Flights to Papua New Guinea. Book plane tickets online.

Papua New Guinea is open to international tourism

From February 2022, Papua New Guinea permits vaccinated international travelers to visit the country – without pre-departure tests or quarantine on arrival. Proof of being fully vaccinated is required.

Most nationals need a visa to enter Papua New Guinea that should be arranged prior to the travel date (you can apply online via ica.gov.pg/visa). The visa on arrival is currently suspended.



Arriving in Papua New Guinea

  • If you are flying to Papua New Guinea from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportPort Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport POM located 10 km (5 miles) outside Port Moresby city centre, in Saraga.

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Papua New Guinea. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Papua New Guinea, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air Niugini, PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, and Islands Nationair. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Papua New Guinea can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, and PNG Air. If you have a layover in Papua New Guinea and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Papua New Guinea

Best airports to fly into Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport
Papua New Guinea has more than 20 airports, including one international airport – Port Moresby (Jacksons) International Airport POM. Among smaller, domestic airports, the most popular are: Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) Airport HGULAE, Wewak (Boram) Airport WWK, Momote Airport MAS, Buka Airport BUA, Goroka Airport GKA, and Daru Airport DAU.
Things to know before flying to Papua
Airlines flying to PapuaAir Niugini, Philippine Airlines, PNG Air, Qantas, Solomon Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Airlines of PapuaAir Niugini, PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, Islands Nationair, Hevilift
Main airports in PapuaPort Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM)
Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) Airport (HGU)
Lae Nadzab Airport (LAE)
Wewak (Boram) Airport (WWK)
Momote Airport (MAS)
Madang Airport (MAG)
Gurney Airport (GUR)
Goroka Airport (GKA)
Tokua Airport (RAB)
Buka Airport (BUA)
Daru Airport (DAU)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €400 – €600 (from Europe)
✈ $900 – $1200 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Papua New Guinea (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Papua New Guinea

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Papua New Guinea

The best time to book cheap flights to Papua New Guinea tends to be during the low season – December through March. PNG’s off-peak season takes place at the same time as the wet season – these months are notorious for rain, with high temperatures and high humidity. Travel is not popular, and with significantly fewer visitors everything (including air tickets) is cheaper.

If you’d like to avoid unstable weather, the shoulder season – April and November – is also a good option. It’s a transitional time that sees less rain than the wet season, but it’s still possible to find great flight deals.

The country’s dry season – June through to October – is its high tourist season, and it may be quite difficult to find cheap flights.

Use local airlines, but plan for delays

Papua New Guinea is a challenging country for getting around. Flying is often the most convenient mode of transport, and there are plenty of local airlines (Air Niugini and PNG Air being the most popular) that will take you to remote places. Book in advance to get the lowest prices on domestic flights. For packaged tours, flights should be already included in price.

However, bear in mind that domestic flights in Papua are often delayed due to the weather. You should plan to add a day or two to your itinerary if it involves local flights.

Next tips

Flights to Papua New Guinea from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Papua New Guinea. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Papua New Guinea, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Papuan national airline Air Niugini has direct flights to Port Moresby from numerous major Asian hubs. You can fly with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, with Singapore Airlines to Singapore, with Philippine Airlines to Manila, or with Qantas to Brisbane or Sydney, for a connecting flight with Air Niugini.
  • Papua New Guinea is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Papua New Guinea with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Papua New Guinea from the US and Canada are: Air Niugini, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Qantas. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

Papua New Guinea from US & Canada.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

View today’s prices or learn how to cut costs with flexible dates:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Know your time zone

Papua has two official time zones – Papua New Guinea Time (GMT/UTC +10) and Bougainville Standard Time (GMT/UTC +11). Port Moresby observes Papua New Guinea Time, and as a result, clocks in the capital are 10 hours ahead of Europe (Central European Time), and 14 hours ahead of New York.

Make sure you know your time zone when checking flights and airport transfer times. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Papuan airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

It is always a good idea to bring some cash with you to Papua. Plan ahead and take some US dollars; you can also exchange money for the Papua New Guinean kina (K) in one of the ATMs located at the airports and in larger cities.

Next tips

Flights to Papua New Guinea from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Papua New Guinea — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Papuan national airline Air Niugini has direct flights to the capital city of Port Moresby from numerous major Asian hubs. You can fly from Europe with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, with Singapore Airlines to Singapore, with Philippine Airlines to Manila, or with Qantas to Brisbane or Sydney, for a connecting flight with Air Niugini.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Papua New Guinea include Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Papua New Guinea from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Papua New Guinea: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Papua New Guinea from Europe.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

Check prices, see how to save big if your travel dates are flexible:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Check different departure airports

Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.

For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Papua New Guinea will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.

Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

Last-minute flights to Papua New Guinea. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Papua New Guinea almost always never works out.

Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Papua New Guinea is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Airlines of Papua New Guinea

The national airline of Papua New Guinea is Air Niugini, operating from its base at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. It is a key carrier in its region connecting Papua New Guinea with countries in Asia, Australiasia, and out into the Pacific. Numerous domestic flights serve the local people in the towns and cities of PNG. Air Niugini’s fleet consists mostly of Fokker jets (Fokker F100 and F70) plus Boeings 737 that are used for international flights. Even though the fleet is not young (the average age of the aircraft is over 25 years), the airline has a decent safety record.

Smaller Papuan airlines such as PNG Air, Asia Pacific Airlines, and Islands Nationair, are mostly focusing on short-haul domestic routes. These budget carriers (AKA no-frills airlines) offer flights at lower prices in comparison to major full-service airlines. However, because they manage affordable tickets by cutting down on their operation costs, they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight refreshments, meals, or onboard entertainment. In most cases, their tickets are fixed and non-refundable in case of no show-up or cancellation.

Flights to Papua New Guinea from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, Papua New Guinea included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, EmiratesGaruda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.

    There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Papua New Guinea. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
    The non-stop flights between Papua New Guinea and Australia are operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air Niugini and PNG Air – Port Moresby is just a short 1-hour 30 minutes flight away from Cairnes, and 2 hours from Sydney. There are no direct flights to Papua New Guinea from New Zealand.
  • Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. A flight to Papua New Guinea could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne, depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even time of year. Compare fares from different international airports in Australia: Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, Darwin DRW, Hobart HBA, Alice Springs ASP, and in New Zealand: Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, Dunedin DUD, and Hamilton HLZ.
  • If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to Papua New Guinea with a regional budget airline such as Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, and PNG Air.

    For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.

Australia & New Zealand to Papua New Guinea.Flight ticket prices today.

Check prices and find out how date flexibility equals big savings:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Booking group flights to Papua New Guinea

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Papua New Guinea can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.

Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:

  • free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
  • free checked baggage allowance
  • dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
  • cabin crew who speak your group’s language
  • flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)

Booking group flights to Papua New Guinea is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Papua New Guinea and can help with logistics and scheduling.

“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Papua New Guinea, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.
Next tips

Flights to Papua New Guinea from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Papua New Guinea look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Papua New Guinea will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Papua New Guinea and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Papua New Guinea — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Papua New Guinea from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

View today’s prices and learn how flexibility can save you hundreds on airfare:

View pricesSave 40—80%

Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips

Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Papua New Guinea by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.

For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.

“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?

Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Papua New Guinea now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.

BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.

Fly now pay later - delayed payments for flight reservations
Fly Now Pay Later works with numerous popular travel brands to provide delayed payment options

Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.

Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Papua New Guinea can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.

Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Papua New Guinea to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Papua New Guinea and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)