Getting Your Bearings
Bandar Lampung is the capital and largest city of Lampung Province, sitting at the head of Lampung Bay on the southern tip of Sumatra. It grew out of two older settlements, Tanjungkarang and Telukbetung, and that twin identity still shapes how the city works: Tanjungkarang is the commercial heart, while Teluk Betung is the port side. For a visitor, the practical upshot is that the city is compact enough to cross fairly quickly — travelling between the two main areas takes roughly half an hour to forty minutes by car — and getting around is generally easy and relatively inexpensive.
There is no metro, tram, or cable car system here, and you won't find tuk-tuks or jeepneys. Public transit comes down to buses and angkots, supplemented by taxis, ride-hailing, and motorbike taxis.
Angkot: The Workhorse of Local Travel
The angkot (short for Angkutan Kota, or "city transportation") is the main local mode of transport. These are shared minivans — often Daihatsu Carry or Toyota Kijang models with the interior reconfigured to seat more passengers — operated privately and cheaply on fixed routes. They run hop-on, hop-off, so you can flag one down anywhere along its route and get off wherever you like.
- Recognising your ride: different routes are identified by the colour of the vehicle and/or a route number displayed on it. There are no comprehensive official maps readily available to travellers, so ask locals or your accommodation staff which colour or number you need.
- Hailing one: wave it down from the roadside and confirm the destination by asking "Ke [destination]?"
- Getting off: say "Kiri!" (left) or "Stop Kiri" to stop at the left side, or tap the roof.
- Paying: fares are typically in the region of IDR 5,000–10,000 per ride within the city, paid in cash directly to the driver as you alight. Carry small denominations.
- Hours: roughly 05:00 to 21:00.
- Major hubs: Pasar Bawah, Tanjung Karang, and the various markets and shopping centres.
- Routes: angkots typically connect Tanjung Karang with an outlying urban area — for example Tanjung Karang–Garuntang, Tanjung Karang–Teluk Betung, Tanjung Karang–Rajabasa, Tanjung Karang–Sukarame, and Tanjung Karang–Langkapura.
Two cautions: angkots can get crowded, and pickpockets are common, so keep valuables out of sight and don't carry anything precious.
Buses and Bus Rapid Transit
Bandar Lampung has a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, a newer addition to the city's transport mix. The buses are still quite new and the fare is cheap — in the region of US$0.30 per trip. Because not all dedicated stops have been built, buses sometimes pull into available sideroad bus stops and otherwise stop at roadside walkways that have been labelled as BRT stops. Corridors include Rajabasa–Sukaraja (Rajabasa is a main bus terminal), Korpri–Sukaraja, Kemiling–Sukaraja, Tanjungkarang–Ir. Sutami, Rajabasa–Citra Garden, and Panjang–Citra Garden.
DAMRI buses form the more structured, predictable end of the bus network, with limited formal routes connecting major points including the airport. You pay cash to the conductor. DAMRI also runs long-distance services — notably a connection to Jakarta departing from Tanjungkarang train station, with tickets available from their service desk.
Rail
Bandar Lampung has a railway station, Tanjungkarang Station, which serves as the terminus of the railway service from Palembang. Passenger trains are relatively few — most rail traffic here is coal — and most services run to and from Palembang, with some going only as far as Baturaja in South Sumatra. Express trains connecting Bandar Lampung and Palembang include the Limex Sriwijaya and Rajabasa Express. The track itself continues beyond the station down to Panjang harbour and the Tarahan coal offloading point, but that is freight, not a passenger option.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available and can be hailed on the street or picked up at stands near hotels and malls. Blue Bird Group is the most reputable operator, with blue cars and metered fares. Metered fares start at around IDR 7,000–8,000, and a typical ride within the city runs about IDR 20,000–50,000. Cash is standard and card payment is not assured. For non-Blue Bird taxis, insist on the meter or negotiate the fare upfront.
Ride-hailing apps — Grab and Gojek — are widely used and offer both car (GrabCar/GoCar) and motorcycle (GrabBike/GoRide) options. Fares are displayed in the app before you book, typically IDR 10,000–30,000 for short rides, and you can pay in cash or via in-app e-wallet. Drivers are registered and trips are tracked; it's sensible to share your trip details with someone and to confirm the driver and vehicle match the app before getting in. Ride-hailing operates from the airport with designated pick-up points, and is also available at Tanjung Karang train station and the Rajabasa bus stations. A useful tip: walk a short distance away from terminal areas to avoid touts.
Ojek: Motorbike Taxis
The ojek, or motorbike taxi, is omnipresent here as in many Indonesian cities. It costs a little more than an angkot but gives you a totally personal conveyance and can weave through traffic. You'll find ojeks at most main street crossings, and you can hire one for a single journey or for a full day. Always bargain the price before you set off.
Walking and Cycling
Walking is feasible in pockets rather than as a way to cross the city. Sidewalks are limited and often uneven or obstructed, so on-foot exploring works best around parks such as Tugu Adipura and Taman Kota, and inside malls. Stay alert to traffic at all times.
Cycling is not generally recommended for visitors: there is no dedicated bicycle infrastructure and the main roads are dangerous for cyclists. Avoid major arterial roads and highways on foot or on a bicycle.
Accessibility
Public transport here is generally not accessible for travellers with mobility challenges, and accessibility services are limited. If you need step-free or assisted travel, the practical recommendation is to hire a car with a driver and communicate your needs to hotels or tour operators in advance.
Renting a Car or Scooter
Renting gives you the most flexibility, though local traffic is heavy on the main roads and smaller or rural roads may be poorly maintained or unpaved.
- Car with driver: around IDR 500,000–800,000 per day for 10–12 hours, excluding fuel and tolls. This is the recommended option given local traffic conditions.
- Self-drive car: around IDR 250,000–450,000 per day, excluding fuel. You'll need an International Driving Permit plus your home licence, and a minimum age of 21–23.
- Motorcycle or scooter: widely available from local shops and guesthouses at around IDR 70,000–150,000 per day. An IDP with a motorcycle endorsement is required and helmets are mandatory. Traffic is dangerous, so this is for experienced riders only.
If you do drive, remember that Indonesians drive on the left, front-seat seatbelts are required, and helmets are mandatory for motorcyclists. Parking is available at malls and attractions, often paid, but street parking is difficult in busy areas.
Getting In from the Airport
Bandar Lampung is served by Raden Intan II Airport (TKG), which sits in neighbouring South Lampung rather than in the city itself. It handles domestic flights only, with highly frequent services to and from Jakarta (both Soekarno-Hatta and Halim), plus direct flights from Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Batam, and Palembang.
To reach the city centre from the airport you have a few options:
- Prepaid taxi: there is a taxi counter at the airport listing the various destinations with prepaid rates — straightforward and worth considering on arrival.
- Ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek operate from the airport with designated pick-up points. Walking a short distance from the terminal area can help you avoid touts.
- Public transport: the airport can also be accessed by bus and minibus, including DAMRI services.
Pre-booking a transfer is recommended for airport and port arrivals, particularly if you're landing late or carrying a lot of luggage.
Arriving by Train, Bus, or Boat
If you come in by rail, you'll arrive at Tanjungkarang Station, where ride-hailing is available and DAMRI runs a connection onward to Jakarta. Long-distance buses from Jakarta are regular, with a journey of roughly seven hours; DAMRI is one of the best-known operators, departing from Jakarta's Gambir station complex and from Tanjungkarang train station, with tickets sold at their service desk.
Arriving by sea means first reaching Merak Port in Banten province, about an hour and a half from Jakarta. Ferries run around the clock from Merak to Bakauheni and take roughly one and a half to two hours to cross the Sunda Strait; tickets can be bought through Ferizy's website. Speedboats also ply the route but only during daylight hours. From Bakauheni, Bandar Lampung is about ninety minutes away by car, or longer by bus.
Other Options
There are no hop-on, hop-off tour buses in the city, but private minibuses can be hired for group tours. If you're heading out to the islands, boat taxis run connections from Ketapang and Mutun Beach.