East Timor Transportation

  Motorcycling Tutuala
by DSwede
 
  • Motorcycling Tutuala
      Motorcycling Tutuala
    by DSwede
  • Filling the tank
      Filling the tank
    by DSwede
  • Mikrolet #10 in Dili
      Mikrolet #10 in Dili
    by DSwede
  • Ojeg riders at Lifau monument
      Ojeg riders at Lifau monument
    by theo1006
  • Crossing a river near Tulaica
      Crossing a river near Tulaica
    by theo1006
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Filling the fuel tank

by DSwede

While traveling in East Timor, if you are using public transit, you do not need to pay attention to this tip. However if that is true, you will also be among the exceptionally few people who travel to Timor for leisure and do so on the extreme budget requiring the uncomfortable and unsafe public transit.There are a few regular fuel stations in Timor. For example there is Tiger Fuel in Dili and a station near the Baucau airport on the west side of Baucau. At these stations, you may fill your vehicle for about $0.94 / L. Do not expect credit cards to work, so be prepared with cash.Outside of these places, gas / diesel / petrol (or what ever you call it) will usually only be available from small roadside stands. Just look for the houses or small stores that have a line of clear plastic bottles on display with fuel. Or sometimes there may be a larger barrel with a hand pump. When pouring...

Tip Photo
Dili-Kupang by minibus

by theo1006

We took the Timortravel minibus from Dili to Kupang and we think it is the most convenient way to travel over land between East and West Timor. The minibus leaves Dili in the morning; after a change of buses at the border village of Motaain it arrives in Kupang after nightfall. It picks you up at the address where you stay and drops you off at the address of your destination. One can also go part of the way, to Atambua, Kefamenanu, or Soe. The fare for Dili to Kupang was USD 20 or Rp 200,000 (July 2009), the bus takes no more than 11 passengers, but there may go four buses simultaneously.We had bought our ticket the day before at the Timortravel office. Scheduled time of departure was 8 am. When we got impatient by 8:30 the receptionist at our hotel laughed: 'Timortravel is always late'. Eventually the bus showed up at 9. It then rushed to the border, vainly trying to overtake others. At...

Tip Photo
The Oecusse-Dili ferry

by theo1006

A ferry sails three times a week between Dili and Pante Makasar, the capital of the Oecusse enclave. It is the only way to travel between the two parts of Timor-Leste if you do not want to cross Indonesian soil (not counting the helicopters for UN personnel). The ferry leaves in the afternoon and arrives before daybreak. Monday, Wednesday and Friday it leaves from Dili; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday it leaves from Pante Makasar.The economy fare is only USD 4, but if you want a VIP place (room to lie down and airconditoning) you have to add USD 5. These were the rates for the old ferry we travelled with on July 28, 2009, from Pante Makasar to Dili. It will soon be replaced by a new and bigger one, made in Germany.

Tip Photo
Travel from Australia to Europe without flying

by sikky

Well, it is possible.Get to Darwin in Australia and Perkins Shipping Group Pty operate a barge that runs Darwin-Dili-Singapore (and reverse) 3 times a month. check their website at www.perkins.com.au for schedules and contact details, you would have to ring up and arrange in advance for passage. This is not a luxury boat - it is a freight barge, sorry, I have no idea how much passage would cost.You could take this barge straight to Singapore (takes 13 days) or if you want to stay in East Timor for a while then get off at Dili and you can continue overland by taking a 12 hour bus from Dili to Kupang in Indonesian West Timor (check conditions to see if the border is open) and get on a number of boats leaving Kupang and heading to other Indonesian islands (check www.pelni.in) for routes, timetables and prices).Continue using Pelni ships island hopping your way through Indonesia (and buses...

The easy way to East Timor from Kupang

by black_mimi99

now we have the easy way to Dili-East Timor from Kupang, if you want to see the view on the way to Dili from Kupang, we can take travel, Timor Tour And Travel, start from 8.00 am Kupang and arrive in Dili at 7.00pm , one day journey. And in Dili, we can rent a car from company or private car to go to all around East Timor. So no problem to reach East Timor now.

Few Flights to Get to Timor-Leste

by bkoon

When we were organising the trip, we realised that connections were few and infrequent. As we departed from Singapore, the only way we could get there is via Bali where we caught on to a Mertapi flight to Dili.The airport itself is very basic and I still ses the UN Officers at the airport. Well, there are many UN choppers and planes at the small airport.curtiscj Sat Apr 1, 2006 10:58 MYTAnother way to fly to Dili is through Darwin (Australia). Dili is only one and a half hours flight by AirNorth (Qantas).

Tip Photo
Around Timor Leste

by Silver_elf

The most efficient way to get around Timor Leste is to drive yourself around. The locals get around on motorcycles or squash onto truck and buses that serve as public transport. When I say squash, I MEAN SQUASH.Do yourself a favour and drive.

East Timor from Kupang by land

by kentchin

There are 2 ways to go to Dili by bus which is actually a van. Locals call it 'beast' or 'best', derived from bus but with their own pronounciation.1. Use vans provided by travel agencies whose offices are normally located in Kupang centre. The van will stop at Atambua for a meal before proceed to Motaain (or 'Perbatasan' meaning border). After passing through border, another van from the same agency will pick you up. Once in Dili, they will drop you off at your requested place or hotel. The whole trip takes about 12-13 hours. Price: KOE-DIL Rp170,000, DIL-KOE USD17-18 (prices will include water, cakes and sweets)2. This is for people who want to experience a local ride. Take a mikrolet (Rp2,000, ask local for mikrolet number and direction) to Oebobo Terminal and take a van to Atambua (Rp50,000, no tic counter and ignore local claims for higher tic for less stops and air-con, it's all...

Tip Photo
from Bali or Darwin???

by Yiannis2000

U may fly to the capital Dili from Denpasar, Bali/ Indonesia or from Darwin, N. territory, Australia. Coming from Europe I normally choose the first option. No safe, reliable boat connection to the island.Buy the airfare locally. When in Bali, I used Arowana travel agency.For Civil Aviation rules and regulations you can download here .Timor Leste MERPATI Airlines office:Hotel LorosaeAve Bispo Medeiros No 5Dili, Timor Leste Telp : +670-390-321880 Fax : +670-390-321921 E-mail : dildmmz@merpati.co.id

Tip Photo
Getting to Atauro Island

by bkoon

To get to Atauro Island, the only way is by boat/ferry. When I was there, I travelled on the KMP Sereia do Mar, a ferry from Indonesia to Atauro Island. The ferry ride was very comfortable as it has an air-conditioned cabin on the 2nd deck (get into the air-con cabin only after your ticket stubs have been torn). Your belongings (if is just a backpack, you can just bring along with you) can be placed in Deck 1.The normal price for a one-way ticket is USD7. It is not very frequent (twice a week to and fro).

Top 3 Hotels in East Timor

Timor Lodge Hotel  Dili

 7 Opinions

 Hotels in Dili

Hotel Dili  Dili

 5 Opinions

 Hotels in Dili

Hotel Timor  Dili

 2 Reviews and 20 Opinions  My girlfriend and I initially planned to stay at The Esplande Hotel in Dili however when we booked... 

 Hotels in Dili

The Place

Reviews and photos of East Timor attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for East Timor sightseeing.

Experience East Timor
 

Questions and Answers

Lulubean profile photo

Q:  I am going to be in Dili, Timor Leste in March. I'm wondering what travel route is best and cheapest from Dili to Christchurch,... 

osehrler profile photo

A: The other choice rather than Air North through Darwin is Singapore airlines who do a regular flight Dili/Singapore. I haven't looked up their current timetable however... 

Read 3 Replies

postQuestion_button