The airport is 2km north of the centre, Rp8000 by taxi, or you can just turn left at the gates, walk 100m to Jalan Gatot, and wave down a city bemo heading south to Pasar Pagi. Buses from the north, including Bontang, terminate 5km northeast of the city at Terminal Bontang , from where you catch a brown bemo to the centre; if you're moving on from here, you can get here by brown bemo from Jalan Bhayangkara. Buses from Banjarmasin (Rp17,000-27,000) arrive at Terminal Banjarmasin on the south bank of the Mahakam; cross over the road to the pier and catch a boat directly across to Pasar Pagi (Rp500). Terminal Banjarmasin is also the departure point for minibuses to Tenggarong (Rp2000); departures are frequent up till mid-afternoon. Buses from Balikpapan (Rp3500) and Kota Bangun (Rp4000) pull into Terminal Balikpapan , beyond the bridge, 5km west of the city. Green bemos run between here and Jalan Gajah Mada, outside Pasar Pagi.

The Mahakam river ferries use the Sungai Kunjang docks (green bemo into town). All ocean-going vessels use the docks east of the centre along Jalan Sudarso: Pelni's KM Binaiya runs twice monthly from here to Surabaya via Sulawesi .

Samarinda's colour-coded bemos cost Rp500 a ride and run between particular areas rather than following strict routes - tell the driver your destination. Jalan Awang Long is a good place to find one heading north, while either side of Pasar Pagi on Jalan Sudirman or Jalan Gajah Mada is where to hail westbound traffic. Ojeks wait around Pasar Pagi and the Mesra Plaza; taxis can be found west of Pasar Pagi on Jalan Veteran, or at the rank on Jalan Pangalima Batur.

The Dinas Pariwisata or Provincial Tourist Office is at Jalan Harmonika 1, off Jalan Suprato (tel 0541/41669); ask for Pak Rosihan. Makila, Jl Pirus 168 (tel 0541/75121), has Dayak contacts.