Balikpapan

Balikpapan is a city in East Kalimantan. It serves as headquarters for international oil companies, mining companies and related support industries operating in (and out of) eastern Kalimantan. It is a relatively clean small city, with clear blue skies, but not much by way of nightlife. The population is a mix, with lots of (Javanese) due to transmigration, lots of people from Sulawesi and of course the local residents. The people are quiet and polite and the pace is slow and relaxed.

Travel to Balikpapan

Most people arrive by air.

Fly to Balikpapan

• Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport IATA Flight Code: BPN formally Sepinggan Airport | It has frequent Flights from Jakarta and commercial services from Surabaya, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Palu, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Denpasar and numerous smaller airports in Kalimantan. There are also international Flights from Singapore operated by SilkAir 6 times a week and from Kuala Lumpur operated by Air Asia 3 times a week. The airport is on the coast just outside of the city, around 8 kilometers away from the town center. Airport taxis operate from the terminal; there is a fixed fare depending on the destination (starting from Rp 80,000, as of March 2022). You may be offered an unofficial fare outside the main exit if you walk to the left past the official taxi ranks; while some of these drivers may offer a slightly cheaper fare, many will quote an inflated price when they see a foreigner, so make sure you've asked the official fare to your destination in the taxi booth if you intend to bargain with them.

• Susi Air - Service from local destinations across Kalimantan.

Despite the numerous signs which you'll see after leaving the baggage claim area, as of March 2024 there's no airport bus service to Balikpapan; the buses mentioned on these signs are going to Samarinda.

How to travel to Balikpapan by car

Balikpapan can be visited from Samarinda, Bontang and Banjarmasin by land through 2 bus terminals. From Samarinda and Bontang by Terminal Batu Ampar and from Banjarmasin at the other terminal in the Batu Ampar District.

By ferry

Semayang's seaport that serves cruises from Makassar, Pare Pare, Tarakan, Surabaya and other eastern parts of Indonesia. This port is one of the busiest in Indonesia and the main gateway to Borneo, serving cargo ships not only from Indonesia but from the rest of South East Asia and beyond.

Get Around in Balikpapan

Traffic does not yet inhibit travel within the city but is increasing by the day as relatively high living standards help to support a sea of small motorcycles.

Best way to travel in Balikpapan by a Taxi

Some taxi companies operates in Balikpapan. It is advisable to call for their call center, tell your location and wait the call center arrange their unit to pick you up. It is uncommon to wait for empty taxis on the street because they stop and wait for orders from their call center. List of taxi companies and their call center number:

• CIty Taxi (+62 542 743417 or +62542 8520001)
• Mawar (+62 542 873145)
• Kalung Mas (+62 542 762222)
• Globalindo Taxi (+62 542 878787)
• Neotax

Public transportation in Balikpapan

Public transportation in Balikpapan consists of small shuttle van named angkutan kota or angkot for short. Locals often call angkot as taxi and metered taxi as taxi argo. There's no public bus inside the city. Minibuses serves public transport between points. Although there are dedicated routes and they often deroute due to passenger's request. They also sometimes don't serve the whole route. The color of the shuttle vanes determines their routes. Common routes are as follows:

• White top/Orange bottom (Route 1): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Batu Ampar
• White top/Light Green bottom (Route 2A): between Terminal Damai and Terminal Batu Ampar through Ring Road (feasible deroute to Balikpapan Baru housing and or Damai III area)
• White top/Gray bottom (Route 2B): between Balikpapan Baru and Jalan A Yani through Jalan AMD
• White top/Light Blue bottom (Route 3): between Terminal Batu Ampar and Pelabuhan Semayang through Klandasan
• White top/Yellow bottom (Route 5): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through A. Yani
• White top/Dark Blue bottom (Route 6): between Kampung Baru Ujung and Terminal Damai through Pelabuhan Semayang
• White top/Green bottom (Route 7): between Terminal Damai and Gunung Tembak
• White top/Light Yellow bottom (Route 9): between Terminal Batu Ampar and KM 24 to Samarinda

What to See

• (BOS) Orangutan Sancuary and Eco lodge | See rescued orangutans and sun bears in their natural habitat. Just roaming around for the day or stay at the eco lodge for a few nights and experience the wildlife in the jungle. You can also do a 2-week or 4-week volunteering course, where you can help out with the animals. It is about a 1-hour journey by vehicle from the downtown and if you stay the night or volunteer you will need outdoor equipment such as walking boots, spare clothes, insect repellent, etc.

• Crocodile Farm
• Pantai Menpora - The major tourist attraction is the Canopy Bridge, which is well known in East Borneo. It was built for biological study of the ecosystem in the canopy of the tropical rainforest. It is now popular for the public to view the beauty of the rainforest from 30 m (90 ft) above the ground. It's also a very nice place to enjoy nature or to camp and watch the stars.

Muslim Travel Tips

• On Merdeka (Independence) Plaza you can play soccer and other sports.
• Local tour operators arrange river safaris on the Mahakam River and orangutan tours.
• There are beautiful beaches, such as Manggar and Lamaru located just outside the city and Kemala Beach further off Klandasan with nice views of the sunset.

Shopping in Balikpapan

Visit one of the nice local markets.

• Plaza Balikpapan | Thit is the most popular shopping mall. Located at the centre of the city and it is a must visit for visitors.
• Kebun Sayur Traditional Market Center | Stones, gems, jewelry and diamonds of various types and price. Borneo is acknowledged as a rich island, not just with oil and coal, but with beautiful gems.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Balikpapan

A local delicacy is Amplang/Kuku Macan, a kind of chips made from fish. Pacifica Food Court in Balikpapan Plaza Mall has good food and a lot of choice.

• Segeri
• Tip-Top
• Beach House Restaurant - Batakan/Manggar
• Batakan Beach Cafe
• Lia's Cafe and restaurant - Batakan Kecil
• Yuli's Cafe (restaurant) - Batakan Kecil
• Palm Court Restaurant - Batakan
• Dapeen Cafe - kelandasan
• Ocean's Seafood Restaurant - Klandasan
• Bondy Restaurant | A big restaurant on the main drag with a very nice selection of seafood.
• Kepiting Kenari | A very giant fresh crab cooked with some option of Sauce (black pepper, sweet and sour, oyster Sauces, boiled, etc.)
• Dandito | Crab specialist restaurant.
• Kepiting Tambora | Crab specialist restaurant.
• Pondok Nelayan Seafood Rest. - Balikpapan Branch | Originates from Pontianak's (West Kalimantan) well-known seafood restaurant.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Balikpapan

Balikpapan - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Balikpapan, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Balikpapan. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Balikpapan and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Balikpapan. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Balikpapan. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Balikpapan: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Balikpapan.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Balikpapan: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Balikpapan, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Balikpapan.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Balikpapan, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Balikpapan, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Balikpapan and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Balikpapan, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Balikpapan, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Balikpapan without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Balikpapan is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Balikpapan.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Balikpapan is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Balikpapan, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Balikpapan Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Balikpapan

Ramadan 2025 in Balikpapan

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are a number of star-rated hotels poised on the hills and at the beach that are perfectly adequate.

• Swiss - Belinn Balikpapan Hotel
• Bahana Surya / Blue Sky Hotel. One of the better places in town. With a nice swimming swimmingpool (external entry Rp 70,000 per person).
• Hotel Bahtera. From Rp 600,000.
• Hotel Benakutai
• City hotel
• Dusit Hotel/ Le Grandeur
• Gran Senyiur Hotel. The first 5-star hotel in town, owned by local people. phone : +62 542 820211
• Hotel Haai | The only "back to nature" hotel in Balikpapan, cottage/bungalow style rooms with private garages, room rate from Rp 680,000, 3 min from airport (10 min to city).
• Hotel Murni. A affordable option.
• Novotel
• Hotel Nuansa Indah
• Town House Bukit Damai Indah, 0542-8879 650
• Aiqo Hotel Within 5 minutes walk of Balikpapan Plaza, 15 minutes trip from the Sepinggan airport. Clean and comfy. From Rp 628,000.
• Sentosa76 Guest House
• Le Grandeur Balikpapan | 185 rooms and suites and the hotel sits in its own extensive gardens, adjoining a beautiful sandy beach and overlooking the Makassar Straits. It is Kalimantan's only beachfront hotel.
• Novotel Balikpapan

Cope in Balikpapan

Consulates in Balikpapan

• Philippines Honorary Consulate | Jl. Projakal 157, Klandasan Ulu - ☎ +62 542 25-687

Go Next

• Samarinda

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