Cost of Living in Samarinda
How much does it cost to visit Samarinda? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Sven Scheuermeier / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
IDR 250000
per day
Weekly: IDR 1750000
Monthly: IDR 7500000
Examples
- 🏨Guesthouse room at Penginapan MahakamIDR 100000
- 🍽️Nasi Goreng and Teh Botol at a local warungIDR 30000
- 🚌Rent a motorbike for the dayIDR 70000
- 🎟️Visit the Masjid Raya Samarinda and walk along the Mahakam RiverIDR 0
- 🎟️Explore the Pasar Pagi marketIDR 20000
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
IDR 600000
per day
Weekly: IDR 4200000
Monthly: IDR 18000000
Examples
- 🏨Standard room at Hotel Grand SawitIDR 250000
- 🍽️Lunch at RM Pondok Borneo (local specialties)IDR 70000
- 🍽️Dinner at Warung Bakso Mas BambangIDR 50000
- 🚌Ride-sharing apps (Gojek/Grab) for multiple tripsIDR 130000
- 🎟️Visit the Taman Samarendah park and the Museum SamarindaIDR 100000
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
IDR 1500000
per day
Weekly: IDR 10500000
Monthly: IDR 45000000
Examples
- 🏨Deluxe room at Novotel Balikpapan (day trip focus)IDR 700000
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at The Square Restaurant, Novotel BalikpapanIDR 300000
- 🍽️Seafood dinner at a restaurant in the city center with river viewIDR 300000
- 🚌Private car with driver for the dayIDR 150000
- 🎟️Relax at a spa or enjoy a boat trip on the Mahakam RiverIDR 50000
Cost by Category
accommodation
100000-300000 (budget), 300000-700000 (mid), 700000+ (luxury)
food
50000-100000 (budget), 100000-250000 (mid), 250000+ (luxury)
Transport
20000-50000 (budget), 50000-150000 (mid), 100000+ (luxury)
activities
30000-70000 (budget), 70000-150000 (mid), 150000+ (luxury)
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sungai Kunjang | Mid-range | average | first-timers, foodies |
| Palaran | Budget | below average | families, budget |
| Samarinda Kota | Luxury | above average | first-timers, business travelers |
Money-Saving Tips for Samarinda
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Samarinda Costs
How much does it cost to visit Samarinda?
Budget travellers can visit Samarinda for around IDR 250000/day (IDR 1750000/week). Mid-range travellers should budget IDR 600000/day, while luxury travel costs around IDR 1500000/day.
Is Samarinda expensive?
Samarinda is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least IDR 250000/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Samarinda?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Samarinda, budget IDR 600000/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Samarinda?
Budget travellers in Samarinda can get by on IDR 250000/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.