There is no shortage in the ways you can get around Minahasa and travel further into North Sulawesi. Three Indonesian airlines fly into and out of Manado via Makassar, many times everyday, seven days of the week. If you prefer the sea route, the prahu travels between the many small islands, the kapal kayu goes as far as Kalimantan, the border of Philippines - earlier it went to Malaku as well.
The most popular mode of transport is the microlet, which is the blue mini bus. The seats in the microlets here face forward, unlike in the mini buses in other parts of Indonesia. A card on the front windscreen displays the microlet destination. There are no signs on the top or side of the van.
Manado Transportation Guide
Getting to Manado
By Bus
Long distance buses and local microlets operate out of three terminals that are run in a reasonably orderly fashion. Terminal Karombasan is 5 km from the city and buses from here go to Tomohon, Tondano, and other places that are south of Manado. Terminal Malalayang is in south Manado and regular buses go from here to Gorontalo and Kotamobagu.
By Boat
The Pelni boats use the port of Bitung, which has deep waters and is 55 km from Manado. Many of the Pelni liners halt here once or twice a week. The Lambelu goes to Ambon and Ternate, the Kelimutu travels to Fak Fak and Sorong, the Tilongkabila goes to Luwuk and other places on the south-eastern coast, while the Umsisni travels to Pantoloan and Balikpapan.
There are some slow, small and uncomfortable boats that leave Manado every couple of days for Lirung and Tahuna, both in the Sangir-Talaud Islands; they also go to Ambon in Maluku, and to Mangole, Sanana and Tobelo. Once a week, four overnight ferries travel between Bitung and Ternate in northern Maluku.
By Air
There are many flights connecting Manado to other parts of Indonesia. Merpati Nusantara Airlines connects Manado to Jakarta, Luwuk, and via Sorong to Jayapura. There are four flights each week to and from Gorontalo and Makassar. Three flights per week connect Manado with Palu and Ternate. Two bi-weekly flights connect Manado with Melanguane and Naha, two island towns of the Sangir-Talaud.
Garuda Airlines connects Manado with Makasser, from where same-day connections to Jakarta and Denpasar are available. Adam Air has daily flights to and from Surabaya. Daily Lion Air flights connect Manado with Denpasar, Jakarta, Makassar, Sorong and Ternate. A weekly flight connects Manado and Gorontalo. There are daily Batavia Air flights between Manado and Balikpapan and Jakarta.
For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
Getting Around Manado
By Public Transport
A microlet going south to Terminal Karombasan along Jl Sam Ratulangi has ‘Wanea' on the window sign. Microlets going north travel through Pasar 45 and past the fish market at Pasar Jengki. Others go directly along Jl Sudirman to Terminal Paal 2. Microlets go down Jl Piere Tendean on the way to Terminal Malalayang.
Private taxis go around the city. Although the air conditioning is very comfortable on a hot day, taxi drivers rarely use the meter, so negotiate before the ride.
By Taxi
You are sure to spot a blue and white station wagon taxi of the Dian Taxi service near large hotels in Manado. Both meter and bargained fares are accepted. You would pay about Rp. 10,000 per trip within the city and about Rp. 60,000 from the city to the airport.
By Angkot
Angkots are also known as bemos or microlets. It is one of the cheapest modes of travel in Indonesian cities. A minibus with eight to ten seats, an angkot will cost about Rp. 2,300 for a ride.
By Rental Car
Rental cars are easily available. The most convenient place to hire a car is at Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport. The larger rental car companies have a few counters at the airport, while a few small or privately owned cars are available at the airport's exit.
By Ojek
An ojek is a motorcab taxi that is also a popular and cheap way to travel in urban Indonesia. In Manado, ojek rates are not fixed. Fares depend on the distance travelled and on your negotiation skills.
