Papua New Guinea Taxis and Car Rental
Taxis are available in some of the major cities in Papua New Guinea, including Port Moresby, Alotau, and Vanimo. However, cities like Lae, Mt Hagen, and Goroka do not have taxi services. Some of the for-hire vehicles are not very well maintained, but fares are reasonable and visitors can negotiate a price when they first get in. Ark Taxis (+675-323-0998) and Scarlet Taxis (+675-323-4266) are two good options. Most meters work but negotiating with the driver is common practice.
Even though driving throughout PNG is not highly recommended due to the poor conditions of some roads, there are still some car hire companies found in the largest cities and airports around the country. Rates for car rental are quite high, however, and most tourists find they cannot use this service unless they are at least 25 years old. Avis, Hertz, and Travel-Car are just some of the options along the Highland Highway, which is one of the only decent roadways in Papua New Guinea. If planning to drive anywhere else, tourists should hire a four-wheel drive vehicle, as other roads are mostly dirt tracks.
Papua New Guinea Water Taxis
One of the best ways to travel around Papua New Guinea is by boat. There are regular passenger ferries that link various parts of PNG, with connections between Lae and Madang, and Rabaul to Kavieng. Some of these boats have separate classes, so tourists can pay a little bit extra to enjoy more comfort and privacy. Small snack bars are sometimes found on these boats too, so you can enjoy a bite to eat when traveling. Locals also offer small boat and canoe-type services for shorter routes, but travelers should negotiate a price before setting out.
Papua New Guinea Trains and Buses
There are no passenger train services in Papua New Guinea, and even the bus network is quite limited. Vans, usually called PMVs or Public Motor Vehicles, are used instead of buses. These small vans carry passengers around the country’s biggest cities. There is usually a destination sign and route number in the front window, and locals are normally happy to help if tourists need some assistance.