5–K5 |
| Volcano parking | K5 |
| War cemetery entry | Free |
| Museum entry | K5–K10 |
| Taxi from airport | K40–K60 |
| Meal at local kai bar | K8–K15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Volcanic ash can close Tokua Airport – check alerts.
- Roads to the volcano can be muddy; 4WD recommended.
- Airport fees often K40+; confirm with lodge.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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RabaulRabaul
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis bringim mi long dispela addressTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Port Moresby; other embassies in the capital (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tokua (RAB) → Rabaul Hotel, taxi: ≈ K45 (check)
- 1A bus RAB → Rabaul: K3.5 (rain K5)
- Dive day package: K800–K1,200 per person (check)
Say or show
- Sori — Excuse me / Sorry (sori)
- Tenkyu — Thank you (tenkyu)
- Hau ham? — How much? (hau ham?)
- Bus i stap? — Where is the bus? (bus i stap?)
- Mi want wara? — Can I have water? (mi want wara?)
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 Rabaul. 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: Jun–Oct · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contracts (RAB‑K550).
- Bus‑to‑volcano guide service (K3.5‑K5).
- Dive‑trip packages (K700‑K1200 per day).
Sources
- secondaryWikidata Rabaul
- officialPapua New Guinea tourism board
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rabaul, revision 5296827 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Rabaul
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