Tarakan

Tarakan is a city on an island of the same name in East Kalimantan, and the largest city of the province of North Kalimantan.

An introduction to Tarakan

Tarakan is 100km south of Nunukan, and also serves as a visa-free border-crossing between Indonesia and the Malaysia town of Tawau in Sabah.

Although Tarakan is the only independent city (kota) of the province of North Kalimantan, and the most populous city by far (population about 220,000), it is not the capital. The provincial capital is Tanjung Selor.

Travel to Tarakan

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Tarakan

Juwata International Airport IATA Code: TRK To/from Tawau: Once daily MASWings operates between Tarakan and Tawau.

By boat

A less mind numbing way of travel to Tarakan is to take the ferry service which plies a few times a day between Nunukan and Tawau, and a twice daily flight that goes between Nunukan and Tarakan. To get into Tawau this way, take the 11AM ferry (which usually waits to depart until it's full, which can mean it leaves at noon) from Tawau to Nunukan. The Labuan Express is the best option because it is just plain cleaner than the other ferries. The journey will take 45 minutes to an hour and it costs 40 Ringgit. After getting through Indonesian immigration, catch a shuttle van (RP 20,000 to charter the whole thing, and be prepared to bargain) to the airport which is a mere 15 minutes drive. There's a Kalstar plane (French ATR propellor plane which can seat 50 people) that arrives at 1:30pm to 2:00pm and you can catch that to Tarakan. Its RP 250,000 for that ticket which you can purchase at the airport. Oh, and there's some other tax of RP 8,000 too. The journey takes less than 15 minutes.

Of course you can travel to Tarakan from the Indonesian side (mainly going through the oil city of Balikpapan). From Balikpapan there are three to four flights daily except Sundays. By the way, if you do choose to go through Balikpapan airport, try the "Nasi Sop Buntut" at the Blue Sky restaurant on the second floor of the airport. Right beside the viewing gallery. Excellent stuff. Probably the best in Kalimantan ...

To/from Tawau: One departure daily except on Sunday from Tawau. M.V. Indomaya sails every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11.30am, while M.V. Tawindo M.V Labuan Express departs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10.30am. Tickets cost RM130 to RM140 (depending on which ferry you get on) one-way and travelling time is 4 hours (and thats not counting the usual 1 hour delay in departure time).

Be prepared to pay porters to haul your bags for you. On the Malaysian side, RM10 should be sufficient, on the Indonesian side about 20,000-30,000 rupiah for a couple suitcases. In Tawau and the ferry docks at the Customs jetty behind the fish market. In Tawau and the ferry docks at Tengkayu port, which is close to the downtown. The jetty, in this case, is a very long walk to the customs/immigration building. The minutes the ferry docks (at either port), a crowd of porters will jump on board and hustle to grab your bags.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Tarakan

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

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inTarakan: 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 Tarakan.

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

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Tarakan, 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 Tarakan, 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 Tarakan and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Tarakan, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Tarakan, 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 Tarakan 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 Tarakan 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 Tarakan.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Tarakan 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 Tarakan, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Tarakan Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Swiss Belhotel - the hotel of choice for most business travelers. Expect to pay from between 330,000 Rp to 450,000 Rp net per day. Clean and centrally located.

Tarakan Plaza Hotel - newly renovated and just re-opened for business. This is one of the oldest hotels in Tarakan and it used to be the best. But that was 10 years ago. Today it's been redone from the outside in. Unfortunately it still can't shake the "old & dark" feeling that old and dark hotels have. Room rates are from 280,000 RP per day.

Bahtera Hotel - another oldie but this hotel has a little bit more character. Another member of the old and dark hotel club, but its saving grace is its gardens and low density lay out. It also has an infamous massage parlour, an ear-drum wrecking dance hall, and dingy karaoke rooms complete with hostess viewing "aquariums".

Samkho Hotel - somewhat old and dingy, but reasonable in price (270,000 Rp or so).

Grand Taufiq Hotel - located in the middle of Tarakan. Provides three types of Room with different features. There are 45 rooms including 3 Executive rooms, 12 Deluxe rooms and 30 standard rooms which completed with lift, Minibar with alcohol removed, coffee shop, meeting room and also television channels. Below is the room's rate that Grand Taufiq Hotel offer.

News & References Tarakan

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