Getting there via Ambon
Flights, the Pelni ferry and the charter hop.
Routing · CGK → AMQ → NDA
Jakarta to Banda Neira
Roughly five hours of flying, and a day and a half of travelling. The gap between those two numbers is the Ambon overnight, and it is not optional.
- 3h15–3h45
- CGK to AMQ, direct
- 1.5–2
- Days, door to door
- $100–$220
- Indicative flights, one way
In short
Fly Jakarta to Ambon in the morning, stay the night, and take the Banda connection the next morning — because the Susi Air window for the day closes before an afternoon Jakarta arrival lands.
- Garuda, Lion Air, Batik Air and Citilink all fly CGK–AMQ, several times a day.
- Travellers who compress this into one day are the ones who miss the connection.
- Keep the same overnight buffer on the way back.
The legs
Jakarta to Banda, leg by leg
| Leg | Route | Carriers | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jakarta (CGK) → Ambon (AMQ) | Garuda, Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink | Several daily, mostly morning and midday | 3h15–3h45 direct; longer via Makassar |
| 2 | Ambon (AMQ) → Banda Neira (NDA) | Susi Air, roughly 12 seats | A few mornings a week, weather-dependent | 45–60 min |
| 2 alt | Ambon → Banda by sea | Pelni ferry or seasonal fast boat | Multi-week rotation / calm months | 8–10 h or 5–6 h |
Allow a day and a half to two days from Jakarta departure to Banda arrival once the Ambon overnight is counted — not the five hours of pure flight time.
Budget
What the route costs
Indicative planning ranges. Fares swing with season, booking window and fuel surcharges — confirm directly with the airline.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Jakarta (CGK) → Ambon (AMQ) flight | USD 70–150 |
| Ambon (AMQ) → Banda Neira (NDA) flight | USD 30–70 |
| Ambon → Banda by sea, alternative | USD 5–35 depending on the option |
| One night, budget to mid-range Ambon hotel | USD 15–40 |
Withdraw cash in Ambon. ATMs and card acceptance are limited once you reach Banda.
Can I do it in one day?
Almost never. The Banda connection leaves Ambon in the morning, and a Jakarta flight that lands in the afternoon misses that day's window entirely. Build the overnight in from the start.
Which Jakarta flight should I take?
The earliest one you can. It gives you the whole of the Ambon day as buffer if the first leg runs late, which on this route is what protects the crossing.
Is flying or sailing the second leg better?
Flying, if you can get a seat — it turns a travel day into a morning. But it is the first thing cancelled in wind, so ask about the sea options as a fallback rather than after the fact.
What about the return?
Same buffer, in reverse. Weather can push a Banda departure to the next available day, so do not book an international connection out of Jakarta for the evening you are due back.
Plan your trip
Time the connection properly
Send your Jakarta dates and we will tell you which Ambon arrival protects the onward crossing that week — and hold a fallback if the flight does not run.
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