Can I use contactless or card to pay for public transport in Papua New Guinea?

It was tough when BSP ATMs were empty. I once stood in line for an hour in Port Moresby only to find the machine had no cash. Without small kina bills, conductors wouldn’t let me board the PMV. I had to wait until a shopkeeper broke a K50 note for me. PNG is absolutely cash-only for transport, and it can be frustrating if you’re not prepared.

I actually enjoyed the simplicity of PMVs. For just a few kina, I could get around Port Moresby quickly. Locals were helpful with routes. ATMs from ANZ in downtown Moresby worked well for me, and once I had small notes, transport was straightforward. No apps, no cards - just cash and community.

I stayed near Waigani in Port Moresby and took PMVs daily. Each ride was K1-K2, paid directly in cash. Conductors would frown if I tried to pay with a K20 bill. I withdrew cash from a BSP ATM near Vision City Mall, but often got large notes. To get change, I bought snacks at small trade stores before hopping on a bus. In Lae, the system was the same - cash only, no exceptions.

In PNG, public transport is almost entirely cash-based. PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles - minibuses) in Port Moresby, Lae, and other towns only accept kina in cash. There are no cards or ticket machines. ATMs from Bank South Pacific (BSP) and ANZ are available in bigger towns, but machines often run out of cash. Carry small denominations of kina, as PMV conductors rarely have change for K20 or higher.