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Open trips to Papua New Guinea
Post yours and see who is going on your dates. Asking to join a trip is always free.
Best time to go
May to October is drier and best for trekking and the highland festivals. The wet season runs November to April. Highlands are cool, the coast hot and humid: and rain can arrive any time.
Top places
Things to do
Culture and festivals
- The Mount Hagen and Goroka sing-sings
- Highland villages and tribal traditions
- Sepik River art and spirit houses
Diving and reef
- World-class wreck diving off Rabaul
- Pristine reefs around Kimbe Bay
- Snorkel untouched coral off Madang
Trekking and nature
- The historic Kokoda Track
- Spot birds of paradise in the forests
- Volcanoes and hot springs near Rabaul
Islands and coast
- Quiet beaches in the outer islands
- Surfing on the north coast
- Boat trips through remote lagoons
Costs
| What it costs | Typical |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm, per night | $25 to $45 |
| Budget hotel or guesthouse, per night | $75 to $140 |
| Mid-range hotel, per night | $160 to $300 |
| Meals, per day | $30 to $65 |
With a partner, rooms, taxis and boats are the easy things to share. Our guide to splitting travel costs with a travel partner has a simple way to keep track. Estimates in US dollars, for planning only.
Getting around
Domestic flights are essential: roads between regions are few. Trips are usually arranged through local guides or tour operators, which also helps with safety.
How many people visit
International arrivals to Papua New Guinea over the most recent years with data, roughly number 5 of 5 in its region by reported arrivals.
Source: UN Tourism (UNWTO). Years marked * are estimates: this country's measured baseline scaled by UN Tourism's published regional recovery rates, shown until measured figures are out.
Key facts
- Largest city
- Port Moresby
- Languages
- English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
- Population
- 10.8 million (2025)
- Area
- 462,840 km² (178,703 mi²)
- Calling code
- +675
- Region
- Melanesia
Travelling solo in Papua New Guinea
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a Papua New Guinea trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
- Travel with a local guide or operator and avoid moving after dark.
- At night, use a licensed taxi or a ride-hailing app rather than an unmarked car.
- Carry a copy of your ID and leave the original in your accommodation safe.
Meeting someone new? Talk here first, meet somewhere public, and read our travel safety guide.
Visa check
A free checker with a link to the official source. Your passport is picked from where you are browsing; change it any time.
Travelling to Papua New Guinea with a travel buddy
How do I find a travel buddy for Papua New Guinea?
Make a free profile and add your Papua New Guinea trip with rough dates. You will see travelers going on your dates and open trips to Papua New Guinea you can ask to join, or you can post your own trip and let partners find you. Asking to join a trip is always free.
When is the best time to visit Papua New Guinea?
May to October is drier and best for trekking and the highland festivals. The wet season runs November to April.
How much does a day in Papua New Guinea cost?
Typical costs, in US dollars: hostel dorm, per night: $25 to $45; budget hotel or guesthouse, per night: $75 to $140; mid-range hotel, per night: $160 to $300; meals, per day: $30 to $65. These are estimates for planning only. With a travel partner, rooms and taxis are easy to share.
Is Papua New Guinea good for solo travelers?
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a Papua New Guinea trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
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