Rp15,000–25,000 rides into Samarinda on a motorbike
Ojek Online at Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto International Airport (terminal 1) is the cheapest way into Samarinda if you’re solo with a backpack. Most app-based rides in town start around Rp15,000–25,000 for short hops, rising to roughly Rp40,000–60,000 for the 25–30 km run toward central Samarinda, depending on surge and time of day.
You need data first: once you exit arrivals at terminal 1, head to the small telecom counters near the baggage claim exit and grab a local SIM with at least 5–10 GB of data, usually around Rp50,000–100,000. Ojek Online services like Gojek and Grab typically work better if you register with an Indonesian number rather than roaming.
From arrivals, walk 100–200 meters to the general pickup area outside the main terminal doors, then drop the pin away from the taxi queue so drivers can safely stop. Most riders report 5–10 minute wait times during daytime hours and slightly longer after 22:00, especially on weekends when airport traffic drops.
Expect small to mid-size bikes in the 110–150 cc range, so this is best with one soft bag under 10–12 kg plus a personal item. If you’re carrying a 20 kg hard suitcase from a longer trip, pay attention to the app’s luggage notes and be ready for the driver to cancel if they think it won’t fit on the rear rack.
Airport police tend to leave Ojek Online alone here, but to avoid any fuss, meet the driver on the public road just beyond the closest roundabout, about a 3–5 minute walk from the terminal. Many drivers will message on WhatsApp or in-app chat (in Bahasa Indonesia), so use simple texts like “sudah di depan terminal 1” and watch the map.
Always bring at least Rp100,000 in cash even if you set the ride to card, because mobile payments sometimes fail when the signal drops along the Mahulu–Samarinda stretch. Quick tip: screenshot your destination address and map before leaving the terminal Wi‑Fi so you’re covered if your data briefly cuts out mid-ride.