Sam Ratulangi International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (MDC)

Sam Ratulangi International Airport serves Manado, capital of North Sulawesi province, about 13 km from the city center.

It is the most convenient access point to Bunaken National Marine Park, among the most celebrated diving destinations in southeast Asia for extraordinary coral biodiversity.

Content verified on 04/09/2026

Official source: injourneyairports.id

How to get to Sam Ratulangi International Airport

Manado city centre is about 13 km from the airport: transfer takes approximately 30-45 minutes by taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Manado city center in approximately 30-45 minutes.

By Train

The rail connection to the airport simply does not exist.

By Bus

A Damri bus connects the airport to the city center, fare approximately 25,000-35,000 IDR.

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Tips Official taxi counters in the arrivals area offer a fixed price with no need to negotiate; apps Grab and Gojek are often a more economical alternative.

Average travel time to MDC

TrainNot available

Shuttle busService available (25,000-35,000 IDR)

Taxi / Private hire30-45 minutes (100,000-150,000 IDR)

Parking near Sam Ratulangi International Airport

The parking, not large, is positioned in front of the terminal.

Rates align with Indonesian standards.

How to get to Manado from MDC

By Train

The airport is not connected to the rail network.

By Bus

A Damri bus connects the airport to the city center (25,000-35,000 IDR).

By Taxi

Official taxi stand fares are approximately 100,000-150,000 IDR to the city center; Grab and Gojek apps are often more economical.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

Search airport taxis and shuttles

Car rental at Sam Ratulangi International 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 Sam Ratulangi International Airport

Sam Ratulangi International Airport is about 15-19 km from downtown Manado: a taxi or car takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic, with no regular train or shuttle bus to the city. Hotels with pools and restaurants are concentrated on Piere Tendean Boulevard, the seafront built on land reclaimed from the sea, home to the city's malls and nightlife. Bunaken, the best-known diving destination, is outside this picture: it's reached by boat from the port of Manado, not from the airport.

Neighbourhood

Piere Tendean Boulevard

By taxi or private car, 25-45 minutes for the roughly 15-19 km that separate the Boulevard from the airport, depending on traffic; no direct train or bus available.

Best for: Those who want restaurants, nightlife and malls on the seafront, while still staying 25-45 minutes from the airport.

Pros

The district with the most restaurants and nightlife in Manado, built on the seafront reclaimed from the sea
Several hotels have a mall attached or just a few minutes' walk away (Mega Mall, the mall inside the Four Points)

Cons

No direct train or bus: the transfer always depends on a taxi or a private car
Bunaken, the best-known diving destination, is reached by boat from the port of Manado, not from the Boulevard or the airport

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves Manado, the gateway to Bunaken National Marine Park, among Southeast Asia's most renowned diving destinations.

Shopping & Duty Free

A duty-free area features local handicrafts and gastronomic specialties from Sulawesi.

Lounges & relaxation

Business travelers can rely on a couple of dedicated lounges.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in common areas.

Families & Children

The terminal offers basic accommodation for families with young children.

Terminal guide

The terminal is appropriately sized for the strong tourist traffic related to diving.

To prevent any setbacks, it is better to arrive with 2.5 hours advance notice on international flights.

Map of Sam Ratulangi International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Bunaken Marine Park?

A protected marine area off Manado, famous for vertical coral walls and extraordinary biodiversity, among the most renowned diving destinations in Southeast Asia.

Q. Is Grab or the official taxi better in Manado?

The Grab and Gojek apps are often cheaper than the official taxi counter, which still offers the advantage of a fixed fare with no negotiation.

Q. Is Manado known for spicy cuisine?

Yes, North Sulawesi cuisine is among the spiciest in Indonesia, with abundant use of chili in many traditional dishes.

Q. Does Manado have a different religious makeup than the rest of Indonesia?

Yes, North Sulawesi is one of the few Indonesian regions with a Christian majority, with churches clearly visible in Manado's urban landscape, unlike the Muslim majority in the rest of the country.