🎒Backpackers

Where to Stay in Samarinda

Cheapest areas, hostel districts, and budget tips

🛡️ Safe💰 Budget: IDR 250000/day🚇 Good Transit☀️ Best: Jul, Aug, Sep

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Quick Answer

Stay in Palaran

Provides the most affordable accommodation and food options, allowing for longer stays on a limited budget.

See full Samarinda neighbourhood guide

Top 3 Areas to Stay in Samarinda

Most affordable areas with the best value accommodation

Palaran

A developing area, primarily residential with some newer commercial developments.

Our top picks in Palaran

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Sentosa Homestay$

Offers basic, clean accommodations for a budget-friendly stay.

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Penginapan Damai$

A simple guesthouse providing essential amenities.

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🛡️ Safe for residents and visitor...Budgetfamiliesbudget

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Sungai Kunjang

A bustling riverside area with a mix of residential, commercial, and some tourist facilities.

Our top picks in Sungai Kunjang

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Hotel Mesra$$

A well-established hotel with comfortable rooms and decent facilities.

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Hotel Bumi Senyiur$$

Offers good service and amenities, a reliable choice for business and leisure travelers.

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Grand Sawit Hotel$$

Known for its spacious rooms and convenient location.

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🛡️ Generally safe during the day,...Mid-rangefirst-timersfoodies

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Samarinda Kota

The administrative and commercial heart, featuring government buildings, shopping centers, and modern amenities.

Our top picks in Samarinda Kota

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Mercure Samarinda$$$

A modern hotel offering international standards and amenities in a prime location.

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Aston Samarinda Hotel & Convention Center$$$

A large hotel complex with extensive facilities, suitable for events and comfortable stays.

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Novotel Balikpapan$$$

While technically in Balikpapan, it's a benchmark for luxury in the region, Samarinda aims for similar standards.

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🛡️ Very safe during the day and n...Luxuryfirst-timersbusiness travelers

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Neighbourhood Comparison for Backpackers

Neighbourhood	Budget	Vibe	Best For
#1Palaran	Budget	A developing area, primarily residential with some newer commercial developments.	familiesbudget
Sungai Kunjang	Mid-range	A bustling riverside area with a mix of residential, commercial, and some tourist facilities.	first-timersfoodies
Samarinda Kota	Luxury	The administrative and commercial heart, featuring government buildings, shopping centers, and modern amenities.	first-timersbusiness travelers

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Find budget-friendly hostels in Samarinda

Affordable stays in the best backpacker areas

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Tips for Backpackers in Samarinda

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Book Hostels with Kitchens

Self-catering saves significant money in Samarinda. A hostel with a good kitchen can cut your food budget by half.

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Walk Where Possible

Many city centres are walkable. Save transport money for longer journeys and use your feet for neighbourhood exploring.

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Find Free Activities

Free walking tours, museum free days, parks, and markets are everywhere. Ask hostel staff for the best free experiences.

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Carry a Water Bottle

A refillable bottle saves money and plastic. Many cities have free water fountains; check the local tap water safety first.

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Find free walking tours in Samarinda

Budget-friendly ways to explore

Browse on GetYourGuide

Best Neighborhoods for Backpackers

Ranked by relevance for backpackers visiting Samarinda

Palaran

Budget

A developing area, primarily residential with some newer commercial developments.

familiesbudgetdigital nomads

+Quieter than the city center
+More affordable prices for accommodation and food
+Good for experiencing local life away from tourist crowds

-Further from the main tourist attractions
-Public transport can be less frequent

🏨 Sentosa Homestay 🏨 Penginapan Damai

Sungai Kunjang

Mid-range

A bustling riverside area with a mix of residential, commercial, and some tourist facilities.

first-timersfoodiesbudget

+Good access to local food stalls and restaurants
+Relatively central for accessing different parts of the city
+Affordable accommodation options

-Can be noisy and crowded
-Limited high-end amenities

🏨 Hotel Mesra 🏨 Hotel Bumi Senyiur 🏨 Grand Sawit Hotel

Samarinda Kota

Luxury

The administrative and commercial heart, featuring government buildings, shopping centers, and modern amenities.

first-timersbusiness travelersluxury

+Convenient access to shopping and dining
+Good infrastructure and modern facilities
+Likely to find more international-standard services

-Can be more expensive
-Less authentic local experience compared to other areas

🏨 Mercure Samarinda 🏨 Aston Samarinda Hotel & Convention Center 🏨 Novotel Balikpapan

Daily Budget (Budget)

IDR 250000/day

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

See all budget tiers

Hidden Gems in Samarinda

Lesser-known spots the locals love

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Kampung Ketupat

Experience authentic East Kalimantan cuisine at this cluster of eateries specializing in ketupat, a rice cake dish. It's a vibrant spot where locals go for a delicious and affordable meal.

foodSungai Pinang

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Pasar Pagi

FREE

Immerse yourself in the daily life of Samarinda at this bustling traditional market. You'll find a wide array of fresh produce, local snacks, and everyday goods, offering a true taste of local commerce.

marketSungai Pinang

Our Top 5 Favourite Tours in Samarinda

Hand-picked guided experiences you can book in advance on GetYourGuide.

Guided walking tour through a European city

Samarinda Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems

Discover Samarinda on foot with a local guide who knows every backstreet and story. You will cover the must-see landmarks and stumble upon places most visitors never find.

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Samarinda Food Tour: Street Food & Local Favourites

Eat your way through Samarinda with a local foodie as your guide. From bustling markets to tucked-away restaurants, taste the dishes the city is truly known for.

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Best of Samarinda: Skip-the-Line Top Attractions

Skip the queues and get straight into Samarinda's top attractions with pre-booked access. An expert guide brings each site to life with stories and context you would not get on your own.

View Tour Details

Day Trip from Samarinda: Scenic Excursion

Escape Samarinda for the day and explore the stunning surroundings. Transport, guide, and itinerary are all sorted so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

View Tour Details

Local cultural experience and traditions

Samarinda Cultural Experience: History & Traditions

Go beyond sightseeing and connect with Samarinda's living culture. From hands-on workshops to historic neighbourhood walks, this is the side of the city most travellers miss.

View Tour Details

View all tours in Samarinda

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1 area to be cautious about

Read our full safety guide for Samarinda

Backpackers in Samarinda: FAQ

What is the best area in Samarinda for backpackers?

Palaran is our top pick for backpackers in Samarinda. A developing area, primarily residential with some newer commercial developments. It is a budget-friendly area known for families, budget, digital nomads.

Is Samarinda safe for backpackers?

Samarinda is rated "safe" overall. Main roads and commercial areas are generally safe, but smaller streets can become dark and deserted. Stick to well-lit, populated areas. Our neighbourhood guides include area-specific safety advice.

How much does it cost per day in Samarinda for backpackers?

Expect to spend around IDR 250000 per day in Samarinda as a backpacker. This covers accommodation, food, transport, and activities at the budget level.

When is the best time for backpackers to visit Samarinda?

The ideal time depends on your priorities. Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of pleasant weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. Budget travellers often find the best deals in winter or early spring.

Where are the cheapest hostels in Samarinda?

The most affordable hostels in Samarinda are typically found in Palaran. Budget accommodation options are highlighted in each neighbourhood breakdown above.

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More Samarinda Guides

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