No, there are no passenger trains in East Kalimantan.

How long is the toll road?

The toll road takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Can I fly to Samarinda?

Yes, via APT Pranoto Airport, but flights from Lombok are rare.

What is the best way to travel?

Fly to Balikpapan and take a shuttle to Samarinda.

Expect to spend around 2 million IDR for the full journey.

Samarinda

Flight

Batu Layar to Samarinda

Updated: 28 May 2026

To reach Samarinda from Batu Layar, you must fly to Balikpapan first, then proceed by road. After landing at Sepinggan Airport, take a shuttle or private car to Samarinda. The road journey via the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road takes approximately 2.5 hours. This route is the standard way to reach the capital of East Kalimantan. The total distance covered is over 1,200 km including the flight.

Total Distance: Air distance is 1,150 km; road distance from Balikpapan to Samarinda is 115 km.

Fastest Way

Flight to Balikpapan followed by a private taxi via the toll road, total 8 hours.

Cheapest Way

Flight to Balikpapan followed by a shared shuttle (travel) to Samarinda.

Compare Batu Layar to Samarinda Routes

Flight

Connecting

Duration

9 hours

Avg Price

1,800,000 - 3,000,000 IDR

Operator

Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia

Route

LOP to BPN then road to Samarinda

Book a travel shuttle (travel) from Balikpapan airport directly to your hotel in Samarinda.

Travel Tips

Toll Road
The Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road is fast; ensure your driver uses it.
Shuttle Services
Companies like Gelora Travel offer reliable airport-to-city transfers.
Local Food
Try Amplang, a local fish cracker snack, which is a Samarinda specialty.
Weather
Samarinda can be very hot; carry a hat and sunscreen.
Language
Basic Indonesian phrases will help significantly in local markets.