Ambon's history as a Portuguese and later Dutch spice-trading hub left it with a compact, walkable centre wrapped around a strikingly scenic bay, and the city's transport options today are just as varied as its past. Nine ways to get around cover everything from a three-wheeled bemo to a ferry bound for Banda Island, each suited to a different kind of trip around the city and its surrounding waters, whether that's a quick errand or a multi-day island-hopping plan.

Pattimura Airport connects Ambon to the rest of Indonesia, so flights in are the natural starting point.

Regular buses connect Ambon to nearby towns and onward to Seram Island, with fares adjusted by distance rather than a flat rate. It's easily one of the more affordable options on this list, though schedules run less frequently than the city's smaller shared vehicles. Buses suit travellers with flexible timing rather than those working around a tight schedule.

This air-conditioned bus service runs from Ambon out to several Seram Island destinations, including Namto, Pasanea, and Katapang, offering noticeably more comfort than a standard public bus. Fares start around IDR 100,000 and rise with distance travelled. It's the better pick for a longer haul out of the city where comfort matters more than saving a few thousand rupiah.

These shared minivans run fixed routes scattered across Ambon at a flat fare of IDR 6,500 per trip regardless of distance within a given route. They're the backbone of everyday local transport for residents, and tourists willing to figure out the routes get the same affordable, frequent service.

Similar in function to an angkot but visually distinct in yellow or green, bemos start from as little as IDR 3,000 per trip, making them the cheapest motorised option on this entire list. Routes are displayed on the windscreen, which helps once you've learned to recognise a few key destination names.

A hotel near Ambon's city centre puts most angkot and bemo routes within easy walking distance of your front door.

A three-wheeled pedicab, priced from around IDR 10,000 depending on distance, suits short hops and gives a wonderfully relaxed pace for taking in street scenes along the way. It's less practical for longer distances but works well for a slow, photo-friendly ride through the older parts of town.

Taxis offer shelter from both heat and sudden rain, readily available across the city centre and a reliable option when carrying luggage or travelling with kids. Confirming the meter is running, rather than agreeing to a flat rate upfront, tends to work out cheaper on most routes.

Motorcycle taxis, whether flagged down on the street or booked through an app, cut through Ambon's denser city-centre traffic faster than almost any four-wheeled option. It's the quickest way to cover a short distance during busier parts of the day, though negotiating or confirming the fare before setting off avoids any confusion for street-hailed rides, since app-based options display the price upfront instead.

Ferries departing from Slamet Riyadi Port or Gudang Arang Port connect Ambon to Banda Island and Kei Island, with fares starting around IDR 16,500 for the shorter routes. These crossings turn a simple transport leg into part of the sightseeing itself, given how scenic Maluku's inter-island waters are.

A local Ambon activity, bookable through Traveloka's activities listings, is worth arranging for downtime between exploring the city and catching a ferry onward.

Renting a car, with or without a driver, gives the most flexibility for exploring Ambon and its surrounding coastline on your own schedule rather than around public transport timetables. It's booked easily through the Traveloka app, with both self-drive and chauffeured options available depending on how comfortable you are navigating unfamiliar roads.

Ambon's downtown core sits compactly around the bay, walkable enough for short errands but dense enough that a pedicab or ojek noticeably saves time during the middle of the day.

Villages ringing Ambon Bay sit further out, generally best reached by angkot, bemo, or a rented car rather than on foot given the distances involved.

Bemo and angkot both undercut every other option on this list, making them the default choice for budget-conscious travellers covering short, fixed routes.

DAMRI and taxi both cost more than a bemo but deliver noticeably more comfort, worth the extra rupiah for longer trips or hot afternoons.

Angkot, bemo, and ojek together cover nearly everything within central Ambon at minimal cost, ideal for a traveller sticking mainly to the city itself.

Ferries to Banda or Kei Island, paired with a rental car for getting to the port, make the most sense for a trip extending beyond Ambon itself. Checking ferry schedules a day ahead avoids arriving at the port only to find the next departure is hours away.

A car rental is genuinely the most flexible way to explore Ambon's wider coastline at your own pace, and an airport transfer from Pattimura gets you into the city smoothly after landing, no haggling over fares required.

Nine transport options means picking the right combination for how much ground you're actually covering. Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users, bringing flights, hotels, car rental, eSIM, and travel insurance together in one app for trips across Asia and beyond. Check Traveloka promotions before booking, and download the app before your Ambon trip.