Getting around Papua New Guinea requires patience and flexibility. The country has no national rail network and many parts of the country are not connected by road at all.
By Air
Flying is the only practical way to reach most destinations. Air Niugini operates between Port Moresby and the major provincial capitals — Lae, Mount Hagen, Madang, Wewak, Goroka, Rabaul, and others. Link PNG (Air Niugini's subsidiary), PNG Air, MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), and TropicAir serve smaller airstrips in more remote areas.
Book domestic flights in advance, especially during festival season (August–September) when seats fill fast. Planes are small and cancellations or delays due to weather are common in the Highlands.
By PMV
PMVs (public motor vehicles) are shared minivans and open trucks that serve as the main public transport along the roads that do exist. They are cheap — a typical town-to-town fare is K5–20 — but slow, crowded, and depart when full rather than on schedule. The Highlands Highway connects Port Moresby to Lae, and then continues into the Highlands, but the road quality varies and it passes through areas with a history of highway crime. Travel by PMV here is possible but requires caution.
By Boat
Passenger boats and ferries connect many coastal towns and islands. The main operator, Rabaul Shipping, runs regular services from Lae and Port Moresby to New Britain, New Ireland, and Manus Island. The boats are basic but functional. For shorter hops between islands, you will find outboard dinghies and motorised canoes for hire at most waterfront towns.
Car Rental
Hertz, Avis, and Budget have offices in Port Moresby, Lae, and a few other towns. Renting a car is expensive and self-driving outside the cities carries real safety risks. Hiring a car with a local driver is a more sensible option for most visitors.