The safest way to travel around Jakarta is by taxi. All legal taxis have meters and are air-conditioned, and you can get to most places for $2-4. The noisy Bajaj are not a very good alternative because you have to bargain a price before you get in, and they are very hot and dusty, especially when you stop next to a bus or truck. And you may end up paying more than you would in a taxi.
On-line providers include Grab ( car and motor bike) and Go Jek (motor bike only). As in other countries, many drivers have moved from the traditional taxi and Ojek to the online version. You do not need a local account to access these services, as you can pay cash at the end of ride.
Ojek Motorbike Taxi
An Ojek is motorbike taxi. They are usually used to get from the main road to people’s homes on the smaller side streets. The price needs to be set before you get on, and is around Rp 5,000 – 10,000. Be warned that most traffic accidents in Indonesia involve motorbikes.
The Jakarta Commuter Train System
The Jakarta commuter train system is not really an option for visitors, as the stations tend to be in out-of-the-way places. This situation will change in 2018-19 with the completion of the Mass Transit train line running from south-north from Lebak Bulus, past Kebayoran to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout. The light rail system under construction is planned to bring commuters from the outer suburbs into the city centre.
Pickpockets on Public Transportation
Pickpockets are a danger if you take public transport, so check your belongings if someone brushes up against you. Trying to save a few cents by catching a bus, means you could lose your passport and all your money. TransJakarta buses, which operate along special lanes down the middle of the main roads, are a better alternative. The fare is more than a normal bus, but cheaper than a taxi over long distances.
Arriving by Train at Gambir Station, Central Jakarta
Most trains from other cities in Java terminate at Gambir Station. The best way to your hotel is by taxi.
To find a passing taxi , exit the station onto Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur (east) and you will see the Emanual Church opposite, Hail a passing taxi. This is the better option because taxis inside the station are overpriced or if not a proper taxi cannot go on tollway, so get stuck on the back roads.
Arriving at Soekarno Hatta Airport Jakarta
From Jakarta airport the easiest way into town is by taxi. The metered fare is about Rp130,000 , and up up to Rp 200,000 in peak hour. You may also be offered a limo service for Rp 250,000 including tolls.
After customs / baggage collection exit the building and turn left, go past the limo services, and continue to taxi area. Pick a ticket from the dispenser.Blue Bird taxis usually have a longer wait. Ask the attendant which queue is shorter.
Always tell driver to take toll road – Jalan Tol. The side/ slow lane can take 2-3 hours longer.
Leaving Jakarta – Transport Hubs
Leaving Jakarta by Plane
Jakarta has two airports. Sukarno-Hatta Airport at Cengkareng on the north-west edge of the city and the smaller Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in the south-eastern suburbs.
Allow plenty of time if leaving from Sukarno-Hatta. Between 6am and 9pm the drive to the airport will be around two hours (up to three hours if raining). Allow one hour to get to Halim, except between 3-7pm when you should allow 2 hours.
Sukarno-Hatta airport, which is usually known as Cengkareng, has three terminals: T1, T2 and T3.
Terminal 3 is for all international flights, and all Garuda Indonesia flights, both domestic and international. When being dropped off by car or taxi, enter the terminal via Entry 2. Be aware that the terminal is very long. If leaving from Gates 20-28, the walk is several hundred metres, so allow 20 minutes to walk from check-in to your departure gate.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are for ofher Domestic and charter flights.
The airport has a free light rail that runs in a loop between the three terminals.
When catching a taxi to or from either taxi, specify to the driver to take “Jalan Tol or Toll Road”, as the parallel side roads can take two hours longer.
Leaving Jakarta by Bus
Kalideres Bus Terminal on Jalan Daan Mogot, for buses to Merak, Carita Beach and Sumatra;
Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal on Jalan Raya Bekasi Timur for buses going to Central and East Java;
Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal near Taman Mini Indonesia for buses going to Central and East Java.
Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal has been closed to make way for a train terminal.
Pulo Gadung has closed and moved further along Jalan Raya Bekasi to Pulo Gebang.
Jakarta to Bandung by Shuttle Bus
These companies offer shuttle buses from Jakarta airport, and also other departure points.
Xtrans – Ontime Shuttle – www.xtrans.co.id
Cipaganti Travel – www.cipaganti.co.id
Leaving Jakarta by Train
Railway Stations in Jakarta
Kota Station Jln Pintu Besar, Kota
Gambir Station Jln Medan Merdeka Timur
Jatinegara Station Jln Bekasi Raya
Sudirman Station Jln Sudirman, Jakarta Pusat
The trains listed below are all Eksekutif or Executive/Business Class, with limited stops. It is worthwhile to pay the extra.
They all leave from Gambir Station which is on Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta.
For more information visit:
Jakarta to Yogyakarta / Jogja by Train
KA 52 – Kereta Api Taksaka Siang (Eksekutif)
Departs 8.30am, arrives 4.25pm
KA 54 – Kereta Api Taksaka Malam (Eksekutif)
Departs 8.45pm, arrives 4.15am
There is a Damri bus from the International Airport to Gambir Station
Jakarta to Surakarta / Solo by Train
KA 8F – Kereta Api Argo Lawu (Eksekutif)
Departs 8.15pm, arrives 5.00am (via Jogja)
KA 10 – Kereta Api Argo Dwipangga (Eksekutif)
Departs 8.00am, arrives 4.35pm (via Jogja)
Jakarta to Surabaya by Train
KA 2 -Kereta Api Argo Bromo Anggrek Pagi (Eksekutif) to Pasar Turi
KA 4 – Kereta Api Argo Bromo Anggrek Malam (Eksekutif) to Pasar Turi
Departs 9.30pm, arrives 6.30am
KA 48 – Kereta Api Sembrani (Eksekutif) to Gubeng
Departs 7.15pm, arrives 6.00am
KA 56 – Kereta Api Bangunkarta (Eksekutif) to Gubeng
Departs 3.00pm, arrives 3.30 am
Jakarta to Malang by Train
KA 42 – Kereta Api Bima (Eksekutif) via Surabaya
leaves 4.30 pm, arrives 8.15 am
KA 42 – Kereta Api Gajayana (Eksekutif) via Surabaya
leaves 5.40 pm, arrives 9 am
Jakarta to Bandung by Train
Kereta Api Argo Parahyangan (Eksekutif & Bisnis)
KA 20 – Departs 8.30am, arrives 12.00 Noon
KA 22 – Departs 10.15am, arrives 1.35pm
KA 24 – Departs 3.30pm, arrives 6.30pm
KA 26 – Departs 6.15pm, arrives 9.30pm
KA 28 – Departs 8.00pm, arrives 9.30pm
KA 30 – Departs 12.45pm, arrives 3.50pm
Public Transportation in Jakarta
TransJakarta – Limited Stops City Buses
There are 12 main routes which usually run along dedicated lanes down the centre of the main arterial roads. There are limited stops, at purpose-built bus shelters, which are accessed via elevated walkways. TransJakarta uses large air-conditioned buses.
The fare is Rp 3500 per trip, except between 5 am to 7 am when it is Rp 2,000
Operating Hours: 5 am – 10 pm
For more information visit: http://www.transportumum.com/jakarta
Koridor 1 – Blok M – Kota
Route: Blok M – Jalan Jendral Sudirman – Senayan – Semanggi – Bendungan Hilir – Karet – Jalan M.H. Thamrin – Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) – Monumen Nasional (Monas) – Harmoni – Jalan Gajah Mada – Jalan Hayam Wuruk – Glodok – Stasiun Kota
Koridor 2 – Pulogadung – Harmoni
Route: Pulogadung – Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan – Cempaka Putih – Pasar Senen – Gambir – Harmoni
Koridor 3 – Harmoni – Kalideres
Route: Harmoni – Grogol – Jalan Daan Mogot – Pesing – Cengkareng – Kalideres
Koridor 4 – Pulogadung – Dukuh Atas 2
Route: Pulogadung – Rawamangun – Jalan Pramuka – Matraman – Manggarai – Guntur – Dukuh Atas
Koridor 5 – Kampung Melayu – Ancol
Route: Kampung Melayu – Jatinegara – Jalan Matraman Raya – Salemba – Kramat Raya – Pasar Senen – Jalan Gunung Sahari – Mangga Dua – Ancol
Koridor 6 – Ragunan – Dukuh Atas 2
Route: Ragunan – Simpangan Jalan T.B. Simatupang – Warung Buncit – Pejaten – Mampang Prapatan – Simpangan Jalan Gatot Subroto – Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said – Kuningan – Karet – Setiabudi – Dukuh Atas
Koridor 7 – Kampung Rambutan – Kampung Melayu
Route: Kampung Rambutan – Jalan T.B. Simatupang – Pasar Rebo – Kramat Jati – Cililitan – Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) – Cawang – Jalan M.T. Haryono – Bidara Cina – Jalan Otto Iskandardinata (Otista) Raya – Kampung Melayu
Koridor 8 – Lebak Bulus – Harmoni
Route: Pulogadung – Rawamangun – Jalan Pramuka – Matraman – Manggarai – Guntur – Dukuh Atas
Koridor 9 – Pinang Ranti – Pluit
Route: Pinang Ranti – Taman Mini Garuda – Jalan Tol Jagorawi – Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) – Cawang – Jalan M.T. Haryono – Tebet – Pancoran – Jalan Jendral Gatot Subroto – Kuningan – Semanggi – Senayan – Jalan Letjen S. Parman – Slipi Palmerah – Slipi Jaya – Kemanggisan – Tomang – Grogol – Jalan Prof. Dr. Latumeten – Jembatan Besi – Jembatan Dua – Jembatan Tiga – Pluit
Koridor 10 – PGC Cililitan – Tanjung Priok
Route: Pusat Grosir Cililitan (PGC) – Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI) – Cawang – Jalan D.I. Panjaitan – Penas Kalimalang – Prumpung – Rawamangun – Jalan Jendral Ahmad Yani – Simpangan Jalan Pramuka Pemuda – Pulomas – Simpangan Cempaka Putih – Cempaka Mas – Jalan Laksamana Yos Sudarso – Kelapa Gading – Plumpang – Permai – Tanjung Priok
Koridor 11 – Kampung Melayu – Pulo Gebang
Route: Kampung Melayu – Jatinegara – Stasiun Kereta Jatinegara – Jalan Bekasi Timur Raya – Cipinang – Jalan I Gusti Ngurah Rai – Klender – Buaran – Penggilingan – Pulogebang
Koridor 12 – Pluit – Tanjung Priok
Route: Pluit – Penjaringan / Bandengan – Kota Tua – Stasiun Kereta Jakarta Kota / Beos – Mangga Dua – Jalan Gunung Sahari Raya – Jalan Angkasa – Kemayoran – Sunter – Jalan Laksamana Yos Sudarso – Kelapa Gading – Plumpang – Permai – Tanjung Priok
Koridor 13 – Ciledug – Blok M
Route: Ciledug via elevated busway to Jln Kapten Tendean, Kuningan
Mikrolet Mini Bus
There are dozens of mikrolet routes in Jakarta’s suburbs that go along most main roads. Passengers jump in and out wherever they like, and the van will often stop along the way and wait for more passengers if the driver feels it is not worthwhile going with only 1 or 2 passengers. The fare starts at Rp 3,000 and the maximum is Rp 5,000.
For a full list of Mikrolet routes visit: http://www.transportumum.com/jakarta/mobil/