Getting Around Pontianak
Pontianak sits in the delta of the Kapuas River, right on the equator, and the city is knitted together by roads rather than rails. For a visitor, that means the practical choices are buses, shared minivans, taxis, ride-hailing apps, river boats, and your own two feet. There is no metro, tram, or intercity rail network to plan around, so getting around is mostly a matter of picking the right road vehicle or, in some cases, a boat.
Public Buses and Angkot
The city has a public bus service, Trans Pontianak, with air-conditioned vehicles running on a limited set of routes at fairly low frequency. Buses generally operate from early morning until around 6 PM. Fares are fixed and inexpensive, and you can pay either in cash or with a non-physical card such as a BRIZZI card.
More common than the buses are angkot — shared minivans that function as collective taxis. They are usually not air-conditioned, run on fixed but often informal routes, and can be flagged down anywhere along the route. Fares are paid in cash directly to the driver and depend on distance. Angkot run from roughly early morning to late evening and are more frequent than the buses, though they are being phased out in some areas as ride-hailing has grown more popular. Key places to find them include Pasar Flamboyan market, the bus terminals, and shopping centres.
A few practical notes: buses and angkot are not well marked, drivers and most locals do not speak English, and orientation can be difficult if you are new to the city. It is worth confirming your destination and the fare with the driver before boarding. Neither buses nor angkot are generally wheelchair accessible.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis exist in Pontianak but are less prominent than in Indonesia's larger cities. They are identifiable by company name and are often metered. You can hail one on the street, pick one up at a stand at a mall or hotel, or call by phone. Expect a base fare plus a per-kilometre charge, with cash as the standard payment, though some accept cards.
For most visitors, the ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab are the most convenient option. Both offer car services (GoCar and GrabCar) and motorcycle services (GoRide and GrabBike), plus food and grocery delivery. Fares are fixed and displayed in the app, usually cheaper than taxis, and the apps include safety features such as driver and vehicle details, GPS tracking, and an emergency button. Helmets are provided for motorcycle rides and are mandatory. Official pick-up points exist at the airport and at coach terminals, where taxis and ojek are also available.
Cash remains the standard for taxis, angkot, and street vendors, while some larger taxis, hotels, and restaurants accept cards. In-app card payment is available through Gojek and Grab.
Renting a Car or Motorcycle
Cars can be rented from local companies and national providers such as Avis and TRAC Astra. You will need an International Driving Permit plus your national licence and passport, and often a deposit; minimum age requirements typically fall in the early twenties. Hiring a car with a local driver is recommended. Motorcycles can also be rented with an IDP, a national motorcycle licence, and a passport. A few guesthouses and hotels lend or rent bicycles.
If you do drive yourself, remember that traffic drives on the left, seatbelts are mandatory, and helmets are legally required for all motorcycle riders. Road quality varies from good main roads to poorly maintained smaller roads, with congestion at peak hours. Rural roads can turn muddy and flood in the rainy season, and heavy rain or seasonal haze can cut visibility.
Boats, Becak, and Other Local Transport
Because Pontianak is a river city, boats are a genuine part of getting around. Crossing the river by boat is generally the most convenient and cheapest way to reach the other side. For something more customised, klotok — traditional wooden river boats — can be hired privately on the Kapuas River for excursions to floating markets, stilt villages, and sightseeing; negotiate the price with the owner before departure.
For short hops around markets and tourist areas, look for the becak, a three-wheeled pedicab. Bargain the fare beforehand. There are no public tour buses, hop-on-hop-off services, cable cars, or funiculars — the terrain is flat — and organised tour groups use private buses that are not open to individual joiners.
Walking and Cycling
Walking in Pontianak is possible but challenging. Sidewalks are inconsistent or absent, and heat, humidity, and traffic make pedestrian travel difficult. The better walking areas are the Kapuas River waterfront promenades, Taman Alun Kapuas city park, and the market areas. There is little cycling infrastructure and no exclusive lanes; recreational cycling is safer in parks and quiet residential areas. Avoid main arterial roads at peak hours and poorly lit areas at night. Organised walking tours are not commonly marketed, but self-guided walks work well for nearby attractions, and local guides can be hired for customised tours.
Accessibility is limited: sidewalks and infrastructure often lack ramps, and newer hotels and malls tend to offer better accessibility than the streets. Private car hire with a driver is the most adjustable option, and accessibility information resources are rare. Parking is available at malls, hotels, and public areas for a small fee, while street parking is difficult and sometimes watched by informal attendants. Carry water and seek shade when walking or cycling in the tropical heat.
Getting from Supadio Airport into the City
Supadio International Airport (PNK) is the city's air gateway, with very frequent flights from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on all major Indonesian airlines, plus flights from other major Indonesian cities and larger Kalimantan cities. International flights connect to Kuching and Kuala Lumpur.
To reach the city centre, DAMRI runs an hourly bus service for a fixed, inexpensive fare. The easiest place to catch the bus in the city is the DAMRI office on Jl. Pahlawan. For taxis, coupons at a fixed price are sold at the airport. DAMRI also runs buses from Supadio Airport to Singkawang and Sambas for a higher fixed fare. Ride-hailing pick-ups operate from official points at the airport, where official taxi counters are also available.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
Pontianak is connected by long-distance bus to neighbouring Malaysia and Brunei. Buses run from Kuching, crossing the border at Entikong, with providers including Damri, SJS, and Biaramas Express; the trip takes at least eight hours. A bus trip from Brunei is also available. Note that you may be dropped off at ALBN bus station, some distance east of the city centre, where Grab and Gojek are not allowed — you may need to walk out to the main street or pay the official (high) prices for a local taxi. Taxis and ojek are available at coach terminals.