Getting Around Makassar - Local Transport Guide

Makassar is the largest city in eastern Indonesia and the gateway to Sulawesi. It spreads along the Strait of Makassar, with the Losari Beach promenade as its sunset-facing heart. There is no metro here, so you get around by ride-hailing, motorbike taxi, minibus (pete-pete), pedicab (becak), taxi or rental vehicle.

The tourist core around Losari Beach, Fort Rotterdam and the central markets is compact and walkable. Anything beyond it, including the airport, the Trans Studio mall and the ferry terminals, needs a vehicle.

Getting Around Makassar by Ride-Hailing

For most travelers, ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to get around. Gojek lists Makassar as a GoRide service area,^[1] and its Makassar page lists GoCar and other services for the city.^[2] The fare is shown in the app before you confirm, which removes haggling.

Motorbike Taxis (GoRide)

A motorbike taxi is the fastest way to cut through Makassar traffic. The driver brings a helmet and weaves through the congestion. It suits solo travelers and short hops, but not heavy luggage.

Cars (GoCar)

If you travel with luggage, in a group, or want air conditioning and shelter from a tropical downpour, choose a car. Cars are slower in heavy traffic but more comfortable.

Linking a card or topping up the in-app wallet usually makes payment smoother than cash. Driver availability varies by neighborhood and time of day, so having more than one app installed helps.

Getting Around Makassar by Pete-Pete (Minibus)

The pete-pete is the backbone of Makassar's traditional public transport. These small minibuses, usually painted in bright colors, run fixed routes along the main roads, and each route is identified by a letter or code on the windscreen. You flag one down along its route and pay the driver in cash when you get off, so keep small notes handy.

Routes are not well signposted in English and there is rarely a map at the stops, so ask locals which route goes where or confirm with the driver before boarding. The minibuses can be hot and crowded, and they are not ideal with heavy bags.

Getting Around Makassar by Becak (Pedicab)

The becak is a three-wheeled cycle rickshaw with the passenger seat at the front. You find them mostly near markets, the older neighborhoods and around Fort Rotterdam. They suit short, slow journeys. There is no meter, so agree on the fare before you climb in. Becak offer no protection from sun or rain, so treat the ride as an experience rather than efficient transport.

Getting Around Makassar by Taxi

Metered taxis operate in Makassar. If you take one, insist that the meter is running, or agree on a price beforehand if the driver refuses. In most cases a ride-hailing car is easier and free of negotiation, so taxis are mainly useful when you cannot get a ride-hailing car.

Getting Around Makassar by Rental Scooter or Car

A rental scooter gives you freedom to explore the city and the surrounding coast. Makassar traffic is intense and road discipline is loose, so only ride if you are confident in chaotic traffic, always wear a helmet and check the licence requirements for foreign visitors before you rent. Hiring a car with a driver for the day is a popular and stress-free option for day trips to places such as Bantimurung or Rammang-Rammang; agree on the price, hours and fuel in advance through your hotel or a local tour operator.

Getting Around Makassar on Foot

The central tourist zone is walkable. The Losari Beach promenade is made for strolling in the late afternoon, and Fort Rotterdam and several hotels and restaurants are within walking distance. Beyond this core, sidewalks become patchy or disappear, motorbikes use the pavements and the heat and humidity are tiring. Cross roads with care, because traffic rarely stops for pedestrians.

Comparing Your Options

Practical Tips for Getting Around Makassar

• Install a ride-hailing app before you arrive and set up in-app payment if you can.
• Use Google Maps for car and walking directions, but be aware that it cannot route pete-pete journeys.
• Carry small cash notes. Pete-pete and becak drivers often cannot change large notes.
• For becak and unmetered taxis, always agree on the price before you set off.
• Save your destination in Indonesian or show it on a map. Learning a few words like kiri (left), kanan (right) and berhenti (stop) helps.

Traffic clogs the roads near the markets and along the coast in the morning and evening rush hours, so plan major journeys outside them if you can. During heavy rain, motorbike availability drops and prices can surge, so allow extra time. Watch your belongings in crowded minibuses and markets and keep your phone secure when riding a motorbike.

Popular Routes and Destinations

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is outside the city. The easiest options into town are a ride-hailing car straight to your hotel or an airport taxi from the official rank; allow extra time in traffic. Some ride-hailing pickup points at the airport may require a short walk to a designated zone.

Fort Rotterdam and the Losari Beach promenade are close enough to walk between. To reach Trans Studio Makassar, Paotere Harbor or the ferry terminal at Soekarno-Hatta Port, a ride-hailing car is the simplest choice. For natural sights such as the Bantimurung waterfalls or the karst landscape of Rammang-Rammang, hiring a car with a driver for the day is the most practical arrangement.