Major city · Indonesia
Banjarmasin
Go for 2 nights to see the dawn floating market and the riverfront; skip if you want beaches or easy walking — this is a hot, spread-out river city.
Banjarmasin is the biggest city in South Kalimantan and the capital of the Banjar Malay world, built on the Martapura and Barito rivers. Its reason to visit is water: dawn floating markets, canal trips and riverfront promenades. The city is hot year-round, sights are spread out, and the old palace is gone — so most travellers give it two nights and move on to Banjarbaru or Martapura.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier)
- avoid Nov–Mar (wettest), Ramadan for food hours
- Airport
- BDJ
- 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 Banjarmasin112 ▾
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 Banjarmasin, 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 safe for tourists; the real risks are heat, traffic, unlit river edges and boat trips without a fixed price.
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.
- AirportBDJ Syamsudin Noor International Airport (26 km (16 mi) from the centre, about 30–45 min by road; domestic links to Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Denpasar…BDJ Syamsudin Noor International Airport (16 mi (26 km) from the centre, about 30–45 min by road; domestic links to Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Denpasar…
- Getting aroundRide-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) are the cheapest and easiest way across town; metered taxis exist but often quote a minimum.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a warungRp10,000–25,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Ride-hail car across townRp20,000–40,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRp100,000–200,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personRp100,000
- 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
- BDJ Syamsudin Noor International Airport (26 km (16 mi) from the centre, about 30–45 min by road; domestic links to Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Denpasar, Balikpapan and Makassar.)BDJ Syamsudin Noor International Airport (16 mi (26 km) from the centre, about 30–45 min by road; domestic links to Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Denpasar, Balikpapan and Makassar.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Aug (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Dec (21 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Banjarmasin: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 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
Ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) are the cheapest and easiest way across town; metered taxis exist but often quote a minimum. Angkot microbuses are cheap but hard to use without Indonesian. Becak (cycle rickshaw) and ojek (motorbike taxi) suit short hops. Boats — klotok and jukung — are how you reach the floating markets and river islands; negotiate the price before boarding.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Banjarbaru
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Road via Jalan A. Yani, about 35 km (22 mi)Road via Jalan A. Yani, about 22 mi (35 km)
Provincial capital since 2022; museums, the airport and fruit farms.
Martapura
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Road east of Banjarbaru, about 45 km (28 mi)Road east of Banjarbaru, about 28 mi (45 km)
Diamond and gem market town; combine with Banjarbaru in one day.
Pulau Kembang
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Boat from the Martapura riverfront, about 20 min
Macaques are bold around food; hold your bag and don't carry snacks.
Pulau Kaget
cautionDoor to door: 2 h+
Boat downriver, longer run
Proboscis monkeys are shy; sightings are not guaranteed.
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.
Siring / riverfront (Jalan Kapten Piere Tendean)
Walk to the Menara Pandang tower and the promenade; best for a short river-focused stay.
Jalan A. Yani corridor (Km 0–5)
Malls, chain hotels and the airport road; practical if you arrive late or leave early.
Kuin / Kampung Kraton
Older riverside quarter near Masjid Sultan Suriansyah; quieter, fewer hotels.
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 |
| Airport taxi to the centre, one way1 × Rp150,000 · check | Rp150,000 |
| Floating-market boat, per boat1 × Rp250,000 · check | Rp250,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp490,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,348,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp5,390,000≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a warung | Rp10,000–25,000 |
| Soto banjar or mie bancir | Rp20,000–40,000 |
| Angkot microbus ride | Rp5,000–10,000 (check) |
| Ride-hail car across town | Rp20,000–40,000 |
| Becak or ojek short hop | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Rp100,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The floating market starts before dawn and is over by about 09:00 — a late start means you miss it.The floating market starts before dawn and is over by about 9:00 AM — a late start means you miss it.
- River water is not for swimming; keep hands away from the edge on boat trips.
- Alcohol is hard to find outside large hotels; this is a strongly Muslim city.
- Smoking is common in public and on ferries; non-smoking rooms are not guaranteed in budget hotels.
- Afternoon downpours can flood low streets — allow slack for airport runs in the wet season.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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BanjarmasinBanjarmasin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
Most embassies are in Jakarta; Australia has a consulate-general in Bali and there is no consulate in Banjarmasin — check your embassy's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre, taxi: fixed fare, about Rp150,000, 30–45 min (check)
- Ride-hail across town: Rp20,000–40,000
- Floating-market boat, per boat: about Rp250,000 return, negotiate before boarding (check)
Say or show
- Terima kasih — Thank you (terima kasih)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (berapa harganya)
- Terlalu mahal — Too expensive (terlalu mahal)
- Di mana perahunya? — Where is the boat? (di mana perahunya)
- Tidak, terima kasih — I don't want it, thank you (tidak, terima kasih)
- Tolong — Help (tolong)
Save the boatman's number and agree a return time before you leave the jetty.
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 Banjarmasin. 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 food hours · 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 BDJ: fixed taxi fare, ride-hail pickup point, late-arrival hotel list.
- Dawn floating-market fixture with boat price bands and a 05:00 alarm.
- Riverfront walking cluster: Menara Pandang, Siring park and the Bekantan statue.
- Eat pages for soto banjar, ketupat kandangan and Pasar Ahad breakfast.