How to Get from Losari Beach to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport

There is no train or Shinkansen service connecting Losari Beach to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport. Makassar does have a railway station — Stasiun Makassar (Makassar Station) — located about 6 km northeast of Losari Beach on Jl. Ahmad Yani. However, it only operates long-distance economy and business-class trains to destinations such as Pare-Pare (4–5 hours) and Surabaya (via ferry connection). No commuter rail or airport express exists in South Sulawesi.

If you are arriving in Makassar by train from another city and need to reach the airport, you must take a taxi or ride-hailing from the station — the trip from Stasiun Makassar to the airport takes about 35–50 minutes by car and costs 90,000–130,000 IDR ($5.50–8). For travellers coming from Losari Beach, the nearest train connection is irrelevant for airport access.

Why no train? Sultan Hasanuddin Airport is located 22 km south of the city centre in the district of Biringkanaya. The existing railway line runs north–south along the western coast but does not extend to the airport precinct. As of 2025, there are no government plans for an airport rail link.

• Stasiun Makassar address: Jl. Ahmad Yani No.1, Bulo Gading, Kec. Ujung Tanah — about 15 minutes by taxi from Losari Beach.
• Train routes: Makassar → Pare-Pare (economy class from 50,000 IDR / $3) and Makassar → Surabaya (combined train + ferry).
• Alternative for train enthusiasts: If you simply want to experience Indonesian rail, take a short trip to Pare-Pare and fly back from the airport — but this is not practical for airport transfer.

Verdict: Skip the train. Use a taxi, ride-hailing or airport bus instead.

Flying from Losari Beach to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport is not an option — the distance is only 22–25 km. However, if you are arriving in Makassar from another city or country, understanding the airport's layout and connections will help you plan your transfer to Losari Beach (the reverse route).

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) is the main gateway to South Sulawesi. It handles domestic flights to Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali (Denpasar), Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Manado, and international flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jeddah (seasonal), and Guangzhou. The airport has a single terminal split into domestic (gates A–D) and international (gates E–F) sections.

• From the airport to Losari Beach: You have the same transport choices — Grab Car (120,000–150,000 IDR / $7.50–9.50), Damri bus (40,000 IDR / $2.50, 50–70 min), or Gojek (60,000–80,000 IDR / $3.70–5).
• Hidden time cost: If you considered flying to another airport closer to Losari Beach (there isn't one), remember that you need to add 1–2 hours for check-in, security, and boarding. Driving directly is far faster and cheaper.
• Connecting passengers: If you are flying into Makassar and need to reach Losari Beach, schedule at least 1.5 hours from landing to exiting the airport (immigration, baggage claim for international flights).

Verdict: No flight needed for the Losari Beach → airport route. The airport itself is the destination.

Damri (Perum Damri) operates a dedicated airport shuttle bus route that passes through central Makassar, including the Losari Beach area. It is the most economical way to reach Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, costing just 40,000 IDR ($2.50) per person.

Route & Stops: The bus starts from Makassar City Center (MTC) and travels via Jl. Penghibur (the main road along Losari Beach), Jl. Sultan Alauddin, and then directly to the airport. The nearest stop to Losari Beach is the Jl. Penghibur stop (near the Losari Beach plaza).

• Schedule: Every 30–60 minutes from 05:30 to 21:00 (first bus from MTC around 05:30, last bus from airport around 20:30).
• Journey time: 50–70 minutes depending on traffic and number of stops.
• Luggage: Free luggage allowance — up to 20 kg per person in the underfloor compartment. No extra charge for suitcases.
• Payment: Cash only (exact change recommended) or use the local e-money card (BRIZZI, E-Money).
• How to board: Wave the bus down at the Jl. Penghibur stop or go to the MTC terminal. The bus has "Damri Bandara" (Airport Damri) written on the front.

Pros: Cheap, direct, no need to negotiate price, reasonably comfortable with A/C. Cons: Not very frequent, can be slow in peak traffic, limited space for large groups (max 30 seats).

Tip: Download the Damri Mas app (iOS/Android) to track bus positions and buy e-tickets — though at the time of writing, the app covers Jakarta and Bandung but not yet Makassar in full. Check locally at the bus stop.

For most travellers, a ride-hailing service (Grab Car or Gojek) is the best combination of speed, cost and convenience. From Losari Beach to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, you have three main options:

Grab Car (Most Recommended)

• Cost: 110,000–160,000 IDR ($7–10) depending on demand and time of day.
• Time: 30–45 minutes (normal traffic).
• How to book: Download the Grab app, set pickup to "Losari Beach" and drop-off to "Sultan Hasanuddin Airport (UPG)".
• Payment: Cash or credit/debit card linked to the app. Cards are charged at the prevailing rate — no surge ambiguity.
• Vehicle: Usually a Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, or similar compact sedan/MPV. Space for 3–4 passengers with luggage.

Gojek (Motorcycle Taxi – Fastest)

• Cost: 50,000–80,000 IDR ($3–5).
• Time: 20–30 minutes — cuts through traffic.
• Luggage: Very limited — one backpack or small duffel. Not suitable for suitcases or multiple bags.
• Best for: Solo travellers with light luggage who need to catch a tight flight.

Blue Bird Taxi (Metered, Reliable)

• Cost: 100,000–150,000 IDR ($6–10) on the meter.
• How to hail: Flag one down on the street near Losari Beach, or call 1406 (Blue Bird hotline).
• Trust factor: Blue Bird is Indonesia's most reputable taxi company — meters are reliable, drivers are professional.
• Note: Avoid unmarked taxis (taksi gelap) that demand flat rates of 200,000 IDR+.

Traffic warning: Between 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–19:00, Jl. Sultan Alauddin and Jl. Metro Tanjung Bunga become heavily congested. Add 20–30 minutes to your journey. If your flight is before 09:00, leave Losari Beach by 06:30 at the latest.

Airport drop-off: Ride-hailing cars can drop you directly at the departure curb (level 2). No extra fee. Gojek riders must use the motorcycle parking area near the terminal entrance — a 2-minute walk.

Use this table to decide which transport suits your budget and schedule. Prices are indicative and may vary slightly based on traffic, surge pricing, and the exact pickup point.

Mode	Estimated Cost (IDR)	Estimated Cost (USD)	Travel Time	Luggage Capacity	Best For
Gojek (Motorcycle)	50,000 – 80,000	$3 – $5	20 – 30 min	1 small bag	Solo, light pack, tight flight
Grab Car ★ Best Overall	110,000 – 160,000	$7 – $10	30 – 45 min	3–4 pax + suitcases	Most travellers, value + comfort
Blue Bird Taxi	100,000 – 150,000	$6 – $10	30 – 45 min	3–4 pax + suitcases	No smartphone, trusted metered ride
Private Transfer	200,000 – 350,000	$12.50 – $22	30 – 40 min	4–6 pax + large luggage	Groups, business, VIP comfort
Damri Airport Bus ★ Cheapest	40,000	$2.50	50 – 70 min	20 kg per person	Budget travellers, solo, no rush

Note: Private transfers can be booked through hotels or local operators like Makassar Tour & Transport (recommended for groups of 4+). Prices are fixed — no surge.

Makassar traffic has a personality of its own. Here’s what real travellers report, along with practical advice to make your journey smoother.

Traffic Reality Check

• Morning peak (07:00–09:00): Jl. Sultan Alauddin becomes a parking lot. A trip that normally takes 30 minutes can stretch to 60–70 minutes. Locals often take Jl. Metro Tanjung Bunga as an alternative — it's slightly longer but flows better.
• Evening peak (16:00–19:00): Similar congestion, especially near the Panakkukang Mall intersection. Best to avoid if possible.
• Rain factor: During the wet season (November–April), heavy downpours can flood low-lying sections of Jl. Talasalapang, adding 15–30 minutes. Carry a raincoat if using Gojek.

Driver Behaviour & Safety

• Grab and Gojek drivers in Makassar are generally courteous and speak basic English. Use the app's chat feature with simple English or Indonesian phrases.
• Helmet provided for Gojek — check the buckle and ask for a disposable hairnet (many drivers carry them).
• For taxis, always insist on the meter ("pakai argo"). Blue Bird is the gold standard; avoid taxis with "Taksi" stickers but no company logo.

Scenic Highlights on the Way

• The drive from Losari Beach to the airport passes the Makassar waterfront (Pantai Losari) and the Trans Studio Mall — one of the largest indoor theme parks in Indonesia.
• Near the airport, you'll see the Biringkanaya rice fields — a green contrast to the coastal cityscape.
• If you have extra time, stop at Kampung Beru for fresh seafood — but only if you're not in a rush to catch a flight.

• Book ahead for early flights. Grab allows advance booking up to 7 days ahead — use the "Schedule" feature in the app to lock in a driver for 05:00–06:00 departures.
• Cash vs card: Always carry 100,000–200,000 IDR in small bills (5,000–20,000 denominations) for Damri bus fare or to tip the driver if they handle heavy luggage.
• Luggage delivery service: If you have bulky bags, consider Titip Barang (local luggage storage) near Losari Beach for 25,000 IDR/day — then pick up a day later. Useful if you want to explore hands-free before flying out.
• Check flight terminal: Domestic flights depart from gates A–D (left side of terminal), international from gates E–F (right side). Ride-hailing drop-off is at the central entrance — walk left or right accordingly.
• Download offline maps: Google Maps works well in Makassar, but download the area offline in case of slow data. Grab and Gojek apps also have built-in maps.
• Be careful with "helpful" porters at the airport. Uniformed porters charge 20,000–50,000 IDR per bag. If you don't need help, politely say "tidak, terima kasih" and walk directly to the check-in counter.
• For group travellers (4+ people): A private transfer via Makassar Airport Transfer (website: makassarairporttransfer.com — booked by phone +62 811-444-xxx) costs 250,000 IDR ($15.50) for a Toyota Innova — cheaper than two Grab cars.