Territory capital · Indonesia
PontianakKota Pontianak
Give Pontianak 2 nights: one for the equator monument and river, one for food. It is a stopover city, not a destination week.
Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan, built where the Kapuas and Landak rivers meet and sitting almost exactly on the Equator. It is a trading city of Malay, Dayak and Chinese communities, and it earns its place on a Borneo route through food, river life and the equator monument rather than through big sights. Two nights covers it; most travellers pass through on the way to Singkawang or across the border to Kuching.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier)
- avoid Rainfall varies through the year; check the forecast before you book
- Airport
- PNK
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
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
Emergency numbers for Pontianak112 ▾
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 Pontianak, 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
- SafetyPontianak is a working city, not a resort: petty theft is the main risk, so keep phones and bags close and never leave a helmet on a parked bike.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPNK Supadio International Airport (About 15–20 km (9.3–12 mi) from the centre; DAMRI bus to town, or a fixed-price taxi coupon).PNK Supadio International Airport (About 9.3–12 mi (15–20 km) from the centre; DAMRI bus to town, or a fixed-price taxi coupon).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the easy option; agree the fare first.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeelocal warung to modern caféRp10,000–50,000
- Street or quick mealStreet-hawker meal (noodles, rice, satay)Rp5,000–25,000
- Metro or bus rideCity bus rideAbout Rp2,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRp100,000–200,000
- Museum or sight ticketEquator monument entryRp10,000 localRp20,000 foreign visitor
- Budget bedGuesthouse or hostel bed, a night, per personRp100,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp400,000
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp700,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp300,000 · Mid Rp600,000 · High Rp1,200,000
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 →
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
- PNK Supadio International Airport (About 15–20 km (9.3–12 mi) from the centre; DAMRI bus to town, or a fixed-price taxi coupon)PNK Supadio International Airport (About 9.3–12 mi (15–20 km) from the centre; DAMRI bus to town, or a fixed-price taxi coupon)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pontianak: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 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
Taxis are the easy option; agree the fare first. Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) are widely used in Indonesian cities but availability in Pontianak is not confirmed — check in the app on arrival. City buses cost a couple of thousand rupiah but are poorly marked and drivers rarely speak English. Small boats cross the Kapuas for about Rp1,000 and are the cheapest way to the far bank. Note that ride-hailing apps are not allowed at the ALBN long-distance bus station, about 15 km east of the centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Singkawang
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3.5 h
Bus or shared car west, about 2–3 h
Chinese-Indonesian coastal town with its own food scene; better as a night than a return trip.
Equator Monument (Tugu Khatulistiwa)
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Public bus or taxi north of the centre, about 11 km (6.8 mi)Public bus or taxi north of the centre, about 6.8 mi (11 km)
Entry is a small ticket for locals and a higher one for foreign visitors; go in the morning.
Kuching, Malaysia
overnightDoor to door: 8–10 h
Bus via the Entikong border crossing, at least 8 h
A full travel day; check border hours and bus operators before you commit.
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.
Jalan Gajahmada and the CBD
Chinese-Indonesian food street, cafés and most mid-range hotels; walkable in the evening.
Around Jalan Ahmad Yani
Bigger chain hotels and the museum; a short ride from the river.
Pontianak Timur, east bank of the Kapuas
The Kadriyah Palace and Masjid Jami' sit here; cross by boat or bridge from the centre. Fewer places to sleep.
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
- Rp250,000–450,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp450,000–900,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp900,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × Rp400,000 | Rp800,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Rp600,000 | Rp2,400,000 |
| DAMRI bus airport → centre, one way2 × Rp35,000 | Rp70,000 |
| Taxi coupon airport → centre2 × Rp70,000 | Rp140,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 · 2026 estimate | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp371,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,020,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp4,081,000≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Bed and daily figures are planning estimates — check current rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street-hawker meal (noodles, rice, satay) | Rp5,000–25,000 |
| Coffee, local warung to modern café | Rp10,000–50,000 |
| Es lidah buaya (aloe vera drink) | Rp10,000–20,000 |
| City bus ride | About Rp2,000 |
| River crossing by boat | About Rp1,000 |
| Equator monument entry | Rp10,000 local / Rp20,000 foreign visitor |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Rp100,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pickpockets and motorcycle theft are common, including in mall car parks; keep helmets and bags locked or with you.
- Long-distance buses from Kuching drop at ALBN station, where Grab and Gojek are not allowed — use the official taxi desk or walk to the main road.
- Budget rooms can be basic; check the room before you pay and bring repellent.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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PontianakKota Pontianak
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tolong antar ke alamat iniTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Fire113
Embassy
Indonesia has no US, UK or Australian embassy in Pontianak; those are in Jakarta. Some countries keep honorary consulates in the region — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Supadio Airport → city centre, DAMRI bus: about Rp35,000, hourly
- Supadio Airport → city centre, taxi coupon: about Rp70,000 fixed
- River crossing by boat: about Rp1,000
Say or show
- Permisi — Excuse me (per-mee-see)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (ter-ee-ma ka-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Jangan pedas — I don't want it spicy (jan-gan pe-das)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let)
- Tolong antar ke alamat ini — Please take me to this address (to-long an-tar ke a-la-mat ee-nee)
Pontianak is a stopover city: two nights is enough. Book the airport bus or taxi coupon before arrival, and carry small rupiah notes for street food and boats.
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 Pontianak. 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–Sep (drier) · avoid Rainfall varies through the year; check the forecast before you book · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 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
- Airport-to-bed contract for PNK: DAMRI times, taxi coupon price, late-arrival fallback.
- Walking clusters for the river, Gajahmada food street and the museum, with evening anchors.
- Place pages with verified hours (palace, museum, equator monument) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-season and border-crossing fixtures so the Kuching and Singkawang legs can go green.