Belitung is an island off the east coast of Sumatra, but getting there is simple: a one-hour flight from Jakarta lands you at H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport, just outside Tanjung Pandan. Since May 2026 there is also a direct flight from Singapore. This guide covers the flight options, the transfer to the beaches and how to get around once you arrive.
The short version
- Fly to Tanjung Pandan (airport code TJQ). Most visitors connect through Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK).
- From Singapore, Scoot flies direct twice a week.
- Allow 15 to 25 minutes from the airport to Tanjung Pandan town, and 45 minutes to an hour to the beaches at Tanjung Kelayang and Tanjung Tinggi.
- Get around with a hired car and driver or a rental car or scooter. Public transport is very limited.
Flights from Jakarta
The Jakarta to Belitung route is short, about 50 to 70 minutes in the air, and runs several times a day. Citilink, Super Air Jet and Sriwijaya Air fly from Soekarno-Hatta, and timetables change from season to season, so check the airlines or a booking site such as Traveloka or Tiket.com for current options. Fares are usually modest if you book ahead, but rise sharply around Indonesian school holidays, Eid and long weekends, when many Jakarta families head to the island.
If you are coming from abroad, you can fly into Jakarta and connect the same day. Leave plenty of time if you need to move between terminals at Soekarno-Hatta.
Direct from Singapore
Scoot started a direct Singapore to Belitung service in May 2026, flying twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. It makes Belitung a realistic long weekend from Singapore. Because flights are not daily, plan your stay around the schedule and check it before you book accommodation.
Via Bangka
Belitung's neighbouring island, Bangka, is linked by short flights between Pangkal Pinang and Tanjung Pandan, operated by Wings Air and Super Air Jet. This is useful if you are combining the two islands in one trip.
From the airport
The airport is small and easy to navigate. Most hotels and resorts can arrange a pickup, and drivers and taxis wait outside arrivals.
- To Tanjung Pandan: 15 to 25 minutes.
- To Tanjung Kelayang and Tanjung Tinggi: 45 minutes to an hour along good, quiet roads.
- To Manggar in East Belitung: around 1.5 hours across the island.
A pre-booked transfer is the simplest option, especially if you arrive in the evening. Agree the fare before you set off if you take a taxi from the rank.
Getting around Belitung
The island has excellent, uncrowded roads but almost no public transport for visitors, and the main sights are spread out: the north-west beaches, the kaolin lake, the Laskar Pelangi school in East Belitung and the island-hopping boats at Tanjung Kelayang.
- Car with driver: the most common choice. Day hire is easy to arrange through your hotel or a local tour operator, and drivers often double as guides.
- Self-drive car or scooter: rentals are available in Tanjung Pandan and around the beach resorts. Traffic is light, but carry an International Driving Permit.
- Ride-hailing: coverage is patchy and largely limited to Tanjung Pandan, so do not rely on it for trips to the beaches or back to the airport.
Tips before you go
- The calmest seas for island hopping are roughly March to October. Boats may not run in rough weather, so leave some flexibility in your plans.
- Carry cash. Card payment is common in hotels but less so at warungs, coffee shops and on the boats.
- Book ahead for Indonesian holidays and long weekends, when flights and beach resorts fill up.
Once you have landed, use the Belitung map to see what is close to where you are staying.