'''Pekanbaru''' is the capital of Riau province, Sumatra. It is the centre of oil production in the province.

There's not much to see, but if you're going overland from Singapore or Malacca in Malaysia to Bukittinggi you're bound to pass through Pekanbaru.

Get in

By plane

From inside Indonesia

  • '''Air Asia''','''Firefly Airline''', '''Garuda Airlines''', and '''Riau Airlines''' all fly in and out of Pekanbaru, although Riau Airlines services can be ad hoc, often not flying if the plane is not full.
  • From elsewhere

  • '''Malaysia'''
  • *'''Air Asia''' [http://www.airasia.com] (Call centre 0804-1-333333 in Indonesia; 1-300-88-9933 in Malaysia) flies three times a week between Kuala Lumpur and Pekanbaru. Flights to Pekanbaru are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There is a direct flight from Singapore to/fro Pekanbaru as well.
  • *'''Firefly''' [http://www.fireflyz.com.my] ( Call centre: +603-7845 4543 in Malaysia) flies daily from Subang airport ( Kuala Lumpur) to Pekanbaru.
  • *'''Riau Airlines''' [http://www.riau-airlines.com/] (Jl. Jend. Sudirman No 474, Pekanbaru, Tel: ''+62-761''-855333; Batu Berendam Airport in Malacca, Tel: ''+60-6''-3174577) flies between Malacca and Pekanbaru five times weekly (no flights on Wednesdays and Fridays). Flights depart Pekanbaru at 0730 and arrive at Malacca at 0920. On the return leg, they leave Malacca at 1005 arrive at Pekanbaru at 0955. Tickets cost RM247 one way from Malacca before taxes and other charges.
  • '''Singapore'''
  • *'''Garuda Indonesia''' [http://www.garuda-indonesia.com] offers flights to/from Singapore Changi Airport every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
  • By boat

    From inside Indonesia

  • '''To Riau Islands:''' Several companies operate ferries to Sekupang, Batam. Most ferries make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island as well as Tanjung Buton and Selat Panjang in Riau.
  • From elsewhere

  • '''To/from Malacca, Malaysia:'''
  • *'''Tunas Rupat Follow Me Express''' (Pekanbaru agent: Jl. Tanjung Datuk No 153, Pekanbaru. Tel: ''+62-761''-858777. Malacca ticketing booth at Jln PM10 Melaka Raya. Tel: ''+60-6''-2816766, office Tel: ''+60-6''-2832506, ''+60-6''-2832516) has ferries from Malacca to Pekanbaru on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 0930. From Pekanbaru to Malacca, they depart on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0900. Journey time about six and a half hours. Tickets cost RM120/210 one-way/return from Malacca to Pekanbaru.
  • *'''NNH Ferry Services''' (Malacca ticketing booth G-15, Jln PM10, Plaza Mahkota Melaka Raya. Tel: ''+60-6''-2881334) runs the '''Pelita Jaya''' ferry from Malacca to Pekanbaru on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am.
  • Get around

    See

    Do

    Buy

    There are three major malls in Pekanbaru that visitors should consider visiting. The two best are [http://www.pekanbaru-riau.blogspot.com/2008/01/mall-ska-pekanbaru.html Mall SKA] and [http://www.pekanbaru-riau.blogspot.com/2008/11/mal-ciputra-seraya-pekanbaru.html Mall Ciputra] (pronounced Chiputra). The slightly older Mall Pekanbaru is not as well maintained as the other two but it does offer a decent restaurant selection. Most if not all of the people in Pekanbaru know where these three malls are located so getting there shouldn't be a problem. There are several other malls in Pekanbaru but they are more run down and are closer to an indoor market then a mall (great place for bargains though!).

    Eat

    Around the bridge there is a strip of little restaurants along the river.

  • .

    Drink

    Sleep

    Online booking for hotels in Pekanbaru is not available as in many famous tourist destinations spots, except for high end hotels as listed below.

  • '''Aston Pekanbaru City Hotel''', Jl. Sudirman No. 158. Tel.: +''62-761''-886888, [http://www.astonpekanbaru.com]. Boutique business hotel with an ultramodern theme. One of the few Pekanbaru hotels that already offer online booking.
  • '''Hotel Aryaduta'''. Jl. Diponegoro No. 34. Tel: +''62-761''-44200. Designated as a 5-star hotel in Pekanbaru although it may only qualify as a 4-star elsewhere. Reasonable rates with special discounts during the weekend. Superior room starts from IDR550,000 per night (inclusive of a buffet breakfast). Hotel has a nice swimming pool and soccer field.
  • '''Jatra Hotel'''. Four-star hotel. Inside the biggest mall in Pekanbaru "Mall Pekanbaru", Has a special service as Traditional Massage, Sauna and Health club. This Hotel Connected directly with the 1st class Entertaintment in Pekanbaru, like Hugo's Cafe, Karaoke club, KTV. I guarantee u'll get more satisfaction ever.
  • '''Hotel Grand Zuri Pekanbaru'''. Jl. Teuku Umar No.7. Tel: +''62-761''-857888. 12 story 3-4 star hotel directly opposite Mega Department Store. 24 hour coffee shop, Karaoke Bar, Taurus Health Club and outdoor pool on 8 Floor.
  • Poppies. aybe the only budget guesthouse in P.Baru. ear Nanka, ask locals for losmen Poppies. DR50.000. Not clean, no hot shower, no television, no room service, but there is at least one bed and a toilet in each room.

    Contact

    Consulates

  • Malaysia Consulate. l. Diponegoro No. 59. 62-761) 22-305.
  • Singapore Consulate. l. Diponegoro IX No. 5. 62-761) 41-010.

    Get out