Travel Instructions : Air Travel from the U.S.

Travel to Indonesia from the United States is usually via the West coast (there are also direct flights out of Minneapolis and Denver on Northwest and United, respectively). Most flights will take you to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with refueling stops in Tokyo, Japan or Taipei, Taiwan. The airports in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have transit hotels where you can rest before continuing on to Indonesia.

If you obtain your Indonesian visa in advance, our recommendation is that from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore you cut across to Kuching, Malaysia, in the NW corner of the Island of Borneo. There is a mid-morning flight from Kuching to Pontianak, Indonesia every day (except Thursday and Sunday). Flight time is about 45 minutes. Bethesda Hospital is located about 200 kilometers Northwest of Pontianak.

It is possible to enter Indonesia without getting a visa in advance, however, you will not be able to get one in Pontianak. From Singapore or Kuala Lumpur you will need to enter Indonesia through Jakarta (the capital city). You can get a 30 day tourist visa at the immigration counter for $30. There are several flights a day from Jakarta to Pontianak but if you book a flight on Garuda Airlines you won't need to change terminals.

The usual cost for round trip tickets from the continental US to Pontianak is about $1400-$1700.