Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport - Flight Information and Guide (BPN)

Sepinggan Airport serves Balikpapan, a port city on Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan), about 11 km from the city center.

It is an important economic hub linked to the oil industry and the most convenient access point to Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital under construction nearby.

Content verified on 04/09/2026

Official source: sepinggan-airport.com

How to get to Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport

Balikpapan city centre is about 11 km from the airport: transfer takes approximately 25-30 minutes by taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Balikpapan city center in approximately 25-30 minutes.

By Train

The railway does not reach this airport.

By Bus

The airport is served by some direct bus lines to the city centre.

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Tips Taxis operate with a fixed rate system by zone (Zone 1, city center, 45,000 IDR): authorized operators Aerocab and Primkopau have a dedicated counter in the arrivals area.

Average travel time to BPN

TrainNot available

Shuttle busService available

Taxi / Private hire25-30 minutes (45,000 IDR fixed rate)

Parking near Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport

Next to the terminal is a multi-story parking structure.

Rates align with Indonesian standards.

How to get to Balikpapan from BPN

By Train

The airport is not served by any railway line.

By Bus

Some urban lines connect the airport to the center.

By Taxi

Fixed-rate taxis charge 45,000 IDR for Zone 1 (city center); ride-hailing apps offer similar or slightly lower fares.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport

The well-known car rental brands operate desks in the arrivals area.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card; remember that in Indonesia, you drive on the left.

Hotels near Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport

Sepinggan International Airport is just 5-6 km from downtown Balikpapan, one of the shortest transfers among Indonesia's mid-sized airports: a taxi takes only about 15 minutes. The Balikpapan Superblock, the complex of malls and towers next to the terminal, is within walking distance of some hotels and is the most convenient choice for those arriving late or departing early; those who prefer the historic district of Klandasan, with its seafront on the Makassar Strait, add only a few minutes by car.

Airport area

Airport and Balikpapan Superblock

1.4 km from the terminal (about 5 minutes by car) for the Four Points; the Grand Jatra is inside the Balikpapan Superblock complex, a 5-minute walk from the E-Walk mall.

Best for: Dawn flights, one-night stopovers, or anyone who wants to stay within walking distance of a mall without getting into downtown traffic.

Pros

The shortest possible transfer from the terminal, useful for dawn flights or one-night stopovers
The Superblock complex puts restaurants, malls and E-Walk within walking distance, with no need for a taxi in the evening

Cons

Area built for hotels and malls: the historic Klandasan seafront is still a few minutes away by car
Outside the two chain hotels, options near the airport are mostly budget (OYO, RedDoorz)

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Klandasan, the historic centre

15-20 minutes by car or taxi for the roughly 6-10 km separating Klandasan from the terminal, depending on the exact location of the hotel.

Best for: Those who want the seafront on the Makassar Strait and the real city centre, with a 15-20 minute drive from the airport.

Pros

Seafront and parks (Bekapai, Markoni) within walking distance of the area's hotels
More independent restaurants than the airport area, in addition to the malls

Cons

A few extra minutes of transfer compared to the airport/Superblock area
Traffic on Jl. Jenderal Sudirman can lengthen the trip during rush hour

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves Balikpapan, an economic hub of Indonesian Borneo linked to the oil industry and the newly constructed capital Nusantara.

Shopping & Duty Free

A duty-free area features Kalimantan handicrafts and local products.

Lounges & relaxation

Business travelers find a limited selection of reserved lounges.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Public waiting areas provide free Wi-Fi.

Families & Children

Families in transit can rely on basic assistance in waiting areas.

Terminal guide

The terminal is modern and appropriately sized for its role as an economic hub in eastern Kalimantan.

To avoid problems, 2–2.5 hours advance notice for flights is the safest choice.

Map of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Nusantara?

Indonesia's new capital, currently under construction in the province of East Kalimantan near Balikpapan, set to replace Jakarta as the seat of government in the coming years.

Q. Is Balikpapan an oil industry hub?

Yes, it's one of the main economic hubs linked to oil extraction and processing in Indonesian Borneo.

Q. How do the taxis at the airport work?

A fixed fare-by-zone system, run by authorized operators Aerocab and Primkopau, with a dedicated counter in the arrivals area (45,000 IDR to downtown).

Q. Can you spot dolphins near Balikpapan?

Yes, Balikpapan Bay is home to a small population of Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare and threatened species: some local operators run boat trips for responsible dolphin watching.