Getting around the city, and which apps to install
There is no Uber, Grab or Bolt in Papua New Guinea and no local equivalent. Journeys are arranged through your hotel's front desk or a vetted private driver, and the informal PMV minibus network is not a tourist option.
- Ride-hailing does not exist here. Uber, Grab and Bolt do not operate and there is no domestic equivalent.
- Every journey around town is arranged through a hotel reception or a driver you have used before. Plan on that and factor the cost into the trip.
- The informal minibus network is how the country actually travels - no timetables, no marked stops - but it needs local knowledge and is not sensible for a first-time visitor.
- The road network does not connect the major centres, so moving between provinces means flying. Book well ahead and never plan a same-day connection onto an international departure.
- Download the offline map area before you arrive. Coverage outside the towns is patchy.
- Ride-hailing does not exist here. Uber, Grab and Bolt do not operate in Papua New Guinea and there is no domestic equivalent. Every journey around town is arranged through a hotel reception or a private driver you have used before. Plan on that being how you move, and factor the cost into the trip.
- PMV minibuses: The informal Public Motor Vehicle network is how the country actually travels - no timetables, no marked stops, PGK 1 to 2 paid in cash to the conductor. It requires local knowledge to use safely and is not a sensible way for a first-time visitor to cross a city.
- Domestic flights: Because the road network does not connect the major centres, moving between provinces means flying - Air Niugini and PNG Air. Book well ahead, expect schedule changes, and do not plan a same-day connection onto an international departure.
- Offline maps matter. Download the map area in Google Maps or Maps.me before you arrive. Coverage outside the towns is patchy and you do not want to be navigating on a live connection.
- Apps worth installing:
- MyDigicel - manage your data plan and top up.
- My Vodafone PNG - the equivalent for Vodafone customers.
- Google Maps / Maps.me - with the offline area downloaded before departure.
Apps and platforms
The official portals worth bookmarking: the eVisa site, the digital arrival card, and the two mobile operators' self-service apps.
- PNG eVisa portal - https://evisa.ica.gov.pg/evisa/ - The only official place to apply for a visa.
- PNGDAC - https://pngdac.ica.gov.pg/ - The mandatory digital arrival card, free to file.
- MyDigicel - https://www.digicelpacific.com/ - Manage a Digicel prepaid account and buy data plans.
- My Vodafone PNG - https://vodafone.com.pg/ - The same for Vodafone PNG.
- Air Niugini - https://www.airniugini.com.pg/ - The national carrier, and the main domestic network.
- Google Maps / Maps.me - Download offline maps before you travel.
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