Getting Around Banjarbaru
Banjarbaru is the capital of South Kalimantan and sits close to the larger city of Banjarmasin, with the town of Martapura immediately to its north. It is a compact, low-rise city laid out with plenty of parks and a city hall at its centre, and getting around is mostly a matter of choosing between minivans, pedicabs, taxis and ride-hailing apps. One useful thing to know before anything else: all public transportation in the city uses yellow registration plates, so a yellow plate is your quick visual cue that a vehicle is licensed to carry the public.
Rail, Metro and Trams
There is no rail, metro or tram network serving Banjarbaru. Visitors should not expect to move around the city by train, and there is no ticketing or pass system of that kind to plan for. Ground transport is the only practical option.
Buses and Public Transport
The main form of public transport is the taksi kota, a green minivan that runs a fixed route between Liang Anggang and Martapura, the capital of Banjar Regency, passing through Banjarbaru in both directions. In practice this means you can flag one down along the corridor and use it to travel across the city or onward toward Martapura. Fares are paid on board rather than through any card or pass system, so keep small cash with you.
Because the route is fixed, the taksi kota is best for journeys that happen to lie along it. For anything off that line, you will need one of the other options below.
Becak (Pedicabs)
Becak are traditional three-wheeled rickshaws or pedicabs, and they are a good choice for short hops. You will find them most easily around markets. Fares are negotiated rather than metered, so agree on a price before you set off, and expect the cost to depend on how far you are going.
Most becak drivers do not speak English. A map and plenty of pointing will get you where you need to go, but it helps enormously to know the name of your destination in advance and to be able to show it.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Beyond the taksi kota minivans and becak, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most straightforward way for a visitor to get around, particularly for door-to-door trips that do not follow the minivan route. Because the city is small and the airport is close by, journeys tend to be short. As with any negotiated or app-based ride, confirm the fare or the pickup point before you commit.
Walking
Banjarbaru was planned on a European city concept, which is why it has an unusual abundance of city parks and a central city hall, and this makes parts of the centre pleasant to walk. That said, walking is best treated as a way to cover short distances within a neighbourhood rather than as a way to cross the whole city. For longer trips, combine walking with a becak or a ride-hailing car.
Getting In from the Airport
Syamsudin Noor Airport (airport code BDJ) is the main gateway. Despite carrying Banjarmasin's name, it is actually nearer to Banjarbaru than to Banjarmasin, and it sits only about a 15-minute drive from the city. That makes the transfer into town quick and inexpensive by taxi or ride-hailing car, and it means you can be at your accommodation shortly after landing. If you prefer public transport, the green taksi kota minivans run along their fixed Liang Anggang–Martapura route through Banjarbaru, but for a direct airport-to-door transfer a taxi or app-based ride is the simpler choice.
Practical Tips
- Look for the yellow registration plate to identify licensed public transport.
- Carry small cash — fares on minivans and becak are paid directly, not by card or pass.
- Negotiate the becak fare before you ride, and know your destination by name.
- Use the green taksi kota minivans for trips along the Liang Anggang–Martapura corridor.
- For everything else, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most flexible option.
- Allow roughly 15 minutes by road between the airport and the city.