Getting Around Indonesia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab in Jakarta and Bali. Rural: Rent a car or scooter for island exploration. Islands: Ferries and domestic flights. For convenience, book airport transfers from Jakarta or Bali to your destination.
Train Travel
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)
Efficient train network mainly on Java and Sumatra, connecting major cities with economy, executive, and luxury classes.
Cost: Jakarta to Yogyakarta IDR 300,000-500,000 (~$20-35), journeys 4-8 hours between key cities.
Tickets: Buy via KAI app, website, or station counters. Mobile tickets accepted, book early for peak seasons.
Peak Times: Avoid holidays like Lebaran for better prices and availability.
Rail Passes
KAI Pass offers unlimited travel on select routes for IDR 500,000-1,000,000 (~$35-70) for 3-7 days.
Best For: Multiple stops on Java over several days, savings for 4+ trips.
Where to Buy: Major stations, KAI website, or app with instant digital activation.
High-Speed Options
Whoosh high-speed rail connects Jakarta to Bandung in 40 minutes, with plans for expansion.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks ahead for best prices, discounts up to 30% online.
Main Stations: Gambir in Jakarta, with connections to Halim Perdanakusuma for airport links.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for Bali roads and rural Java. Compare rental prices from IDR 300,000-500,000/day (~$20-35) at airports like CGK and DPS.
Requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP), credit card, minimum age 21.
Insurance: Third-party liability mandatory, full coverage recommended for IDR 100,000 extra/day.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h toll roads.
Tolls: Electronic tolls (e-toll) on major highways like Jakarta-Bandung, IDR 50,000-200,000 per trip.
Priority: Yield to traffic from the right, motorbikes have right-of-way in cities.
Parking: Free in rural areas, IDR 5,000-20,000/hour in cities, use apps for secure spots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at IDR 10,000-12,000/liter (~$0.65-0.80) for petrol, subsidized for locals.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Jakarta and Bali during rush hours and holidays.
Urban Transport
Jakarta MRT & TransJakarta
Modern MRT lines and extensive BRT bus network, single ticket IDR 3,000-10,000, day pass IDR 40,000.
Validation: Use contactless cards or app payments, fines for non-validation are strict.
Apps: JakLingko app for routes, real-time tracking, and multi-modal tickets.
Bike & Scooter Rentals
GoRide and GrabBike for scooter sharing in Bali and cities, IDR 20,000-50,000/day with helmet provided.
Routes: Dedicated paths in Jakarta, but traffic-heavy; ideal for short Bali beach hops.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in Ubud or Yogyakarta for cultural sightseeing.
Buses & Local Services
Intercity buses via RedBus, local angkot minibuses in cities, ojek motorbike taxis via apps.
Tickets: IDR 5,000-20,000 per ride, book online for long-distance, cash for local.
Ferries: Essential for islands like Lombok to Gili, IDR 50,000-200,000 depending on route.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near transport hubs like Jakarta stations or Bali airports for easy access, Ubud for cultural sites.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (May-Oct) and holidays like Nyepi.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for monsoon season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for AC, WiFi, and proximity to apps like Gojek before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities and tourist areas, 3G/4G in rural islands like Bali and Java.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from IDR 70,000 (~$5) for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate on arrival, works across multiple time zones.
Local SIM Cards
Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat offer prepaid SIMs from IDR 100,000-300,000 (~$7-20) with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, convenience stores, or provider shops with passport required.
Data Plans: 10GB for IDR 150,000 (~$10), 30GB for IDR 300,000, unlimited options available.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, malls, cafes, and tourist spots in urban areas.
Public Hotspots: Airports and train stations offer free WiFi with registration.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in cities, sufficient for maps and social media.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Three zones: WIB (UTC+7) Java/Sumatra, WITA (UTC+8) Bali/Lombok, WIT (UTC+9) Papua.
- Airport Transfers: Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) 30km from Jakarta, train IDR 100,000 (45 min), taxi IDR 200,000, or book private transfer for IDR 300,000-500,000.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and train stations (IDR 20,000-50,000/day) and apps in major cities.
- Accessibility: Urban transport improving with ramps, but rural and historic sites like temples have limited access.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with carrier (IDR 50,000), check villa policies for accommodations.
- Bike Transport: Scooters allowed on buses/ferries for IDR 20,000, folding bikes free on trains.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Indonesia
Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Soekarno-Hatta (CGK): Primary international gateway, 30km west of Jakarta with rail and bus links.
Ngurah Rai (DPS): Bali hub 13km from Denpasar, taxi to Kuta IDR 150,000 (30 min).
Juan Manuel Gude (SUB): Surabaya regional airport with domestic flights, convenient for East Java.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (May-Oct) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and taking budget flight to Indonesia for savings.
Budget Airlines
AirAsia, Lion Air, and Citilink serve domestic and regional routes from CGK and DPS.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and island transfers when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available (BNI, Mandiri), typical fee IDR 30,000-50,000, use bank ATMs to avoid markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in cities/hotels, less common in markets or rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Growing via apps like GoPay, but cash dominant in small transactions.
- Cash: Essential for markets, warungs, and remote areas, keep IDR 500,000 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary, round up or add 5-10% in tourist restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport kiosks with high fees.