How to Get from Floating Market via Boat to Syamsudin Noor Airport

The journey from the famous Floating Market (Lok Baintan or Siring) to the city center is a classic Banjarmasin experience. You'll travel along the Martapura River on a traditional klotok — a covered wooden riverboat — or a faster speedboat. This leg is essential because Syamsudin Noor Airport is located inland, about 25 km southeast of the city, with no direct water connection.

Key Details

• Distance: ~8–12 km by river (depending on which floating market you start from)
• Duration: 30–45 minutes (klotok); 20–30 minutes (speedboat)
• Cost: 50,000–100,000 IDR (3.3–6.7 USD) per person on a shared klotok; 200,000–350,000 IDR (13–23 USD) for a private speedboat
• Main docking points: Dermaga Kembang, Dermaga Siring, or Dermaga Pasar Terapung

Boat Options Comparison

Boat Type	Speed	Comfort	Cost (per person)	Best For
Klotok (shared)	Slow (30–45 min)	⭐⭐⭐ — shaded, basic seats	50,000–70,000 IDR (3.3–4.7 USD)	Budget travelers, scenic experience
Speedboat (private)	Fast (20–30 min)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ — more legroom, less crowded	200,000–350,000 IDR (13–23 USD)	Travelers in a hurry, groups
Charter klotok (private)	Moderate (30–40 min)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ — entire boat to yourself	150,000–250,000 IDR (10–17 USD)	Couples, photographers, families

Step-by-Step: Taking the Boat

1. Arrive at the Floating Market — Lok Baintan is the most famous, operating daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Siring Floating Market is closer to the city and active in the afternoon.
2. Find a boat — At the main dock, boatmen will offer rides. Negotiate the price clearly before boarding. Ask for a “klotok ke Dermaga Kembang” or “speedboat ke Siring”.
3. Enjoy the ride — You'll pass stilt houses, local river traffic, and floating vendors. Keep your camera ready but protect it from spray.
4. Disembark at a city dock — Dermaga Kembang (near the center) is the most convenient for onward connections to the airport.

💡 Pro tip: If you're heading directly to the airport, tell the boatman you want to reach Dermaga Kembang — it's a 10-minute walk to the main road where taxis and ride-hailing are easy to find. Source: Banjarmasin Tourism Board

Once you step off the boat at a city dock, the second leg is a straightforward road journey to Syamsudin Noor Airport. This is the most common and reliable way to complete the trip.

Key Details

• Distance: ~22–26 km (depending on the dock)
• Duration: 30–45 minutes (non-peak); 45–60 minutes (peak hours, 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM)
• Cost — Taxi: 120,000–180,000 IDR (8–12 USD) flat rate
• Cost — Grab/Gojek: 90,000–150,000 IDR (6–10 USD) depending on surge
• Route: From city center → Jl. A. Yani → Jl. Syamsudin Noor → Airport terminal

Taxi vs Ride-hailing: Which is better?

Option	Cost	Availability	Reliability	Best For
Blue Bird Taxi (metered)	130,000–180,000 IDR	⭐⭐⭐⭐ — book by phone or at taxi stand	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — trusted, AC, metered	Travelers who prefer fixed rates
GrabCar	90,000–150,000 IDR	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — app-based, instant	⭐⭐⭐⭐ — depends on driver rating	Budget-conscious, app-savvy users
Gojek (car)	85,000–140,000 IDR	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — widely used in Banjarmasin	⭐⭐⭐⭐ — good, but surge pricing	Best value if no surge
Airport Shuttle (pre-booked)	150,000–200,000 IDR	⭐⭐⭐ — must book 1 day ahead	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — guaranteed pickup	Groups, peace of mind

Step-by-Step: From Dock to Airport

1. Exit the dock — Dermaga Kembang and Dermaga Siring are both within walking distance (5–10 min) to main roads.
2. Open your ride-hailing app — Grab and Gojek work well in Banjarmasin. Set pickup as the nearest landmark (e.g., “Dermaga Kembang” or “Siring 0 Kilometer”).
3. Or hail a taxi — Blue Bird taxis are available near the Siring area. Look for the blue bird logo.
4. Ride to the airport — The drive is mostly on Jl. A. Yani, a four-lane road. Traffic is moderate during weekdays.
5. Arrive at Syamsudin Noor Airport (BDJ) — The terminal is modern with basic facilities. Allow 45 minutes before domestic flights.

💡 Pro tip: If you have heavy luggage, book a GrabCar Plus or Blue Bird for extra boot space. Source: Grab Indonesia

For budget travelers, the Damri airport bus is the cheapest way to cover the road leg. It runs from Banjarmasin city center to Syamsudin Noor Airport at regular intervals.

Key Details

• Route: Terminal KM 6 (city) → Syamsudin Noor Airport
• Duration: 40–55 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Cost: 25,000 IDR (1.7 USD) per person — by far the cheapest option
• Frequency: Every 30–45 minutes from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Key stop near docks: Jl. Hasan Basry (about 15 min walk from Dermaga Kembang)

How to connect from boat to Damri bus

1. Take the boat to Dermaga Kembang or Dermaga Siring.
2. Walk or take a short ojek (motorcycle taxi) to the nearest Damri stop — about 10–15 minutes walk from the dock.
3. Board the Damri bus heading to the airport. Pay the conductor directly.
4. Alight at Syamsudin Noor Airport terminal.

⚠️ Limitation: Damri buses have limited luggage space (max 1 medium bag per person). If you have large suitcases, the taxi is a better choice. Source: Damri Indonesia

For travelers who want a seamless, private experience, you can hire a single provider who arranges both the boat from the Floating Market and a car waiting at the dock to take you to Syamsudin Noor Airport. This is the most convenient but also the most expensive option.

Key Details

• Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes (boat 30 min + car 30 min + transfer 15 min)
• Total cost: 350,000–500,000 IDR (23–33 USD) for up to 4 people
• Includes: Private klotok or speedboat + driver waiting at dock + car to airport
• How to book: Through hotel concierge, local tour agencies, or platforms like Klook or Traveloka

What to expect

• The boat will wait for you at the Floating Market dock at a pre-arranged time.
• The car will be parked near the arrival dock (e.g., Dermaga Kembang) with a signboard.
• Drivers usually speak basic English and can assist with luggage.
• Cancelation policy: most agencies allow free cancelation up to 24 hours before.

💡 Pro tip: This option is ideal for late afternoon flights when you want to maximize your morning at the Floating Market without worrying about connections. Source: Traveloka Banjarmasin Activities

Use this table to quickly compare every combination of boat + onward transport. Bold rows highlight the best value and fastest options.

#	Route / Combination	Total Time	Total Cost (per person)	Transfers	Best For
🥇	Klotok (shared) → GrabCar	~1.5 hrs	140,000–200,000 IDR (9.3–13.3 USD)	1 (dock to car)	Best value & speed combo
🥈	Speedboat (private) → Blue Bird Taxi	~1 hr 15 min	330,000–530,000 IDR (22–35 USD)	0 (door-to-door with help)	Fastest, premium comfort
🥉	Klotok (shared) → Damri Bus	~2 hrs	75,000–95,000 IDR (5–6.3 USD)	2 (dock to bus stop, bus to airport)	Cheapest, light luggage only
4	Speedboat (private) → Damri Bus	~1 hr 45 min	225,000–375,000 IDR (15–25 USD)	1 (dock to bus stop)	Fast boat + budget road leg
5	Charter klotok → GrabCar Plus	~1.5 hrs	240,000–400,000 IDR (16–27 USD)	1 (dock to car)	Private scenic ride + comfort
6	Private Boat + Car Package (pre-booked)	~1 hr 15 min	350,000–500,000 IDR (23–33 USD) per group	0 (seamless)	No stress, door-to-door

💰 Money-saving tip: The cheapest reliable combo is Klotok (shared) → GrabCar, averaging 170,000 IDR (11.3 USD) per person. You save 40% compared to a pre-booked package, with only a small time difference.

Based on local knowledge and traveler feedback, here are 10 actionable tips to make your boat-to-airport transfer smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

🛶 Boat-Specific Tips

• Negotiate upfront: Always confirm the price before boarding. Ask “Berapa harga ke Dermaga Kembang?” (How much to Dermaga Kembang?).
• Keep electronics dry: River spray can be unpredictable. Use a dry bag or wrap your camera/phone in a plastic bag.
• Choose the right dock: Dermaga Kembang is the most central for taxis. Dermaga Siring is closer to Damri bus stops.
• Morning is best: The Floating Market is most vibrant from 6:00–8:00 AM. After 10 AM, boat traffic reduces and some vendors leave.
• Life jackets: Not always provided on klotok boats. If you're concerned, ask “Ada jaket pelampung?” (Is there a life jacket?).

🚕 Road Leg Tips

• Book Grab/Gojek after you dock: Don't book too early — river travel time can vary by 10–15 minutes. Wait until you're on the dock.
• Check traffic before leaving: Banjarmasin rush hours are 7:00–8:30 AM and 4:30–6:00 PM. If you're traveling during these times, add 15–20 minutes.
• Airport arrival: For domestic flights, arrive 45 minutes early. For international (if any), aim for 1.5 hours. Syamsudin Noor is a small airport, so queues are short.

🧳 Luggage & Logistics

• Takkyubin luggage delivery: If you have large suitcases, use a luggage delivery service from Banjarmasin hotels to the airport. Cost is ~50,000–80,000 IDR (3.3–5.3 USD) per bag. This lets you travel light on the boat.
• Boat luggage limit: Klotok boats have limited space. A 20-inch carry-on is fine. For 28-inch suitcases, book a speedboat or private charter.
• Peak season warning: During Eid al-Fitr and Christmas/New Year, both boats and taxis are in high demand. Book your airport transfer 1–2 days in advance.

📚 Source: Insights compiled from Lonely Planet Banjarmasin Guide and TripAdvisor traveler reviews.