Tarakan to Balikpapan by ferry
Balikpapan lies 516 km (321 mi) south of Tarakan, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
The sea distance is about 516 km (321 mi); at typical ferry speeds a direct crossing would take around 15 h 39 min. Whether one runs, and how often, is in the operator’s timetable.
Open Balikpapan in Google Maps
| Tarakan | Balikpapan | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Indonesia | Indonesia |
| Population | 255,310 | 695,287 |
| Elevation | 29 m (95 ft) | 67 m (220 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+8 (Asia/Makassar) | UTC+8 (Asia/Makassar) |
| Port | port of Malundung Tarakan | Port of Kariangau |
Where to book ferries from Tarakan to Balikpapan
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Balikpapan
Our booking partner lists 123 places to stay in Balikpapan. Of the 113 with a star rating, the largest group is 2-star (58), and 1 are five-star. Guests have left 1,495 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Balikpapan
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Balikpapan from Tarakan?
516 km (321 mi) in a straight line, south of Tarakan; by road roughly 630 km (391 mi).
How long does it take to get from Tarakan to Balikpapan by ferry?
About 15 h 39 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Tarakan and Balikpapan?
No, both are on Asia/Makassar at the moment.
Where can I stay in Balikpapan?
Our booking partner lists 123 places to stay in Balikpapan, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.