Oceania > 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Papua New Guinea can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Papua New Guinea; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Papua New Guinea?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Papua New Guinea?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Papua New Guinea
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chipata | CIP | |
| Port Moresby | POM |
🚗 Renting a Car in Papua New Guinea — Rare and Risky
In short, car rental in PNG is possible but not common, and it’s rarely the best option for most visitors. A handful of international and local agencies offer vehicles in Port Moresby, but driving here requires extreme caution. Roads can be in poor condition, local driving styles unpredictable, and security concerns persist in some urban and rural areas.
If you do rent a car, it’s strongly advised to hire a vehicle with a driver. Most rentals for business or tourism include this automatically. Driving yourself isn’t generally recommended — both for safety and navigation reasons.
🛣️ Road Network and Conditions
Papua New Guinea’s road network is limited and fragmented. Most routes run along the coast or connect nearby towns but don’t link the country’s major regions. The Highlands Highway, connecting Lae to Mount Hagen, is one of the few long-distance routes, but it’s challenging — often damaged by landslides, potholes, or flooding.
Outside the Highlands and the Port Moresby region, many areas are accessible only by air or sea. Rural roads can be muddy tracks through jungle terrain, requiring a 4×4 vehicle even in the dry season.
✈️ Domestic Flights — The Main Way to Get Around
Given the difficult terrain, air travel is the lifeline of PNG. Airlines such as Air Niugini and PNG Air connect Port Moresby with nearly every provincial capital and key tourist region, including:
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Mount Hagen – gateway to the Highlands and tribal festivals
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Madang – known for diving and coastal scenery
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Rabaul (New Britain) – with its volcanic landscapes
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Tufi and Alotau – offering superb diving and coral reefs
Flights are frequent, relatively affordable, and save days of rough overland travel.
🚤 Coastal and Island Travel
Many coastal settlements and islands are reachable only by boat or ferry, not by road. Around Madang, Milne Bay, and New Britain, small motorboats (banana boats) shuttle locals and tourists between villages and dive resorts. Always check weather conditions and safety standards before travelling — seas can be unpredictable.
🚕 Urban Transport and Local Options
In Port Moresby and other towns, taxis and hotel transfers are the main way to get around. Public minibuses (PMVs) operate on fixed routes, but they’re mostly used by locals and aren’t ideal for visitors unfamiliar with the system. Many hotels and tour operators offer private shuttles or day tours, which are much safer and more reliable.
🏔️ Adventure and Scenic Travel
For those determined to explore by land, guided 4×4 tours in the Highlands or Madang Province can be rewarding — offering glimpses of remote villages, tea plantations, and mountain valleys. These are always best arranged through reputable operators with local knowledge and security awareness.
🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Papua New Guinea?
Why you might:
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You’re an experienced traveller on a guided or supported expedition.
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You need local mobility around Port Moresby for short business trips.
Why you probably shouldn’t:
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Limited and often dangerous roads.
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High security risks and lack of signposting.
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Most major attractions are accessible only by plane or boat.
🚫 Conclusion:
For almost every visitor, you should not rent a car in Papua New Guinea. The country’s geography makes road travel difficult, and flying or taking organized tours is far safer and more practical. Rent a car only with a professional driver and only if you truly need local mobility. PNG is best explored from the air, by sea, or with trusted local guides — not behind the wheel 🌋✈️🌴.
