Located on the Indonesian island of Borneo, Balikpapan is one of the largest cities in the archipelago. This city has earned the nickname "Oil City" due to its abundant natural oil resources.

Although Balikpapan is located far away in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital city, it's not unusual to catch a glimpse of skyscrapers here. It's no surprise that the city's business and tourism have grown exponentially year after year, making it the second-largest city in East Borneo after Samarinda.

Have you heard that Balikpapan is now considered one of Indonesia's most livable cities? The city is known for its cleanliness, fresh air, and stunning landscapes and views.

For your information, just like other cities in Indonesia, Balikpapan also has a lot of amazing traditional cuisines that attract people to come here. Even though it is famous for its oil mining, Balikpapan still has beautiful white sand beaches, such as Kemala Beach. Getting more curious about Kalimantan?

Before you head to Balikpapan, it's important to know the different transportation options available to reach this unique city. Balikpapan can be reached by air, sea, or land, offering travelers at least three different routes to choose from.

If you cannot wait to see Balikpapan's beauty, the air route is the quickest. However, the ticket prices are much higher than those of the land and sea routes. Depending on your comfort level and budget, catching a glimpse of Balikpapan is still worth the money spent.

Air travel is the preferred choice for people coming to Balikpapan from other countries or different cities on different islands. It's an efficient and time-saving option. You can land at either the Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport or Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan.

For those coming from other cities on Borneo Island, the land route is a popular option. You can choose to drive your own car or take a bus.

The sea route is considered one of the best ways to reach Kalimantan, especially for first-timers. Moreover, it's more affordable than air travel, especially for those who are not from Borneo Island. Balikpapan has two ports: Semayang Port and Kariangau Port.

Although the journey to Balikpapan by sea can take up to 24 hours, you can still enjoy the view if you don't suffer from seasickness. However, one downside is that bad weather can significantly lengthen the travel time and even pose a risk to the journey.

Also read: Where to See Orangutans in Borneo: A Guide to Finding the Endangered Apes in the Wild

Renting a car is a great option for those seeking privacy and flexibility to explore Balikpapan, and Traveloka makes it easy to find a rental car. There are two options for renting a car in Balikpapan using Traveloka. The first is to rent a car without a driver, which is suitable for those familiar with Balikpapan's roads or adventurous travelers looking for a challenge.

However, if you're visiting Balikpapan for a holiday and want to fully enjoy your time without worrying about navigation, renting a car with a driver is the best option. This way, you can focus on enjoying the sights, food, and destinations without the hassle of driving and navigation.

In Balikpapan, you can find a new type of public transportation called DAMRI buses. These buses are primarily used to transport people to and from IKN (Ibu Kota Negara Baru), which is the planned new capital city of Indonesia located on Borneo Island (set to be established in 2024).

There are 15 DAMRI buses available that can take you from Semayang Port to Sepinggan Airport, Tol KM 13, and the IKN.

If renting a car is too expensive for you, a taxi could be an excellent alternative. However, never take your eyes off the taxi meter. It can cause you to pay much more because the driver will charge based on mileage. Or, you can choose a regular taxi or an online taxi through an app.

Ojek is a cheap form of public transportation in Indonesia, similar to tuk-tuks in Thailand or tricycles in Vietnam. If you're backpacking in Balikpapan, ojek can be an excellent alternative. It's affordable and efficient, and you can negotiate with the driver to get the best price. Therefore, it's necessary to have good negotiating skills to obtain the best deals.

Angkot (angkutan kota, or in English: urban transportation) is a shared transportation in Indonesia. You can also find angkot while in Balikpapan. Locals commonly use angkot because it provides access to various public spaces throughout the city.

Additionally, the tariffs are relatively inexpensive, and angkot can be found at virtually every street corner. For information, angkot is painted in various colors, with each color indicating its specific destination. So, make sure you already know which angkot you want to use by looking for the destination written on the front of the angkot’s windshield.

Are you excited to have a wonderful experience in Balikpapan? If you want to book flight tickets or rent a car with the best deals and lowest price, book it through Traveloka!