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JAKARTA FAQ`S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

The Soekarno Hatta International Airport is the main airport servicing the city of Jakarta located in Tangerang, Banten, 12 miles northwest of the city center. There are several options for transportation from the airport to the city including train, bus, taxi and rental cars.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options including taxis, train, buses and rental cars to get you to the city center.

What types of transportation can I find at the airport?

The Soekarno-Hatta Airport Rail Link is the quickest way to connect to the city from the airport. The modern express train connects to the Sudirman Baru railway station (BNI City Station) in downtown central Jakarta in 54 minutes, trains depart every 30 minutes. Trains also connect to the Manggarai Station in South Jakarta. There are 42 trips made daily by the airport train from 3:51 am until 9:51 pm and tickets cost around Rp 3,500. Tickets can be purchased from the vending machines in the station or booked online through the Railink mobile app.

Public bus services with DAMRI provide transportation shuttle bus services from the airport to numerous locations in Jakarta including Gambir train station, which is the closest to Central Jakarta. Buses operate every 15 minutes from 3:00 am until midnight from the airport and the journey takes approximately 70 minutes to reach the city by bus, buses leave from various terminals. Ticket counters can be found outside Terminal 2 building where the bus stops are also found. At Terminal 3 the ticket counters and bus stops are found behind the taxi ranks and in Terminal 1 the bus stop is on the other side of the road by the taxi stop.

Taxis at the airport are inexpensive with ticket counters found on the Arrivals level just past customs and outside the building where the taxi stands are found. The journey to downtown Jakarta takes about an hour and should cost anywhere between Rp 120,000-220,000. At the taxi ranks, passengers are given a receipt and assigned a taxi by a uniformed staff member, reputable taxi operators including Blue Bird, Silver Bird, and Express Taxi.

Gabir and Grab are rideshare taxis that can be ordered through the apps on smartphones for pick up at the airport.

There are several car rental companies found at the airport with rental company desks located inside the terminals.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

There are several train stations located in Jakarta, four of the main stations are Gambir, Jakarta Kota, Pasar Senen, and Tanah Abang, they all have a central location. Gambir is the most convenient station in the city and can be reached from the airport, located on the eastern side of Merdeka Square around a 15-minute walk from JI Jaksa. The station at Jakarta Kota is an art deco style building with commuter trains to the greater Jakarta area`s. And Pasar Senen and Tanah Abang mostly service economy trains to the east, west and south regions.

There are taxis, tuk-tuks, ojeks, and minibuses that can be found outside or close by to all the train stations for further transportation options. Some of the stations may be in walking distance to your final destination.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

Public transportation in Jakarta is not quite adequate for the size of the massive capital city, leaving the streets jam-packed with traffic during rush hour for several hours in the morning and evenings. There are buses, taxis, ojeks, and minibusses found in the city.

Transjakarta Busway (Bus Rapid Transit system) offers modern, air-conditioned, comfortable buses with 12 operational lines that run all over the city. The buses operate 24 hours along several popular routes hitting major landmarks around the city (corridor 1, 9, 3, 2, 5, 8 and 10), and from 5 am until 11 pm on the rest. A single ticket will cost around Rp3,500 and buses arrive every 30-60 minutes.

The City Tour Jakarta offers double-decker bus tours for free to tourists visiting the capital city. The buses run along a loop road passing some of the main attractions in the city including Museum Nasional, Jakarta Art Theater, City Hall and much more. The buses run daily from 9 am until 7 pm on the hour.

Bajas are Jakarta`s equivalent to a tuk-tuk run around the streets of Jakarta, a tiny two engine trike with a tarpaulin-covered cabin for two! This can be a cramped, yet authentic way to get around with rides costing around Rp5,000, be sure to negotiate your price before taking a ride.

Ojeks, or motorbike taxis are a quick, convenient way to transport passengers around the city. Moto taxis can easily weave their way through the heaving traffic and can be found all over the city, on street corners, outside stations, and major landmarks. A short ride on an ojek will cost between Rp5,000-10,000

GoJek is the rideshare app for ojek riders in the city, simply download the app to your phone, enter your pick up and drop off destination and pay through your phone.

Can I get around by train in Jakarta?

The Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit System (Jakarta MRT) is still under construction, but once completed it will consist of several elevated and underground stations that cover a North-South line and East-West line in the city. The MRT lines will run through most of the city and can take travelers pretty much anywhere with integrated routes, it is the first subway or underground railway in the country. The first phase (Lebak Bulus to Bundaran HI) opened in March of 2019, operating 285 trips a day from 5 am until midnight. The MRT will stretch 67 miles across the city and will comprise of the Red Line (North-South) and the Yellow Line (East-West). Fares start at Rp3,000.

There are commuter trains in the city of Jakarta that connect the city center with outlying areas such as Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bogor, and Serpong. These trains can be extremely cramped during rush hour and tickets cost around Rp2,000, the service operates from 4 am until midnight.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are the most popular and convenient way to get around the city of Jakarta. Taxis are found outside shopping malls, hotels, popular tourist attractions, and landmarks, they can also be hailed off the street and ordered over the phone. Blue Bird Taxi and Express Taxi are two of the most popular and reputable companies in the city. Taxis are metered and a flag fall is Rp7,500 and goes up Rp400 for every 328 feet after the first mile. Taxis can be ordered online in Jakarta through the Grab app.

Can I get around by boat in Jakarta?

The Tanjung Priok is the name of the seaport in Jakarta which is located in the north of the city, it is the busiest port in the country. Cruise ships including Genting Dream Cruises based in Singapore visit Jakarta. The port is set to extend the two-phase `New Tanjung Priok` which should be fully completed in 2023.

Can I ride a bike in Jakarta?

Riding a bike in Jakarta is possible in certain, quieter neighborhoods, but on the main roads and streets, it can be quite dangerous with hectic traffic. However, every Sunday morning in the city from 6 am until 11 am between the main streets of JI Sudirman and JI MH Thamrin there are no cars allowed. Car Free Day takes place here every Sunday where cyclists can enjoy a carefree ride.

Is Jakarta a walking city?

There are areas of the city that are great for exploring on foot, including the shopping malls and residential areas found in the heart of the city. Jakarta Pusat and Central Jakarta are the locations of some of the cities iconic landmarks such as The National Museum, The Merdeka Palace, The Jakarta Cathedral and much more, this is a great area to walk around and stop in at cafes, restaurants, and shops. Some of the best shopping malls in Jakarta are also found right in the heart of the city and the city center is closed to vehicles every Sunday from 6 am until 11 am so you can roam the city on foot.

Is Jakarta a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Jakarta is generally a safe destination, but travelers should use common sense and caution. Keep your belongings secure when out and about as female travelers have been the targets of theft in the past with thieves riding past on motorcycles and stealing purses. Be careful of petty crimes like pickpockets, who tend to target tourists. Be mindful when walking around and crossing all roads as traffic is probably your greatest danger in some areas.

There are a lot of security checks in Jakarta with metal detectors and bag searches at major buildings. These are just safety precautions to keep travelers safe. Pick-pocketing and bag snatchers are common crimes in the city. Muggings are becoming increasingly more common, especially at night.

Tap water should not be consumed in Jakarta, always drink bottled water.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

The capital city of Jakarta is a shopper`s dream featuring a myriad of shopping options including over 100 shopping malls, bustling marketplace, handicraft shops, and upscale boutiques where visitors can purchase all kinds of items, the city`s shops have something to offer everyone. The mega malls in the city include Plaza Indonesia, Grand Indonesia, and Pacific Place, many of which are world-class feature international and luxury brands and many other retail brands along with giant food courts and all kinds of delicious local cuisine and fast food available. Downtown Jakarta features an abundance of different shops that sell various products like silks and unique handicrafts. Markets or `Pasars` in the city include the famous Pasar JI Surabaya are brimming with stalls filled with treasures and unique souvenirs. The annual Jakarta Great Sale is the best time to shop in the city, held annually during June and July with massive discounts, midnight events and lots of social and cultural activities.

There are a plethora of world-renowned department stores in Jakarta including Debenhams, Sogo the Japanese department store has seven stores in the city, Seibu, and French luxury department store Galeries Lafayette is at Pacific Place.

Satrio-Casablanca stretches for 2.5 miles, a new shopping street in the city that features multi-story shopping centers including Kota Kasablanka, Kuningan City and Lotte Shopping Avenue.

What is the best time to visit Jakarta?

The climate in Jakarta is tropical monsoon with a wet season which is through the majority of the year from October to May, the remaining four months are the drier months. The peak wet season is during January and February and the driest month of the year is August. The daily average temperatures range in the high 70s to 80s with lows that have fallen below 65 degrees.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) abbreviated to Rp is the official currency in Lombok. The airport, local banks, and indoor ATMs at banks are the best places to exchange or withdraw your money. ATMs are risky in some places as they can be notorious for card skimming.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Indonesia by clicking here Indonesia

What is the food like?

Jakarta is famous for its street food with different regions offering their unique delicacies. Warungs are food stalls found all over the side streets in the city. Street Hawker style street food courts are large outdoor cafeterias found in abundance, offering cheap food options. The city is a world-class destination for food with any different cuisine choices including Javanese imperial cuisine, Asian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Indian, French and American. Jakarta`s local cuisine is Betawi which is a mixture of several foreign culinary traditions heavily influenced by Malay-Chinese, Peranakan cuisine, Sundanese and Javanese cuisine. A very popular local dish is Soto Betawi which is a dish filled with chunks of beef and offal in a rich, spicy, coconut milk broth. There are plenty of high-end restaurants found dotted all over the city to enjoy some of the world-class cooking. Trendy restaurants, quaint cafes and bustling bars also offer great menu selections. There are even world wide fast-food chains such as McDonald`s, KFC, Burger King, Wendy`s, Carl`s Jr, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks found all over the city.

What is the nightlife like?

Jakarta has plenty of opportunities to enjoy a good night out in the city with a great selection of rooftop bars, pubs, nightclubs and entertainment options spread throughout the sprawling city. There are a wide number of great venues found in the city which was once dubbed Southeast Asia`s biggest clubbing city, nightclubs host internationally renowned DJs pumping out killer tunes until the wee hours. There are laid back jazz bars, hotel lounges hosting special events, karaoke bars and amazing cinema experience with VIP multiscreen venues playing the latest Hollywood Blockbusters.

The movie theatre options in Jakarta are on another level with a variety of watching options that include IMAX, 3D and plush seating. Many of the theatres are found in the city`s shopping malls and the largest chain is 21 Cineplex (XXI) and CGV Blitz.

The city of Jakarta boasts some of the largest music events in the world with artists from all over the globe stopping by on their world tours. The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival takes place every March for 3 days, it is the largest event held in the city with over 40 international and local artists performing.

I don`t speak Indonesian or Balinese will there be many people who speak English?

The official languages spoken in Lombok are Indonesian or Balinese. English is a widely spoken language but may be the second language. Most Balinese people are bilingual or trilingual. We recommend you get a good English-Indonesian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, thank you, excuse me and the numbers 1 -10.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

There are areas of the city that are great for exploring on foot, including the shopping malls and residential areas found in the heart of the city. Jakarta Pusat and Central Jakarta are the locations of some of the cities iconic landmarks such as The National Museum, The Merdeka Palace, The Jakarta Cathedral and much more, this is a great area to walk around and stop in at cafes, restaurants, and shops. Some of the best shopping malls in Jakarta are also found right in the heart of the city and the city center is closed to vehicles every Sunday from 6 am until 11 am so you can roam the city on foot.

In the case of an emergency dial 110 for police, 112 for the Emergency line, 113 for fire, and 119 for medical emergencies.

Hospitals:

Columbia Asia Hospital Pulomas tel. 62-21-294-59-999

Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk tel. 62-21-256-77-888

MRCCC Siloam Hospitals Semanggi tel. 62-21-15-00-181