How to get from Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to Losari Beach

Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) sits about 20 km northeast of the city, so getting to the sunset promenade of Losari Beach is a simple 30–60 minute ride by taxi or Grab/Gojek, DAMRI airport bus plus a short hop, prebooked transfer, or self-drive; this guide walks you through each option step-by-step with realistic costs and booking links so you can roll up right to the waterfront without stress.

At A Glance (Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to Losari Beach)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚕 Airport Taxi or Ride-hailing (Direct to Losari Beach)	~30–45 minutes door-to-door	Most travellers, late arrivals, heavy luggage
🏷️ Cost: ~IDR 120k–160k per car (1–4 pax) prebook or meter; compare set-fare airport taxis with prebooked rides on Welcome Pickups Makassar or GetTransfer Makassar
🚌 DAMRI Airport Bus + Short Taxi/Grab	~45–70 minutes total (bus + connection)	Budget travellers with light luggage
🏷️ Cost: ~IDR 25k–27k bus + IDR 20k–40k for onward Grab/taxi to Losari Beach; look for updated airport bus info on Makassar airport public transport
🚐 Prebooked Private Transfer / Hotel Shuttle	~30–45 minutes door-to-door	Families, small groups, comfort-focused
🏷️ Cost: ~IDR 150k–250k per car depending on time and vehicle; check airport pickups on Welcome Pickups or compare private rides via GetTransfer
🚗 Self-drive Car or Scooter Rental	~30–45 minutes driving time	Road-trippers continuing around South Sulawesi
🏷️ Cost: Car rental from ~IDR 300k–450k per day on Booking.com Car Rental Makassar; scooter rentals from ~IDR 120k–200k per day via platforms like BikesBooking or local shops

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / Most Convenient: Go straight from arrivals with a taxi or ride-hailing service; ideal if you land after dark, have heavy luggage or just want a simple door-to-door ride.
• Cheapest: Combine the DAMRI airport bus with a short Grab or metered taxi to Losari Beach; best for solo travellers on a tight budget.
• Most Comfortable Door-to-door: Book a private transfer so your driver meets you in the arrivals hall and drops you right at your hotel on or near Losari Beach.
• Most Flexible for Wider Itineraries: If you will explore South Sulawesi (Bantimurung, Tana Toraja, Bira), consider self-drive car rental so the airport→Losari segment is just the first leg of your road trip.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Plan your flight and first night together: If you have not booked flights yet, compare routes into Makassar from other Indonesian cities on 12Go or through Booking.com Flights for UPG, and pair them with hotels near the waterfront via Losari Beach stays.
• Decide on comfort vs. savings: If saving 70–100k IDR matters, the DAMRI airport bus is easy enough; otherwise just factor a taxi into your trip budget and enjoy a cooler, faster ride.
• Use ride-hailing apps wisely: Grab and Gojek work in Makassar and often undercut walk-up taxis, though pickup zones may be outside the main exit; prebooked services via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer are best if you prefer a named driver waiting.
• If you’ll drive: Reserve cars on Booking.com Car Rental a few days ahead and confirm pickup at the airport; scooters are more practical once you are based near Losari, and can be researched through BikesBooking or local rental shops.
• Think about luggage and check-in times: If you are landing and heading straight out on a tour, coordinate with providers on GetYourGuide Makassar or Makassar hotels on Klook for early bag drop or meeting points.
• Stash bags on other trip legs: If Makassar is one stop in a longer Indonesia itinerary and you need to store excess luggage in hubs like Jakarta or Bali, check city luggage services such as Radical Storage.

🚕 Option #1 — Airport Taxi or Ride-hailing (Most Popular, Direct)

Direct Comfortable 24/7 viable

• Overview: Taxis and app-based rides (Grab, Gojek) run all day between Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport and Makassar city centre, including the Losari Beach waterfront along Jalan Penghibur.
• How to book (with price): Official airport taxis operate on fixed zones; expect roughly IDR 120k–150k to Losari Beach. For more predictable pricing and an English-speaking driver, prebook via Welcome Pickups Makassar or compare offers on GetTransfer Makassar. Grab and Gojek often show similar or slightly lower fares in-app depending on demand.
• Pros: Fastest and simplest; door-to-door with air-conditioning; ideal with luggage or kids; available for very early or late flights. Cons: More expensive than the DAMRI bus; possible queues at peak times; traffic into the city can be heavy at rush hour.

Step-by-step: Taxi or Ride-hailing

1. Clear immigration and customs, then follow signs toward the main arrivals exit at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.
2. For airport taxis, go to the official taxi counter just outside arrivals, tell staff your hotel or “Losari Beach”, pay or take a coupon, and follow your assigned driver to the car.
3. For Grab or Gojek, connect to airport Wi‑Fi, set your pickup point to the designated ride-hailing zone (the app usually shows the correct gate), and choose a car size that fits your group and luggage.
4. Share your destination as “Losari Beach” or your exact hotel along the waterfront; confirm the route follows the toll road where possible for faster travel.
5. Pay in cash (for regular taxi), via app, or as per the prebooked confirmation with Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer; keep some small notes handy for tolls and tips.
6. Allow 30–45 minutes to reach Losari Beach depending on traffic; drop-off is usually right at your hotel entrance or near the waterfront promenade.

Getting to the main embarking points (Taxi Stands and Ride-hailing Pickups)

• Airport taxi counter: Located just outside the arrivals hall; follow “Taxi” signs to reach the official booth where staff assign cars and set fares.
• Ride-hailing pickup zones: Check the Grab or Gojek app for the annotated pickup point; at busy times drivers may ask you to walk to a slightly quieter kerbside area.
• Late-night arrivals: Taxis generally operate 24/7; ride-hail availability can thin out after midnight, so consider prebooking via Welcome Pickups.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #2 — DAMRI Airport Bus + Short Taxi/Grab (Cheapest)

Budget-friendly Simple route Daytime only

• Overview: State-run DAMRI buses connect Sultan Hasanuddin Airport with Makassar city, stopping near central areas from where you can hop into a short taxi or Grab ride to Losari Beach.
• How to book (with price): Tickets are bought on the spot at the DAMRI counter or from staff near the bus; expect around IDR 25k–27k per person one-way. From the city drop-off point, a further IDR 20k–40k in Grab or taxi should get you to Losari Beach.
• Pros: Lowest-cost airport transfer; luggage stored under the bus; a good way to see some of Makassar en route. Cons: Runs on a fixed schedule (roughly every 30–60 minutes day-time only); requires a transfer to reach the waterfront; can be hot and crowded at rush hour.

Step-by-step: DAMRI Airport Bus + Short Taxi

1. After exiting arrivals, look for signs or staff indicating “DAMRI” or “Airport Bus”; the stop is usually a short walk from the terminal with the buses clearly marked.
2. Buy your ticket from the DAMRI counter or conductor, confirm that the bus is heading toward Makassar city centre, and keep the ticket handy for inspection.
3. Stow big bags in the luggage compartment if offered; keep valuables and essentials with you on board.
4. Ride the bus toward the city, getting off at a central stop recommended by the conductor or at a point convenient for Losari (ask for “pantai Losari”).
5. From the bus stop, open Grab or Gojek and request a short ride to your hotel or Losari Beach promenade; confirm the plate number before boarding.
6. Pay the driver when you arrive at Losari; note the approximate location of the bus stop if you plan to use DAMRI again for your return to the airport.

Getting to the main embarking points (DAMRI Airport Stop and City Stops)

• Airport DAMRI stop: Usually located a short walk outside arrivals; look for larger white buses with “DAMRI” branding and ask airport staff if unsure.
• City drop-off: DAMRI buses typically call at central streets and malls; if you are new to Makassar, ask to be dropped somewhere easy to catch Grab or a city taxi onward to Losari Beach.
• Operating hours: Services are typically day-time to evening; if your flight arrives late at night you may need to rely on taxis or ride-hailing instead.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #3 — Prebooked Private Transfer or Hotel Shuttle (Most Comfortable)

Door-to-door Great with luggage Higher cost

• Overview: Many hotels around Losari Beach and local operators offer private airport transfers, where a driver meets you at arrivals and drives you straight to your accommodation with no waiting or negotiation.
• How to book (with price): Expect around IDR 150k–250k per car depending on time, vehicle size and inclusions. You can bundle airport pickup with city tours via GetYourGuide Makassar or check hotel offers on Booking.com Makassar hotels. Dedicated transfer platforms like Welcome Pickups and GetTransfer let you lock in a fixed fare in advance.
• Pros: Easiest option after a long flight; driver tracks your arrival time, helps with bags, and knows your hotel; ideal for families, late arrivals and first-time visitors. Cons: More expensive than bus or ride-hailing booked on the spot; must be arranged in advance.

Step-by-step: Private Transfer or Hotel Shuttle

1. When booking your hotel near Losari Beach on Booking.com or Klook Hotels, check whether they offer paid or complimentary airport transfers.
2. If using a dedicated service, reserve your ride in advance through Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer, entering “Losari Beach” or your hotel as the destination.
3. Save the confirmation, including driver contact, meeting point and vehicle details, on your phone for offline access.
4. On arrival, pass through baggage claim and walk to the designated meeting point (often just outside the arrivals exit or near a café); look for your name sign or contact the driver via messaging apps.
5. Confirm the vehicle registration and your destination, then load your bags and settle in; if you want to stop at an ATM or mini-mart en route, ask the driver in advance.
6. Pay according to the booking terms (online prepayment or cash on arrival) and get dropped off right at your hotel’s lobby along Losari Beach.

Getting to the main embarking points (Private Transfer Meeting Points)

• Hotel shuttle pickup: Many hotels specify a clear meeting point; check your booking voucher or ask reception in advance so you know exactly where to wait.
• Prebooked driver meeting point: Services like Welcome Pickups typically wait just beyond customs with a name board; in crowded times you might agree to meet at a specific café or pillar number.
• Emergency backup: If you cannot find your driver, contact them via WhatsApp using airport Wi‑Fi and, if needed, fall back to the official taxi stand.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚗 Option #4 — Self-drive Car or Scooter Rental (Most Flexible)

Flexible itinerary Good for day trips Requires confidence in traffic

• Overview: Confident drivers can rent a car or scooter and make Losari Beach their first stop before continuing to nearby attractions like Fort Rotterdam, Paotere harbour or day trips to Bantimurung.
• How to book (with price): Small cars typically start around IDR 300k–450k per day via Booking.com Car Rental Makassar. Scooters in Makassar usually run from about IDR 120k–200k per day when booked via platforms such as BikesBooking or directly from local shops; helmets are mandatory.
• Pros: Full control over your schedule; easy to explore greater Makassar and South Sulawesi; cost-effective for groups on multi-day trips. Cons: Traffic can be busy, signage may be limited, and city driving norms might feel chaotic if you are not used to Indonesian roads; parking near Losari can be crowded at peak sunset times.

Step-by-step: Self-drive to Losari Beach

1. Reserve your car in advance for pickup at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport using Booking.com Car Rental or arrange scooter delivery to your Makassar hotel through rental platforms or local agencies.
2. At the airport rental desk, present your passport, driving licence (and international permit if required), leave a deposit if needed, and inspect the vehicle thoroughly, photographing any existing damage.
3. Set your navigation app to “Losari Beach” or your exact hotel address along Jalan Penghibur and choose the toll road route for faster travel when traffic is heavy.
4. Drive from the airport toward Makassar, following signs for the city centre; keep left-hand driving rules in mind and watch for scooters filtering in traffic.
5. On arrival near Losari Beach, follow local parking attendants’ directions and pay the small parking fee; keep valuables out of sight and take essentials with you.
6. When continuing your trip, use your rental to reach other Makassar highlights or further afield destinations such as Tana Toraja, checking distances and routes on your mapping app.

Getting to the main embarking points (Rental Counters and City Pickups)

• Airport rental counters: Look for branded car rental desks in the arrivals hall or just outside; some companies will deliver the car kerbside once paperwork is done.
• City-based scooter rentals: Many scooter agencies operate in central Makassar; if you are already staying near Losari Beach, they may deliver to your hotel for a small fee.
• Navigation basics: Download offline maps before you fly and bookmark key points like “Sultan Hasanuddin Airport”, “Losari Beach” and your accommodation address.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to Losari Beach)

How long does it take to get from Sultan Hasanuddin Airport to Losari Beach?
Most travellers reach Losari Beach in about 30–45 minutes by taxi, ride-hail or private transfer, depending on traffic. At peak rush hours or in heavy rain it can take closer to an hour; DAMRI bus plus a short taxi or Grab may take 45–70 minutes door-to-door.

What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Losari Beach?
The lowest-cost option is usually the DAMRI airport bus to Makassar city (around IDR 25k–27k per person) followed by a short Grab or taxi ride of around IDR 20k–40k to your Losari hotel. This works best if you are travelling light and arrive while buses are still running.

Is there public transport directly to Losari Beach?
There is no direct city train or metro; the main public transport option is the DAMRI airport bus, which takes you into Makassar. From its city stops you will still need a short connection by taxi, Grab/Gojek or local angkot to reach Losari Beach itself.

Are ride-hailing apps allowed at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport?
Ride-hailing services like Grab and Gojek operate in Makassar, and you can usually request pickups at or near the airport, sometimes from designated zones slightly away from the main taxi rank. If app drivers are limited when you land, the official taxi counter and prebooked services like Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer are reliable backups.

Where should I stay near Losari Beach?
Losari is one of Makassar’s most popular areas to stay, with plenty of mid-range and upscale hotels right on or near the waterfront. For easy comparison, browse properties close to the promenade via Losari Beach hotels on Booking.com or check deals through Makassar hotels on Klook.