Getting to and around Sulawesi
Airports, boats and travel times to Bunaken, Tangkoko, Tomohon, Lembeh, Toraja, Banggai and the Togean Islands.
Main airports
| City | Airport | For |
|---|---|---|
| Manado | Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) | North Sulawesi: Bunaken, Tangkoko, Tomohon, Lembeh, Likupang. About 30–40 minutes by car to central Manado. |
| Makassar | Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) | South Sulawesi and Toraja. |
| Luwuk | Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport (LUW) | Banggai Islands and the land route to the Togean Islands. |
Routes and travel times
| Destination | From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunaken | Manado harbour | Boat | 30–45 min | Depends on the boat and the sea. The national park charges a marine park entrance fee. |
| Tomohon | Manado | Car | about 1 hour | Into the hills south of Manado; Lake Linow is close to the town. |
| Tangkoko | Manado | Car | about 2 hours | The reserve is near Bitung on the northeast coast. Our tours include private transport from Manado, Tomohon or Bitung. |
| Lembeh | Manado | Car to Bitung | about 1 hour | Dive with a local operator in Bitung; Tangkoko is also near Bitung. |
| Tana Toraja | Makassar | Car or night bus | about 9 hours | A private car lets you stop along the way. |
| Tana Toraja | Makassar | Domestic flight to Toraja Airport (TRT) | about 1 hour | Few flights; schedules change often. |
| Banggai | Makassar, Manado or Palu | Flight to Luwuk (LUW) | — | The airport is about 10 km from Luwuk town. |
| Banggai | Luwuk port | Ferry to the Banggai Islands | — | Schedules depend on the day and the sea. |
| Togean Islands | Luwuk (LUW) | Car to Ampana, then boat | about 5 hours by road + boat | The most reliable route: Luwuk has daily flights. |
| Togean Islands | Gorontalo | Overnight ferry to Wakai | overnight | A few days a week; keep a buffer day in case a ferry is out of service. |
Times are indicative and change with traffic, weather and the sea. Flight and ferry schedules change often: check them when you book. On our tours, transport between the pickup point and the activities is included.
How to get to Bunaken
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manado harbour | Boat | 30–45 min | Depends on the boat and the sea. The national park charges a marine park entrance fee. |
How to get to Tomohon
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manado | Car | about 1 hour | Into the hills south of Manado; Lake Linow is close to the town. |
How to get to Tangkoko
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manado | Car | about 2 hours | The reserve is near Bitung on the northeast coast. Our tours include private transport from Manado, Tomohon or Bitung. |
How to get to Lembeh
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manado | Car to Bitung | about 1 hour | Dive with a local operator in Bitung; Tangkoko is also near Bitung. |
How to get to Tana Toraja
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makassar | Car or night bus | about 9 hours | A private car lets you stop along the way. |
| Makassar | Domestic flight to Toraja Airport (TRT) | about 1 hour | Few flights; schedules change often. |
How to get to Banggai
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makassar, Manado or Palu | Flight to Luwuk (LUW) | — | The airport is about 10 km from Luwuk town. |
| Luwuk port | Ferry to the Banggai Islands | — | Schedules depend on the day and the sea. |
How to get to Togean Islands
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luwuk (LUW) | Car to Ampana, then boat | about 5 hours by road + boat | The most reliable route: Luwuk has daily flights. |
| Gorontalo | Overnight ferry to Wakai | overnight | A few days a week; keep a buffer day in case a ferry is out of service. |
FAQ
Which airport should I fly into for North Sulawesi?
Manado, Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC). Bunaken, Tangkoko, Tomohon, Lembeh and Likupang are all reached from Manado by boat or by car.
How do I get from Manado to Bunaken?
By boat from Manado's harbour, roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on the boat and the sea. Our Bunaken trips include the boat.
How far is Tangkoko from Manado?
About two hours by road. The reserve is near Bitung on the northeast coast.
How do I get to the Togean Islands?
There is no airport on the islands. The most reliable route is a flight to Luwuk, about five hours by road to Ampana, then a boat. An overnight ferry also runs from Gorontalo to Wakai a few days a week.
Is public transport practical?
Outside the cities it is limited, so most visitors use a private car with a driver. On our tours, transport between the pickup point and the activities is included.
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