Getting from the airport to the city in Papua New Guinea

Unlike almost anywhere else in this guide, this is a safety decision rather than a budget one. Jacksons is about 8 km from the government district at Waigani and 12 km from the coastal downtown around Ela Beach.

• Hotel transfer: The right answer. The established hotels - Airways, Gateway, The Stanley, Grand Papua - run private air-conditioned vans for guests, often meeting you inside the secured perimeter. It is either included in the room rate or costs PGK 50 to PGK 100. Book it when you book the room and reconfirm by email the day before.
• Pre-booked contract taxi: Acceptable if arranged in advance through your accommodation. Waigani or downtown runs PGK 80 to PGK 150, 15 to 30 minutes. Unbooked cars touting at the terminal are not the same thing and should be declined.
• PMV minibuses: The public network stops outside the airport grounds on the Hubert Murray Highway and costs PGK 1 to 2. Do not use it from the airport with luggage. Foreign missions advise against it outright because of the risk of armed robbery, and walking out to the road to reach it is itself the exposed part.
• Rail: There is none anywhere in the country.

The second international airport, serving Lae in Morobe province, about 45 km north-west of the city.

• Transfers are almost entirely hotel minibuses - the Lae International Hotel among others. The run down the Nadzab Express Highway takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs PGK 100 to PGK 200. There is no rank of taxis waiting at the terminal, so arriving without a booking leaves you stranded.

• Solo traveller: Book accommodation that includes an airport pickup, and treat that as a filter when choosing where to stay. Walking out of the airport grounds is not a reasonable option.
• Family: A private hotel van collecting you airside, so nobody is standing outside a terminal with bags and children while a vehicle is found.
• Night arrival: Stay inside the terminal until your named driver is physically present. Do not step out into unlit areas to look for them.
• On a budget: The saving is not available here. The nearest thing is booking one of the secured hotels in the 7 Mile area beside the airport, most of which include a free transfer, and moving on in daylight.