West Papua Indonesia Travel Guide
No direct international flights operate to West Papua. All international arrivals happen via major Indonesian hubs (Jakarta or Denpasar), followed by a domestic connecting flight.
Domestic connections mainly stem from Jakarta (CGK) or Makassar (UPG).
Booking flights well in advance is a good idea, especially for peak tourist season (October-May).
Prices for domestic flights can increase significantly during Indonesian public holidays and school breaks.
Sorong Airport (SOQ) is small with basic facilities: ATMs, small shops, food stalls.
Not applicable for general tourist travel. The land border with Papua New Guinea is not a common crossing point.
No train services exist in West Papua.
Limited services, generally not used by tourists due to challenging roads and vast distances. Air or sea travel connect major towns.
Sea travel is the necessary way to access the islands of Raja Ampat from Sorong.
Beyond public ferries, private options and niche river transport exist.
For standard tourist entry, all immigration procedures occur at the international airport of arrival (e.g., Jakarta, Denpasar).
Upon arrival in Waisai, homestays and resorts typically arrange transfers via their own boats to their respective islands.
A missed connection due to weather or delays could impact your entire itinerary. Build in buffer days if your schedule permits.
