Transportation in Papua New Guinea

# Transportation in Papua New Guinea: Essential Overview Papua New Guinea presents unique transportation challenges due to its mountainous terrain and limited road infrastructure. **Domestic flights are the primary mode of inter-city travel**, connecting Port Moresby with regional centers like Lae, Mount Hagen, and Madang. For first-time visitors, it's important to understand that what might be a short distance on a map can require air travel, as road connections between major cities are limited or non-existent. Within cities, options typically include taxis, hotel shuttles, and in Port Moresby, some public minibuses (PMVs), though visitors should exercise caution and seek local advice about safe transport options. **Airport transfers require advance planning.** At Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby, pre-arranged hotel transfers or registered taxi services are the recommended options for visitors. Public transport from the airport is generally not advised for international travelers unfamiliar with the area. Most hotels offer airport pickup services - it's worth arranging this before arrival, as it provides the most secure and straightforward entry point to the country. **Key tip:** Due to limited published schedule data and varying service reliability, always verify current flight times and transport availability through booking platforms or directly with operators. Transportation infrastructure can be affected by weather and local conditions, so build flexibility into your travel plans within Papua New Guinea.

Book domestic flights well in advance as PNG has limited air routes and flights fill quickly

Arrange airport transfers through your hotel in Port Moresby for safety and reliability

PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) are the main local transport but require local knowledge to navigate routes

Domestic flights are the primary way to travel between cities as road infrastructure is limited