Getting tp PNG

Hello! I am wondering which is a cheaper way of getting to PNG. From Indonesia (say a flight from Bali or Jakarta to Jayapura then overland) or from Australia (Cairns? Sydney?) If the former, is it easy to cross overland (ie visa etc?) What other countries in the area are there flights from? Cheers !!

Andre

im in madang and dont have to much time to answer. however, ive just done the overland crossing jayapura - vanimo. the crossing is easy as, but not the visa process at the png embassy in jayapura. it was horrible. ill post something when i get back home, but just a short advise; get your png visa elsewhere if you can.

Flying into PNG from Cairns would be the cheapest but least interesting option. The overland trip from Indonesia is much more interesting but a lot more time consuming.

Penso, it's a pity things did not go smoothly for you when getting your visa. It really depends on the person you deal with in the PNG Consulate in Jayapura. The person handling this area over the last few years was fantastic but I hear she may have moved on to bigger and better things. Lately the PNG Consul in Jayapura has come under some increased scruitiny due to the increasing numbers of illegal border crossers from Asia and Middle Eastern countries.

It basically depends on WHERE in PNG you want to get to.

For the Sepik, entering from Jayapura could work out cheper, for Port Moresby or Milne Bay, flying in from Australia.

Unfortunately my experiences regarding getting a PNG visa in Jayapura tend to be similar to penso's.
It's really a hit or miss.

Thanks! I'm leaning towards the Sepik region. I will probably go through Indonesia then with a return ticket Jakarta > Jayapura. Easier I hope to get the PNG visa in Jakarta (any idea how long it takes?) Also, (forgive my ignorance) I am presuming there are no roads from Vanimo to Wewak... must be small planes and/or boats (dingies)... ? Does one need a lot of time to cover that distance with erratic schedules etc? I would have to return to Jayapura after having done the Sepik region. Thanks again for any info.