Major city · Indonesia
Palembang
Give Palembang 2 nights: one for the Musi riverfront and Ampera Bridge, one for the museums and a riverboat to Kemaro Island.
Palembang is the capital of South Sumatra and one of Indonesia's oldest cities, a Srivijaya-era port on the Musi River. It is a working city, not a resort: travellers come for the river, the Sultanate-era mosques and museums, and pempek. Two nights covers the core; add a night if you are using it as a base for South Sumatra.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier)
- avoid Nov–Mar (wettest), Ramadan for daytime eating
- Airport
- PLM
- 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 Palembang112 ▾
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 Palembang, 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
- SafetyPalembang is generally safe for travellers; the real risks are traffic, unlit alleys after dark, and taxis that refuse the meter.
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 · 118 ambulance (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.
- AirportPLM Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (LRT to the city centre, about 30 min, flat airport fare; taxi about 30 min).
- Getting aroundThe LRT is the easiest way between the airport, the centre and Jakabaring, with a flat fare (higher from/to the airport).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local warungRp10,000–25,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (foreign tourist)Rp15,000–20,000
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomRp450,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp500,000
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRp900,000
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 →
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
- PLM Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (LRT to the city centre, about 30 min, flat airport fare; taxi about 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Mar (18 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Palembang: 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)
18 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 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
The LRT is the easiest way between the airport, the centre and Jakabaring, with a flat fare (higher from/to the airport). TransMusi buses and angkot cover more of the city at low flat fares. Ojeks (motorcycle taxis) are quick and cheap for short hops; taxis are scarce and often refuse the meter, so agree the price first. Boats can be hired at the Kuto Besak piers for the Musi and Kemaro Island.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pagar Alam
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 h each way
Bus or car via Lahat, about 5–6 h
Tea highlands and Bukit Dempo; too far for a day return.
Lubuk Linggau
overnightDoor to door: About 5 h
Train from Kertapati station
Rail link west; sleep one night or continue to Bengkulu.
Kemaro Island
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Motorboat from the Kuto Besak piers, about 30 min
Buddhist temple and pagoda; busiest at Cap Go Meh.
Bukit Seguntang
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or ojek, about 20–30 min from the centre
Srivijaya-era sacred hill with tombs and views; go early.
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.
Bukit Kecil / Ampera
Central, walkable to Ampera Bridge, Grand Mosque and Monpera; best for a short trip.
Ilir Timur (around Jl. Sudirman)
Hotels, malls and restaurants; 10–15 min by car or ojek to the riverfront.
Near the airport / Alang-Alang Lebar
Only for early flights or a one-night transit; far from the sights.
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
- Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp600,000–1,200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × Rp500,000 | Rp1,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Rp800,000 | Rp3,200,000 |
| LRT airport trip, one way2 × Rp10,000 · check | Rp20,000 |
| TransMusi bus ride2 × Rp6,000 · check | Rp11,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp453,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,246,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp4,984,000≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pempek (fried fish cake with vinegar sauce) | Rp15,000–40,000 |
| Tekwan or model soup | Rp15,000–35,000 |
| Coffee at a local warung | Rp10,000–25,000 |
| Bottled water (600 ml) | Rp5,000–10,000 |
| Ojek short tripAgree the price first. | Rp10,000–25,000 |
| Taxi airport to centrecheck | About Rp100,000 |
| Museum entry (foreign tourist) | Rp15,000–20,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxis often refuse the meter: agree the fare before you get in, or use an app.
- Flooding and heavy rain are common Nov–Mar; allow extra time.
- The Kuto Besak compound is military and closed to the public; only the plaza in front is open.
- Some sights (Bayt Al-Qur'an Al-Akbar) are a long drive on poor roads: check access before committing.
- Addresses often use two street names (big road first, then the alley): give the driver both.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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PalembangPalembang
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
Most embassies are in Jakarta; the US, UK, Australia and Canada have no consulate in Palembang — check your embassy's Jakarta page for emergency contacts.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- LRT airport → city centre: Rp10,000 flat, about 30 min (check)
- TransMusi bus: Rp5,500 flat (check)
- Taxi airport → centre: about Rp100,000, 30 min (check)
- Motorboat to Kemaro Island: negotiate at the Kuto Besak piers (check)
Say or show
- Permisi / Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (per-mee-see / ma-af)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (te-ree-ma ka-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bee-sa ba-yar pa-kai kar-too)
- Di mana toiletnya? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let-nya)
- Tolong pakai argo — Please use the meter (to-long pa-kai ar-go)
Keep the LRT last-train times and the airport fare handy; taxis after dark are the main thing to arrange in advance.
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 Palembang. 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 Nov–Mar (wettest), Ramadan for daytime eating · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PLM: LRT last-train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Ampera and the mosque, Kuto Besak plaza, the museums, Seberang Ulu.
- Place pages with verified hours (Grand Mosque, Monpera, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum, Balaputradewa Museum) and eat pages with pempek last orders.
- River-boat and flood fixtures so gates A–D can go green.