Getting Around Singkawang
Singkawang is a compact coastal city in West Kalimantan, and most visitors find it easy to navigate without a car. The city has no rail, metro or tram network of any kind, so getting around relies on shared minibuses, taxis, ride-hailing and your own two feet. What follows is a practical overview of each option.
Angkot: The Backbone of Local Transport
The primary form of public transport within Singkawang is the angkot — shared minibuses that run on fixed routes around the city. They are the cheapest and most local way to move between neighbourhoods.
- Fares: typically around Rp5,000–10,000 depending on how far you travel.
- Hours: angkot generally operate from early morning until late at night.
- How to use them: flag one down along its route, tell the driver your destination, and pay in cash. Routes are not always clearly signposted for visitors, so asking your guesthouse or a local which angkot serves your destination is the simplest approach.
Buses and Intercity Connections
Singkawang Bus Terminal is the central hub for intercity and regional bus services. For travel within the city itself, however, buses are not the main option — angkot fill that role.
For longer journeys, note that bus services between Singkawang and Pontianak are almost non-existent these days, apart from a once-daily DAMRI Pontianak–Sambas service that stops in the city. Locals instead prefer pre-arranged shared taxis (see below).
There is also an international link: DAMRI and Bus Asia run a joint daily service between Singkawang and Kuching Sentral in Malaysia. The bus to Kuching leaves from Singkawang Grand Mall in the early morning, and the return service departs Kuching in the opposite direction later in the morning. The journey takes roughly seven hours including a half-hour lunch break near the Indonesian border. Fares are payable in rupiah or Malaysian ringgit.
Taxis, Shared Taxis and Ride-Hailing
For intercity travel along the Sambas–Singkawang–Pontianak route, the local favourite is the travel taxi — a pre-arranged three-seater shared car. These are booked in advance rather than hailed on the street, and they will take you to points along the route. Fares are set per person and are considerably cheaper than a private car; expect to pay more to Pontianak than to Sambas.
Within the city, conventional taxis and ride-hailing apps are available, though the angkot network covers most local trips at a fraction of the cost. For airport transfers, travel taxis are the standard arrangement (see below).
Renting a Car or Bicycle
If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental is available from international providers such as Avis and Hertz, with daily rates starting at around Rp300,000 and possible discounts for longer rentals. Bicycle rental is also an option, offered by local shops and some guesthouses, typically at Rp20,000–50,000 per day, with hourly rates available too. A bicycle is a pleasant way to explore the flat coastal areas and the old town.
Walkability
Singkawang's central districts — including the old town (Kota Tua) with its colonial-era buildings and Chinese shophouses, and the market areas — are compact enough to explore on foot. The city is known for its many temples, and several of the most visited, such as Vihara Budi Dharma and Vihara Dewi Kwan Im, sit within reach of one another in the urban core. Walking is also the best way to sample the city's famous food stalls and cake shops, which operate from early morning until midnight. Do bear in mind the tropical rainforest climate: heavy rainfall is possible year-round, so carry rain protection and plan around the showers.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Singkawang now has its own airport, located south of the city centre and roughly a 20- to 25-minute drive from the centre. It opened in early 2024 but has yet to have regular flights, so it may not be a practical arrival point depending on when you travel. A new international airport serving Singkawang — intended as an alternative to Pontianak's airport — is under construction in two phases.
For most visitors, the air gateway to Singkawang remains Supadio International Airport near Pontianak. From there, travel taxis to and from Singkawang are available; as of August 2024 the fare was around Rp200,000. The drive takes roughly three hours, reflecting the inadequate road infrastructure across West Kalimantan. A toll road to Pontianak is under consideration but not yet built.
An alternative for international travellers is to fly to Kuching in Malaysia first and cross overland into Indonesia via the Aruk/Biawak border, continuing on to Singkawang by road.
Practical Tips
- Carry small-denomination cash for angkot fares and market purchases.
- Arrange travel taxis and airport transfers in advance through your accommodation or a local agent.
- Ask locally about angkot routes — they are not designed with foreign visitors in mind, but locals are used to pointing people in the right direction.
- Allow generous time for road journeys: distances in West Kalimantan take longer than the map suggests.
- Keep a rain jacket or umbrella handy whatever the season, given the city's year-round heavy rainfall.