Public transportation in Banjarmasin is becoming increasingly friendly for backpackers and domestic as well as foreign travelers. One of them is the BRT Trans Banjarbakula, often dubbed the 'Tayo Bus' by Banua residents because of its bright blue color. This bus rapid transit is a reliable means for cheap tourist attraction hopping in South Kalimantan.
This BRT connects the Banjarbakula metropolitan nodes: Banjarmasin City, Banjarbaru City, Banjar Regency, Barito Kuala, and Tanah Laut.
Best Tourist Transportation Route
For out-of-island tourists landing in Kalimantan, the BRT route is very strategic. This bus provides direct access from Syamsudin Noor International Airport (BDJ) straight into the heart of Banjarmasin city. Vacation costs to Banjarmasin automatically become very economical compared to using airport taxi fleets.
In addition, the BRT route corridor is designed to pass through crowded centers and top Banjarmasin tourism landmarks:
Banjarbaru Simpang Empat Roundabout (Near Banjarbaru culinary area)
Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) Kayutangi
Banjarmasin Zero Kilometer Point Landmark
Menara Pandang Siring & Martapura River Cruise Tourism Area
Complete Guide on How to Ride & Pay (Cashless)
The Smart City of Banjarmasin has implemented an integrated e-ticketing system on its BRT fleet.
Trans Banjarbakula Bus Stops: Use the route map feature on this Visit Banjarmasin website or Google Maps to track the nearest stop. The stops are designed parallel to the bus cabin floor.
Electronic Payment Preparation: You cannot pay with cash. Tourists must prepare a Bank electronic money card (E-toll, Flazz, TapCash, Brizzi, e-Money) or an e-wallet application with a QRIS scan feature.
Cheap Flat Fare: The government fully subsidizes this transportation fare. Regardless of your travel distance, the flat tourist fare at the time of writing is only around Rp 4,300 (about $0.28 USD).
Tap-In System: Board through the front door orderly and *Tap-In* your card on the validator machine near the driver, or scan the QRIS code with the bus conductor.
Safe and Comfortable Tips for Backpackers
- The operational hours of BRT Banjarbakula start exactly at 05:00 WITA in the morning and the last trip ends at 19:00 WITA at night.
- Always uphold transportation etiquette: give priority to the front red seats for the Elderly, Pregnant Women, and People with Disabilities.
- Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited inside the fully air-conditioned fleet for the mutual comfort of other tourists.
With the presence of excellent mass transportation infrastructure like BRT Trans Banjarbakula, exploring exciting holidays to Banjarmasin's exotic tourist objects is now much easier, faster, and definitely very cost-effective!
