Territory capital · Indonesia
Kendari
Use Kendari as a transit hub for Wakatobi and Southeast Sulawesi, not a destination: one night is enough to see the bay and eat seafood.
Kendari is the capital of Southeast Sulawesi and the main gateway to the Wakatobi islands. The city itself has a relaxed bayfront, a few malls and good seafood, but most travellers use it as a one-night stop before or after diving trips. The real draw is the surrounding region: Wakatobi's reefs, the Banda Sea and traditional villages.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season)
- Airport
- KDI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
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 Kendari110 ▾
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 Kendari, 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
- SafetyKendari is generally safe for travellers.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118/119 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (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.
- AirportKDI Haluoleo Airport (26 km (16 mi) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.).KDI Haluoleo Airport (16 mi (26 km) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.).
- Getting aroundTaxis and ride-hailing (Gojek, Grab) are the main options; the airport is 30–40 min from the centre by car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of Bintang beerRp25,000–40,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi rideRp50,000–80,000
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus (bemo) rideRp5,000–10,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personRp80,000
- Mid-range bedStandard double room, a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedStandard double room, a night, per roomRp600,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp250,000 · Mid Rp450,000 · High Rp800,000
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
- KDI Haluoleo Airport (26 km (16 mi) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.)KDI Haluoleo Airport (16 mi (26 km) from the city; direct flights from Makassar, Jakarta, Surabaya and regional airports.)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kendari: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 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 and ride-hailing (Gojek, Grab) are the main options; the airport is 30–40 min from the centre by car. Bemos (minibuses) run along main roads but are not tourist-friendly.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wakatobi Islands
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h (flight) or 4–6 h (ferry)
Flight from Haluoleo Airport to Wangi-Wangi (about 1 h) or ferry from Wanci port in Kendari (check schedules)
World-class diving; plan at least 3 nights.
Bau-Bau
cautionDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Bus or shared taxi, about 4–5 h
Historical fort and Buton culture; a long day trip, better as an overnight.
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.
City centre (Jl. Edi Sabara / By Pass)
Closest to restaurants and the bay; most hotels are here.
Near Haluoleo Airport
Convenient for early departures; limited dining options.
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
- Rp200,000–350,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp600,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard double room1 × 1 night × Rp350,000 | Rp350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp450,000 | Rp900,000 |
| Taxi from Haluoleo Airport to city centre1 × Rp150,000 · check | Rp150,000 |
| Flight Kendari → Wangi-Wangi (Wakatobi), one way2 × Rp500,000 · check | Rp1,000,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp50,000 | Rp100,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp250,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,375,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp2,750,000≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in Indonesian rupiah; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi goreng or mie goreng at a warung | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| Ikan bakar (grilled fish) with rice and sambal | Rp30,000–50,000 |
| Bottle of Bintang beer | Rp25,000–40,000 |
| 5 km taxi ride | Rp50,000–80,000 |
| Local bus (bemo) ride | Rp5,000–10,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Dec–Mar) can disrupt flights and ferry schedules to Wakatobi.
- ATMs are available in the city centre but not at the airport.
- Mosquitoes are present year-round; bring repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 118/119
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KendariKendari
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance118/119
- General emergency112
Embassy
The US, UK, Australia and most other countries have embassies in Jakarta; consulates in Makassar. Check your country's nearest representation.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Haluoleo Airport → city centre, taxi: about Rp150,000, 30–40 min (check)
- Taxi city centre → Mandonga Mall: Rp20,000–30,000
- Flight Kendari → Makassar: about Rp400,000–700,000, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Halo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-seeh)
- Berapa? — How much? (buh-rah-pah)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee mah-nah toy-let)
- Saya mau ke... — I want to go to... (sah-yah mah-oo kuh...)
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 Kendari. 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: Apr–Nov · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KDI: last taxi/Grab departures field-checked, hotel shuttle fallback.
- Place pages for Wakatobi and Bau-Bau with verified ferry/flight schedules.
- Eat pages with last orders for seafood warungs.
Sources
Ask about Kendari
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