City in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Getting around Manado
How to get around Manado
Use Grab or Gojek in the city. Dive trips start from the harbour or from resorts at Bunaken; Lembeh is a 1.5–2 hour drive to Bitung.
Ways to get around Manado
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grab / Gojek car or bike | About 20,000–50,000 IDR in town | Cheapest and most reliable; available at the airport |
| Mikrolet (shared minivans) | About 4,000–8,000 IDR | Colour-coded routes; tell the driver your stop |
| Public boat to Bunaken Island | About 50,000–100,000 IDR | From Manado port, 30–45 min; leaves when full; some days not |
| Chartered boat to Bunaken | About 400,000–800,000 IDR | From Manado port or Marina; 30–45 min |
Ride-hailing apps in Manado
A 5 km ride costs about Rp20,000–45,000 ($1.1–2.5).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grab | Reliable cars; airport pickups |
| Gojek | Bikes and cars; also food delivery |
| Maxim | Often cheaper; local drivers |
- Apps are best. Taxis rarely use meters; mikrolet are cheap but confusing for newcomers.
Arriving in Manado
Sam Ratulangi (MDC)
About 13 km east; Grab or taxi about 100,000–180,000 IDR, 25–45 min. Direct flights from Jakarta, Singapore and some Asia routes.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentals about 80,000–120,000 IDR a day; traffic is heavy and hills are steep, so ride apps are easier.
- Driving: on the left. Bring an IDP plus your home licence with the motorcycle category; Bali police fine unlicensed scooter riders at checkpoints.
- Onward travel in Indonesia: Fly between islands (Garuda, Lion Air, Citilink, AirAsia); trains run the length of Java; ferries and fast boats link Bali, Lombok and the Gilis. Allow for delays.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Manado?
No. Use Grab, Gojek, Maxim instead.
What's the best way to get around Manado?
Use Grab or Gojek in the city. Dive trips start from the harbour or from resorts at Bunaken; Lembeh is a 1.5–2 hour drive to Bitung.
How do I get from the airport to Manado?
About 13 km east; Grab or taxi about 100,000–180,000 IDR, 25–45 min. Direct flights from Jakarta, Singapore and some Asia routes.
Is Manado walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Manado
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Sources
- KAI (Indonesian railways)
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- InJourney Airports (Indonesian airports)
- Siloam Hospitals
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.