Flights to Tanjung Pandan, Belitung

Belitung is an island between Sumatra and Borneo, famous for turquoise shallows, powder-white sand and giant granite boulders scattered along its coast. Tanjung Pandan is its main town and the place almost every visitor lands. Searching for flights to Tanjung Pandan really means planning a stay on one of Indonesia's calmer islands, where days go to island hopping, lighthouse views and long seafood dinners by the water.

About the airport serving Belitung

Location

H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport (TJQ) sits just outside Tanjung Pandan, in Belitung Regency. It is the only commercial airport on the island, so every flight to Belitung arrives here. The town centre and the harbour front are a short drive away, while the northern beaches take a little longer by road.

Terminals

The airport has one compact passenger terminal. Check-in, baggage claim and the arrivals hall are all under one roof, which keeps things simple after you land. Facilities are modest next to a big hub, so it pays to arrange your onward transport ahead and carry a little cash for small purchases.

Getting to and from the airport

Belitung has no rail network. Most travellers leave the airport by taxi, by a car with driver booked in advance, or on a transfer set up by their accommodation. Renting a car or scooter is popular because the sights are spread across the island and public transport is thin. Ride-hailing coverage is patchier than on Java, so confirm a pickup before you fly if you arrive late in the evening.

Direct and connecting flights to Belitung

Many journeys from Singapore to Tanjung Pandan connect through Jakarta, which has regular domestic services to the island. A non-stop option between Singapore and Belitung is not always on sale, so search your dates and switch on the direct-flight filter on the results page to see what is running.

If you are connecting, compare the layover in Jakarta and check whether both legs sit on a single booking. One ticket usually means your bag is checked through, and a delay on the first leg is easier to resolve. Since TJQ is the island's only airport, there is no choice of arrival airport to worry about.

When to fly to Belitung

Belitung is tropical and warm all year, with humid air and plenty of sunshine. The drier months, roughly May to September, bring calmer seas that suit boat trips and snorkelling. The wetter stretch, usually November to March, brings heavier showers and choppier water, though sunny breaks are still common.

Interest from Singapore rises in the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year, when families look for a short island escape. Indonesian holidays such as Lebaran also fill the domestic legs via Jakarta. Compare several dates on the price chart on this page and set a Price Alert to keep an eye on your route.

Popular places in Belitung

Tanjung Tinggi Beach

On the north coast, Tanjung Tinggi is the beach most people picture when they hear the name Belitung. Enormous granite boulders frame small coves of clear water. The spot became well known after appearing in the Indonesian film Laskar Pelangi, and it glows in the late afternoon light.

Lengkuas Island

A short boat ride from Tanjung Kelayang, Lengkuas Island is known for its tall white lighthouse from the Dutch colonial era. Climb the stairs for sweeping views over the reefs, then snorkel in the shallow water around the rocks. Nearly every island-hopping trip stops here.

Kaolin Lake

Old kaolin mining left behind pools of vivid blue water surrounded by pale, almost white ground. The contrast makes Kaolin Lake, not far from Tanjung Pandan, one of the most photographed places on the island. Go early or late in the day when the heat is gentler.

Tanjung Kelayang

This long, gently curving beach is the jumping-off point for boats to the small islands off the north coast, including Burung Island with its bird-shaped rock. Sunsets here are relaxed and quiet, and the shallow water is easy for children to paddle in.

Gantong and Manggar in East Belitung

In Gantong, a replica of the village school from Laskar Pelangi draws fans of the novel and film. Pair it with Manggar, a town famous for its many traditional coffee shops, and the hillside Burong Mandi Buddhist temple for a full day away from the beaches.

Where to stay in Belitung

Tanjung Pandan is the practical base for a first visit. It has the widest range of guesthouses and mid-range stays, plenty of places to eat, and easy access to the airport and to Kaolin Lake. Evenings along the waterfront are pleasant and unhurried.

The north coast around Tanjung Tinggi and Tanjung Kelayang, in Sijuk district, suits travellers who want the beach on their doorstep and quick access to the island-hopping boats. It is quieter at night, so plan meals ahead. For something slower still, Manggar and the wider East Belitung area offer village life and fewer visitors.

Food to try in Belitung

Mie Belitung

The island's signature noodle dish pairs thick yellow noodles with a sweet and savoury prawn broth, then tops it with boiled potato, cucumber, prawns and crunchy crackers. It is cheap, filling and eaten at any time of day.

Gangan

Gangan is a bright yellow fish soup coloured with turmeric and sharpened with a sour, fruity note. It is often made with fresh reef fish and served with rice. Many locals consider it the true taste of home.

Otak-otak

These soft fish cakes are wrapped in leaves and grilled or steamed, then dipped in a spicy, tangy sauce. Look for them at roadside stalls and markets, where they are sold warm by the stick.

Belitung rewards travellers who slow down. Once your dates are set, weigh the Jakarta connection against any non-stop option and lock in your Belitung flight on Traveloka, where the e-ticket reaches you in minutes.