Understanding How Makassar Moves
Makassar is a sprawling coastal city, and getting around it means mixing a few very different modes of transport depending on where you're headed. The central tourist core around Losari Beach and Fort Rotterdam is compact and pleasant on foot, but almost everything beyond that — the airport, the big malls, the ferry terminals — calls for a motorized ride. There is no rail network, subway, or skytrain in the city, so your options come down to minibuses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, pedicabs, and the occasional rental.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Makassar has no rail network, metro, or tram system. Visitors should not expect any form of train-based transit here; all movement around the city happens by road, by sea, or on foot.
Buses and Minibuses
The backbone of traditional public transport is the pete-pete (also called angkot), a small, brightly painted minibus that runs fixed routes along the main roads. They are privately owned and operated, and they will stop anywhere along their route to pick up or drop off passengers — just flag one down and tell the driver where you're going.
- Fares and payment: A trip in town usually costs around Rp5,000, paid in cash to the driver as you exit. Keep small notes handy, as change is often limited.
- Routes: Routes are identified by a letter or code on the windscreen and generally aren't signposted in English, with no official maps at most stops. Ask locals or confirm with the driver before boarding.
- Comfort: No air conditioning, often hot and crowded, and not ideal if you're carrying heavy bags. Avoid the morning and evening rush if you can.
- Hours: Service typically runs from early morning until around 22:00–23:00, with frequent departures on popular routes.
There is also a higher-capacity bus service, Trans Mamminasata, which serves Makassar along with the neighbouring areas of Sungguminasa and Takalar. Unlike Jakarta's TransJakarta, it extends beyond the city limits. One of its corridors links Trans Studio and Mal Panakukkang.
For longer journeys, Makassar has several bus terminals. Terminal Daya, on the main road towards the airport, is the one that serves Tana Toraja, with frequent and affordable overnight buses. Terminal Litha sits on the same road but much closer to the city centre, and a pete-pete from the centre to Terminal Litha costs around Rp5,000. Terminal Bintang Prima is another option.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Metered taxis are widely available, with operators including Blue Bird and Bosowa. Blue Bird is generally regarded as dependable and honest about using the meter. A typical cross-town trip runs roughly Rp30,000–70,000 and takes 10–30 minutes depending on traffic. Be wary of unmetered or independent taxis quoting inflated flat fares — insist on the meter or agree on a price before you get in.
Ride-hailing apps are the preferred option for many visitors because fares are fixed and shown upfront, which removes haggling and much of the language barrier. Both Grab and Gojek operate extensively in Makassar.
- Motorbike taxis (GrabBike/GoRide) are the fastest and cheapest way to cover short distances in the centre, typically taking 5–20 minutes.
- Cars (GrabCar/GoCar) are slower in traffic but comfortable and air-conditioned, well suited to cross-town trips or when you have luggage.
- Payment: Both apps accept cash, but paying by card or in-app wallet (GrabPay/GoPay) is smoother and sometimes cheaper.
- Availability: Driver availability varies by neighbourhood and time of day, so it's worth downloading both apps before you arrive.
For groups of three or more, a taxi or ride-hailing car can work out more convenient than multiple motorbike rides for a barely noticeable difference in total cost. There is also a female-driver on-demand ojek service, Lady Jek, which is more expensive but available around the clock and monitored by GPS.
Becak and Other Local Options
The becak is a three-wheeled pedicab with a distinctive minimalist design — the passenger sits at the front. It can fit two small people or children, but is really suited to one adult. Becak are found near markets, older neighbourhoods, and Fort Rotterdam, and are best for short, slow journeys and sightseeing in the old quarter. There is no meter, so agree on the fare beforehand; drivers often quote tourists higher, and a short hop typically runs Rp15,000–30,000. Becak offer no protection from sun or rain. A motorized version, the bentor, covers similar short trips.
For island trips, traditional wooden boat taxis leave from Paotere Harbour to nearby islands such as Samalona and Kodingareng Keke; negotiate the price before departing.
Walkability
Walking is genuinely enjoyable in a few specific parts of Makassar. The Losari Beach promenade is the standout — it's walkable, especially in the late afternoon when families and food vendors gather at sunset, and it connects on foot to Fort Rotterdam and the central business district with its hotels and restaurants. Guided and self-guided walking tours are available around the historical areas.
Beyond that compact core, however, conditions change quickly. Sidewalks are patchy or absent in many parts of the city, motorbikes often ride on the pavement, and the heat and humidity wear you down. Traffic rarely stops for pedestrians, even at crosswalks, so cross with locals when you can. For anything more than a few hundred metres outside the core, a ride-hailing motorbike is the practical choice. Cycling is not a realistic option for most visitors: rentals are limited and mostly come from guesthouses, there's no widespread bike-sharing, and main roads lack dedicated lanes. Major arterial roads during peak hours are unsuitable for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is the main gateway to Makassar, located northeast of the city and well connected to other major Indonesian cities as well as a handful of international flights from Malaysia and Singapore.
- Taxi: The most straightforward option, with official taxi counters (including Blue Bird) inside the terminal. A metered taxi to the city centre is the classic choice.
- Ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek both serve the airport, usually at designated pick-up points — sometimes a short walk from the terminal. Fares are fixed upfront and often cheaper and more transparent than a taxi.
- Airport bus: The Perum Damri airport bus operates from the lower ground floor and links the airport to the city. If no one is at the counter, you can board and pay after the bus departs. Buses run at roughly half-hour intervals, and the journey takes about an hour. The route runs from the airport through a series of central streets, ending near the waterfront.
- Hotel shuttles: Some hotels also provide their own transfers.
Whichever you choose, expect the trip into the city to take anywhere from about half an hour to considerably longer depending on traffic, which peaks in the morning and late afternoon.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Carry small cash. Pete-pete, becak, and many taxis lack change, so keep Rp5,000, Rp10,000, and Rp20,000 notes on you.
- Use maps wisely. Google Maps works well for car and walking directions but cannot route pete-pete journeys. Save your destinations in Indonesian or show the driver a map pin, since many drivers speak limited English. Useful words: kiri (left), kanan (right), berhenti (stop).
- Time your travel. Traffic peaks around 7–9 am and 5–7 pm, especially near markets and along the coast. Heavy rain in the wet season can cause localized flooding and slow everything down, and motorbike availability drops while prices surge.
- Stay alert. Public transport is generally safe for travellers, but watch your belongings in crowded pete-pete and markets, and stick to recognised companies after dark. Be wary of unlicensed drivers and unsolicited transport offers, especially at terminals.
- Know the limits. Public transport in Makassar is generally not accessible for travellers with mobility needs.
- Plan day trips separately. For outings beyond the city — such as Bantimurung or the Rammang-Rammang karst landscape — a car with a driver, arranged through your hotel or a tour operator, is the most practical option. Inter-island ferry schedules can be delayed, so build in some flexibility.
- Stay connected. Local SIM cards are cost-effective and sold at airport kiosks (bring your passport for registration), with top-up cards widely available. Offline maps and translation apps are genuinely useful, particularly for navigating pete-pete routes.