ON THE GO
After dark one should not move on foot outside of guarded facilities (e.g. hotels, restaurants) and should refrain from driving overland. It is strongly recommended to refrain from using public transport and taxis and instead use the means of transport offered by the hotels or tour operators. When driving overland, the road conditions must be expected to be poor. Places where obstacles (e.g. landslide, damaged bridge) force you to stop, offer highway robbers an ideal opportunity to attack.
Overview
Security notice
After dark one should not move on foot outside of guarded facilities (e.g. hotels, restaurants) and should refrain from driving overland. It is strongly recommended to refrain from using public transport and taxis and instead use the means of transport offered by the hotels or tour operators. When driving overland, the road conditions must be expected to be poor. Places where obstacles (e.g. landslide, damaged bridge) force you to stop, offer highway robbers an ideal opportunity to attack.
Traveling by plane
Air Niugini (PX) and APNG Airlines (Internet: www.apng.com) have connections to the main cities, but the fares are high.
Since the country is extremely rough and mountainous, the plane is the best mode of transport. Domestic flights should be booked between November and February. Over 100 destinations across the country are served and connected to over 20 larger cities. There are discounts for excursions booked in advance. Airplanes can also be chartered.
On the way by car / bus
Left-hand traffic. Road construction in the interior is only progressing slowly. The existing road network connects the cities on the north coast (Madang and Lae) with the larger towns in the highlands.
Bus: Limited bus routes in Port Moresby and more remote areas. Tourist centers usually do not have public transport. In the highlands a bus runs between Goroka and Lae or Mount Hagen, and buses of the Lomutoba Travel Service connect Lae with Goroka. You can also charter buses.
Taxis are available in the regional capitals.
Rental cars are available in the larger cities from the well-known companies.
Documents: National driver’s license for stays of up to three months.
On the way by ship
Cruises and excursions (3-16 days) are available, both to other locations on the coast and to the islands.
The shipping company Lutheran Shipping offers freight / passenger connections (including passenger cabins and meals) between Madang and Lae.
The Melanesian Tourist Services (Internet: http://www.mtspng.com/) program includes expedition trips from Alotau to Madang with a stopover on the Trobriand Islands and from Madang to Timbunke across the Sepik River.
In some parts of the country the rivers are the main arteries for the local population, the most important means of transport is the dugout canoe. In these areas you can rent small motor boats or book passages on cargo ships. Cruises are mainly offered on the Sepik (see vacation spots & excursions).
MONEY
Currency
1 kina = 100 toea. Currency symbols: K, PGK (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 K; Coins are in circulation with a value of 1 K as well as 50, 20, 10 and 5 toeas.
Credit cards
American Express in particular, but also MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car companies and travel agencies (inquire when booking). Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Cards with the Maestro or Cirrus symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. ATMs are available in large cities.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
Unrestricted import and export of foreign and local currency. A declaration is required from an equivalent value of 5,000 K (with the exception of traveller’s checks).
Currency Exchange
We recommend US and Australian dollars, which can be exchanged in banks.
