jakarta travel

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One of the world’s greatest megalopolises, Jakarta is a dynamic and vibrant city. Its chaotic charm and juxtapositions can be found on every street.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museum Nasional

Merdeka Square & Central Jakarta

The National Museum is the best of its kind in Indonesia and an essential visit. The enormous collection begins around an open courtyard of the 1862…

Merdeka Square

It is here that Jakartans come to take a breather from the traffic. The figurative centre of Jakarta, Merdeka Square (merdeka means independence) is…

Taman Fatahillah

Kota’s central cobblestone square, surrounded by imposing Dutch colonial buildings, is Jakarta's most attractive location and a popular gathering spot for…

Museum Layang-Layang

South Jakarta

Families will love Jakarta's kite museum, located in a quiet backstreet in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta. Inside a traditional Indonesian house, complete…

Galeri Nasional

Over 1700 works of art by foreign and Indonesian artists are part of the National Gallery collection. While only a few works are on display at any time,…

Museum Bank Indonesia

This museum presents an engaging and easily consumed history of Indonesia from a loosely financial perspective, in a grand, expertly restored,…

Museum Macan

Opened in late 2017, Museum Macan is Indonesia's first modern and contemporary art museum and an exciting cultural development for the city. It was built…

Jin De Yuan

This large Chinese Buddhist temple compound dates from 1755 and is one of the most atmospheric and important in the city. The main structure has an…

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Tips & Advice

Oct 5, 2023 • 8 min read

Jakarta is sometimes overlooked by visitors bound for Java's ancient ruins or Bali's beaches. Check out our first-timer's guide for great reasons to linger.

Feb 18, 2020 • 7 min read

Jan 14, 2020 • 2 min read

Sep 4, 2017 • 4 min read

Jan 24, 2017 • 5 min read

Aug 7, 2014 • 4 min read

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Jakarta and beyond

17 Things to do in Jakarta. No. 4 is the Best One!

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ouI often receive questions from friends of mine (mostly foreigners or Indonesians who live outside Java) or random travellers asking, is it worth it to go to Jakarta? What is there to do in Jakarta? How chaotic is Jakarta? Is a week enough time to explore Jakarta?  As I run lots of  Jakarta tours , there are obviously a lot more questions that I get related to the city. Anyway, I’ve written about how to get to Jakarta (the city) cheaply from the airport (Soekarno Hatta Airport – CGK)  here .

Ok back to Jakarta, I admit, because of the congestion and the mess, I don’t normally recommend visiting Jakarta to friends. But after a second thought, the reason a place is unique and deserves to be explored is always different. There are a lot of special Jakarta attractions to be discovered! So here are some suggestions about things to do in Jakarta, the best Jakarta tourist attractions, and Jakarta points of interest, which I am sure you’ll find worth exploring.

Let’s get started with the best things to do in Jakarta.

6 Best Things to Do in Jakarta

1. enjoy the best bars with beautiful views.

One of my favorite things about Jakarta is the nightlife. There are great bars and restaurants all over the city. I recommend Skye Bar and Cloud Lounge and Dining. Skye Bar is on the 56th floor of the BCA Building, and Cloud Lounge and Dining is on the 49th floor. Both offer panoramic views of the Jakarta skyline (the best time to visit is for sunset). Make sure to dress nicely, as they have a smart dress code. You can find more ideas for bars to visit here .

2. Experience the luxury hotels

Luxury hotels in Jakarta are like an oasis of tranquility (you can find my guide to the  best 5-star hotels in the city here ). As soon as you arrive at the lobby, you can leave the bustling streets and the endless traffic jams behind you. It can feel like stepping into another world.  The Hermitage Jakarta  (it is a boutique luxury hotel with a great rooftop bar) and  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jakarta – Diponegoro  are probably my two favorite hotels of the moment.  The Raffles Jakarta  comes a close third with its Alice in Wonderland-style reading room.

3. Monas – the national monument

As an icon of the city and a symbol of the struggle of Indonesia, Monas is a place worth visiting. In addition to the monument, you can also find The National History Museum (Museum Sejarah Nasional) inside the monument Monas, where you can find many dioramas depicting the history of Indonesia. Besides learning about the history of Indonesia, it is quite interesting to take pictures with Monas as a background. Be creative and make your own unique picture!

The monument and the museum are located in central Jakarta. Monas opening hours: 08.00AM – 04.00PM on Tuesday-Sunday (closed on Monday). Monas Park area or the complex is open from 06.00AM – 04.00PM. The best time to visit Monas is in the evening just before the sunset.

4. Visit the thousand islands

You don’t need to go all the way to Bali to have a beautiful island getaway. Just a few hours boat ride from mainland Jakarta you’ll find the Thousand Islands (they are actually part of the city). These tropical islands offer the perfect weekend escape from Jakarta. You can go diving, admittedly it’s not that great, enjoy the beautiful beaches and relax in the sunshine away from the everyday pollution. There’s a lot of nice places to visit. Top of the list is the luxury resort on Pulau Macan or another alternative (new but lovely) is Desa Laguna . Visit if you get the chance.

5. Enjoy the nightlife

6. go to the malls.

How many malls are there in Jakarta? The answer is “Too many”! Hahaha. Ok, this probably sounds a bit of a weird idea to you, but believe me, if you want to have a relaxing day, find groceries, probably do some shopping or play bowling, why not go to the malls?

There is one store in Grand Indonesia Mall, called Alun-Alun Indonesia where you can easily find some souvenirs for your family or friends back home that are truly Indonesian (I consider Alun-Alun Indonesia quite expensive, but some stuff is ok to buy). If you want something cheaper, you should try ITC, Thamrin City, Tanah Abang (Note: I like to shop for a lot of different fabrics in Tanah Abang. It is cheap), and traditional markets around Jakarta.

Sarinah Department Store is a good spot to visit too. They just got renovated and it is now amazing! You can find plenty of options for Indonesian fabrics such as tenun, batik, songket, and jumputan. They also featured some of the top Indonesian clothes designers and brands in their bazaar space. Some of my favorite tenants are Bukanagara Coffee, Atsiri diSarinah, DEWATA restaurant, and Sari Sari.

Ideas for Things to do in Jakarta

7. visit tmii – taman mini indonesia indah.

TMII (literary translated as Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park) Jakarta is in the east part of the city and is a great place to visit to learn Indonesian culture. This place is practically a miniature of Indonesia. Although I found that riding a cable car in TMII is quite scary, the scenery that can be seen from above is quite rewarding. We could see the pool with a decorative map of Indonesia. Besides the pavilions of each province of Indonesia, there are also many museums in the TMII area worth visiting.

8. Go to the beach – Ancol

Honestly, to this day I do not understand why we have to pay for the beach in Jakarta. Supposedly the beach is a public place that is free for everyone to visit! Well anyway, let’s not focus on that thing. Ancol is a beach park, one area with Dufan, the amusement park. Please, do not imagine a beach with white sand and clear water. Sorry to say, but Ancol is quite a dirty beach.

Ancol Beach could be an option if you want to enjoy the sunset while sitting in a cafe after visiting Dufan. If you love photography, photographing around Ancol is quite exciting as well. The Atlantis Water Adventures is also a nice place to go. If you are thinking of going kayaking, there are Archipelago Kayak Indonesia (in Ancol), Jakarta Paddle Club (in east Ancol) and Laut Luas Adventure (in Pluit).

9. Amusement park – Dufan (Dunia Fantasi)

Dufan or Dunia Fantasi is one big complex with the beach that I talked about earlier. This is the biggest amusement park in Indonesia (probably? There is Trans Studio Bali, Makassar and Bandung too, I have never been there so I am not sure). Playing around for a full day in Dufan is like a short getaway from the busyness of Jakarta. I can tell that going to Dufan for some Indonesians who live on another island than Java is like a dream come true. As for me, spending one day with a bunch of friends in Dufan is definitely going to be a super fun day! Don’t go there on the weekend since it will be ridiculously busy.

10. The Istiqlal mosque and the Catholic cathedral

Istiqlal is the largest mosque in Indonesia and is also claimed to be the largest in Southeast Asia. The Cathedral is located across the road from the Istiqlal Mosque, an amazing building with a neo-gothic style. Both buildings offer beautiful and charming architecture. You could say it’s like the Taj Mahal stands opposite the Sagrada Familia. Many say that these buildings are evidence of the tolerance and harmony is achievable in this life. Pic source:  Flickr .

11. Stroll jalan Surabaya

A big fan of antique stuff? You should spare one evening to walk down  Surabaya Street . You can find a lot of stores that mostly sell antiques, but please be careful when you decide to buy something from here. Not all things that seem antique are antique, some of them are newly produced as antiques. Nevertheless it is a pleasure to walk and browse around the small stores, and end it with a nice cup of coffee. There is a great coffee shop just across the road, Giyanti Coffee Roastery (opens Tuesday-Sunday 08.30 AM-5:30 PM). 

12. Visit the old town, Sunda Kelapa Harbour and Cafe Batavia

Old Town or Old Batavia has a very strong historical value, but, unfortunately, most of the buildings in the Old Town are not well preserved. Around the Old Town, there are several interesting museums to visit. The Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Museum), Museum of Fine Art and Ceramics as well as the Puppet Museum are all around Batavia. Usually, local people explore the area of the old town by renting an old-fashioned bike (The cost: Rp20,000 for 20 minutes (around $1.5 for 20 minutes) or Rp70,000 for 2 hours (around $5 for 2 hours)). You can cycle around the area to the Sunda Kelapa harbour. Afterward, you can relax, eat and drink at Cafe Batavia. A restaurant that serves good coffee and has an interesting interior design.

13. Try as many cafes / restaurants as you can

Yup, there are so many cafes, restaurants, bars in Jakarta. If you feel like you don’t want to eat any Indonesian food then you can find a lot of variety in Jakarta. Indian food , Greek food, Italian food, Lebanese food and much more. If you want to eat Indonesian food in a great restaurant with a nice ambiance I would recommend my favorite: Lara Djongrang Restaurant (Cik Di Tiro street No. 4 Menteng). I also like: Silk Bistro in Cikini, Sate Khas Senayan (they have several outlets) and REMBOELAN. Need one calm day to write emails or probably write an article for your own blog? Here are my suggestion for a good, comfortable cafe with free wifi and nice drinks/food.

14. Chill out in a park

Although there are many skyscrapers in Jakarta, the city also has several city parks. Two of my favorites are Lembang Park and Tebet Eco Park. Sometimes, in the early morning or late afternoon, you can find local people jogging around the park. Oh, there is a community that is trying to turn city parks into popular public spaces and create new experiences in interaction with others. At the same time, they aim to make people in the city have a sense of belonging. They have an interesting concept to show people the cities parks and get together. To find out more follow them on twitter: @HiddenParkID.

15. If it is Sunday, do the car free day

If you’re in Jakarta on Sunday, then I suggest you try a bit of exercise (or it could be just a walk) on Car Free Day (CFD) in Sudirman-Thamrin street. It starts at 6 am and lasts till 12 noon. It feels so amazing to experience and see the main road (Sudirman and Thamrin) without any vehicles. Many communities also gather there and you have the opportunity to see almost all the communities in Jakarta on one morning. I want to rollerskate during CFD one day!

16. Visit various museums, including my favourite: the Kite museum

Besides the National History museum, all the museum in TMII area and all the museum in Old Town, Jakarta still has a lot more museums to see! There is the Jakarta Textile museum, Bank Indonesia museum, Proclamation museum, Maritime museum, Museum Macan and my favourite the Kite Museum . So what are you waiting for?

PS: Should consider to visit Ragunan Zoo and the Chinatown (Glodok area) if you have more time in the city.

17. Visit tourism attractions near Jakarta

Can not stand the congestion of Jakarta and want to ‘escape’ for 1-3 days from the city? Here are what locals usually do: we often visit Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands are a chain of islands to the north of Jakarta’s coast. There are so many islands that you can explore with 1-3 hours journey by boat from Ancol (Marina harbor) or Muara Angke harbor.

If you want a comfortable trip, then Macan Island and Bidadari Island are both options. If you fancy to do more adventurous things and want to travel on a budget then Tidung Island, Pramuka Island or Harapan Island could be good for you. Other than the Thousand islands, I also suggest you consider Puncak (and probably do paragliding or just walk around the tea plantations), Bandung, Bogor (to visit the Kebun Raya), Krakatau , cultural trip to Baduy or take a look the Megalith site, Gunung Padang .

Booked Your Accommodation in Jakarta? Here are the best 3 hotels in the city for every budget:

• Luxury Hotel –  The Hermitage, Menteng Jakarta
• Mid Range Hotel – Kosenda Hotel Jakarta
• Budget Hotel – Ibis Budget, Menteng Jakarta

Whoaaaa, that is a long list! Btw, I am sure that there is a lot more other interesting stuff to do in and around Jakarta that I might have missed or haven’t done. So if you know other cool things to do in Jakarta, please let me know and I can add it here.

Next post Jakarta to Yogyakarta by Train (Without the Headache)

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About the Author Firsta

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Jakarta Travel Guide: Exploring the Big Durian

189 Comments

[…] First time to Jakarta? Wondering about Indonesia airport? No idea how to get from Jakarta airport to city without getting scammed? Don’t worry, I will explain (hopefully everything that you need to know). So before we start, you need to know that there are two airports in Jakarta; Soekarno Hatta, which is the commercial airport and Halim Perdana Kusuma, which is an airport that doesn’t have any commercial flights. Oh btw, don’t forget to check my article about things to do in Jakarta. […]

Woww ! Really useful to me . Great info ! .I’m heading to Jakarta next week . I love to be at the Thousand Islands . Can you suggest , where to stay in Jakarta that nearest to Thousand Island & Dufan with backpacker budget ??

Hi Anis, The harbours to go to Thousand Islands are around Pluit area (sorry! Don’t have any recommendation for this place. Dufan is quite easy access with the Trans Jakarta bus. So you can pick any hotels that the location has easy access to Trans Jakarta bus shelter.

hi frista I will bring my family for vacation to bandung and plan to jakarta too. what is the best place i can bring my kids kids at jakarta.

Hi Fadzli. Good question. For places to visit with kids you can visit the theme park in Ancol. Other than this you can try some of the usual attractions listed above.

do not forget to visit fruit garden in cibubur water park in cibubur you want to get good price for your shopping go to PGC mall go to senen shopping mall go to Thamrin City you want to pay more money for items that you can get less any where go to Grand Indonesia be careful what you going to eat in the street make sure when you order food to tell them that you do not want to much Chile you cant get way more cheaper hotel by booking thru local website such as nusatrip.com or do not forget to go to safari in puncak its one the best

i live in Jakarta for 4 years now i love this city i love the people

Hi Ramadan, thanks for some tips. I personally love Grand Indonesia and street food (yes, maybe for foreigner need to be a bit careful)!

Hi! I’m here in Jakarta almost a month now, still didn’t visit much, maybe you can help me which one is the nearest near Pluit area? I’m staying near Baywalk Mall.. Hope you can help. Thank you

Hi Anits, Pluit is pretty close to Ancol, and it is around 8-9 km only to the Old Town area (Kota Tua). Other than that there is The Mangrove Park (Taman Wisata Alam Mangrove Kapuk). Have fun exploring Jakarta 🙂

I’m heading to Jakarta next week, so this was very helpful! We have a limited amount of time there, so I think I will focus on the food. Might try to make it to Surabaya street as well. Great list! 🙂

Hi Katie, Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂 I am glad you found this useful. Have a great time in Jakarta.

hey, can you tell me if I can see a Komodo dragon in any zoo or Mini park in Jakarta?

also, if you know how to go to the Konmodo Islands (arranged tour?) from jakarta.

Hi Ravi, I think you can find it at Taman Safari in Cisarua (probably 1,5-2 hours from Jakarta). No. I don’t know any tours to Komodo island.

When I went to the Reptile Park in Taman Mini they had Komodo Dragons there. The keeper also unlocked the enclosure and let us in to take photos with the Komodo Dragons too – though I suspect that’s not part of the official itinerary. 😀

Hi Firsta!!

Congratulations for your blog. I will be in Jakarta next week and I will definitely do most of the things you mention above. By the way, nice profile picture you have. Park Guell, Barcelona. I know because I am from Barcelona. Good luck with your blog and keep it up!

Best regards!

Hi David, Thanks for dropping by 🙂 Ahh, you should teach me Spanish then 😀 Cheers!

Heading to Jakarta next week, by myself. Very informative blog, thanks.

Thank you for checking my blog! Have a great time in Jakarta!

Cheers, Firsta

number 11! add city tour jakarta bus on the list 😉 I blogged about it on my blog!

Hi Lynn, Terima kasih sudah mampir. Iyaaa.. kayanya seru tuh ya Jakarta City Tour Bus. I’ll continuously update this article for sure.

[…] Jakarta (Btw, if you want to know is it worth it to spend some time in Jakarta, you better check this article). The flight takes about seven hours and usually transits in Makassar (Ujung Pandang) for one hour. […]

[…] – Jakarta, Bromo, Baduy, Bale Kambang and so much […]

Jakarta is a great city. Lot of museums to visit, lot of food to try, but I still hate the traffic jam.

A city that never sleeps!

Any details about Taman Safari? What is the best way to go to Taman Safari from Jakarta?

Hi Clarice, You can rent car with a driver (probably two and a half hour drive away from Jakarta) or by train from any station in Jakarta to Bogor and then you will have to change with small public transportation (angkot) to puncak and stop at Taman Safari Indonesia (situated before Puncak). Don’t go during weekends and holidays because the traffic is going to be so bad. Hope it helps.

Awesome! Great advice Firsta. I’ll be in Jakarta for about three weeks in total, I’m sure I’ll be back to your site several times for the tips.. 😉

Wow three weeks in Jakarta? Great! Thanks for visiting my blog 😉

woot! fifteen!! I just made a shorter version of this and a few of them are the same recommendations with yours 😀 Check it out http://sapijalanjalan.blogspot.com/2014/07/5-ways-to-enjoy-jakarta-indonesia.html

[…] something is in your life until a time comes when you don’t have access to it. Most people in large cities, do often take basic things for granted. I know I shouldn’t, but I unintentionally did that. […]

My friend and I will visit jakarta next month for 2 whole days. Our plan is to try local food and spot, can you suggest where we could stay(area)?

Hi Ailea, I think you should stay around Cikini (Six Degrees hostel is a great place to stay). There are plenty of side street food stalls or nicer restaurants that serve tasty food around Cikini. You should check the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) too, locals like to watch some theatrical and art performances there. Btw, what kind of local spots are you interested in exploring? Cheers, Firsta

Bertahun2 tinggal di jakarta, tapi aku blm perna naik ke atas monas ataupun ke taman mini. Tragis banget yaa hidup gw iihik ihik ihik

Haha.. Kak Cumi kan liburannya jauh-jauh! Ke Monas yuk hari Sabtu pagi..

I will be in Indonesia next month, so this blog is so helpful. Thanks girl

Hey Ad Dequina, My pleasure! Have a great time in Indonesia!

we’ve been from monas few days ago kak ^^ I want to try the kite museum too. seem interesting XD

Yes! Kite museum is awesome! You should check it out.

I just moved to Jakarta and I’m still trying to figure out where to go and what to see in the city. This list is great! I can’t wait to check out all of these attractions 🙂

Hi Justine, Welcome to Jakarta! I hope you are having a great time here in Jakarta 🙂 So glad to hear that the list is useful!

Hey, useful tips you got there. I’ll be heading down to Jakarta this December. Need your help tho. Can you please suggest where to stay in Jakarta? I mean, which side of town. It’d be great if you could help.

Hi Dewi, Thanks for visiting my blog. I personally think that Cikini or Kuningan area would be a great place to stay.

will come to jakarta for 3 days

Hi Wajdi, Hope you have a great time in Jakarta! Thanks for dropping by here.

Hi Firsta, Thanks so much for the input in this entry. I am traveling to Jakarta next month and this blog of yours has been very helpful! I needed the inside view of the places to visit in Jakarta and you definitely have helped me to narrow them down. I would love to cycle around Sunda Kelapa (^o^)v

Hi Jia, I am glad to hear that this article was helpful. I hope you have a great time in Jakarta. Btw, just a short update. Santa market or Pasar Santa is one of the most happening places to hangout in Jakarta. I am planning to write a post about it soon! 😉

Hi… Where to do skydivIng, bungy jumping, rafting and other activities

Hi Noha, I think you can do skydiving in Pondok Cabe. Never heard any bungy jumping place in Jakarta. As for rafting, you should go to Sukabumi (Citarik). Hope it helps.

what a coincidence! no.6 is my fave too!

He he I haven’t visit Sunda Kelapa yet.

You should visit it 🙂

I am visiting Jakarta for 2 nights as a Solo traveller. After enjoying for 5 Nights in Bali heading to Jakarta to meet one of my friend. Can u suggest what all places to visit considering I am single & enjoy local culture and adventure. Thanks in advance.

Nightclubs perhaps? Or visit the Old Town and cycle around Sunda Kelapa Harbour would be great things to do. Hope you enjoy your time in Jakarta.

[…] Although in that time I have moved backwards and forwards a lot, spending some of my free time in Jakarta (oh well, can I not just have 2 home […]

We will go to jakarta in februari I am dutch and compagnion filipinna.Can i get my tourist visa on the airport?? and how much? Thanks

Hi, Yes, I think you can get a Visa On Arrival in Indonesia. It costs around $25-30.

[…] that I haven’t written a guide on things to do in Yogyakarta (hey I’ve written about things to do in Jakarta, check it out!), here are some suggestions that I give when I do jump into a random conversation with tourists in […]

[…] camping by the beach. The first time was at Semak Daun Island, one of the Thousand islands near Jakarta. The second time was at an island (don’t know the name) in Raja Ampat. My last two beach […]

First off, really appreciate your feedback to help out millions of tourists! Keep it up. Quick question. I have a layover in Jakarta for 10 hours and my wife is eager to see Mini Indonesia, so can you confirm the best way to get there from the ariport ( I suppose one of the taxis you mentioned above) and approx cost?

Oh, and you advise carrying money around or they accept cards at the booking counters?

Keep up the great advice! Cheers, Bhaskar

Hi Bhaskar,

It is possible, but it is a bit risky to go. Jakarta is pretty famous for bad traffic (in almost every part of Jakarta, not so proud of it) 🙁 I personally think that 10 hours wouldn’t be enough for get from the Airport to Taman Mini and back to the Airport again. To be safe, it is 3 hours to get out from the airport and 3 hours back. Btw, renting a car in Jakarta for 12 hours is around 60$ with a driver and gasoline. Probably you should have a talk with a taxi driver to drive you to Taman Mini, tour around Taman Mini and back to the airport. Get a bundle deal. I hope you’ll have a great time in Jakarta! Cheers!

Thanks for the prompt response. Glad I asked as Google maps shows 45 mins. Clearly not realistic about the local traffic. Well, I realized Iwe have 12 hrs in hand between flights so Tasman Mini may just be possible. Any other place you can advice. I’m happy to have quick Skype call if that helps!

With JORR now fully open (Jakarta Outer Ring Road or Lingkar Luar) the trip from the airport to Taman Mini actually isn’t too bad – probably better than heading into the city centre from a traffic point of view as you go around the edge of the city instead.

That being said, it’s always worth having a buffer when headed back to the airport as all it takes is one accident on the tollway for things to go pear shaped traffic wise. 😀

Hi Firsta, I’m visiting Indonesia in Dec to Feb, and this is my second time. I instantly fell in love with the islands and unique cultures, and your suggestions really help me organising my trip! I will be arriving in Jakarta and then move to other islands. I wonder how are the local transportations. I personally love bus and train trip rather than just flying, so I’m thinking about doing from Jakarta to either Sumatra or to Bali(or even shorter distances). Any local bus/train companies you know? Thank you!

Hi Yuri, You can only find trains in Java, the company is PT. Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI). I have never been on a roadtrip in Sumatera, but I heard from some friends that it is interesting, especially from Sumatera Barat up until Aceh (Weh island). As from Java to Bali, it might be easier (to find busses / trains) since Java is the busiest island in Indonesia. I did a roadtrip (with motorbike) from Yogyakarta to Labuan Bajo, Flores and it was super awesome! There are plenty of interesting places along the way. This is a good article about traveling by bus in Indonesia from a friend of mine, but the article is in Indonesian. http://efenerr.com/2014/03/27/tips-traveling-dengan-bis-di-indonesia/ Should give a try to google translate it. Hope it helps!

[…] big fans of Indian food so they constantly ask me to join them to eat out at Indian restaurants in Jakarta or even in Yogyakarta. It was so easy to fall in love with Indian […]

Same like you, the best is the number 6 🙂

Definitely, right? Very enjoyable thing to do.

[…] Google Hangout On Air happened at the Google Indonesia office in Jakarta. That was a great opportunity for me to take a peek in Google’s office, though I only got to […]

Hello there ! 🙂 Very interssting article 🙂 nr 6 is just a spot i might find few cool stuff for House 🙂 Any way i travel to Jkt for a xmas and Ny 🙂

What would be your recomendations what to do in JKT during this times? 🙂

Im flying over from The Netherlands soo i guess its right to say that any idea might be just good 🙂

Great article! Heading to Indonesia in 10 days time, this has really helped with what to do in Jakarta! Thank you!

Hi Harpreet, I hope you have a great time in Jakarta when you get there.. 🙂

Hi Firsta, i might be going to Jakarta end of next months. can u suggest some place near to Tanah Abang? thanks in advance.

There is Tanah Abang market where you can buy fabrics and basically shopping. Old town (Kota Tua), Taman Prasasti Museum, National Museum, Monas, Istiqlal mosque and Cathedral are pretty near as well. 🙂

We’ll are flying to UK on 16th Dec. and have 10hours halt in jakarta. I was just wondering, if we can visit Amusement park or is it be too far from the airport??

Thanks, Param

Hi Param, it is not that far from the airport. During a normal traffic it should be 1 hour to get there, but traffic in Jakarta is unpredictable especially around 4 – 8 pm (after office hour).

[…] an article about things to do in Jakarta and things to do in Yogyakarta, now I want to share with you about things to do in Bali. I hope a […]

Congratulations for your blog. I will be in Jakarta for two week and I will definitely do most of the things you mention above. Terima kasih di atas tips yang diberikan. Amat menarik dan bagus sekali.

Thanks for your kind words. Selamat jalan-jalan di Jakarta! 🙂

[…] special (quiet and cozy) – and pleasurably secret – to me, but since I will be leaving Jakarta pretty soon (really look forward for it) I will share it anyway! You can have it now […]

Even though it’s not really a Jakarta tourist attraction as such it’s worth pointing out that the cinemas in Jakarta are incredibly cheap by Western standards and of international quality from a comfort point of view – especially some of the deluxe offerings available.

In regards to your comments on Alun-Alun Indonesia, I agree, the handicrafts there are scandalously overpriced. I’m personally quite a fan of Pendopo – the branch I usually go to is in Living World at Alam Sutera, though I believe there’s other branches in Kelapa Gading and perhaps Kemang too now. Whilst you could probably find things cheaper elsewhere still the pricing is much more reasonable than at Alun-Alun Indonesia. The quality of the products they sell I’ve found to be of a generally high standard too, much better than the shoddy knick-knacks usually on offer in the vicinity of various tourist attractions

Salam 1Malaysia Firsta,

Trima kasih akan recommendations yang tepat skali. Kami akan ke Jakarta pada 19th to 22nd April dan akan ketempat tempat yang disyorkan. InshaAllah.

University LimKokWing Cyberjaya

Im interested to go to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah during the coming labor day. May i know whether i need to pay only for the entrance fee or there’s any other fee that come along when im in the taman.

It will be much appreciated if you could brief about how much time should i plan to spend on TMII.

Many of the pavilions have their own entrance fees within TMII, but they’re all quite reasonable – see http://www.tamanmini.com/page/tiket for a complete list.

As for how long, it depends on how much the various museums and attractions are of interest to you. I can easily spend all day there and I’ve been a few times. Others may get bored after half a day. Regardless though, it’s a vast destination!

Dear Firsta,

I’m Adruce Azman from Borneo, Malaysia. I will be visiting Jakarta on this 30th April. I will also make time to Bandung.

There are a few questions I want to inquire; 1. Is it possible to visit Monas Monuments, Jalan Sourabaya and Batavia in one day? Provided that I’ll be staying in Kemang Raya.

2. Do you have any recommendation on jazz clubs in Kemang Raya? For this trip, I also want to learn about Jakarta’s Jazz Scene.

3. Do you have any info on the train location in Jakarta? I wanna go from Jakarta to Bandung.

I hope you can help me on this, you may send direct email to [email protected]

Thanks and cheers!

Hi, email sent! Hope you have a great time in Jakarta.

very beautiful photos and very interesting blog . thanks for sharing .

awesome jakarta.. I love Indonesia..

Enjoy watching opera/theater/drama musical/other art performances at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Ciputra Artpreneur Theatre, and more.

Ciputra Artpreneur Theatre? That is new for me. Thanks for the knowledge!

Thanks so much for this! I love that this is a blog written by a native Indonesian. I’m here for two months for an internship and I’m staying in the business district, so I’m feeling quite suffocated by the pollution and traffic, and am at a loss for what to do. Looking at some of this, I’m glad I see some greenery and relaxing places to explore. The malls are a biiiit much for me but I’m intrigued by the pedestrian street and appreciate the many suggestions you have!

Hi Christine,

Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind words. 😉

Hmmm..baru kepikir, banyak juga yg bisa dikerjain di Jakarta ya.. hahahha..

Iya Kak Vika, bisa dibikin seru hehehe. Termasuk main ke mall. 😉

Hello Firsta,

I am in Indonesia for last 3 years and after reading your article looks like I still have a lot balance to do in Jakarta. Thanks and very nice writing.

Hi Pramod, Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a great fun exploring Jakarta!

Thanks Firsta for taking the trouble to do the blog.

Whoops – hit enter by mistake!

I am planning a scuba trip in December ( http://www.nad-lembeh.com/ ) and, depending on the airline schedule, will likely have one full day in Jakarta on a Sunday (as it’s quiet then!) plus the day before on Saturday although I am not sure I will have the whole day if I land in the middle of the night as a lot of the potential flights do.

I will be traveling by myself, my wife doesn’t scuba!, and am 68. I enjoy walking, sightseeing, and photography (although I might not bring my primary camera – but my beloved Ricoh ( http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8482216090/ricohgrd2 ).

Any ideas on areas I could stay – need a decent hotel but not 5 star as by myself and a few things to do? BTW while never have visited Indonesia (except Bali in 1982) I am very experienced in the far east.

PS nice G+ page.

Hi Martin, Here are some of my personal favourites: http://bit.ly/1LLLrcU . Join the Car Free Day in Sudirman – Thamrin road on Sunday, it will be a great experience. 😀 Hope you have a great time in Indonesia 🙂

Thanks for the recent helpful email.

Hello Firsta.

I’ll be traveling to Jakarta for 3 days soon, partly work and partly leisure. I’ll be staying at a hotel, Alila Jakarta, near Central Jakarta and based on my research, it’s nearby museums and Monas.

I just read your blog and it’s very interesting! I just wished I had more time to explore more of Jakarta and do some activities there. Because of limited time, what do you reckon I could check out/visit/eat/try out at Central? I don’t mind checking out the nightlife if there are any nearby my hotel. If you’re nearby, we could even meet up for lunch and you can show me around!

Looking forward to hearing suggestions from you!

Harap kamu bisa tolong saya yah! 🙂

You probably don’t want to check out the “nightlife” around the Alila (well unless you’re looking to make a “special” friend, then maybe you should. 😛 ).

As for other locations, going down to Kota and checking out Fatahillah Square and its surrounds gives a good taste of old Jakarta (if a little faded in parts now). It’s easy enough to get to by taxi or the busway.

Hi firsta I will be in jakarta between the 20th and 25th of October. Your blog is pretty informative Swamy

Thank you for this 🙂 I hope you have a great time in Jakarta.

hi I am planning to visit Jakarta in Dec 2015 first week any one interested ? contact

I used this to help me with a project, thank you ^^ It’s a very helpful blog and while reading this i realize that there’s a lot of things i haven’t done in Jakarta. Thank you again.

Hi Icha, Thanks for visiting my blog. Glad to hear that you found this blog helpful! All the best with your project. 🙂

Number 11 Try various public transportation is the best one :D, from bajaj, bemo, transjakarta, KRL Commuter Train, Andong, Perahu Getek, Metromini, Kopaja and dont miss it to try Double decker bus for free to explore jakarta city 😀

Ah right. The Mpok Siti. 😀

I think, stay at home is the best one. Hihihi

Hi Firsta! Thanks for this valuable info.

Kindly to ask you, I’ll travel to Jakarta and stay at Kelapa Gading, is it far to go to the Dufan,Old Town Batavia, TMII and Thousand Island? Nice to hear from you 🙂

Hi Shazlina, Thank you for getting in touch. You need to do 2D1N trip if you would like to visit Thousand island. You can easily go to Dufan, Old Town Batavia with the TransJakarta bus, please be advised about the ridiculous traffic. TMII is a bit far, it is also reachable by TransJakarta bus, but you need one day trip for this. Let me know if you need any additional info.

Thank you for getting in touch. You need to do 2D1N trip if you would like to visit Thousand island. You can easily go to Dufan, Old Town Batavia with the TransJakarta bus. Be advised the traffic can be ridiculous. TMII is a bit far, it is also reachable by TransJakarta bus, but you need one day trip for this.

Thanks for writing this piece. I myself am from Jakarta, but i really have no idea when it comes to places to visit (for tourists). Some friends of mine are visiting soon, and i’m still trying to figure out where to show them around. Now i know, and thanks to you!

And i totally agree with what you’ve written at the beginning (we tend to travel miles away for a vacation and not explore our own backyard). Been doing exactly that for years 😀

Hi Alvin, Thank you for the comment. I am glad to hear that this post is useful. 🙂 Yeah right, we always focus on what is far away from us. Oh, btw also check out @JKTgoodguide on Twitter. Have a nice day!

Thank you for a very informative post. What do you suggest to do in Jakarta for a man (64 yo) and his wife (58 yo) going there for a week in March? Thank you.

Hi Nourie, I can connect you with a tour guide in Jakarta. They can help you to arrange your holiday in Jakarta. 🙂 Will get in touch through email. 🙂

Can I have your correct email address? The one that you submitted here isn’t correct. 🙂 Please email me: [email protected] . Thanks!

Very nice introductary basic level blog you got there. Would hoping for a little ellaboration on the details since you’re the local there.

I have been here for a month now for the Indosat project and still living like a hermit in Puri Casablanca LOL. Maybe we can meet up for a casual coffee.I’m from Malaysia by the way LOL

Hi Billeh. Thanks for the kind feedback. I’m glad you find the blog useful. Jakarta is a nice city to be in, but it can be easy to become a hermit lol. Unfortunately I’m actually based in Bali at the moment, so I won’t be able to meet over coffee in Jakarta. Hope you enjoy your time in Indonesia and have some fun adventures 🙂

I am sivaraman from India

First of all let me place my appreciations in guiding people like us. I am visiting jakarta first time this month end and leaving for Bandung for offical work. back at jakarta and have 2 full days to explore. can u guide on how i can structure my exploring trip of Jakarta or near by places.also i am a pure vegetarian and kindly suggest some good veggie restaurants..

Hi Sivaraman,

Where do you want to visit in Jakarta? For 2 days I would suggest the National Monument and places around the area, and on the second day can check out the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Vegetarian restaurants, ummm.. not too sure. I only know these two: – VMAD – Vegetarian Madness. Address: Sarinah Building Lantai Ground No. 11, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No.11 – Loving Hut, they have several stalls around Jakarta.

Hope it helps and have a great time in Jakarta.

dates 28th and 29th MAY

hello..it is a very usefull info..thank you so much

will do the no. 6 and 7 setelah di review jadi kelihatan menarik, kenapa saya gak pernah ngeh ya.. hehehe..

Do not forget to visit Jakarta’s Ragunan Zoo that have been mention as one of the biggest in Asean. Also U can visit “Setu Babakan” to learn about the Betawi culture & heritage (native jakartan). Both are located in South of Jakarta.

I have another bucket list to visit Monas, not only the park, but also going to the highest floor of Monas. 🙂

Good choice Dee. You get great views from the top 🙂

Wuuuw someone finally writes about the crazy Jakarta city!! A nice one kak 😀 Aku biasanya cuma mall lagi mall lagi sampe eneg hahaha. Ternyata banyak yang lainnya.

Hahahah this is probably the most popular article on my blog actually. Every day 250+ people read it. 😀 Mungkin karena gak ada orang lain yang bikin.

A very interesting and also very complete report on Jakarta. We also stayed a couple of nights in Indonesia´s capital and we are still not sure if we like it or not 😀

It’s an interesting city, but a lot to take in for a first timer 😀

Very cool article and this is going to help me visit the city next year.

Glad you found the article useful Marc. Hope you have a good time in Jakarta next year.

baru nyoba yang nomor 1 dan 15 lol ?

It’s a good start :p

I really love your writing style and Thanks for this amazing information about Jakarta.

Glad you found it interesting Jesse 🙂

Hi! I have found this blog and continue reading it! My flight is next month date 9. Im so excited to go there now! We were also going to puncak too. We take 1 week vacation! Btw im from Philippines!

Hey Kaye. A week in Indonesia should be great. Puncak is a nice place if you are looking for something a bit more relaxed than Jakarta.

Hi Firsta’.. Flyng there are 6 of us including a infant and a kid . staying for 6 nights. We need to visit to boro budur, bandung and sumatra. If there is a chance bali also ok. Please help me to plan my trip. What are the places that we can see. Any flights available from jakartha to sumatra. We need a vehicle with a driver. Please help me

Hi Sama, Yes there are various flights available from Jakarta to various destinations in Sumatra. I would say that 6 nights is ok for Jakarta, Bandung, Borobudur (located in Magelang, but get in through Yogyakarta), and Sumatra. Maybe should get rid 1 destination though. I don’t think you will have time for Bali.

[…] such proper motivation, it’s time for sightseeing. With only a short time in the city I would head first to the National Museum of Indonesia. The […]

Hello, Thank you for this blog its very helpful.. i’m coming to jakarta next week, I will stay there 2 days before going to bali.. seems like i can’t visit all the places u mentioned it here.. can you please help me and tell me what is the best things or places i should visit in this 2 days? thank you

Hi Belen, My suggestions: Jalan Surabaya, the Old Town (Kota Tua), and National Monument areas. Hope you have a great time in Jakarta.

anybody know about rooms near indian embassy in jakarta ?

Hi Saji, you can try to find a hotel in Rasuna Said area and it should be easy to go to Indian Embassy.

Hi Firsta I will be travelling to Jakarta next week INSHALLAH for 4 days with my husband and my 5 year n 2 year old daughters. Do u think it is ok to get my double stroller wid me? And also if u could suggest places to visit and places to eat with my picky eaters.

Hi Sadiqa, It should be fine to take your double stroller with you. Keep in mind that Jakarta is not really a walking city. If you visit the malls you’ll probably do lots of walking, but there aren’t many open air spaces that you can explore. In regards to places to eat Lara Djonggrang is one of my favourite restaurants for Indonesian food in a nice setting. You’ll find plenty of other good recommendations based on your tastes on Google or Zomato. Hope you have a good time in Jakarta. 🙂

Ah, i never go to Jakarta. Only transit at Airport. Sad

Hope you have the chance to explore Jakarta in the future. It is an interesting yet challenging city.

I’m heading to Jakarta next week, so this was very helpful!

Hi Masirwin,

I am glad you found this article useful. Hope you have a great time in Jakarta.

Hi Firsta, I love your posts, there are so many helpful things on it, great work. We’ll be in Jakarta in October for 18 days with my wife and 3 years old daughter and we’re hoping to spend 14 days outside Jakarta and our last 4 in Jakarta. I need your help to where to spend the 2 weeks, we’ve done Bali and lombok, loved lombok and would appreciate it if you can guide us to similar places as lombok be it in java or salawisi. We’re open for suggestions, btw we’re planning on staying at the grand mercure Kemayoran, your thoughts if it’s a good choice thank you.

Dear Azzam, Kemayoran is a great place to stay if you are coming to Jakarta to attend an exhibition/fair that are usually located in Kemayoran. If not, I would recommend Cikini/Menteng or Thamrin area. How about Yogyakarta? It is one of my favourite cities in Indonesia. Check out several things to do in Yogyakarta article here . I also love Flores, you can see the Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park. Check here for things to do in and around Labuan Bajo, Flores.

Hi, I am thinking a 5D or 4D visit to Jakarta alone. Can someone give some ideas on what must do in Jakarta, and how is the transport and expenses there? Roughly how much will be needed as I am on a budget trip.

Dear Vivian, You can find some inspirations from this article. Happy planning!

kak boleh ijin copy beberapa kontenya kak?gak semua ntar saya taro link web kakaknya

Halo Try, terima kasih sudah meminta ijin. Saya tidak mengijinkan, sebaiknya Try tulis sendiri saja untuk konten yang diinginkan. Happy blogging.

can you advise me a shopping mall close to the airport CGK can you advise me a hotel close to the airport CGK where guests can use the swimming pool

Hi Jan, I don’t know any malls near the airport. Maybe Taman Anggrek and Citraland? It is not really close to the airport but close enough. If you want to use swimming pool, maybe go to hotels close to the airport.

Hi, I plan to visit in November with my wife and daughter (13 months old) for 7 days. Would you recommend Jakarta as being a good place for a family to visit? I will surely be using a buggy to get around.

Hi Sayed, Jakarta doesn’t have a lot of public spaces. It depends on what you would like to do and see. If you want to do some shopping (tons of malls) and see some city landmarks, Jakarta is ok. I personally love Yogyakarta. Maybe visit both cities? You can easily fly from Jakarta to Yogyakarta or get a train. Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.

Halo Firsta, I will be visiting Indonesia, staying in Jakarta and Bali. Where can I find good batik for good prices? And, for a larger gal like myself?

Thanks so much

Dear Shevon,

Try to check at Thamrin City when you are in Jakarta. When you are in Bali there are several art markets like in Ubud or Sukawati. Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.

I am going to visit Jakarta next week, i am planing to spare a day for 1000 island’s trip, any other place where i can go if incase if will have 4-5 hours max because i have to reach airport at 09:00 pm

Hi Kaiser, I don’t have any idea for a day trip to 1000 islands. Maybe a trip to Kelor and Onrust. I would recommend to explore the Kota Tua area (old town area).

Hi! Early of february next month i’ll be in jakarta. Im staying in thamrin city. My flight back to Malaysia is at 7.30am. What time is the perfect time to leave the hotel? I hope Im on time to reach soekarno airport.

Hi Melle, with departure time at 7:30 am, this means you have to be at the airport at 5:30. I think around 4-4:30 should be ok. Please consult to the receptionist of your hotel to make sure. Have a great time in Indonesia.

[…] was in South America when I saw several photos from the exhibition in Jakarta. The exhibition of Yayoi Kusama with titled: Life is The Heart of a Rainbow. I realised that I […]

Hi.. I’ll be in Jakarta for 5 days from 14th Feb. As a solo traveller, I have a several questions to ask. ? I’m staying at Mangga Dua area. Is it safe for me? ? I do understand Jakarta weather now is probably raining with thunderstorm. Is it difficult for me to go anywhere? ? Any island that I can visit for a day tour instead of staying overnight at the island? ? Which place I can get the cheapest souvenirs?

Hi Azlina, My favourite is Cikini-Menteng area, but nothing wrong with Mangga Dua area. At the moment it is usually rain in the afternoon, close to sunset time. So I guess it should be ok to explore the city. I have never been gone to an island for a day from Jakarta, but I know that you can find a day trip for Onrust – Cipir / Kayangan Island – Kelor Island. I don’t have any recommendation for the travel company, sorry. For cheapest souvenirs, umm.. it depends what you would like to find. For Batik/fabric/clothes stuff, can try to check out Thamrin City. Hope you have a great time in Indonesia.

Hi firsta, Our flight on jakarta is on may 5-9 2019 which starts the ramadan day. No idea if there still open attractions/tourist area or any recommendations that even ramadan day my family especially the kids will enjoy our vacation in this city. Do’s and don’t during ramadan etc. Thank you!

Dear Celeste, I’m sorry for the late reply. Hope you get in ok and have a great time in Jakarta. The tourist attractions are open as usual. It is better to not eat in public. Restaurants usually have curtains for their window glass.

Hi first, It is my first time travel in Indonesia, I arrive in the 2nd week of October. The purpose of my travel is research and data collection for my university project on the paper industry. For which I need to visit copy paper companies offices and factories. I have the following questions: – is Jakarta city good for my research or would you recommend any other city as well.? – if I am in Jakarta city, which area should I take a hostel accommodation in , where I will have easy access to all the city.? – can I rent a scooter or a motorbike to move around? What will be the rental prices! Awaiting your reply Adnan

Hi Adnan, I’m sorry, I’m not a paper expert so I can’t help you with the first question. For the second question, I think this all depends on where the location of your research. Since Jakarta is a very packed city, it’s a lot better to stay around the area where you will spend most of your time (it’s wise to try to not commute a lot in the city). So I think there is no one area where you can stay to have easy access to all the city. Central of Jakarta (such as Sabang or Menteng) is kind of okay, but still not a comfortable area if your research is around, let’s say, Kelapa Gading or East Jakarta area. The third question, I’m sure you can rent a scooter, but I don’t have any info on that. I would advise reading more about Jakarta conditions to get the idea of the city. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project.

A city that is so busy but offers a beautiful life.

Yes, it is indeed a very busy city.

Beautiful article and nice city to live. Thanks for sharing!

Can you suggest any good beach place for 4D and 3N outing near Jakarta with children and aged person.

Hi Deb, some options that I could think of: (1) SukaSantai Farmstay in Sukabumi, (2) Roemah Pulomanuk in Sawarna, Banten and (2) BSP Farm in Cigombong, Bogor. Not too far from Jakarta and should be a nice escape from the big city.

Very usefull . Surabaya Street would be favorite!

I love Surabaya street too, Harumi.

Dear Firsta Do you know the meaning of your name ? Firsta is a farsi word means angel. So, I think you are really an angel. I visited Batam Island for two times but did not go to Jakata. But I have a plan in my mind about this city. Thank you very much for giving us some pretty ideas regarding Jakarta.

Hi there, Thanks for letting me know. That’s cool. I hope you have a great time in Jakarta in the future.

Hiiii. Have you ever been to Vietnam before?

Yes, I have been to Vietnam several times. A lot of tasty food!

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JAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget + Indonesia Requirements

“Anywhere else, aside from Jakarta?”

This was the reply I would usually get whenever I said I was going to the Indonesian capital. “No, just Jakarta,” was my answer. And it took them a second to realize that they heard my response right.

Jakarta feels strangely familiar. There is so much about it that reminds me of Metro Manila, my home city. Both are capital cities of developing Southeast Asian nations. Both are among the biggest urban hubs in the world, serving as a home and/or workplace for tens of millions of people. And for many international tourists, both are seen mostly as a jump-off point to another destination, a necessary means to a more spectacular end. In Jakarta’s case, this spectacular end can be the beaches of Bali , the temples of Yogyakarta , or the picturesque volcanoes in other parts of Java.

But like Manila, Jakarta can hold its own. It may not be as Instagram-worthy, but it does have a long history and rich culture, making it a great stop for Indonesia first timers. From the numerous museums to the sumptuous street food, the city will give you a taste of what the world’s greatest archipelago has to offer.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING JAKARTA

Jakarta is the capital of and the largest city in Indonesia. Located in the island of Java, the city serves as the economic, political, and cultural center of the country. Jakarta is sprawling. Over the years, as it continues to draw in more people, it also paves way for the development of neighboring areas.

Today, Jakarta may also refer to the Greater Jakarta area or the Jakarta metropolitan area, which is also called locally as Jabodetabek , short for Jakarta–Bogor–Depok–Tangerang–Bekasi, referring to the nearby cities in West Java and Banten. And with an estimated population of 35 million, it is the second largest urban hub in the world, next only to Tokyo.

The history of Jakarta dates back to the 4th century CE, making it one of the oldest inhabited cities in Southeast Asia. It has been known by several names. Under the Sunda Kingdom, it was known as Sunda Kelapa, an important trading port at the time. In 1619, the Dutch took control and founded Batavia which became the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Then in 1942, Batavia fell to the Japanese and was under the Japanese occupation until 1945. It was 1949 when the Indonesian independence was proclaimed and Jakarta became the national capital.

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

• Language: Indonesian or Bahasa Indonesia. But most can understand and speak English.
• Religion: Islam is the dominant religion. A small part of the population practice Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
• Timezone: UTC+7 (Indonesia Western Time). Jakarta is one hour behind Manila, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, Rp). USD 1 is around IDR 15,700; EUR 1 = IDR 16,200; PHP 1 = IDR 273 (as of December 2022).
• Modes of Payment: Cash. Some establishments like restaurants also accept credit cards, but most still prefer cash. However, there are some places that only take card payments.

INDONESIA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

As of our most recent visit (November 2022), these are the requirements required for travelers going to Jakarta as mandated by the government. These must be presented when you check-in for your flight.

• Passport. Must be valid for at least 6 months.
• COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate. Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter Jakarta. Your vaccination certificate must indicate 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
• PeduliLindungi App. Download the app through google playstore or app store and register.
• E-customs Declaration Form. Fill out the form here . Print or save a digital copy of the generated QR Code.

Depending on your country of citizenship, a visa may also be required. (Filipino citizens may enter Indonesia VISA-FREE.)

WHERE TO STAY IN JAKARTA

Jakarta is huge. Covering 664.01 square kilometers, Jakarta is divided it into its five administrative cities: Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta, North Jakarta, and South Jakarta. Easy to remember, right? But these three areas have the key points of interest for tourists:

• Central Jakarta is home to major landmarks like the National Monument and Istiqlal Mosque. Also situated here is Gambir Station, a major railway station that connects the capital to other cities in Java Island. You’ll also find Grand Indonesia, one of the biggest malls in the country, around the corner. A large concentration of the accommodations in Central Jakarta can be found in Menteng .
• North Jakarta covers the harbor area, the historic port of Sunda Kelapa, and Ancol, a waterfront complex with a theme park, water park, and other various attractions.
• West Jakarta , the closest to the airport, roughly 30 minutes away. Within its territory lie parts of Kota Tua, Jakarta’s Old Town. Glodok , Jakarta’s Chinatown, where you can find a lot of food spots, is also here. A number of different types of accommodations are spread over West Jakarta.
• South Jakarta , which harbors the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), with plenty of office buildings, condominiums, hotels, and shopping malls. If you’re interested in experiencing the nightlife in Jakarta, this is the place to be. The accommodations in this area varies from high-end hotels to budget hostels so there are a lot to choose from.
• East Jakarta . This is the largest among the five administrative cities of Jakarta. However, there’s not a lot of accommodations available here. It is also the area farthest from the airport.

Best Area to Stay

In our opinion, the best area to stay is the part where Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, and North Jakarta meet. Staying here puts you in a position close to the key attractions and with plenty of dining and lodging options.

This area includes these neighborhoods:

• Glodok (Chinatown) in West Jakarta
• Menteng in Central Jakarta
• Kota Tua in North/West Jakarta

Any of places above are great for first-time Jakarta visitors. However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to spend their nights going out or partying, South Jakarta might be a great option too. Just keep in mind that this area is a bit farther from other parts of the city, especially if you plan to visit attractions in North Jakarta.

Top Budget Hotels and Hostels in Jakarta

I booked a dorm bed at The Packer Lodge near Kota Tua for only PHP 450 per night . Yep, that’s only USD 8 or 124,000 IDR. But by random streak of good luck, I was upgraded to a private solo room for FREE! (Possibly because they might have overbooked the dorm.)

But there are plenty of other options, too! Here are some of the top reviewed but affordable properties on Agoda:

• ibis Styles Jakarta Tanah Abang. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• City Biz Residence. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Sleepy Raccoon Hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Cool Living. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hotel Alia Pasar Baru. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Wonderloft Hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Jakarta Hotels!

How to get to jakarta.

The primary airport that serves Jakarta is Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) , formerly called Jakarta Cengkareng Airport. It is located at Benda, Tangerang, close to West Jakarta. It was expanded in 1991 to replace Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, which now services mostly domestic and private flights—for international flights. CGK is said to be the busiest airport in Southeast Asia and currently has 3 terminals with a fourth terminal being built.

Manila to Jakarta

As Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta is well-connected. If you’re coming from Manila, Cebu Pacific flies directly to Jakarta and vice versa DAILY. The flight departs from Manila at 8:40 PM and takes around four hours. This is perfect for busy bees who cannot afford to file another leave of absence from work or students who can’t miss a school day. This also means you arrive in Jakarta just before midnight, bypassing heavy traffic to the city center.

For your return journey, Cebu Pacific’s Jakarta-Manila flights are scheduled at 12:30 AM, allowing you to make the most of your last day in Jakarta! Just leave your luggage temporarily at your hotel upon checkout, explore the city the entire day, and pick it up before heading to the airport.

Cebu Pacific has three bundle options for your flight booking: GO Basic comes with a free hand-carry baggage allowance (7kg). If you want a checked bag and reserved seats, GO Easy includes a one piece checked baggage (up to 20kg) and a standard seat. For more flexibility, GO Flexi allows you to cancel your flight for free and store the value as a travel fund.

To book, visit: www.cebupacificair.com .

Jakarta Airport to City Center

Travel time from the airport to your hotel depends on which part of Jakarta you choose to stay, but it could take between 30 minutes to an hour. The most convenient way is by taking a taxi or using a ride hailing app. More details about these below.

Countless taxis await potential passengers at the airport. After going through customs and before reaching the exit, you’ll be welcomed by people offering you taxi services. If you want to take a taxi, a recommended taxi service by locals is Blue Bird . You’ll find a Blue Bird booth to your left after you exit, near the SIM card stores.

However, in my experience, their rate was higher than Grab, but this could vary. You can go to the booth to inquire about the fare going to your hotel and compare it to rates on Grab or Gojek.

By Grab or Gojek

These two are the ride hailing apps available in Jakarta. It is easy to use and booking a ride only takes a few minutes. The Grab pick-up point in Terminal 3 is located at the parking of the arrival area. After you pass through customs, turn to your right and head towards the Pick-up zone. You should be exiting through the West Lobby door. At the parking, you will find signage for the Grab Pick-up Point.

It is important to know that the fare that shows on the app is not the final fare. A parking fee and highway fee or toll fee will be added on top of it. This was also clearly communicated by the person at the Grab Pick-up point once I got there and the driver after I entered the car. But the Grab fare still turned out cheaper than the Blue Bird rate even after adding these fees.

• Parking Fee: IDR 5,000
• Highway/toll fee: IDR 18,500

Gojek is also available at the airport. The pick-up point at Terminal 3 is also located at the international parking area. Gojek also adds the parking fee & toll fee plus a location fee on top of the fare that shows on the app when you book your ride.

Internet Connection / Data SIM in Jakarta

The most affordable way of staying connected in Indonesia is by purchasing a data SIM card. However, SIM cards in Jakarta need to be registered first, so you’ll need to present your passport to get one. Two of the most popular internet providers are XL Axiata and Telkomsel.

You can get a SIM card at the airport, but keep in mind that the prices here are significantly higher than prices at a telco branch or SIM card center. Moreover, airport stores are open only from 7:00AM to 3:00AM.

If you’re from any of the countries below, you can have the data SIM card delivered to you via Klook:

• Deliver SIM to INDIA
• Deliver to SINGAPORE
• Deliver SIM to HONG KONG
• Deliver SIM to VIETNAM

If you’re from the Philippines or any other country, you may opt to pick up Indonesia DATA SIM at the Jakarta Airport (Soekarno Hatta International Airport). The pick up location is at the JavaMifi booth at Terminal 3 Departure at the 2nd floor. The staff will also help you set up the sim card on your phone. However, the operating hours is from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM only. You can purchase one here: Indonesia DATA SIM Jakarta Airport Pickup!

If you’re arriving in Jakarta late at night, you won’t be able to avail of this since their registration has a cut-off time. Another option to consider is Grapari , the SIM card center of the telecommunications company Telkomsel . They have multiple locations all over Jakarta. If you want to save and you can manage to go from the airport without data, just look up the Grapari branch closest to your hotel. More info on its website .

HOW TO GET AROUND JAKARTA

Jakarta is a very busy city and there are various transportation options available. There are a lot of taxis all over the city and you can also use ride hailing apps. Commuting is also an option since they have an efficient public bus transportation called Transjakarta . However, because it is a busy city, the traffic gets heavy especially during rush hours.

If you’re visiting attractions, some of them are within walking distance from each other. You can walk from The National Monument to see Merdeka Palace, and then walk to the National Museum. You can also explore Kota Tua or the Old Town on foot. You can choose from the following mode of transportations to explore Indonesia’s capital depending on your budget and preferences.

There are a lot of taxis around the city. In some areas there are cabs lined up by the side of the road so you don’t have to hail a cab on the street anymore. The suggested reliable taxi company in Jakarta is Blue Bird . Their units are easy to spot because they’re, well, blue.

Riding a taxi may pose a challenge because of language barrier since not everyone speaks and understands English. But what you can do is write down the address of your destination or find it on Google Maps, and show it to the driver when you take a taxi. You may also ask your hotel to call a taxi for you and ask them for help to communicate your destination to the driver.

By Grab or GoJek

• Car. If you want a more convenient mode of transportation, book a Grab or Gojek. It is more simple since all you need to do is pin your pick-up location and destination on the app and wait for your car to arrive. You may also pay using credit card or cash when using ride hailing apps.
• Motorcycle. This is the best way to beat the traffic in Jakarta. If you’re traveling solo, Grab and GoJek also have a motorcycle/bike option. The motorcycle is also much cheaper compared to the car option. So if you’re on a budget, this is a great option to get from one place to another quicker and at a less price.

By Transjakarta Bus

Taking public transportation is the cheapest option. Each ride costs only IDR 3,500 no matter where your destination is. The bus is very efficient since there are 13 lines and over 200 stations all over the city. You may use Google maps to know which bus line you should take and where you should get off to reach your destination.

Here’s how you can ride the Transjakarta buses:

• Purchase a Transjakarta Card at a convenience store. These cards are available at any Indomaret, Alfamart, and other convenience stores in Jakarta. Each card costs IDR 27,500.
• Top up your card at the digital kiosk at any station. You may also top-up your card when you purchase it at a convenience store, but their minimum amount is IDR 50,000 while you can top up as low as P10,000 at the station.
• Tap your bus card on the ticket barrier at the station to enter.
• Tap again to exit the station where you’ll get off.

Riding the bus can take much longer compared to the taxi, car service, or motorcycle taxi. You can look up your destination on Google maps and compare the travel time for each and decide from there depending on your time and budget.

THINGS TO DO IN JAKARTA

Also known as Old Batavia , Kota Tua is Jakarta’s Old Town. It was a part of the first walled settlement of the Dutch in Jakarta and also served as the capital of the Dutch East Indies. In this area, you will find Dutch-style structures from the 17th century. Some of them used to be government buildings that has been turned into museums. Here are some of the places you can visit in Kota Tua.

• Jakarta History Museum , also called the Fatahillah Museum or Batavia Museum. It used to be the city hall of Batavia. After Indonesia gained its independence, it became the seat of the West Java governor until 1961 and a museum in 1974. Today it highlights Indonesia’s past from the pre-historic era to the Dutch colonization to independence. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000
• Fatahillah Square , where shophouses used to stand. It is located right at the center of the old town and is surrounded by museums. It serves as a recreational area for locals and tourists alike. Bikes are also available for rent at IDR 20,000 per unit, good for 30 minutes.

• Museum Wayang , putting the spotlight on Indonesia’s traditional puppet theater. Admire various types of wayang like wayang kulit , Javanese leather puppets, and wayang golek , Sundanese three-dimensional wooden puppets. In the museum’s garden, you will find the funeral site of Jan Pieterszoon Con, the Governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000
• Museum Bank Indonesia , housed in a heritage building that used to be the De Javasche Bank, the central bank of Dutch East Indies. It was converted into a museum in 2006, presenting the role of Bank Indonesia in Indonesian history as well as the history of currencies and trade in the country. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000
• Bank Mandiri Museum , the corporate museum of Bank Mandiri. Established in 1998, this museum is home to artifacts that was used in banking activities in the past. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Entrance Fee: IDR 15,000
• Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics , housed in the former Court of Justice under the Dutch. It showcases traditional Indonesian paintings and ceramics. Join a pottery workshop and make a piece of your choice. The workshop lasts for 30 to 45 minutes. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000 – Pottery Workshop: IDR 50,000
• Cafe Batavia , set in the second oldest building in the square. Constructed in the 19th century, the 2-story building has a bar, performance stage, and lounge area on the ground floor and the “Grand Salon”, which is the main dining hall on the upper floor. This is one of the most recommended restaurants in Jakarta because of its historic location, good food, and great service. They serve Indonesian food from breakfast to dinner plus a few western dishes. Their menu also includes coffee, tea, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic drinks. – Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM; Saturday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM; Sunday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM

The biggest Chinatown in Indonesia, Glodok was established back in the Dutch colonial period.

Today, Glodok is dotted with stores selling snacks and Chinese medicine. There’s also a market where you can buy seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Foodies will also be delighted by an array of dining options, from street food stalls to food courts.

Merdeka Square & Surrounding Landmarks

Merdeka Square serves as a recreational park for the locals. With an area of around 75 hectares, the square is so vast that they even have a shuttle to take you to the National Monument , its centerpiece.

If you visit at night, you will see the Monas light up and illuminate the square. There’s also a food court area here where you can have snacks or a meal.

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Entrance Fee: FREE

Here are some of the structures within and around Jakarta’s Merdeka Square:

• National Monument , also called Monas , the symbol of Indonesian independence. The 132-meter (433-foot) monument was erected under President Sukarno and was opened to the public in 1975. Incorporated in its design is the date of the proclamation of Indonesia’s independence — August 17, 1945. Visitors may enter the National Monument and climb to the top to get a panoramic view of central Jakarta. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Entrance Fee: IDR 40,000

• National Museum of Indonesia , aka the Elephant Museum or Museum Gajah because of the elephant statue in front of the museum building. It is said to be the most complete in the country. It boasts around 141,000 artifacts including pre-historic, anthropological, and archeological artifacts from Indonesia and other parts of Asia, housed in two main buildings: Gedung Gajah which is the old wing, and Gedung Arca which is a new wing that was added in 2007. – Operating Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Entrance Fee: IDR 25,000
• Jakarta Cathedral , officially named The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta. The current neo-Gothic structure is not the original church, but what was rebuilt after it collapsed in 1890.
• Merdeka Palace , located on the north side of Merdeka Square. It is also known as Istana Merdeka in Indonesian. The construction of the palace started in 1873 and was completed in 1879. It was then called the Palace of the Governor-general. After Indonesia gained its independence in 1949, it became the residence of the president of the Republic of Indonesia. You may see the palace from across the street near Merdeka Square.
• Istiqlal Mosque , the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. Its construction took 17 years, from 1961 to 1978. It was built to mark the independence of Indonesia hence the name Istiqlal , which means independence in Arabic. Visitors may enter the mosque through Gate 5, which is right across the Jakarta Cathedral. They also provide a guided tour of the mosque to tourists. The tour is FREE but you are welcome to give a tip or donation. Tour is held every 30 minutes from 10am to 11:30am, from 1pm to 3pm, and 4pm to 4:30pm.

A 19th century market located in Central Jakarta, Pasar Baru is one of the oldest shopping districts in the city.

The whole street is lined with stores selling mostly textiles, shoes, and clothes. You will definitely not miss this area when you visit because the street is marked by a bridge and a gate that displays its name.

Ancol Beach

Ancol is a waterfront complex located in the coastal area of North Jakarta. Inside Ancol is a theme park called Dunia Fantasi or Dufan. You’ll also find Atlantis Water Adventure which is a waterpark featuring the ancient cities of the Mediterranean.

Also located within he complex are an ecopark, an art market, and Gondola Ancol , which is the first cable car ride in Indonesia. Each of these attractions has a separate entrance fee.

You may purchase tickets online through their website . You may also pay for the ticket at the entrance on-site, but take note that they only accept card payments for now.

Operating Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Entrance Fee: IDR 25,000

Textile Museum

Textiles are a huge part of Indonesia’s culture. Museum Tekstil displays collections from different parts of the country. Located in West Jakarta, the museum was inaugurated in 1976 in honor of Madame Tien Soeharto, who was Indonesia’s first lady at the time.

Aside from the different textiles, traditional weaving instruments and equipment used to make batik also take centerstage inside the museum.

Visitors may also join a workshop where you can get try making batik. From the gate of the museum, turn to your left and follow the sign that says Pendopo Batik . You may also tell the person at the entrance that you want to make batik so they can lead you to the workshop area. Here, the nice ladies who make batik will guide you through the whole process starting from tracing your chosen design and using the tjanting , a traditional tool used to apply the liquid was to the fabric in batik making. The whole process takes around an hour and you get to keep your batik and the tjanting as a souvenir!

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000 Batik Making: IDR 40,000

Jalan Surabaya Flea Market

Along Jalan Surabaya in Menteng District lies a flea market. The street is lined with stores selling tons of various antique items. A visit to Jalan Surabaya is a must — especially if you’re interested in antique items or you just like looking at random unique pieces, from trinkets to collectibles to chandeliers. Also available are old CDs and vinyls, ceramics, and a lot more!

WHERE TO EAT IN JAKARTA

Jakarta’s food scene mirrors Indonesia’s rich culture and long history. The food here is a mix of different cuisines from various parts of Indonesia, with influences from other places. You won’t have a hard time looking for a place to eat in Jakarta because it’s bursting with choices — from street food stalls to hawker centers (food courts) to proper sit-down restaurants. And because Indonesia has a strong coffee culture, you will also find a lot of cafes ranging from traditional establishments to modern ones that give a new spin to everyone’s favorite drink.

• Sabang Street. Found in Central Jakarta, Sabang street food or Kampung Kuliner Sabang is located along Jl. H. Agus Salim. Starting at around 5PM, vendors begin to set up and open up their tents by the side of the road. This is one of the best places to visit in Jakarta if you want to try various Indonesian dishes — including sate , gudeg , nasi goreng , and martabak .
• Glodok. Chinatown’s streets are flanked with establishments selling snacks, fruits, and desserts. Some stalls also sell meals like bakso and nasi goreng that you can eat right there on the kerbside while sitting on a chair.
• Petak Enam. If you prefer to have a meal more comfortably while you’re in Chinatown, head over to Petak Enam, a food court in Glodok. The place is filled to the seams with stalls offering various Indonesian dishes and other cuisines too including soto betawi , which is beef soup with coconut milk broth; and nasi campur , white rice served with different types of meat dishes.

– Rumah Makan Surya Operating Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Address: Jl. Bendungan Hilir 

• Kopi Es Ta Kie. A breakfast place in Glodok, Kopi Es Ta Kie is one of the oldest cafes in Jakarta. This family-owned institution has been in business since 1927 and has been passed on over generations. They are open from early morning to early afternoon serving food like nasi campur, bakmi ayam, and more along with their coffee. Aside from the restaurant in Glodok, they also now have several branches in Jakarta. – Operating Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. But they might close early once they sell out.
• Kopi Oey Sabang. Kopi Oey has several branches, too, but their most popular branch is probably the one in Sabang. The coffee shop has an Indonesian Chinese design with walls paintings and framed photos of food. Their menu includes a variety of nasi goreng, soto and sop, mie or noodles, pasta, roti, and other Indonesian breakfast food. If you’re a coffee lover, included in their selection are single origin coffee which you can pick your preferred brewing method. – Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday to Saturday, 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM – Address: Jl. H. Agus Salim 
• Giyanti Coffee Roastery. if you’re after cafes with Instagrammable interiors, consider Giyanti Coffee Roastery in Jalan Surabaya. This is a perfect stop for coffee and pastries for breakfast or after you feast your eyes with antiques and shop at the flea market. It has a vibrant interior and a lot of seating space including an outdoor area with a garden feel. Because it is also a roastery, you can also purchase coffee beans here that you can take home. – Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Monday, CLOSED – Address: Jl. Surabaya, Menteng  – Note: Giyanti Coffee Roastery does not accept cash payments. You may pay using debit or credit card.

SAMPLE JAKARTA ITINERARY

Here’s a sample 3-Day Jakarta itinerary with breakdown of expenses. This assumes that you will be flying with Cebu Pacific, staying in Central Jakarta, and taking public transportation to go around. You may use this itinerary and make adjustments based on your schedule and preferences.

• DAY 0: ARRIVAL 11:50 AM – Arrival in Jakarta 1:00 AM – Purchase SIM card, IDR 250,000 1:30 AM – Grab to hotel, IDR 160,000 1:40 AM – Hotel check-in
• DAY 1: CENTRAL JAKARTA 8:00 AM – Wake up call 9:00 AM – Breakfast at Kopi Oey Sabang, IDR 90,000 10:00 AM – Buy Transjakarta Card, IDR 27,500 10:30 AM – Walk to Merdeka Square 10:40 AM – National Monument, IDR 40,000 11:30 AM – Walk to Merdeka Palace 11:40 AM – Merdeka Palace 12:00 PM – Lunch, IDR 100,000 1:00 PM – National Museum, IDR 25,000 2:30 PM – Bus to Istiqlal Mosque, IDR 3500 3:20 PM – Jakarta Cathedral 3:45 PM – Istiqlal Mosque, Tour at 4pm 5:00 PM – Walk to Pasar Baru 5:10 PM – Pasar Baru 6:10 PM – Bus to Padang Street Food, IDR 3,500 6:40 PM – Padang Street Food, IDR 100,000 
9:00 PM – Back to hotel
• DAY 2: KOTA TUA 8:00 AM – Wake up call 9:00 AM – Breakfast at Kopi Es Tak Kie, IDR 85,000 10:00 AM – Bus to Kota Tua, IDR 3,500 10:30 AM – Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramic, IDR 5,000 11:00 AM – Pottery Workshop, IDR 50,000 12:00 PM – Lunch at Cafe Batavia, IDR 200,000 1:00 PM – Jakarta History Museum, IDR 5,000 2:00 PM – Museum Wayang, IDR 5,000 3:00 PM – Museum Bank Indonesia, IDR 5,000 4:00 PM – Bus to Ancol, IDR 3,500 5:00 PM – Ancol, IDR 25,000 7:30 PM – Dinner, IDR 100,000 8:30 PM – Back to hotel 9:00 PM – Lights out
• DAY 3: JALAN SURABAYA & GLODOK 9:00 AM – Wake up call 10:00 AM – Early check-out, leave bags 10:30 AM – Brunch @ Giyanti Coffee Roastery, IDR 100,000 11:30 AM – Jalan Surabaya Flea Market 12:30 PM – Textile Museum, IDR 5,000 1:30 AM – Batik Making, IDR 40,000 2:30 PM – Bus to Glodok, IDR 3,500 3:30 PM – Explore Glodok 7:00 PM – Dinner, IDR 80,000 8:00 PM – Back to hotel, get bags 9:00 PM – Grab to airport, IDR 160,000 9:40 PM – Flight Check-in 12:30 PM – Flight out

This itinerary will set you back around IDR 2,700,000 (USD 172, EUR 165, SGD 235, PHP 9700), excluding airfare and travel tax , but assuming you book a hotel room that costs around IDR 200,000 per night. You may still minimize the cost if you stay in a dorm or book a cheaper hotel like we did. In reality we only paid IDR 124,000 per night.

This also includes a big allowance for incidental expenses.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

When is the best time to visit jakarta.

May to October is the best time to visit since these are the driest months in Jakarta.

Jakarta has a tropical climate. The temperature here doesn’t change so much throughout the year. However, the chance of rain varies significantly making the wet and dry season very apparent. The dry months are from May to October, with the driest month being August, so schedule your trip around this time if you want to avoid the rain ruining your plans.

The wettest months are September to April, with the most rain in January. During these months, some parts of the city are prone to flooding.Public holidays may also affect the traffic and the operating hours of attractions and other establishments. Here’s the list of public holidays in Indonesia:

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• Chinese New Year – February 11
• Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad – February 28
• Hindu New Year – March 3
• Good Friday – March or April
• International Labor Day – May 1
• Eid-al-Fitr
• Ascencion of Jesus Christ – April or May
• Pancasila Day – June 1
• Eid-ul-Adha
• Islamic New Year – July 30
• Independence Day – August 17
• Maulid Nabi – October 8
• Christmas – December 25

Where to exchange currencies in Jakarta?

I’ve only tried a couple of money changers along Gajah Mada near Glodok. They are open until late night and there’s one that is open for 24 hours. DollarIndo and Primatama have the same or very similar rates, which are pretty good.

What is the power plug or socket used in Jakarta?

Electricity Info: 230V, 50Hz frequency. Type C and F plugs and sockets.

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Explore Jakarta

Plan your trip to jakarta: best of jakarta tourism.

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Essential Jakarta

Where to eat

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Jakarta Is Great For

Cultural tours.

Historical Tours

• Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta
• Mandarin Oriental Jakarta
• Ashley Tanah Abang
• The Langham, Jakarta
• Grand Orchardz Hotel Kemayoran, Jakarta
• Sana Sini Restaurant
• PASOLA Restaurant
• SKYE Bar & Restaurant
• Dining Room At Park Hyatt Jakarta
• Thousand Islands
• Grand Indonesia Mall
• Jakarta Aquarium & Safari
• Jakarta Old Town
• Tanah Abang Market
• Active Volcano, Rice Field, Hot Spring, Fruit market, Tea Plantation with Lunch
• Private Half-day Tour : Visit Highlights Places of Jakarta (4 Hours)
• Jakarta City Tour (Explore Highlights places & Local activities)
• Private FullDay Jakarta Wonderfull Tour with Lunch & Souvenir
• Jakarta: Botanical Garden, Waterfall, Mountain Springs,Rice Field

• 1.1 Orientation
• 2.1 History
• 2.2 Climate
• 2.3 Tourism information
• 4.1 By plane
• 4.2 By train
• 4.4 By minibus
• 4.5 By boat
• 5.1 By metro/light rail
• 5.2 By commuter train
• 5.3 By busway
• 5.4 By Mikrotrans
• 5.5 By tour bus
• 5.6 By public bus
• 5.8 By taxi
• 5.9 By bajaj
• 5.10 By ojek
• 5.11 By helicopter
• 5.12 By bicycle
• 5.13 By eScooter
• 5.14 On foot
• 7.1 Betawi culture
• 7.3 Performing arts festivals
• 7.4.2 Football
• 7.4.3 Badminton
• 7.5 Karaoke
• 10.1 Shopping malls
• 10.2 Markets
• 11.1 Budget
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge
• 14.1 Protests
• 15 Stay healthy
• 16.1 Telephone
• 16.2 Internet
• 16.4 Emergency
• 17.2 Immigration office
• 17.3 Embassies and consulates
• 18.1 Within the metropolitan area:
• 18.2 A bit further off

Jakarta is Indonesia 's capital and largest city, with about 10 million inhabitants, and a total 30 million in Greater Jakarta on the Java island. Dubbed The Big Durian , an equivalent to New York 's Big Apple, its concrete jungle, traffic frenzy, and hot polluted air may tempt you to skip the city as fast as possible, but what awaits inside will change your perspective! One of the most bustling and cosmopolitan cities in Asia, the J-Town has cheerful nightlife, vibrant shopping malls, a variety of foods, refreshing greenery, cultural diversity and a rich history, that caters to all levels of budget and how much fun you want to have.

Districts [ edit ]

Administratively, Jakarta is a province called the Jakarta Special Capital Region ( Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta ). It is administratively divided into 5 municipalities and 1 regency (the Thousand Islands in the Jakarta Bay):

Satellite cities : The Jakarta megalopolis of 30 million inhabitants includes Jakarta and the following satellite cities:

• Bogor - One of the primary destinations to escape from Jakarta, with well-kept natural habitats, world class botany garden, resorts, and multiple golf courses
• Tangerang - The airport, many large commercial centres and clustered homes
• Bekasi - Mostly industrial parks
• Depok - Home to the University of Indonesia

A common abbreviation to describe the megalopolitan area is Jabodetabek ( Ja karta, Bo gor, De pok, Ta ngerang, Bek asi).

Orientation [ edit ]

Finding places in Jakarta, especially smaller buildings not on the main arteries, is easier said than done. Sometimes, the same name is used for different streets in different parts of the city, and it's often difficult to find the correct street or address without the postal code/region. A sign with a street name facing you indicates the name of the street you are about to enter, not that of the cross street. Alleys off a main road are often simply notated by Roman numerals, hence a street address like "Jl. Mangga Besar VIII/21" means house number 21 on alley number 8 (VIII) off the main road of Jl. Mangga Besar.

Fortunately, there is a logic to the name of the street. Outside of the corridors of high rise offices, you basically can find out on what branch of the street you're on by looking at the name of the streets without the Roman numerals. Most often the name of the area is the same as the name of the street, especially if it also bears the phrase Jalan Raya or avenues. Knowing this almost takes you there, but gated clusters of houses have their own main roads that do not follow the convention, even though they are branches of a specific street. In that case, knowing the name of the housing cluster would be the best option in addition to the above rules. Conveniently, most navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze are useful for finding addresses and places throughout Jakarta due to regular updates from users.

If you don't want to waste time, ask for the description or name of nearby landmarks or buildings, billboards, color of the building or fence, or the postal code. If you still cannot find the address, start asking people on the street, especially ojek (motorcycle taxi drivers).

Understand [ edit ]

Jakarta's nickname among expats is the Big Durian , and like the fruit itself, it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 30 million people packed into a vast urban sprawl. The metropolitan area is a magnet for Indonesians, both as a business and a government centre, and the most developed city in the country. But all of this comes at a cost: the city has been struggling very hard to keep up with the urban growth. Major roads are packed up during rush hours and weekends, sometimes all day during rainy season due to motorcyclists sheltering under the fly-over or the tunnel when it's raining heavily, thus causing additional congestion, while the growth of the public transportation system has been unable to keep up.

All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can afford to indulge in Jakarta's charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting, most lively global cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from green parks and historical centres, to cosmopolitan shopping, diverse gourmet choices, and some of the hippest nightlife in Southeast Asia!

History [ edit ]

The port of -6.117944 106.808801 1 Sunda Kelapa dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day Bogor . The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese, who were given permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran to erect a godown (warehouse) in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was conquered by Prince Fatahillah , a Muslim prince from Cirebon , who changed the name to Jayakarta .

By the early 17th century, however, the Dutch had pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619 secured their hold on the island. Under the name Batavia , the new Dutch town became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the Queen of the East .

However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death rates and earning the town the epithet White Man's Graveyard . In the early 1800s most canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4 km inland and the Pearl of the Orient flourished once again.

In 1740, Chinese slaves rebelled against the Dutch. The rebellion was put down harshly with the massacre of thousands of Chinese slaves. The survivors were exiled to Sri Lanka .

In 1795, the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by France, and on March 17, 1798, the Batavian Republic , a satellite state of France, took over the VOC's debts and assets. But on August 26, 1811, a British expedition led by Lord Minto defeated the French/Dutch troops in Jakarta, leading to a brief liberation and subsequent administration of Indonesia by the British (led by Sir Stamford Raffles of Singapore fame) in 1811-1816. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Indonesia was handed over from the British to the Dutch government.

The name Jakarta was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city was conquered by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with the capital briefly shifted to Yogyakarta after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until 1949, four years after Indonesian Independence, when the Dutch accepted the independence and handed back the town, which became Indonesia's capital again.

Since independence, Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, thanks to migrants coming to the city from across the Indonesian archipelago. The entire Jabodetabek (Jakarta- Bogor - Depok - Tangerang - Bekasi ) metropolitan region is estimated to have a population of about 30 million.

Climate [ edit ]

Jakarta, like the rest of Indonesia, is under the tropical climate classification. It has two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. It is hot and usually humid with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is about 28°C (82°F), hot compared to other cities across Indonesia, especially because of the absence of trees in many areas.

November to March is the peak of the rainy season, and floods and traffic chaos on many of the streets usually occur. At its worst, floods can result in standstill on the prone spots and takes a few days to subside; canal-widening and cleanings have mitigated the effect substantially and for most major roads, a couple hours is all it takes for the standing water to be wiped out. Even in rainy seasons, the sun usually appears for hours each day. During the transition from rainy to dry season or vice versa (April-May & September-October), there is occasional rain. Sometimes it pours; other times it's not a washout. The good thing is that it cools down the air after a sweltering hot day. The rain is almost always absent from June through August.

Tourism information [ edit ]

• -6.1864 106.82137 1 "Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Centre , Jakarta Theater Building, Jl. MH. Thamrin No. 9 , ☏ +62 21 314 2067 . ( updated Nov 2016 )
• "Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Service , Terminal 2D Arrival, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport , ☏ +62 21 550 7088 . ( updated Nov 2016 )

Talk [ edit ]

As the capital of Indonesia, it is unsurprising that nearly all residents of Jakarta are able to speak Indonesian . However, Jakarta also has its own local language that is known as Betawi , which has a Malay base but incorporates many loan words from Arabic , Portuguese , Dutch and Hokkien .

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Jakarta ( JKT  IATA ) has two airports with scheduled flights:

-6.1252 106.6597 2 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport ( CGK  IATA ) is 20 km northwest of the city in the neighboring city of Tangerang , and handles most commercial flights. This airport, along with transportation options to and from the airport, is covered in a separate article . An express train runs every half hour to Sudirman station right at downtown in one hour for Rp70,000. The state-owned DAMRI buses take you to various major transportation hubs (trains & other buses) routinely, while the JAConnexion buses serves a number of hotels and shopping malls within the metro area for up to Rp50,000. Many hotels are generous enough to offer shuttles from the airport. There is a dedicated tollway that takes you to the city, which should take 45 to 90 minutes. Avoid taking conventional or online taxi in rush hour as it may charge you more than Rp300.000.

-6.2653 106.8856 3 Halim Perdanakusuma Airport ( HLP  IATA ) is smaller and much closer to the city (in East Jakarta ), is served by a range of domestic scheduled flights, in addition to its use by the military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies, and private jets. DAMRI also operates bus services to Rawamangun Bus Terminal; to Pulogebang, Gambir Station, and Bekasi ; and to Depok , Bogor 's Botany Square, and Soekarno Hatta Airport. There are also taxi services operating here, but avoid taking them inside the airport area.

Previously, flying into Bandung (130 km away) was occasionally a reasonable alternative, but the relocation of Bandung's airport to distant Kertajati in 2023 makes this quite impractical now.

By train [ edit ]

Jakarta is well-served by trains from all over Java. National operator Kereta Api [dead link] runs multiple daily trains from other cities such as Bandung , Surabaya and Yogyakarta . A newly-built high-speed train called Whoosh serves Jakarta and Bandung, which runs every hour and takes 35-40 minutes. Commuter trains connects with outlying suburbs and cities in Greater Jakarta such as Bekasi , Depok , Tangerang as well as some more remote cities such as Bogor and Rangkasbitung .

There are several major railway stations in Jakarta, with Gambir and Pasar Senen being the main stations for long-distance passenger service. Both are located in Central Jakarta and are well connected with public transport including the TransJakarta system. The historic Jakarta Kota terminus station in heart of old colonial Batavia is now mainly served by local and regional trains. High-speed trains terminate at Halim in East Jakarta from where it's possible to continue by Jabodebek LRT trains to the city centre.

Notice that commuter trains generally don't call at neither Gambir nor Pasar Senen. If travelling from Eastern Java it might be better to get off at Jatinegara in East Jakarta and change to a commuter train to Jakarta Kota railway station.

By bus [ edit ]

When buying tickets for buses out of Jakarta, you're better off buying them at each bus company's booth . Do not buy from anywhere outside the booth as the prices are more expensive and the bus they will take you to is questionable. Jakarta has many bus terminals, but not all of them have inter-city services. Look for the sign AKAP (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi or Inter-city and Inter-Province).

Fortunately these terminals are easy to reach. City bus services, as well as airport shuttles, start and end at bus terminals, and busway services stop there too. Even though the listing says the destination the terminal mainly serves, some services may be available to other parts of Java .

If you are arriving from Sumatra or taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you will most likely arrive at one of these two terminals:

Besides above if you are taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you can arrive at terminals:

• Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 10 or 12
• Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 7
• Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 8

By minibus [ edit ]

Minibus service (vans for about 8-10 passengers, in Indonesia indicated as " travel" ) has taken over the short-distance intercity coach services. Most minibus companies such as CitiTrans , and XTrans will take you to Jakarta from Bandung or to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. One-way fares from Bandung are typically Rp150,000 to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The buses will most often not drop you at hotels or bus terminals, but at their own offices or drop-off locations instead. You still can bargain the driver to drop at your desired place with additional price.

By boat [ edit ]

The national ferry companies, ASDP Indonesia Ferry and Pelni , operate passenger services from a large number of destinations across the Indonesian archipelago. The main ferry terminal is -6.1041 106.8818 15 Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta . Smaller speedboats, particularly to and from the Thousand Islands ( Pulau Seribu ), depart from Ancol and Muara Angke , also on Jakarta's north shore.

There are no international passenger ferries but Pelni operates a weekly service from Batam , a 45-minute ferry ride across the strait from Singapore .

By car [ edit ]

While travelling by car may not be a good idea, it remains perhaps the most convenient way to enter Jakarta. Congestion can extend well past rush hours and a hesitation at any ring road tollway in Jakarta can have a domino effect on other tolls. There are four tollways that terminate in Jakarta:

• Jakarta-Merak cuts through Tangerang and leads to the western edge of Java, the Merak port for connections to Sumatra Island.
• Jagorawi tollway goes south to Bogor and the Puncak holiday resorts.
• Jakarta-Cikampek goes east via Bekasi and Karawang and continues to Bandung or all the way towards Central Java .
• The short Jakarta-Serpong toll road connects Jakarta to South Tangerang .

An odd-even license plate scheme is in effect for the first three tollways inbound towards Jakarta on weekdays 06:00-10:00, but is enforced only at selected on-ramps. Under the system, only odd-numbered plates may enter the road on odd dates, and even-numbered plates on even dates. Only an electronic payment card is accepted.

Get around [ edit ]

Getting around Jakarta is, more often than not, problematic. The city layout is bewildering with horrendous traffic jams ( macet "MAH-chet"), slowing the city to a crawl during rush hour, and the ever-expanding public transportation is still inadequate enough to relieve the congestion. To make things worse, the traffic jams are worse during the rainy season despite no real flooding, mainly due to motorcyclists sheltering under tunnels.

Various areas of the city have different levels of chaotic traffic. But while the better-organised traffic is mainly in the business districts (MH Thamrin, Jendral Sudirman, and H.R. Rasuna Said), they remain one of the most congested spots in Jakarta! It can even go beyond business hours because of the area's mixed-use as both office and commercial space, as well as the domino effect from other streets' stop-and-go traffic.

By metro/light rail [ edit ]

Jakarta's modern metro/light rail network is quite limited and is confusingly operated by three separate companies. Still, it's a start, and if the train does happen to go your way it will be much faster than battling traffic.

Jakarta MRT connects Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta with Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta . It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. A northern extension to Kota is under construction and may open around 2027.

Fares are distance-based, ranging from Rp3,000 to Rp14,000.

There are three ways to pay:

• Single Trip Ticket , with a Rp10,000 deposit that can be refunded at the end of the ride.
• Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid card , such as Bank Mandiri's e-money, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard. The cards can also be used for purchases at major retailers, convenience stores, toll roads, parking and other public transportation such as the light rail, commuter train, or busway. The cards are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and Transjakarta stations. The cards cost Rp40,000, all of which is credited toward purchases. The cards are non-refundable and can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks.
• Kartu Multi Trip , prepaid card issued by KAI Commuter (See: Commuter Train ).

Ensure you tap in at your origin station and tap out at your destination station to calculate the correct fare.

Trains run between 05:00 and midnight. Trains operate every 5 minutes during rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 17:00–19:00), and every 10 minutes during the rest of the day.

Unlike the more utilitarian and dated design of the city's other transportation services, the MRT contains modern, spacious stations designed for heavier use. North of Senayan, stations are underground and can be accessed through descending passageways on the pedestrian path. Southern stations are elevated and can't be missed. Some of the entrances have upwards escalators, but each station has at least one wheelchair-accessible elevator. Convenience stores and snacks are available outside the paid area of stations, but eating and drinking is forbidden on the platforms or within the train.

Jabodebek LRT connects Dukuh Atas (interchange with MRT) with Jakarta's southern and eastern suburbs. There are two lines, which begin their run together, but split at Cawang:

• The Bekasi (green) line heads east through Halim (interchange with HSR) to Jati Mulya in Bekasi .
• The Cibubur (blue) line heads south through Taman Mini Indonesia Indah to Kg Rambutan and Cibubur.

Jakarta LRT connects nowhere to nowhere in northeastern Pulo Gading, not connected to any other lines. A southern extension to Manggarai is planned and may open around 2026.

By commuter train [ edit ]

KAI Commuter (colloquially known as the Commuter Line ) connects the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely Tangerang , Bekasi , Depok , Bogor , South Tangerang , and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta . It's worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of trains (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome. The trains can get very crowded, especially during rush hours. Major stations are adjacent to TransJakarta stations, though you often have to walk or use a feeder bus service to transfer.

Fares are distance-based, Rp3,000 for the first 25 km and Rp1,000 for every 10 km thereafter.

There are two ways to pay:

• Kartu Multi Trip , prepaid card issued by KAI Commuter. The card can be purchased and topped up at ticket counters and some ticket vending machines. The card costs Rp30,000, including an initial balance of Rp10,000. The card can also be used to ride other public transportation such as the metro, light rail or busway.
• Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid card , such as Bank Mandiri's e-money, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard. The cards can also be used for purchases at major retailers, convenience stores, toll roads, parking and other public transportation such as the metro, light rail or busway. The cards are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and Transjakarta stations. The cards cost Rp40,000, all of which is credited toward purchases. The cards are non-refundable and can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks.

Ensure you tap in at your origin station and tap out at your destination station to calculate the correct fare. Transferring between lines is free, but be careful not to exit the network until your journey is completed. If your balance is not high enough to tap out, you can pay the remaining balance at the fare-adjustment vending machine. You will be charged the highest fare for not tapping out and Rp50,000 for losing your card.

Trains run between 04:30 and midnight. Trains operate every 15-30 minutes, depending on the line. It usually takes 20 minutes to get from one end of the city to the other, and another 30 minutes to the suburban terminus. Trains do not stop at Gambir and Pasar Senen stations, the starting stations for long-distance trains in Jakarta; transfer at Jatinegara station in the east instead.

By busway [ edit ]

TransJakarta is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network that runs on fully dedicated lanes. There are 13 mainlines in operation, in addition to a number of feeder routes that operate between them. Passengers use dedicated stations usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The network is remarkably user-friendly by Jakarta standards, with comfortable amenities at stations and announcements inside the purpose-built vehicles. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours.

Fares cost Rp2,000 from 05:00 to 07:00 and Rp3,500 all other times, regardless of distance.

• Electronic money or bank-issued prepaid card , such as Bank Mandiri's e-money, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard. The cards can also be used for purchases at major retailers, convenience stores, toll roads, parking and other public transportation such as the metro, light rail or commuter train. The cards are obtainable at the respective banks, minimarts such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and Transjakarta stations. The cards cost Rp40,000, all of which is credited toward purchases. The cards are non-refundable and can be topped up at convenience stores and the ATMs of the respective banks.

There are no single trip tickets, however you may be able to offer a helpful local Rp5,000 to tap you in using their card. Transferring between lines is free, but be careful not to exit the network until your journey is completed. The buses have separate seating for women at the front, an attendant who stands by the door announcing stops and providing security, and CCTV. There are priority seats for the elderly, disabled, and expectant mothers, but the wide gap between the platforms and buses can be a hindrance. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus, as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly.

Mainline services run between 05:00 and 23:00, extending to 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with few buses outside these hours.

Transjakarta Pengumpan is a feeder bus service between selected mainline stations and train stations or neighborhoods where the mainline does not run. Wait for them under the blue sign of the same name. If you transfer from the mainline stations, you do not need to pay for the transfer, otherwise pay by cash, electronic money or bank-issued prepaid card.

TransJakarta Cares is a complimentary bus service for disabled people to reach the nearest TransJakarta station, they can be requested by calling 1500 102.

By Mikrotrans [ edit ]

Mikrotrans is a free-charge minibus serving numerous main roads in Jakarta with fixed stops. An electronic money card is required to take this public transport such as Brizzi, E-money, Flazz, JakCard, JakLingko, or TapCash. You may use Moovit to trace the stops. Make sure a code in front of the vans with the prefix JAK e.g. JAK-01, JAK-02, and so on, depending on the routes, so you don't go wrong taking an older minibus with cash payments.

By tour bus [ edit ]

Jakarta may be one of the few cities in the world whose government provides tour buses. Dubbed the City Tour Jakarta , the buses are double-decker and you can ride them for free! There are 4 loop routes that are sorted by the genre of the places of interest: Historical, Modern, Art & Culinary and the Jakarta skyscrapers. The first two routes run Monday-Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, while the latter only operates Saturdays 17:00-23:00.

By public bus [ edit ]

A multitude of bus companies prowl the streets of Jakarta. However, buses do not run on schedule or even have one. Most maps bought outside Indonesia do not show bus routes, so Google Maps would be the best method to figure out what bus you should take. Most bus stops also post what route numbers and destinations stop there, but they do not always stop there ! They make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and don't mind being the centre of attention.

These are the bus companies, ranked from best to worst:

• Transjabodetabek feeds between the Transjakarta stops and the outskirts of town. Look for the routes that has a letter preceding the line number. In case of no shelter, wait under the blue bus sign.
• Kopaja AC (not to be confused with Kopaja non-AC) has introduced a similar service on selected routes. Some of the lines are reachable from the Transjakarta bus stops. Look for the metallic grey and green colour bus. These buses offer Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Most Mayasari Bakti buses have an air conditioner, but a few routes do not. Air conditioned buses bear the letters AC on the bus number. These buses usually have a light & dark blue body, but some are green and orange. Inquire if in doubt.
• PPD also has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. They have fewer buses and noticeably a lower tier of service than Mayasari Bakti. Look for the white & black strip, with the Monas icon; the buses may be branded as "PATAS", which means express.
• Avoid using MetroMini (orange & blue), Kopami (blue & yellow) and non-air conditioned Kopaja (white & green) at all costs as the buses are filthy, do not offer air conditioning and are driven recklessly.

Bus fares are generally less than Rp10,000 with a flat rate system. You usually pay in a box beside the driver but a kenek may reach out to you so you can pay him.

Cheaper still are mikrolet (mini-buses) and angkot (small vans) that ply the smaller streets and whose fares vary from Rp4,000 for the first 2 km to Rp10,000. You pay the fare directly to the driver when you get off.

You may want to have a couple of spare Rp500 coins before boarding the bus since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs and asking for donations at the end of the performance, and street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed doughnuts and health goods.

Avoid sitting or standing in the back of the bus, as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times for pickpockets and do not wear any valuable. The best seat is in the front, next to the driver.

Buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, other times two buses of the same route may come together and the drivers will steer aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop, but anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus three times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping, best to use a coin), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible and move the body in line with bus direction, as they do not fully stop the bus.

Also, seats in these buses are built for Indonesians, who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Europeans and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses confining and uncomfortable. TransJabodetabek, APTB and BKTB are not so crowded and the seats are more comfortable for non-Indonesians.

While most bus routes are from one bus terminal to another, not all of them have connections to long-distance bus services (see Get In section).

Travelling by car, while it just adds up to the congestion itself, remains the most convenient way to travel around the city, especially because of its lacking public transportation.

Rental cars are available, but unless you are familiar with local driving practices or lack thereof, take reputable taxis. Foreigners are recommended not to rent cars and drive on their own, as the chaotic traffic can give you a headache; renting with a driver is more than advisable. That being said, safety and road rules are enforced much more rigorously than in other parts of the country—obey the traffic laws and do not be tempted to disobey like many of the locals do, even when it seems convenient. Police regularly patrol the major roadways, and many rules are poorly marked, such as which lanes exactly are reserved for the TransJakarta service.

Two toll roads circle the city: the Lingkar Dalam ("inner ring road", bisecting the downtown core) and Lingkar Luar ( JORR , Jakarta Outer Ring Road, encircling the outskirts). Using these toll roads is faster when the traffic is good, but are very often jammed themselves, particularly during rush hours. They generally only accept payment using prepaid bank cards.

Outside of the toll roads, road quality differs heavily between the wide downtown avenues and thin alleyways in the residential districts. Road types may be poorly marked in maps. Flooding is common in certain areas during the rainy season, with even large roads being completely inaccessible.

Finding parking places in residential areas can be difficult due to the narrow roads. Paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls, offices and the like for a shockingly cheap rate: Rp4,000-6,000 per hour. Street parking often requires payment of up to Rp3,000-5,000 to an illegal parking 'attendant' for one hour. For 41 areas with street electronic parking posts, the fee is Rp5,000 per hour paid by 7 certain debit cards, and don't pay anything to a formal attendant (monitoring by CCTV) such as you would in Sabang and Kelapa Gading Boulevards. If you park on a street, do so only at the designated areas and in a way that does not block the traffic. Otherwise, your car will be towed and ticketed, in which case you will need some paperwork to get it back!

An odd-even traffic control system is enforced along select main streets Mondays to Fridays from 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-21:00, except public holiday. Under the system, only vehicles with odd license plate numbers are permitted to travel on odd-numbered calendar dates, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered dates. The fine for violations is Rp500,000, but taxis and public transportation (vehicles with yellow-black plate number) are exempt. Look for the sign above the road that indicates if the rule is enforced at the adjacent street; generally speaking they are valid on roads along the Inner Ring Road south of the Merak toll interchange and along the eastern side, Rasuna Said, and the Sudirman-Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat corridor. Starting on September 9, 2019 there are additional 16 new routes of the system. It can be read at: http://www.beritajakarta.id/en/read/31342/city-expands-odd-even-system-in-16-routes#.XXU9R3E3GM8

If you wish to rent a car, consider these companies:

• RentalMobil.com , SCBD Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52 - 53 , ☏ +62 21 29608390 .  
• TRAC Astra Rent A Car , ☏ +62 21 500 009 .  
• Golden Bird ( A subsidiary service of Blue Bird Group ), ☏ +62 21 794 4444 . ( updated Dec 2017 )

By taxi [ edit ]

Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is very cheap by Western standards, abundant and occasionally fast. There is a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability.

• Blue Bird Group , ☏ +62 21 7917 1234 , +62 21 794 1234 . The Blue Bird, including the Pusaka & Morante taxis as well as the premium brands Silver Bird and Golden Bird, are well known for their reliability, efficient telephone order service, and orderly meter usage. A special ride for the physically impaired can also be requested. The Silver Bird executive taxi charges a premium rate for a larger car. In addition, Blue Bird Taxi has launched taxis using a low roof MPV which can accommodate up to 7 persons. The fare is the same as for a regular taxi, but if you want one, order it specifically when you call for a taxi.  

The popularity of online taxis (GrabCar and GoCar), due to cheaper fares, safer and more polite drivers, means that nowadays it can be more difficult or time-consuming to get conventional/regular taxis; out of 32 taxi companies that used to operating in Jakarta, there are only 4 now. Besides Blue Bird, these are the remaining companies:

• Express , ☏ +62 21 500 122 . This is typically the second-best option, if Blue Bird taxis are not visible, but hail this taxi if your main concern is price. No minimum payment for hailing in the street, the minimum payment of Rp40,000 is only for ordering by phone.  
• Gamya , ☏ +62 21 8779 5555 , +62 21 840 3838 .  
• Taxiku , ☏ +62 21 4786 2121 .  

You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking " Pakai argo? " ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially to foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing taxi from the above companies.

Tipping is not necessary, but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp5,000 is expected, although rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp1,000 is also OK. So prepare some change if you want, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp5,000.

If the taxi takes a toll road, the added cost is not reflected on the meter. The driver will tap their contactless card to the toll booth, receive a receipt, and you can see the cost shown on a large display next to the payment machine. Drivers may run out of their card's credits and require a short stop at a convenience store to top up; this is normal. At the end of the trip, your driver will sum up the meter price with any toll receipts, and you can always pay in cash, while some taxis accept cards. A taxi receipt is available on request and is not standard.

Blue Bird, Gojek and Grab apps can be downloaded for free to help you order taxis via smartphone. Fill in the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map with the taxis and also the estimated cost displayed in a range. Blue Bird Taxi has the same fare regardless of whether you hire them online or by phone (with minimum payment applied). GoCar and GrabCar have prices fixed in advance, regardless of any traffic jams. Choose the taxi that will be used and the taxi will usually come in five minutes. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps, so this is one of the safest ways to get a taxi. Taxis have been abundant since online ride-hailing started operating in Jakarta. Online taxis rate is only about two-thirds that of a conventional taxi, or at most the same as a conventional one during peak hours. Since the price is preset, drivers have no incentive to take an unnecessarily roundabout route, which used to be common with conventional taxis.

By bajaj [ edit ]

The Jakartan equivalent to Thailand 's tuk-tuk is the bajaj (pronounced "bahdge-eye"), orange mutant scooters souped up in India into little three-wheeled vehicles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back. Besides the usual orange bajaj, there is blue bajaj, which use gas as fuel.

They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking (they have no suspension), hot and windy (locals joke about the "natural A/C"), and a great way to breathe in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible (maybe less if you ride the blue bajaj), riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you. Blue gas-fueled bajaj are quieter than the orange 2-cycle bajaj.

There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp5,000. Be sure to agree to (read: haggle ) a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and often ask double or even more than what you would pay by a meter in a more comfortable Blue Bird taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price.

There are also Grab Bajaj that use the Grab application. The tariff is Rp 3,000 per kilometre and minimum payment Rp 9,000. It is intermediate between GrabBike and GrabCar due to Bajaj can accommodate 2 passengers and baggage.

This variant of bajaj has 4 wheels instead of 3. Qute are much quieter than bemo and have air conditioning. These 'new bemo' operate throughout Central Jakarta towards North Jakarta via Mangga Dua to Ancol. The price is quite the same as for ordinary bajaj (about Rp5,000 for a short hop). Make sure to haggle a price before you ride the vehicle.

By ojek [ edit ]

If you're poking around narrow back streets, or in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb or more to get there, then Jakarta's motorcycle taxis ( ojek ) might be the ticket for you. Jakarta's ojek services consist of guys with bikes lounging around street corners, who usually shuttle short distances down alleys and roads but will also do longer trips for a price. Agree on the fare before you set off. Insist on a helmet and wear it properly—no need to make it more insanely dangerous than it already is. The ojek drivers will insist you're safe with them and that they'll drive carefully—some are telling the truth, some lying. Before you choose a driver, pay attention to their motorcycle's appearance and their helmet; sometimes it shows their character. Locals normally pay Rp5,000 for a short ride (one kilometre) and Rp7,000-10,000 for a longer (roughly more than a kilometre or a 15-minute walk). Foreigners are likely to be asked for more, but generally, ojek drivers will accept the proper fare if you insist on it, unless they see you really need their service.

On-demand (online) ojek services such as Go-Jek [dead link] and Grab are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance, although for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi area are more expensive than other area Rp 2,250 to Rp 2,650 per kilometer with minimum payment Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,500. Payments can be made by cash or stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). You may chat or call the driver for help with finding each other, although some knowledge of Indonesian would be helpful. Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available at all times and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers as they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and the unnoticeable difference in fares.

The aforementioned brands also offer taxi service that are either private cars akin to Uber elsewhere in the world or with taxi companies so that you can hail them from the same app. Other services include food or groceries delivery and shipping between residents or from online businesses.

By helicopter [ edit ]

If you're rich and want to beat the traffic, helicopter transfers are available. They can be chartered as well for excursions outside Jakarta.

• Transwisata , Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Terminal Building, Ground Floor , ☏ +62 21 80889628 , [email protected] . ( updated Sep 2017 )
• Whitesky Aviation , ☏ +62 21 80890066 , [email protected] . ( updated Sep 2017 )

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cycling provisions are almost non-existent in Jakarta, but the first signs of a cycling culture are emerging. Every Sunday from 06:00-11:00 during the Car Free Day (CFD) in Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin (and every month in other places in each city in Jakarta) are emptied of motorised vehicles, except TransJakarta. The atmosphere can be festive, as events are held in some places (especially in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout). As of 2019, 63 km of new bicycle lanes have been opened, besides previous bicycle lanes at Blok M and Kanal Banjir Timur. The Pemuda Pramuka is the most used bicycle lane, mainly to commute between work and home. New rules mention that bicycle lanes can be used by bicycle, electric bicycle, otopet, electric scooter, hoverboard and unicycle. Whoever violates the rule will be penalised up to Rp500,000.

Beyond that, there are dedicated mountain biking paths in Cihuni and along the Jalur Gas Pipa, both in Tangerang . Or you could head to Salak Mountain or other parts of the region beyond Bogor .

By eScooter [ edit ]

Grab (the online transport service provider stated in the 'Ojek' section) offers eScooter services with the 'GrabWheels' brand and a fare of Rp 5,000 per 30 minutes (Nov 2019). There are hundreds of parking lots for GrabWheels in Jakarta, mainly in the Sudirman Street area, so one can depart from a GrabWheels parking lot and deposit their eScooter in another. Despite the service's relative newness, many people rent it.

However, after a car accident involving GrabWheels, in which 2 persons were killed and 4 others were injured, regulations were enacted: eScooters can be used only at bicycle lanes (no usage allowed along pavements, regular streets, or pedestrian overhead bridges).

On foot [ edit ]

Jakarta is hot and humid year-round, discouraging pedestrians, while what sidewalk is left is often quickly occupied by pushcart vendors. Crosswalks are not always available, and not always respected even when present. Many locals will simply walk across a busy street, holding up a palm to request vehicles slow down for them.

Even then, walking can sometimes be faster than using a vehicle, especially when the maze of streets results in a winding, roundabout, and congested route.

Jakarta is rapidly revamping its pedestrian facilities on its main roads, with clean and accessible wide sidewalks already in place along the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor and adjacent districts, with continuous construction work outwards. The paths remain hot and are very quiet during the day, but are more pleasant and busy during the afternoons. Still expect to clamber around mismatched concrete blocks and step on asphalt in the residential areas of the city.

A few other neighbourhoods can be explored on foot:

• Kota Tua ( West Jakarta ): a pedestrian-friendly square, a walk in this area explores the sights of Dutch colonial charm that was once central to the colonial administration.
• Pasar Baru ( Central Jakarta ): a pedestrian-friendly market that has been in existence since the colonial era.
• Rasuna Said, Kuningan District (South Jakarta): another business district along Jl. HR Rasuna Said with many embassies and office buildings.
• Monas and Kebon Sirih area (Central Jakarta): the city square is a pedestrian-friendly zone, and the surrounding area has several attractions such as the presidential palace and old colonial churches.
• Kanal Banjir Timur (Jakarta Timur), a nice river view in the morning with special bicycle and walking/running lane.
• Jatinegara (Jakarta Timur), full of vintage stalls, building, train station, and river view of Ciliwung.
• Kemang (Jakarta Selatan), full of coffee stalls, restaurants and bars. The best place to walk at night.
• Cikini (Jakarta Pusat), for coffee stalls, art spaces, and performances.

On Car-Free Day (CFD), every Sunday from 06:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfares are closed to motor vehicles, except for the Transjakarta buses. Locals crowd the streets to walk, jog, bike, enjoy performance arts and generally have some fun on the streets. While crowded, this is a good time to get in touch with the locals and see a different side of the city.

See [ edit ]

The heart of tourist attractions is to the north and centre of Jakarta. Visitors typically start exploring Jakarta from this part of the town, called the Kota Tua , where the old buildings of Jakarta are preserved within a dedicated walking area. Jakarta has 47 museums, which are spread across the city.

The Jakarta History Museum , formerly a city hall ( Stadhuis ), covers Jakarta's history from 400 AD to the present day, with photos, replicas, and maps. Do not miss the Jagur cannon in the back yard.

The Bank Indonesia Museum tells about the economy and currency system then and now using modern technology while the Museum Bahari takes you to the old glory of Jakarta's port, and Indonesia's as a whole. If you are into arts & crafts, the Museum Wayang has a collection of different puppets (Wayang) from all across the country and the world, and the Museum Seni Rupa & Keramik allows you to admire Indonesia's art in paintings and sculptures. Museum Prasasti for historical and scripture.

A few kilometres down south, you'll find the legacy of the Dutch and the first years of the Indonesian government, such as the iconic landmark of Jakarta, the National Monument park standing right at the centre of the court, and the Presidential Palace on its north side. And where else in the world could you find the Istiqlal Mosque , Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, and a 113-year-old gothic cathedral standing mightily across from each other? On the western side of the court, the elephant statue welcomes you to the Museum Nasional , one of the better designed museums out there. Or Gallery Nasional for art and sculpture.

Statues and monuments are ubiquitous in Jakarta and many stand prominently in major points across the city. Most of these icons were erected during Soekarno's rule in 1960, and thus still represent the old glory of independence. Start your trip from the Tugu Tani statue in Menteng that has a figure of a farmer going out to war. Across the Monas Park is Arjuna Wijaya , an eight-horse carriage statue near Monas. Going south at Jalan MH Thamrin, the iconic Selamat Datang statue waves at you, with a fountain that signifies its importance as the city centre of Jakarta. Passing through that is the Jenderal Sudirman statue giving a salute, that gives the street its name. Going further until the end of the straight street, is the Pemuda Membangun or Youth Developing statue that looks like a man holding up a burning bowl. The Dirgantara statue is visible in its glory if you are using the inner tollway in South Jakarta.

Parks [ edit ]

Green spaces are often overlooked in Jakarta. While the city has nearly 1,000 public parks big and small, very few are well maintained including even the National Monument Park ( Monas ). Menteng is large and perhaps the best and Taman Suropati hosts regular violin shows. Pantai Indah Kapuk , while inundated by housing projects, still leaves a space for mangrove swamps and monkeys' habitats in the two parks there. For parks with lakes, Pluit Park is one option, and a smaller one is Pulo Mas Park . Ragunan , the official zoo of Jakarta, is the second largest zoo in the world (140 hectares), offering diverse Indonesian and international flora & fauna, including a dedicated centre that houses primates, especially the endemic orangutans. Kalijodo Park is open 24 hours a day with green and child-friendly public space and an international skate park. For community park, look for Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA). Although smaller, it usually offers a small library with A/C and a futsal field. The newest is Lapangan Banteng Park which is also open 24 hours and has good illumination for playing football.

However metropolitan Jakarta has 3 small forests in the city at Muara Angke, Srengseng and Tebet.

Jakarta also hosts two amusement parks. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol at the North, that is for pure fun plus a sea world aquarium, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesia in miniature) in East Jakarta, which celebrates the culture of all 34 provinces of Indonesia, a bird park containing multiple endemic species, and multiple museums. Escape to Kepulauan Seribu to see wild birds and eagles, and island resorts not too far away from the city. The Setu Babakan down south is the centre of the indigenous Betawi culture. If you are looking for lake scene, go to Taman Waduk Pluit or Taman Waduk Ria Rio . For river scene, go to Taman Kanal Banjir Timur or RPTRA Mawar.

Do [ edit ]

Betawi culture [ edit ].

Despite being the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta's indigenous tribe called the Betawi still stays proud of its culture. They are actually a unique assimilation of various domestic and international races from the Chinese to the Portuguese, which makes it distinct from other parts of Indonesia. The Lenong theatre performance is accompanied by the Gambang Kromong orchestra that consists of the Sundanese Gendang , the Javanese Gamelan , and the Chinese Kongahyan (its own version of violin). The Tanjidor trumpets are an influence from the Dutch, while the Portuguese bequeathed the Keroncong orchestra. At the anniversary of the city's founding every 22 June, a distinctive piece of culture can be seen in hotels, the infamous pair of Ondel-ondel puppets. The complete experience of the culture can be found at Setu Babakan , the village of Betawi culture (and fishing at its lake).

Cinema [ edit ]

Cinemas are a more affordable escape at around Rp30,000 - 45,000 for a plush seat (Rp40,000 - 70,000 on the weekend, up to Rp150,000 if you watch in Premiere Class at XXI or Velvet Class at CGV Blitz ) in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware of the heavy hand of the Indonesian censor though. The price of popcorn and drinks are exorbitant so you may wish to bring your own coming in. CGV Blitz cinemas will typically show movies in any foreign language other than English and the lesser ones also exhibit Indonesian B-Movies with erotic themes (still heavily censored). The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia are the 21 Cineplex (branded as XXI in premium shopping malls) and CGV Blitz . IMAX theaters are only available at Gandaria City's XXI theatre, Mal Kelapa Gading III's theatre and Keong Mas in TMII, although the latter more often shows documentary than blockbuster films.

Performing arts festivals [ edit ]

Jakarta boasts some of the world's largest music events, which may surprise you, and the many young fans have attracted artists all around the world to regularly stop by Jakarta as part of their world tour, from rock concerts to Korean pop. Perhaps the best known event is the annual Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival that takes place each March for 3 days, filled with over 40 international and local artists performing jazz, R&B and reggae songs. The Hammersonic is an annual metal music concert, while We The Fest boasts some of the performances from indie/pop artists in August since its first inception in 2014, Road to Soundrenaline takes you to the popular local indie/major label bands showcases, before it ends up in Bali for the main event with some of international artists performing there and the Djakarta Warehouse Project hosts world famous DJs to jam the start of the year-end holiday. For a street performance, the Sudirman-Thamrin strip is closed at night on 22 June and New Year's Eve , when stages for musical performances are erected and cultural parades set up to usher in Jakarta's founding anniversary and the New Year, respectively.

For some traditional and classical stuff, there are performances at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta , by indie, jazz, dance, and classical music orchestras. Taman Ismail Marzuki hosts mainly theatrical shows, although English shows might be rare. Erasmus Huis Hall by the Dutch embassy also regularly hosts classical music shows and photography exhibitions.

Sport [ edit ]

The sport scene in Jakarta is perhaps one of the most vibrant you'll ever see in Asia. The Senayan sports complex still lives up to its name since the 1962 Asian Games, where archery and indoor shooting range are also publicly available to try. Soemantri-Brodjonegoro in Kuningan district also offers you many kinds of sport activities. If you like skateboarding, Kalijodo Skatepark i s the best place to meet others.

Golf [ edit ]

Jakarta is perhaps the best city to play golf in Asia, thanks to the abundance of courses close to or even in the middle of the city, and relatively cheap prices compared to Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp70,000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and more. Many golf courses are at South and East within the immediate suburbs of the city, much better in quality and quantity at the satellite cities.

Football [ edit ]

Indonesia is one of the few Asian countries where European soccer teams, including from the prestigious British Premier League or the Italian League, play friendlies against the national team when the game itself is at break in Europe. The supporters between the national team and the Europeans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium are even, yet even though for the most part Indonesia's national team post losses, clashes do not seem to occur. When the European leagues are in season, numerous cafés and bars around town put up gigantic TV screens to let the enthusiasm erupt while having a drink at dawn.

Futsal is the indoor version of football, which has 5 players per team and more lax rules of play. Anytime after work or on the weekends, you can easily find crowds at the many indoor courts across the city. Outdoors, the dirt and grass makeshift fields are abundant in residential areas, crowded with players, spectators and vendors, typically on weekend afternoons. In these casual games, anyone can simply ask to jump in.

Badminton [ edit ]

As a badminton powerhouse, Jakarta has a multitude of badminton courts, ranging from the national venues at the Senayan Complex to the suburban halls which cater to both futsal and badminton. Most of them have wood-panel flooring and are maintained in reasonably good condition. Lighting is strictly functional and is below par in comparison with standard badminton halls. People play almost every evening - so, walk in, strike up a conversation with the group's captain, and expect to blend in with their group for the session. If the captain refuses payment (usually less than Rp20,000), it is polite to buy the players a round of soft-drinks (Teh-botol is a good choice). Be warned that it is common for Indonesians to eat, smoke, drink and nap by the side of the court: so watch your step.

If you want to watch rather than to play, the Istora Senayan is packed in the middle of January for Indonesia Masters Super 500 and early June during the Indonesia Open Super 1000 (a Grand Slam equivalent in badminton), when the world's top badminton players compete. The deafening cheers are chanted even beyond when the players hit the shuttlecock, an enthusiasm unmatched elsewhere in the world. It is advised to buy tickets online (especially for the weekend matches), otherwise you may be relegated to watching it on the big screen outside the venue.

Karaoke [ edit ]

You are in one of Asia's big cities—karaoke is the norm, so sing your heart out! Most chain brands such as Inul Vizta , NAV , or DIVA can be found at the upscale shopping malls where the youngsters play. You'll have your own lavish room with a wide span of libraries containing local, English, and East Asian songs, on a wide-screen TV while you can order a drink or food to be enjoyed while you wait your turn to sing. Rates can start from as low as Rp70,000 per room for a minimum of 6 people.

Learn [ edit ]

There are a few locations for cooking classes along Jalan Kemang ( South Jakarta ) that specifically cater to expats. Most offer pastry cooking classes.

Interestingly, you can learn about cultures from around the world in Jakarta. Many embassies have set up cultural centres where you can take world culture & language classes . Check these cultural centres for information: Korean Culture Centre , Institut Francais , Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Japan Foundation , Goethe Institut .

Work [ edit ]

Casual work in Jakarta is difficult to come by and Indonesian bureaucracy does not readily facilitate foreigners undertaking employment in Indonesia. As in the rest of Asia, teaching English is the best option, although salaries are poor (US$700–3000/month is typical, although accommodation may be provided) and the government only allows citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA to work as teachers. Formal work visas, residency permits and registration with several government offices is necessary. Formal approval from the Department of Manpower and the provision of documentation and guarantees from an employing sponsor is required to engage in any form of employment in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia. Business visas are available for the purposes of conducting business related activities in Jakarta or elsewhere in Indonesia, this class of visa has strict conditions and requires a local business to sponsor the applicant. A business visa does not permit the holder to undertake any form of employment.

Jakarta caters to a growing class of remote workers and visitors on business trips with a large selection of coworking spaces . Mostly spread around Central and South Jakarta, day passes can be as low as Rp100,000, with hourly passes even lower. These spaces typically share buildings with offices and provide internet, drinks, and sometimes extra services like printing and meeting rooms. Some spaces are directly connected to shopping malls or public transit, making them very useful alternatives to spending hours in a cafe for work. Available desks may be limited in popular areas; call ahead to reserve a spot if necessary.

Buy [ edit ]

More than 2.5 million foreign tourists and more than 30 million domestic tourists visit Jakarta every year. It's a paradise for buying international brand-name garments (both genuine and fake).

If you're stopping in Jakarta, consider buying an extra suitcase, because there are lots of good shopping opportunities. Good used suitcases can be bought at Surabaya street and vendors also sell antiques. However, although quality can be excellent, genuine branded goods or quality products are expensive.

Every year, the Provincial Government of Jakarta holds an annual Festival Jakarta Great Sale that takes place from Mid-June to Mid-July. Most markets, shopping malls, and department stores attend it and will give discounts on selected items, although the event itself might be barely noticeable aside from some banners. Some stores also run Midnight Sales, usually in the weekend. And most of the malls are open from 10:00-20:00 every day, except on Ied Day when they're open 13:30-22:00.

Shopping malls [ edit ]

An escape from Jakarta's sweltering heat, hundreds of shopping malls serve as social hotspots and are where the city congregate on weekends to shop, buy groceries, and hang out. They range from grand top-end luxury malls to smaller trade centers and shopping complexes, with new buildings constantly under construction, so you can probably find a suitably stocked mall (or three) for what you're looking for close to you. Genuinely imported goods from official retailers are priced to international standards, but Jakarta also offers local and lesser-known designer alternatives. A vast selection of cafes and social spots are also attached to malls, so if you're planning to meet up with an Indonesian acquaintance, brunch or dinner at a mall is a popular affair.

As a convention, most Jakarta malls will have a supermarket in the basement, alongside utilities such as ATMs, office goods, barber shops, pharmacies, personal health, and budget eating options. Shopping options are on the middle floors, followed by a selection of higher-end restaurants and potentially a movie theater at the top floors. Expect each location to have one or more lobbies at which you can be dropped off, and one of these lobbies will usually include a taxi stand. If calling in your own taxi (or rideshare) be sure to specify which lobby you're waiting at. Most malls open at 10:00, though breakfast dining spaces on the ground floor may open sooner, and lunch options may only fully open at 11:00.

Some of the most well known shopping complexes are at the heart of the city. Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia are massive upper-class malls next to each other on Jakarta's busy Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, easily accessible via MRT. To the south, Plaza Senayan & Senayan City are popular chic hangouts across from each other, also accessible by MRT. Mal Taman Anggrek and Central Park to the west at Jalan Letjen S. Parman are for all rounders.

Jalan Prof.Dr.Satrio is Jakarta's answer to the famed Orchard Road in Singapore , Ginza in Tokyo and Fifth Avenue in New York. Four malls (namely ITC Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Ciputra World I, and a bit further off, Kota Kasablanka) and counting, catering to visitors of all budget levels. Kelapa Gading has a street with four malls on its side, and two other giant malls are located elsewhere in the region. Pluit and Pondok Indah hosts three malls located along a single strip.

Every shopping mall has at least one department store, alongside brands that have their own shops. Sogo has the most branches, followed by Metro & Centro. Galeries Lafayette can be found at Pacific Place while Seibu and Central are located at Grand Indonesia. Matahari also provides similar fashion usually for a lower price.

Markets [ edit ]

In addition to malls, there are also numerous extremely large shopping centres , most of them within a complex, so if you are unable to find what you need at one mall, you can try again at the mall next door. Mangga Dua , Tanah Abang , and Pasar Baru are the best places in Jakarta to shop for fashion. In Mangga Dua area there are at least 3 shopping centres connected by bridges: ITC is for middle and upper middle class fashion, while the lower class is served by Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua , and Mangga Dua Mall is for gadget enthuasiasts. Tanah Abang is a wholesale market and the biggest in Southeast Asia , with delivery to Africa and other parts of the world. Tanah Abang is overcrowded, so Thamrin city next to Grand Indonesia (500 m from Tanah Abang) can serve as an alternative, mainly for Muslim wear and batik. Pasar Baru is not a shopping centre, but more like a street with old retail shops; stamp collectors will be able to find Indonesian stamps at the front of many of these shops. Mangga Dua Square , as well as Glodok and Roxy, are places to find gadgets. WTC (Wholesale Trade Centre) Mangga Dua is now specialised in selling used cars, with more than 100 sold per day.

If you are looking for antique products such as local handicrafts, Indonesian traditional batik or wayang golek (Sundanese puppets), you can go to Jalan Surabaya in Central Jakarta. If you are looking for rare maps, prints or paintings, you can go to Kemang Raya, where there are many galleries including Bartele gallery and Hadi Prana. Pasaraya Grande shopping mall at Blok M, South Jakarta has one dedicated floor for Indonesian antiques and handicrafts. Pasar Seni at Ancol is the centre of paintings and sculpture, including portrait pictures you can have done on the spot. Sarinah department store also has a vast section of traditional gifts.

Shopping at traditional markets may also be an exciting experience, where you can find exotic tropical fruits, traditional snacks, cheap fashion and novelty items. While most of them are far from tourist hot spots, Pasar Gondangdia across the namesake train station and the Fresh Market Pantai Indah Kapuk are the places that still offer such experience in a modern building while easily accessible.

Cash is still the most effective payment system for all transactions. A few established shops may accept payment with debit/credit card and electronic money.

Eat [ edit ]

Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the huge city. In addition to selections from all over the country, you can also find excellent Chinese, Japanese, Western, and many other international foods thanks to the cosmopolitan population.

If you want to go local Jakarta, the indigenous Betawi has its own dishes to offer:

• Asinan Betawi : assorted pickled vegetables, served with peanut sauce (and sometimes chili) and chips.
• Bubur ase/dingin , literally cold porridge with beef sweet soup.
• Gabus pucung , snakehead fish soup.
• Gado-gado is like ketoprak, but all of it is vegetables.
• Kerak telor , omelette cooked with glutinous rice and served with shredded coconut and a dried shrimp topping.
• Ketoprak , lontong (rice cake), tofu, bean sprout, and shrimp crackers in peanut sauce.
• Mie kangkung : noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce.
• Nasi kebuli : a Betawi pilaf influenced by Arab culture.
• Nasi uduk , rice cooked in coconut milk similar to nasi lemak, served with choices of various toppings, such as fried chicken, beef, fried shallots, and sambal (chili sauce).
• Nasi ulam , rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried minced beef, sweet fried tempeh, many other toppings, cucumber, and sambal.
• Rujak/Mie juhi : noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce.
• Sop iga sapi , beef spare rib soup that takes a simple Dutch dish and piles on Indonesian spices.
• Soto Betawi , coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe.

Food at malls and brick-and-mortar restaurants are by and large of hygiene standards. Street vendors ( kaki lima ) or carts can be questionable, though it is still wise to use discretion as some of the best or well-known food can actually be from them.

The online ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab also offer food delivery service (such as Gojek's GO-FOOD) to virtually all restaurants, for a small fee. Furthermore, it can increase your convenience when you only want to rest at your hotel.

Though tipping is not customary in restaurants, it has become more common. In fact, a few automatically charge a service fee (typically 5%), which may surprise some patrons. Eating at restaurants are almost always subject to a 10% general tax.

Budget [ edit ]

Food courts at just about every shopping mall in Jakarta offer cheap but filling meals. Prices range from Rp35,000 to Rp60,000. While street vendors ( kaki lima ) are cheap with questionable hygiene standards, some items are unfortunately offered only by street vendors, so use good judgment when shopping around. Look for those that have lines at least a couple people long, as that means it's reputable and indisputably delicious. Steer clear from vendors that offer are pushy or suspiciously cheap, as their hygiene or food quality may be poor.

For cleaner alternatives with decent price, you can look for Lokbin (lokasi binaan), Loksem (Lokasi sementara), or Lenggang Jakarta, which serve same affordable food but with better hygiene standards. Practically the sellers there are relocated street vendors. Price in Lenggang Jakarta and Lokbin will be around Rp10.000 to Rp30.000.

Franchise fast food chains are also a good choice for eating as the hygiene is more likely to be up to standards. American fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's have ample seating. Local chain Bakmi GM is famous for its noodles and its fried wanton. Hoka-hoka Bento (locally known as HokBen), also a local chain, provides Japanese buffet with a complete meal set for an affordable price. Also consider Es Teler 77 & Solaria . You will find one or all of them at major malls across the city. Department store or mini market food items can be an alternative should you need to eat on the go or at work.

For some exquisite Indonesian snacks, head to the traditional markets or street vendors. The infamous jajanan pasar (lit. market snacks) or bakpao (Chinese meat buns) should cost around Rp10,000 to Rp35,000 per box or piece. Assorted fritters ( gorengan ) are ubiquitous throughout and should cost Rp7,000 to Rp15,000 for up to a dozen pieces of fried tofu, tempeh, cassava, yam, and even banana. Siomay and batagor will be available for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000. Instant ramen noodle for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000, ketoprak Rp5.000-Rp8.000, pecel lele Rp7.000-Rp10.000, or nasi uduk Rp3.000-Rp7.000.

More substantial meals such as martabak , satay , chicken noodle ( mi ayam ) or porridge ( bubur ayam ), and nasi goreng are typically on the upper end of budget dining. The Indonesian soto soup can be enjoyed for Rp45,000 with rice and a drink of your choice and a bowl of meatball ( bakso ) soup with a side of noodles or vermicelli should cost no more than Rp50,000 per bowl. Bakeries also have buns that you can consume for breakfast, starting from Rp10,000. Roti Lauw and Tan Ek Tjoan is the most popular choice in Jakarta.

As some traditional Indonesian cuisine may be too hot and spicy for many foreign tourist, you can usually ask for just a little chili or none at all: "pedas sedikit" and "tidak pedas" , respectively. It also better to know that you can say "bungkus" for take away order, or "makan di sini" for dine in. And be careful as red ketchup usually means hot chilli sauce, not tomato.

Mid-range [ edit ]

Fine dining restaurants offer main courses for a range of prices and can be found at just about every mall in Jakarta or better yet outside the malls.

Some of the restaurants in this category include pizza franchises Pizza Hut and Domino's, or A&W, Wendy's, and Burger King for fast food chain. Mains in shopping mall restaurants typically range between Rp40,000 and Rp75,000; many even provide lunch set menus for just about Rp50,000 that entitles you to rice, one or two main platters and a glass of drink which can be an impressive deal. Seafood restaurants north of the city centre falls on the borderline between mid-range to expensive depending on your preference, with shrimp & fish on the cheaper side, followed by scallop, and lastly crab & lobster.

For middle class traditional cuisine, go to the Menteng area and look for Gado-Gado Boplo, Warung Daun, Bumbu Desa, Saur Kuring, Dapur Sunda, Sate House, Bunga Rampai, Sate Khas Senayan or Aroma Sedap . Or try to look around Sabang area. Garuda, Natrabu , Sederhana, Penang Bistro, or Pagi Sore will offer you the best value over price.

Splurge [ edit ]

The best gourmet splurges in Jakarta are the opulent buffet spreads in the 5-star hotels such as the JW Marriott, Hotel Mulia, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La, which offer amazing value by international standards. Expect to pay upwards of Rp150,000 per person.

Chinese roundtable restaurants, such as Din Tai Fung , Imperial Duck , Jun Njan , or Tai Pan , among other small enterprises, offer considerably expensive dishes, but these are mostly meant to be communal rather than for individuals.

Steakhouses also fall into this category, especially if the beef is imported from Australia or a USDA certified. For pizza, look for Pizza Express (formerly Pizza Marzano).

For premium traditional cuisine, Rara Jonggrang , Remboelan and Tugu Koenstring Paleis will serve you the highest standard.

Drink [ edit ]

Jakarta may be the capital of the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but it has an underground life of its own. If you're the clubbing type, its nightlife is arguably among the best in Asia, except during fasting months when some venues are closed or have limited hours. From the upscale Kemang to the seedy Mangga Besar , nightlife is there for all levels of loudness, but bring a friend if you decide to brave the seedier places (though they tend to have the best DJs). Fans of live music, on the other hand, are largely out of luck if they go to budget bars, at least unless they're into Indonesian pop.

Since 2015 alcoholic drinks are no longer available in convenience stores to discourage underage drinking. Malls and supermarkets are exempt from this rule. In addition, there are specialist imported wine and liquor shops.

Jakarta has a fairly large number of prostitutes , known in local parlance as ayam (lit. "chicken"), so much so that much of the female clientele of some respectable bars (operated by five-star hotels, etc.) is on the take.

The Kota area in northern Jakarta is the oldest part of town with numerous colonial buildings still dominating the area. It is also considered to be the seediest part of town after midnight. Most karaoke bars and 'health' clubs there are in fact brothels who mostly cater to local Jakartans. Even regular discos such as Golden Crown have special areas designated for prostitutes. Other notable establishments in this area are Malioboro and Club 36 which should not be missed. This part of town has a large ethnic Chinese population who also dominate the clubbing scene there.

The bulk of the clubbing scene is spread throughout Jakarta but usually found in office buildings or hotels. The help of an experienced local with finding these places is recommended. Nightlife in Jakarta tends to be pricey by local standards.

Due to Jakarta's freedom, there is no specific dress code that should be worn unless you are in a religious area. However, it is best not to dress too openly to avoid awkward stares or giving the impression (especially for women) that you are a prostitute since most of them in Jakarta wear very short dresses or skirts. Sandals are fine to wear if you're heading for North Jakarta since it is near the beach. During the month of Ramadan, most nightlife ends at midnight, while some venues do not open all month.

A nightlife district popular among expats is Blok M in South Jakarta , or more specifically the single lane of Jl. Palatehan 1 just north of the bus terminal, packed with pubs and bars geared squarely towards single male Western visitors. While lacking the bikini-clad go-go dancers of Patpong , the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned prostitute. Blok M is easily accessible as the southern terminus of BRT Line 1. For a more off-the-beaten track experience, head a few blocks south to Jl. Melawai 6 ( opposite Plaza Blok M ), Jakarta's de-facto Little Japan with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. If you prefer to mingle with Koreans, go south to Jalan Wijaya.

Plaza Senayan's Arcadia annex attempts to duplicate the concept, but with more of an emphasis on fine dining. The Kemang area in southern Jakarta is popular with expats and locals alike so it has numerous places to eat, drink and dance. Or if you want to keep it sober, bubble tea cafes and coffee shops are popping up sporadically, especially in North and West Jakarta, and most major malls. No jamming music and (mostly) no alcohol, but still a good place to hang out.

Coffee aficionados can rejoice as some of the best beans in the world hail from Indonesia, and they can easily be found from stands on the street to dedicated coffee shops and even the sachets at the supermarket. They are usually priced from Rp30,000 per cup while powdered coffee are sold from Rp15,000. Co-working spaces are also starting to expand their business into making a coffee shop which caters mostly for workers in the city.

Sleep [ edit ]

The travel agencies at Jakarta's airport can have surprisingly good rates for mid-range and above hotels. Star ratings are reserved for midrange and better hotels, while budget places have "Melati" rankings from 1-3 (best). Tax and service charges of 21% are usually added to the bill.

• Budget , hostels ( losmen ) can be found around Jalan Jaksa , which is close to the Gambir station, for as low as Rp30,000 per night! Or Kwitang area offer low cost but filthy hotel for Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Hotels around Cikini has better room to offer for Rp300,000 to Rp 400,000. Another choice is hotels around Mangga Besar , a street with a wide variety of hotels, clubs, restaurants and low class spas. Elsewhere, look for brands such as favehotel , amaris , and ibis budget .
• Mid-range are easily found at all parts of Jakarta, from independents to chain brands such as all Accor Group hotels but Pullman.
• Splurge , Jakarta has more than its fair share of luxury hotels, and after the prolonged post-crash hangover new ones are now going up again. Many remain good value by world prices, but opulent lobbies do not always correspond to the same quality in the room. Mostly found within the business strips of Sudirman-Thamrin and Rasuna Said .

Jakarta is a business destination, so rates are often lower on the weekends. During the Eid holiday season, Jakarta empties out and there are some great deals to be had.

For stays longer than 2½–3 weeks, monthly rental rooms (called kost ) and apartments are a good alternative to budget and mid-range hotels, respectively. Fully-furnished rooms (with TV, air-con, large bed, hot shower, kitchen outside) can be rented for 1½-4 million rupiah per month. In most cases, the rental fee already includes electricity and water usage, and often there are additional services included like laundry, Internet access, breakfast, etc. There are cheaper rooms as well (starting from Rp500,000-700,000), but those are usually small, windowless, and the furniture includes just a bed or even nothing at all. Also, some cheaper places are exclusively for either men or women (no opposite-sex tenants or visitors allowed); many others allow couples to stay together only if they're legally married.

For apartments (one or more rooms + private kitchen + often balcony), prices are Rp3-4 million and up. Cheaper rates can be obtained in some places which are oriented to the long-term rental (3, 6 months or 1 year minimum); however, there may be same limitations as for cheaper rooms. Short term room rentals services such as Airbnb can be an option for those on the budget.

Stay safe [ edit ]

A number of high-profile terror attacks in 2003, 2004, and 2009 have led to the city beefing up its security presence. An attack in 2016 specifically targeted foreigners, killing four. However, given the scale and population of the city, terror attacks are exceedingly rare and wayward traffic is a much more realistic threat. Security continues to be highly visible in the city, although checks are generally light and act more as a first layer of defense (that actively helped save lives in the 2016 attack). You'll spot many x-ray machines and people waving metal-detection wands in offices, malls and transportation infrastructure.

By and large, your stay in Jakarta should not be problematic as long as you use common sense. While theft and robbery seem common, they are highly unlikely to happen in the crowded Sudirman streets, but much more likely at night in the less economically fortunate areas such as in the East, or in residential areas in the suburbs. It is generally better to use a car, or the Transjakarta and commuter trains if you opt for public transit. Women are even entitled to a dedicated seating area or car on these routes!

Strict gun control laws make Jakarta safer, leaving theft and robbery as day-to-day concerns. Violence is low, and most criminal acts are done by stealth or intimidation rather than lethal force. It is rare for serious injuries to occur during these situations, although there are exceptions. If the theft is done by stealth, simply catching the thief in the act will cause him to run away. For intimidation such as robberies, simply giving them an object of value will usually satisfy the thief, who will leave without further ado. Most Indonesians are also very protective of their neighbors and friends; in many neighborhoods, a thief caught by the local residents will be punished "traditionally" before being taken to police. Shout for help ("Tolong!") or robber ("Maling!") to get yourself away from this.

Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Carry your backpack on your chest when you see others do the same. Business travelers need to keep a close eye on laptops, which have been known to disappear even from within co-working spaces. For all-night party excursions, it may be wise to keep your cab waiting; the extra cost is cheap and it's worth it for the security. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Organised criminals sometimes operate on the streets (especially at traffic lights) without fearing crowds.

Protests [ edit ]

Indonesians are fiercely protective of their right to protest, which proved critical in establishing its democracy in 1998, when citizens (particularly students) descended upon the streets, with significant damage to the city and killing thousands in the process.

Today, as a dense concentration of 30 million citizens in its metro area representing one of the world's largest democracies, Jakarta sees regular protests of all sorts. Most protests are rowdy yet organised events, taking place around government offices. Visitors will see their impact from miles away as they cause congestion in the already congested traffic, but they're also decorated with large banners, flags and posters. Protesters generally don't interact with others around them, although given the tight streets and sidewalks, beware of getting swept away or separated in a march. During larger protests, entire roads or areas may be cordoned off by police.

There is always a police presence of some sort at these events, so follow their directions. Transjakarta, rail and metro services will also know in advance and announcements may be displayed in stations. Taxi companies also broadcast this information to their drivers. When in doubt, do like an Indonesian and simply ask a nearby uniformed person and ask if there's a disruption going on.

Protests tend to take a turn for the chaotic once night falls and the bulk of protesters leave to return to their families. Most protests end right around nightfall (about 18:00), but if a one extends into the night, it would be prudent to give it a wide berth.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Tap water in Jakarta is not drinkable, unless it's boiled or purified. It is generally fine for a bathing or brushing teeth. Bottled water is cheap, up to Rp5,000, but for safety reasons it is better to buy it from minimarts , rather than from street vendors who may refill empty bottles with tap water. If you're staying for extended periods, you can also obtain gallon-sized water containers. Ensure the tamper-proof seal is intact.

Jakarta's air quality is poor, especially during the dry season. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors near the streets (especially in less central areas, where you may be meters from passing cars and motorbikes, without a proper sidewalk) it's wise to do like many Indonesians and wear a mask. You can obtain masks from pharmacies or convenience stores; ask for a "motorbike mask" if necessary. Keep an eye on air quality through weather apps if you're sensitive to air quality, as it may vary depending on where you are in the city.

There is a law against smoking in public places in Jakarta, and the smoker can (in theory) be fined up to US$5,000. You may see the signs threatening a fine ( denda ) of Rp50 million or 6 months jail for smoking, although that law seems not to be enforced, as locals still smoke everywhere on the street and even in local buses, as anywhere in Indonesia. It's generally prohibited to smoke, however, inside shops, offices, hotel, and air-conditioned buildings generally. If in doubt, you can ask locals: Boleh merokok ?

Diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever is common in Jakarta, so it's wise to prepare yourself with antidiarrheal medication and activated carbon, and always bring hand sanitizer. A visit to general practitioner will roughly cost you Rp50.000 to Rp150.000. Seeing a specialist or going to hospital will cost you around Rp200.000-Rp500.000.

Connect [ edit ]

Telephone [ edit ].

The area code for Jakarta and the metropolitan area is 021 . You do not need to dial the area code if you are calling another number within the same area using a landline. Drop the 0 prefix when calling from elsewhere in Indonesia.

Wartel or telephone shops are ubiquitous on the streets of Jakarta but are gradually disappearing because of the booming of mobile phones. There are lots of shops where you can buy a cheap Indonesian SIM card. Bring your passport. Cellular coverage is generally good.

Public phones can still be commonly seen on the sidewalk. If you see a public telephone, lift the receiver and check the number in the display near the keypad. If the number is not 000, don't insert coins, because the phone is broken, as is often the case. If working, they cost just Rp100 per minute.

Internet [ edit ]

If you have your own laptop you may be able to access wifi networks in shopping malls, park, and government building. Ask at the information desk for access codes, but usually the speed is bad. Free hotspots are also available at restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience stores. Most hotels also provide wifi hotspots in their public area or in their rooms, either free or paid—inquire before booking.

Internet cafes are available in most parts of the city, especially around universities, residential areas, and most shopping malls, for Rp4,000-10,000 per hour. While the cheap ones will have slow dial-up connections, others offer broadband high-speed capabilities, usually used for online gaming. If you need to use the internet for a long time, try to get the "happy hour" deals, where for up to Rp30,000, you can browse the Internet as long as you want.

All providers in Jakarta have 4G LTE, but the signals are only good in business triangle areas (Sudirman, HR Rasuna Said and Gatot Subroto); in other areas, the signal flips between 4G LTE, HSDPA, and 3G, or is mostly 3G. For more general information, see Internet in Indonesia . For alternative, try to find wifi.id for reliable connection in public space or big building. They will charge you Rp5.000 from your mobile phone credit for full day connectivity.

Post [ edit ]

Post is provided by the state-owned Pos Indonesia , open during business hours only. They do not have mailboxes but have mobile counters in vans, or you can just go to the post office. Major freight companies such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS also offer drop by package delivery, albeit through a third-party service. Gojek and Grab also offer door-to-door delivery service within their app if you only need to send something light and quick (maximum 5 kg), for which the price depends on distance rather than weight. TIKI, JNE, or J&T are reliable for bulk or inter-city delivery.

Emergency [ edit ]

Jakarta's emergency services are the best in Indonesia. Many hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms, but equipment may not be as advanced as their international counterparts. The international emergency number ☏ 112 does work and will channel you to the respective services you need.

• Fire , ☏ 113 .  
• Ambulance , ☏ 118 .  
• Police , ☏ 110 .  
• Search and rescue team , ☏ 115 .  
• Indonesian Police HQ , Jl. Trunojoyo 3, South Jakarta , ☏ +62 21 7218144 .  
• Jakarta Police HQ , Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 45, South Jakarta , ☏ +62 21 5709261 .  
• Child abuse , ☏ 1-500-771 (in country only) .  
• Hospitals with 24-hour emergency room UGD (ER): see the Jakarta district pages.

Cope [ edit ]

Media [ edit ].

Jakarta is the centre of Indonesia's media. Most news is actually sourced from Jakarta. English-language publications are starting to make their way into newsstands.

• The Jakarta Post . Indonesia's English-language paper of record.
• The Jakarta Globe In a tabloid format. Provides more lifestyle content.
• Tempo English Edition Weekly hard news magazine.
• What's New Jakarta is a lifestyle website full of food and event listings. Suitable for long-term visitors

State-owned TV station TVRI has an English news broadcast every day at 17:00, and MetroTV Tuesday-Saturday at 01:00. MetroTV has Metro XinWen for news in Mandarin Chinese.

Immigration office [ edit ]

The General Directorate of Immigration (Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav.X-6 Kuningan-Jakarta Selatan) provides visas, re-entry permits and many other immigration services.

Embassies and consulates [ edit ]

The Kementerian Luar Negeri (Kemlu) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a complete searchable database of diplomatic institutions. The embassies are located in Jakarta; some consulates general and honorary consulates are located in other cities such as Surabaya and Denpasar. This list may not be complete.

Go next [ edit ]

Within the metropolitan area: [ edit ].

The fun does not end in Jakarta, but well beyond its satellite cities!

• Thousand Islands — administratively a part of Jakarta, but it is the complete opposite of the hectic mainland: an island escape with sprawling resorts and nature reserves.
• Bogor — a sense of nature one hour away, where you can tuck yourself away in its botanic gardens or golf courses.
• Puncak — cooler climate, beautiful view of the mountains and tea plantations, restaurants, as well as the Taman Safari Wildlife Park.
• Tangerang — a thriving area for premium residents and opulent malls, especially to its south.
• Depok — a budget style city with adequate facilities because of the nearby University of Indonesia.
• Bekasi — home to Jakarta's big companies and an increasingly bustling city.

A bit further off [ edit ]

• A 3-hour drive using the tollway leads into the Merak Port at the western end of Java, where you can continue your journey by ferry to Sumatra island for 1½ hours.
• Anyer is an upscale resort beach 4 hours away from Jakarta, but if you want a less crowded option, the Carita Beach is just a short drive away from there.
• Pulau Umang, an island resort to itself, is midway between Carita Beach and Ujung Kulon National Park.
• Ujung Kulon National Park — a beautiful national park 5 hours away, featuring the endangered single-horn rhinoceros .
• Bandung — 3 hours away from Jakarta, it's a budget style city famous for both food and bargain fashions.
• For a tropical island hype (without the resorts) and an instant escape from the hectic city, head to Belitung Island, less than 1 hour away by air.

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A City that Never Sleeps

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia. Jakarta is a huge, sprawling metropolis, home to over 10 million people with diverse ethnic group backgrounds from all over Indonesia. During the day, the number increases with commuters making their way to work in the city and flock out again in the evenings. Located on the northwest of Java Island, the province of DKI Jakarta has rapidly expanded through the years, absorbing many villages in the process. In fact, Jakarta is a conglomeration of villages known as kampung , now crossed by main roads and superhighways.

The Charm of the Metropolis

A part of the local experience is that you may drive down one wide avenue one minute, then suddenly find yourself squeezed into a small street together with scores of cars and motorbikes. With its many suburbs, Jakarta has become a  Megapolitan city . Therefore, when you visit Jakarta it is best to invest in a good map or rely on GPS to navigate around.

Jakarta is not only the seat of the national government and the provincial government, but it is also Indonesia’s political center. Moreover, Jakarta is the hub of Indonesia’s national finance and trade. It is no wonder, that you will find Jakarta as a dynamic city, with activities taking place around-the-clock throughout its populated areas.

This city is divided into 5 districts, namely Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta Utara, Jakarta Barat, Jakarta Timur, and Jakarta Selatan . The term ‘Jabodetabek’ refers to Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi - the Greater Jakarta area consists of megacities surrounding the capital.

Jakarta Pusat or central Jakarta is where you can find the iconic landmarks such as Monas, The Merdeka Palace , The National Museum , Istiqlal Mosque , The Jakarta Cathedral , and Monumen Selamat Datang or the welcome monument widely renowned as Bunderan HI.

Some of the most prestigious shopping malls and upscale hotels are located right in the heart of Central Jakarta. Here you can enjoy the 24 hours excitements of Jakarta!

Jakarta Utara or North Jakarta is where Taman Impian Jaya Ancol or Ancol Dreamland is located. It boasts a variety of amusements such as Dufan Theme park, Seaworld, Atlantis Water Adventure Park, Ecopark, an Art market and comfortable accommodation choices with a complete culinary destination. From Ancol Bay, you can hop on a boat and head to Jakarta’s pristine getaway, enriched with tropical islands named Kepulauan Seribu, or The Seribu Archipelago and sometimes also simply famous as The Thousand Islands.

Here, there are more than 10 islands that one can explore. Some of the most famous are Bidadari, Tidung, Pari and Pulau Macan, the home of private beach huts that lets you plunge directly from your bed to the open sea.

Jakarta Barat or West Jakarta, Jakarta Timur or East Jakarta and Jakarta Selatan or South Jakarta are those areas where a cluster of houses are located alongside offices, public facilities and more choices of shopping malls!

The amazing historical heritage in West Jakarta is Museum Fatahillah and its surrounding Kota Tua or Old Jakarta district is where you can ride a classic bike to tour the area. The new iconic destination in West Jakarta is the contemporary art exhibition venue named Museum Macan, where Yayoi Kusama’s artworks are displayed.

In East Jakarta, you can visit Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, the miniature of Indonesia Archipelago. You can explore the details of traditional houses and a glimpse of Indonesia’s diverse culture in this park.

When visiting South Jakarta, make sure to drop by at Setu Babakan and get to know the story of Betawi culture, the native ethnic group of Jakarta. There are a museum and traditional Betawi houses with few activities that you can experience, such as getting to know the traditional dance and music, tasting the local beverage of Bir Pletok, have a bite of Kerak Telor and making small ondel ondel, the iconic figure of Jakarta!

Indonesia’s Independence Day is also celebrated annually on the 17th of August with various activities throughout the nation. Especially in Jakarta, you will find communities decorating their homes with the national color of red and white.

Unique games and races are packed with participants of all ages. Balap Karung or the sack race and Panjat Pinang or the Pinang climb are two iconic games that are always crowded with spectators.

By Air  Jakarta has two international airports, one is the larger Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located in Tangerang, now in the neighboring province of Banten. The other is the smaller Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, which is reserved for limited domestic flights. 

Overland As the nation’s capital, Jakarta is connected by land to major cities in Java, public transport to get to Jakarta is available by bus and train.

People who visit Jakarta, usually take time to stop by the neighboring Bogor, famous for it's Botanical Garden and highlands getaway in the Puncak area.

Or if you prefer the coastal area, head to Banten and spend a holiday at Anyer and Carita Beach.

By Sea  Tanjung Priok is the name of Jakarta’s seaport, located in North Jakarta. It is the busiest seaport in Indonesia.

In April 2018, Genting Dream Cruises, based in Singapore, has opened special itineraries to visit Indonesia’s capital for this summer to voyage. A delightful choice for the one who wants to splurge aboard a luxurious cruise ship.

The best way to travel around Jakarta is by rented car, taxi or package tour. Be prepared though to meet traffic jams, especially when traveling during peak hours and into business districts, including the Old Batavia area. 

It is advisable therefore to choose a hotel near the location where you will have your meeting or business appointments or to the attraction or destination you wish to visit. Distances between points of interest in Jakarta can sometimes be far and might be interspersed with traffic.

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Jakarta travel guide

Jakarta tourism | jakarta guide, you're going to love jakarta.

Jakarta is an upbeat city that moves at a fast pace, whether that means the traffic on the streets or the redevelopment projects that continue to pop up all over town.

This city of over 10 million sprawls over the island of Java where the Ciliwung River flows into Jakarta Bay, and eventually the Java Sea. Founded in the fourth century, the city served as a key trading port in the ancient Kingdom of Sunda, then became a city crucial to the Dutch East Indies under colonial rule, and in the modern era has grown into the financial, cultural, and political capital of Indonesia.

Jakarta's foods and dining options draw upon traditions from Indonesia's 17,000 islands. You'll see architectural styles from China, the Netherlands, and the Arab world, along with local Malay and Javanese influences and gleaming postmodern skyscrapers. Past and present combine in the fascinating modern city of Jakarta.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Jakarta

1. world-class shopping malls.

Jakarta's offerings when it comes to shopping malls are equal in caliber with the best of Singapore or other Asian centers. Taman Anggrek Mall is the city's largest, covering just under 89,000 acres in West Jakarta, with over 500 stores on seven levels. More than 70 shopping centers participate each year in the Jakarta Great Sale during June and July, held to commemorate the anniversary of Jakarta's founding.

2. Scintillating Nightlife

Jakarta's is home to some of the best nightclubs and bars in the region. From chic rooftop bars to trendy nightclubs and cocktail bars, there is a diverse, lively nightlife scene to explore.

3. Captivating Culture

Jakarta's diverse group of cultures has created a multifaceted culture that you can experience via traditional performances, film festivals, the Java Jazz Festival, and many other world-class arts and entertainment events hosted by the city throughout the year. The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or "Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park" in East Jakarta includes pavilions that illustrate life in all of Indonesia's 26 provinces.

4. Fantastic Food

Betawi cuisine - or the local cuisine of Jakarta - incorporates many outside influences, including Chinese, Arabic, Indian, and various European, particularly Portuguese, cuisines. It's spicy and fragrant, with popular dishes like soto Betawi, a spicy beef stew, or gado-gado, basically fresh salad in a peanut sauce. You'll find everything from cheap street food favorites to fine dining rooms offering fusion cuisine.

5. Intriguing Museums

Most of the city's museums can be found in Jakarta's Old Town and Merdeka Square in Central Jakarta, including the National Museum of Indonesia - called Gedung Gajah (the Elephant Building) because of the elephant statue in the forecourt - with its extensive archaeological and historical collections.

What to do in Jakarta

1. monas: monas.

The Indonesian archipelago has gone through a whirlwind of modern political change, and in 1945 the islands were finally declared a sovereign nation with Jakarta as its capital. This iconic monument commemorates that history, with sweeping views of the city from the top and an informative museum at the base. More historical art and artifacts can be found at institutions surrounding the vast square - stop into the National Museum and Merdeka Palace, full of fascinating treasures.

2. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah: A Taste of Everything

Thousands of islands comprise this vast and varied country, so it's nearly impossible to visit it all - but this entertainment park brings the far reaches of the nation to you! The most important sights from throughout Indonesia are recreated here in miniature, covering the multitude of cultures and styles in epic detail. Amidst these fascinating structures visitors can also enjoy gardens, museums, theaters, and more - there is even a Komodo Dragon Reptile Park.

3. Masjid Istiqlal: Mosque of the Nation

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, so it's no surprise that the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia is at the heart of this staggering metropolis. Its minaret takes over the skyline with elegance and assertion, welcoming visitors from far and wide to appreciate the impressive space. Up to 200,000 people at a time come together in prayer here. Seven entrances lead to the immense prayer hall, where twelve dwarfing pillars hold up the mystical dome.

4. Kota Tua: Colonial Days

Jakarta's colonial center was once named Batavia by the Dutch, and the area is still filled with traces of Dutch influence. Rapidly developing, keep your eyes open on a walk through this neighborhood - from architecture to canals; there are some distinctly European moments. Now a great contrast reigns, with contemporary skyscrapers rising amidst old forts, hotels, and houses. Fatahillah Square has been the center of it all for centuries, host to a plethora of great museums.

5. Grand Indonesia: More than a Mall

Shopping is a popular pastime in Indonesia, and there is a whole world built around the culture. Grand Indonesia is the jewel of Jakarta's malls, boasting endless outlets and flagship stores alongside world class dining experiences. With eight floors on which to roam free, visitors can satisfy every wish and desire with all sorts of entertainment along the way - there is even an arcade and a fountain show!

Where to Eat in Jakarta

The Tugu Kunstkring Paleis was once a fine arts center, and you can still view fine art exhibitions as you dine on Indonesian favorites that start at Rp60,000. Jalan Kampung Lima is a small street in the Jalan Jaksa area near the Mandiri Bank where you can sample classic Javanese street food from a number of stalls. Favorites like piseng goreng (fried banana) and spicy fried chicken start at Rp20,000. For fine dining, Indonesian style, with a menu that changes according to the supply of local ingredients, you can try Nusa, where multi-course menus start at Rp350,000.

When to visit Jakarta

In tropical Jakarta, the drier months of June through September, when daily temperatures range between about 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, are the most popular times for tourists to visit. The remainder of the year is considered the rainy season, with the most rainfall in January and February.

How to Get to Jakarta

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is about 18 miles from the city center, handling most international flights to Jakarta. The best option to get to town is by one of the many taxis available. A regular taxi fare to the city should cost about Rp120,000. Damri bus service connects to the city's commuter train network and starts at Rp25,000. Some domestic flights and discount airlines operate out of Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP), which is about 11.5 miles from Jakarta.

Long distance train service passes through Jakarta via KRL and Jabodetabek. There are connections to Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Bali with a combination of train, bus, and ferry service.

Driving to Jakarta means navigating a network of toll roads made up of an inner and outer ring road. Five toll roads radiate out from the city in all directions to the east, west, and south to Ciawi, to Serpong, and to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Jakarta connects to other centers in the region via bus, including Bandung and Yogyakarta. Companies include XTrans and Primajasa, with the main bus terminal located in South Jakarta.

Airports near Jakarta

Airlines serving jakarta, where to stay in jakarta.

Central Jakarta – this is where you'll find landmarks like the Jakarta Cathedral, and some of the city's best museums, including the Taman Prasasti Museum, and the Textile Museum. There are also large parks, such as leafy Taman Suropati, where you can join a free yoga or aerobics class, and Menteng Park with its greenhouses and manicured plant beds.

Popular Neighborhoods in Jakarta

West Jakarta – this district includes Chinatown and historic landmarks like the Toko Merah, built in 1730. This is also where you'll find the Old Town, the original downtown area under Dutch colonial rule.

South Jakarta – this largely upscale neighborhood is where you'll find some of the city's best shopping malls, including Pondok Indah Mall and family-friendy Gandaria City. The main bus terminal and railway station are also located in this district.

Where to stay in popular areas of Jakarta

Most booked hotels in jakarta, how to get around jakarta, public transportation.

Public transit is limited in Jakarta. The TransJakarta bus rapid transit system caters to commuters, as does the electric commuter rail system, but be forewarned that both usually run at over capacity during weekday rush hours. Rapid bus service fares are Rp3,500.

Taxis are a good option for travel inside the city, with multiple companies on offer, including Blue Bird (basic service) and Silver Bird (premium service), with cheap fares at both levels. A basic cab from South Jakarta to North Jakarta will cost about Rp60,000.

Visitors are allowed to drive in Indonesia with an International Driver's License. Traffic is chronically congested in Jakarta and the connecting highways. A car rental starts at about Rp915,000 and Avis has outlets in the city. Parking spaces can be very scarce in some neighborhoods, where you will be competing with locals for spots that go for up to Rp10,000 per hour.

The Cost of Living in Jakarta

Shopping streets.

Grand Indonesia Shopping Town is located in Central Jakarta. It's got a good selection of high end brands, along with Blitzmegaplex, Indonesia's largest movie theater, and a video game arcade. Also in Central Jakarta, Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, formerly a traditional Java market, is now a large shopping mall where you can bargain for a huge range of goods from clothing and jewelry to homewares.

Groceries and Other

Most of the major shopping malls include a Hero supermarket. So-called hypermarkets are superstores where you can purchase just about anything, and there are several to choose from including Carrefour and Hypermart. A quart of milk costs about Rp18,000 and a dozen eggs costs about Rp23,000. The Pasar Minggu Sunday market in South Jakarta is famous for its delicious array of fruits.

Jakarta Travel Guide: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Indonesia’s Capital

by Andy McGinlay 8 Feb 2024 Asia , Indonesia

Jakarta, the dynamic capital city of Indonesia, stands as a testament to the country’s rich history, diverse culture, and rapid urban development. This sprawling metropolis offers a unique blend of modern skyscrapers, historical landmarks, and vibrant street life, making it a fascinating destination for travellers. In this comprehensive Jakarta travel guide, we will explore the city’s prime attractions, delve into its culinary adventures, and provide you with essential tips to make your journey unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodations or luxurious stays, Holiday Swap offers a variety of home rental options that ensure a comfortable and authentic experience in the heart of Southeast Asia’s largest city.

Unearthing Jakarta’s History

Jakarta’s history is as complex as it is fascinating, with influences from the Dutch East Indies to the bustling trade centre it is today. The city’s museums and historical sites offer insights into its past, from its role in the spice trade to its struggle for independence. Key landmarks such as the Merdeka Palace and Jakarta Cathedral stand as symbols of the city’s resilience and diversity.

Discovering Jakarta’s Prime Attractions

The iconic national monument: jakarta’s pride.

The National Monument, or Monas, is an emblem of independence towering over Merdeka Square. This monument offers panoramic views of the city and houses a museum that chronicles Indonesia’s fight for freedom.

The National Monument

Historical Landmarks: Journey through Time

Jakarta is home to several historical landmarks that tell the story of its past. The Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque, representing the country’s religious harmony, are must-visits for their architectural beauty and historical significance.

Old Batavia: Echoes of Colonial Elegance

Strolling through Kota Tua, or Old Batavia, you’ll encounter well-preserved colonial buildings that echo the city’s Dutch colonial past. Fatahillah Square, at the heart of this area, is surrounded by museums that offer a glimpse into Jakarta’s history.

Old Batavia

Istiqlal Mosque: Spiritual Majesty

Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s biggest mosque, stands as a symbol of Indonesia’s Muslim-majority population. Its stunning architecture and capacity to hold tens of thousands of worshippers make it a significant spiritual site.

Istiqlal Mosque

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah: Cultural Panorama

This cultural park is a microcosm of Indonesia, showcasing traditional houses, clothing, and dances from across the archipelago. It’s a place to immerse yourself in the country’s diverse cultures.

Ancol Dreamland: Adventure and Joy

Ancol Dreamland is Jakarta’s largest recreation park, offering theme parks, beaches, and entertainment facilities. It’s a perfect destination for families looking to enjoy fun-filled activities.

Ancol Dreamland

Where to Stay with Holiday Swap

When it comes to accommodation, Holiday Swap offers an array of options for travellers seeking a home away from home in Jakarta. From cosy apartments in the bustling city centre to tranquil homes in residential districts, there’s something for every budget and style.

Click here to book this home

Culinary Adventures in Jakarta

Jakarta’s culinary scene is as diverse as its culture. From street vendors serving traditional Nasi Goreng to upscale restaurants offering international cuisines, the city is a food lover’s paradise. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Jakarta’s shopping centres and markets, where you can taste local delicacies and shop for souvenirs.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Jakarta’s entertainment and nightlife offer something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in live music, trendy clubs, or cultural performances, the city comes alive at night. Public transit makes it easy to explore different entertainment districts and experience Jakarta’s vibrant nightlife.

The Ultimate Shopping Experience

Shopping in Jakarta ranges from high-end shopping malls to traditional markets. Whether you’re looking for luxury brands or local handicrafts, Jakarta’s shopping complexes and adjacent streets provide endless opportunities for retail therapy.

Concluding Your Jakarta Journey: Tips for Travelers

• Plan your visit during the dry season to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing.
• Use Google Maps to navigate the city’s bustling streets and find the best routes during rush hours.
• Opt for trusted taxi services like Blue Bird or Silver Bird for convenient city travel.
• Carry a credit card , but also have some cash for smaller vendors and street markets.
• Stay connected with Holiday Swap for comfortable, budget-friendly accommodations throughout your stay in Jakarta.

Jakarta, with its mix of modernity and tradition, offers an enriching and diverse travel experience. From exploring historical landmarks to indulging in culinary delights, and enjoying vibrant nightlife to shopping sprees, this city caters to all interests. Remember to consider Holiday Swap for your accommodation needs, ensuring a memorable and authentic Jakarta experience.

Planning your trip just got easier with Holiday Swap!

Let our expert team handpick the perfect accommodation for you from thousands of options, all at affordable prices, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

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Home » Southeast Asia » Indonesia » Jakarta

11 BEST Places to Visit in Jakarta (2024)

Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, is a megacity that is alive and buzzing 24 hours a day. The locals always have a smile on their face and a positive outlook. You’ll have one too when you hear about the world-class street food and coffee scene! Not only that, there’s plenty to see across the different neighbourhoods too. Chinatown and Glodok show the city’s colonial past, while Merdeka Square is a confident representation of modern Indonesia. Throw in some great nightlife and Jakarta is the complete package!

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the best places to visit in Jakarta. By the time you’ve ticked a few off, your smile will be as wide as one of the locals!

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in Jakarta:

These are the best places to visit in jakarta, faq on the best places to visit in jakarta.

Mangga Dua is Jakarta’s world-famous shopping hub. In fact, it’s one of the largest shopping areas in all of Southeast Asia! From Mangga Dua Square where many big concerts are held to Mangga Dua Mall with its excellent retail store bargains, you’ll have no shortage of things to do.

• Check out the concert hall lineup at Mangga Dua Square
• Get a tattoo in Mangga Dua Square
• Enjoy a seafood dinner in Gunung Sahari Street

Not only does Jakarta boast some kick-ass attractions, but also a myriad of accommodation options to suit every type of traveller. Be sure to check out the best places to s tay in Jakarta and book yourself an Airbnb epic enough to match the level of epic you’ll find in this list below!

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#1 – Kota Tua – A perfect place to visit in Jakarta if you’re on a budget

• Explore Jakarta’s colonial downtown
• Find some street food hot spots in Jakarta
• Check out some interesting and unusual museums

Why it’s awesome: Kota Tua is Jakarta’s Old Town, and it’s normally the first stop for tourists and travellers in town. This is hardly surprising – the oldest and most historic buildings from the Dutch colonial era are found here! The city’s original downtown contains Dutch-style squares and plenty of history to uncover. At the turn of the century, the buildings were rapidly deteriorating, but many have been restored since and the area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. Explore the architecture and cool street food spots either on foot or by bike!

What to do there: Not sure how to see Jakarta’s Old Town? Well, a good place to start is Fatahillah Square. This is slap bang in the middle of Kota Tua (what was once known as Old Batavia). Around the square, there are plenty of museums where you can absorb Jakarta’s colonial history or find some quirky exhibitions. Many are low priced, and some are completely free! Highly recommended are the Jakarta History Museum and Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, which are both self-explanatory. The Wayang Museum shows off Javanese puppets and dolls!

#2 – Merdeka Square – A great place to visit in Jakarta if you’re travelling solo!

• Take a break from Jakarta’s traffic and chill
• Stroll around one of the largest public squares in the world
• Surrounded by some of the coolest landmarks in Jakarta

Why it’s awesome: If you’re travelling solo and you want to make some friends in Jakarta, you’re bound to come across someone at Merdeka Square. After all, it’s one of the largest public squares in the world and it’s where the locals come to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Not to mention the stifling traffic, which is seemingly always gridlocked! The square is centered around the National Monument, standing at 132 metres high. There’s an interesting museum at the base, but if you’re unafraid of heights and want some great pictures then head to the observation deck at the top!

What to do there: As well as chilling in the square and visiting the national monument, there’s plenty to do. Some of the most important points of interest in Jakarta surround Merdeka Square. You’ll find the National Gallery, the Merdeka and Negara Palaces, and the National Museum, which we’ll tell you more about later! Even with all these cool attractions, nothing beats escaping from busy Jakarta life and relaxing in the shade with your travel companion or alone with a book, watching the world go by! On weekend evenings, don’t miss the spectacular fountain show complete with lights and music.

#3 – Taman Mini Indonesia Indah – A very cool place to go in Jakarta for a day!

• Explore full-scale house models from all over Indonesia
• Let the kids choose between the water park and the space exploration museum!
• One of the best places in Jakarta to spend a whole day

Why it’s awesome: Running low on Jakarta vacation ideas? Head here, where they’ve thought of literally everything. The park’s name literally translates to Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park. The only thing they forgot was huge – it covers a massive area. But of course, it has to as it packs in parks, an IMAX cinema, a water park, and that’s just for starters! This is the perfect place to go for the day with the family, or simply to have a quirky and relaxed adventure.

What to do there: Where to start! Get a dose of Indonesian culture by exploring the models of traditional houses from around the country. You can also take home some cool souvenirs, as there’s a traditional handicraft market which sells clothing too! Then, move on to a mini re-creation of one of Indonesia’s most important temples, Borobodur. Find somewhere to have a tasty and traditional lunch then head to the atrium in the afternoon, which houses 760 native birds! If you’re still there in the evening (and why wouldn’t you be), head to one of the regional houses for a free traditional performance!

#4 – Glodok Chinatown – A must-see for foodies!

• Explore one of the street food hotspots in Jakarta
• Visit the Chinese temples of the area
• Head to one of Jakarta’s largest shopping centres.

Why it’s awesome: Glodok may not be the most tourist-friendly destination, but it is home to some of the best places to eat in Jakarta. In our book, that definitely makes it worth a visit. Indonesian street food has a mishmash of influences, and one of the most important is Chinese. It’s in Glodok that you’ll find a number of street food stalls along the narrow pavements, as well as a range of Chinese restaurants which range from dingy and quiet to upmarket! It’s hard not to find something delicious here.

What to do there: Eat, eat, eat! Whether it’s grilled pork, fried duck, or delicious satay sauce, you’ll find something to keep you sated. It’s not all about food in Glodok though. The area is home to a number of quiet and peaceful temples, which don’t have anywhere near the number of crowds as some of the more popular religious sites in Jakarta. They’re a great place to relax and contemplate away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Glodok is close to Kota Tua, so you can easily combine both in a day trip if you fancy!

#5 – Dunia Fantasi (Ancol Dreamland) – Awesome place to visit in Jakarta with kids!

• Take the kids to this internationally themed amusement park
• Get views of Jakarta Bay from the top of rollercoasters
• Jakarta must-do for the whole family

Why it’s awesome: Sometimes cultural attractions can get a bit tiresome and heavy when you’re travelling with kids, so why not mix it up and head to one of the most fun places in Jakarta – Ancol Dreamland! It’ll put a face on the smile of the little ones with spinning teacups and Hello Kitty Dreamland, while even the surliest teen will have their indifferent frown re-arranged by the Hysteria vertical thrill ride! There are 9 new attractions planned at the time of writing (2019) so it’s only going to get better by the time you arrive!

What to do there: First thing to do in the theme park is make a plan of the rides you don’t want to miss and head to them first. You don’t want to spend the day stuck in queues! As Jakarta can get hot and humid, we highly recommend the log flume ride to cool off. It’s not all about rides at this cool internationally inspired theme park though. Head to Ancient Greece or Ancient Egypt without leaving the Indonesian capital and admire these fantastic recreations! When you fancy something a little more relaxed, see movies about Beautiful Indonesia at the on-site Kalila Adventure Animatronic theatre!

#6 – National Museum – A fascinating educational place to visit in Jakarta

• Learn about every aspect of Indonesian culture
• Over 100,000 pieces exhibiting this country’s rich heritage
• One of the major points of interest in Jakarta

Why it’s awesome: Just across from Merdeka Square is where you’ll find one of the most impressive and important museums in South East Asia – the National Museum of Indonesia. Don’t miss the beautiful elephant statue in the courtyard (it’s kind of hard to if you go in really), which gives it the name it’s known among locals – the Elephant building. The museum collection consists of more than 100,000 articles. These relate to art, agriculture, languages, and religion of the national and regional history of Indonesia. An unmissable Jakarta attraction!

What to do there: If you want to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia, there’s nowhere better to go. Visit the top floor to see the impressive jewels and precious metal artifacts that belonged to the archipelago’s rajahs and sultans. If you’d prefer to go further back in time, visit the exhibition of batik cloths from the 1 st century AD which has been beautifully preserved! You can also find exhibits dedicated to the 700+ languages spoken across the island chain, a great way to find out more about local life.

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#7 – Istiqlal Mosque – One of the most religious places to see in Jakarta!

• Visit the biggest mosque in South East Asia
• Take a guided tour and learn more about the architecture and symbols
• One of the most famous places in Jakarta

Why it’s awesome: Indonesia has freedom of religion, but the majority of one of the largest populations on earth follow Islam. In fact, almost 90% of the country’s 260 million population are Muslim! So, it’s fitting that you can find the largest mosque in South East Asia in Jakarta, and the 3 rd largest in the world then. It can fit 20,000 people more than Barcelona’s Camp Nou football stadium. You can find Istiqlal Mosque just a stone’s throw away from Merdeka Square and opposite Jakarta’s Catholic cathedral.

What to do there: Istiqlal Mosque is open to the public and it’s possible to take a guided tour. This comes highly recommended as it enables you to learn more about Islam and also admire the intricate symbols and architecture. The designs not only reflect the principles of Islam but also represent scenes from Indonesian history too. A visit to the mosque can be tied in with a visit to Jakarta’s other Historical House of Worship, and the attractions which surround Merdeka Square.

#8 – Suropati Park

• Escape the humidity for a natural and fresh breeze
• Enjoy the mix of nature, art, and city life
• A great place to meet cats when visiting Jakarta!

Why it’s awesome: Originally beginning as a village green surrounded by mansions in the fancy Menteng residence, Suropati Park is now a favourite spot of tourists and locals alike who want to escape the traffic and noise of the concrete jungle. This is a great place to spend a lazy day after you’ve visited some of the busier landmarks in Jakarta. Lay down on the grass and pet one of the park’s many cats, or listen to the music being made by groups of local friends on their acoustic guitars!

What to do there: As with most parks, there’s plenty of choices depending on how active you want to be! If you’ve got a workout regime you’re planning on keeping up during your holiday, this is a great spot for jogging or running. However, since it can get so hot and humid, we’d recommend avoiding it at midday! For a more relaxed morning or afternoon, check out the ASEAN monuments donated from neighbouring South East Asian countries!

#9 – Jalan Jaksa

• Explore Jakarta’s backpacker hub
• Enjoy a mix of street food, cool cafes, and a variety of accommodation
• Just a short walk from the best places in Jakarta

Why it’s awesome: Now is a great time to head to Jalan Jaksa. It used to be full of flophouses and old rickety hostels, but the process of gentrification has brought it up to speed without losing its charm and character. If you’re travelling in Jakarta on a budget, it’s probably where you’re going to end up – and you’re probably going to love it! The area is about 1km south of the National Museum and Merdeka Square, so it’s easy enough to walk or take public transport to see some of the top landmarks in Jakarta!

What to do there: Eat, sleep, and be merry. Jalan Jaksa is the perfect area to meet new friends if you’re travelling solo since there are so many bars and cool hostels. It’s a great base for visiting the city too. You can easily get to pretty much all of the other locations on our list on foot, and the ones you can’t just a cheap journey away on public transport. If you’re planning any day trips from Jakarta, pop around the corner to Gongdangdia Station. This connects you to Jakarta’s main station where the island of Java is your oyster!

#10 – Babakan Lake and the Betawi Cultural Village

• Learn about the indigenous Betawi Culture
• Take a paddleboat out onto the lake
• One of the best natural landmarks in Jakarta

Why it’s awesome: Another perfect spot to escape from Jakarta’s hustle and bustle. Not only that, you can experience a traditional cultural village and learn about the indigenous way of life in Jakarta’s surroundings. Setu Babakan (Babakan Lake) is actually the centre of the village. This is probably best recommended as a day trip as it takes about an hour and a half to get to the village on public transport. Located in Southern Jakarta, it’s more than 20km from Merdeka Square – but that shouldn’t put you off!

What to do there: It depends when you visit really. All through the year, you’ll be able to appreciate the traditional architecture of the houses and buildings here. You can also enjoy regular performances featuring dance, music, and masks celebrating Betawi heritage. Each Sunday, there are regular cultural performances. You can also head out onto the calm waters of the lake in one of the cool bird-shaped pedalos, or in a canoe. If you’d prefer to just view, you can do that from under the shade of papaya, banana, and rambutan trees!

Short on time and want to see as much as possible? Check out our  3-day itinerary for Jakarta , and plan your trip before visiting! 

#11 – Ancol Beach City – A great place in Jakarta if you love to shop!

• Take part in FREE watersports!
• Shop till you drop at one of Jakarta’s biggest malls
• Great place to take the family

Why it’s awesome: The shopping and entertainment complex on the shores of Jakarta Bay is one of the best places in Jakarta for a fun day out. Spend the morning enjoying some retail therapy at a range of local and international shops, before taking part in some free water sports in the afternoon. So, if you’re visiting Jakarta on a budget this is the perfect spot for some adrenaline-fuelled activities! Try out jet-skiing, banana boats, and for something a little more chilled, the Ancol Beach cruise!

What to do there: Shopping and water sports isn’t quite enough? It’s lucky that there’s more going on here then, isn’t it?! The shopping centre also has a concert stadium which has hosted multiple international stars. If you’re feeling really brave, put your name forward for karaoke on the beach… don’t worry, it’s not at the concert stadium! Whatever you fancy doing, you’re sure to find plenty of Jakarta vacation ideas in this place alone!

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Jakarta

What is Jakarta famous for?

Jakarta has a rich history, but is more well known today for its heavy traffic and high levels of pollution.

Is Jakarta worth visiting?

Jakarta has some unique attractions and gorgeous old colonial Dutch buildings. I would say it is worth visiting for a few days.

Is Jakarta a safe place to visit?

When you think of Indonesia, you think of lovely safe Bali, but Jakarta is different and not considered as safe – tourists should exercise caution when visiting.

What is the best place to visit in Jakarta with friends?

Jalan Jaksa is a great place to hang out with friends, enjoying some good food and mingling with other backpackers.

Final Thoughts

So, that concludes our list of the best things to do in Jakarta. We hope you’ve found our list a useful and informative guide to some cool, interesting, and even some unusual activities you can fill up your time within the Indonesian capital. Don’t forget to take another look at our list of the best places to stay in Jakarta to get a good idea of what you can get for your budget!

More than all that, our list should help you to see Jakarta through the eyes of a local in some ways. After all, if you don’t let the chaos get to you, and have a genuine passion for travelling, you can really get to know this incredible megacity.

All that’s left is for us to wish you a fantastic trip to Jakarta, whatever you end up doing!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Rose Wilson

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Jakarta is a great city. Perhaps this city is the paradise for shopping! There are so many big shopping malls, popular shopping streets and markets. Thank you very much for giving us a very good guide line for a particular part of travelling.

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Jakarta Transportation Guide

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This is your comprehensive Jakarta Transportation Guide. Here you find all essential information on Jakarta MRT, Jakarta Airport Railink, KRL Commuter Line, Transjakarta Bus, Ride Apps, and Taxis.

Jakarta MRT

The first-ever Jakarta MRT Line is set to open on  March 1st, 2019.  This is going to be Indonesia’s first MRT Line so there is a lot of  anticipation throughout the city.

Currently, there are over 4 million daily commuters in Jakarta. Everyone knows that Jakarta’s traffic needs to be improved. The Jakarta MRT provides some hope for a better future in the city.   Jakarta’s first MRT Line is called the M1 North-South Line . It consists of 13 stations which span a total distance of 15.7 km.

J akarta MRT Essential Information

• The Jakarta MRT M1 North-South Line connects Central Jakarta with South Jakarta.
• The southernmost station on the M1 North-South Line is Lebak Bulus Station (Stasiun Lebak Bulus).
• The northernmost station on the M1 North-South Line is Bundaran HI Station (Stasiun Bundaran HI).
• It is expected that it will take 30 minutes to travel all the way from Lebak Bulus to Bundaran HI and vice versa.
• Jakarta’s MRT Line has both elevated and underground stations.
• The 7 Southern Stations on the M1 North-South MRT Line are above ground.
• The 6 northern stations are built underground through the modern central business area of Jakarta.

Detailed Information about MRT Jakarta: Learn everything you need to know.

Relevant articles.

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• MRT Jakarta Accommodation Guide: Everything you need to know about finding the best properties near each MRT Station
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Jakarta MRT Stations Quicklinks

• Bundaran HI
• Bendungan Hilir
• Cipete Raya
• Lebak Bulus

MRT Jakarta Map

Jakarta airport railink (aka airport train).

The Jakarta Airport Rail Link is an airport train that currently connects passengers from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Central Jakarta and vice versa. Its opening was long-awaited and highly anticipated because it allows passengers to completely bypass Jakarta’s notorious traffic jams during peak times.

Jakarta’s airport train travels along one line that originates at Soekarno-Hatta Integrated Railway Station (SHIA). You can expect Jakarta’s Airport Train to take you about 40-50 minutes to reach BNI City Station in Central Jakarta. The Airport Rail Link will make brief stops at Batu Ceper Station and Duri Station before reaching BNI City Station .

The airport train from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport will eventually be connected to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport .

Jakarta Airport Railink Station Quicklinks

• Duri Station

Jakarta KRL Commuter

The Jakarta Commuter Train network is the largest train system in and around Jakarta. The commuter train system in Jakarta is often called KRL Commuter or KA Commuter.

You might also hear the commuter system in Jakarta being called ‘KRL Jabodetabek’ . Jabodetabek is a term used to describe the cities making up Jakarta’s metropolitan area. The term is derived by adding up the first syllables of Ja karta, Bo gor, De pok, Ta ngerang and Be kasi. Jakarta’s commuter system services all of these areas.

Jakarta’s KRL Commuter is very affordable and very popular with locals commuting to/from Jakarta for work on a daily basis. You can expect jam-packed trains during peak periods when road traffic is also heavy.

Currently, the Jakarta commuter system consists of 6 lines and over 80 stations. It services trains to some of Jakarta’s most popular tourist areas such as Kota Tua , Tanah Abang , and the Monas .   

***Read Jakarta KRL Commuter Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Jakarta’s Commuter Train

Jakarta KRL Commuter Line Quicklinks

• Red : Bogor – Jakarta Kota
• Yellow : Bogor – Jatinegara
• Blue : Bekasi – Jakarta Kota
• Green : Rangkasbitung – Tanah Abang
• Brown : Tangerang – Duri
• Pink : Tanjung Priok – Jakarta Kota

TransJakarta Bus Network

TransJakarta is a massive rapid bus transit system that has been operating throughout the city since 2004.

It is the longest bus system of its kind in the world. TransJakarta was originally designed to alleviate very heavy traffic on Jakarta’s roads. It has been considered a success by locals living in the city.

Currently, TransJakarta consists:

• 13 primary bus routes
• 10 cross corridor routes spanning over 230 km in length

More routes are being planned at the moment.

If you are visiting Jakarta, the TransJakarta Bus routes can come in handy in the downtown area.

Unlike most public bus systems around the world, many areas of Jakarta have entire lanes that are only dedicated for buses to use. This makes taking the bus during peak travel times the fastest method of transportation. It is also very affordable with tickets costing only 3500 IDR or less. This is well below $0.50 USD.

The TransJakarta system has faced some challenges over the years, however. Since there is a lane that only buses can enter and use, this ‘lane’ typically has far much less traffic during peak hours.

It is common for motos and cars to illegally enter the bus lane which disrupts the flow of buses in the system. They attempt to ‘beat the jam’ and by doing so they slow down the buses.

Ride-Sharing Apps in Jakarta

Currently, there are two ride-sharing companies in Jakarta: Go-Jek and Grab .

Both of these are very popular with locals and expats living in Jakarta. UBER was also operating in Jakarta, but it recently got taken over by Grab, leaving only two choices.

Unlike many cities around the world, both of these offer both car rides and motorcycle rides. Therefore, when you arrive in Jakarta you can choose between traveling in a car or on the back of a motorcycle. If you do travel on a moto the driver should provide you with a helmet for safety purposes. Be sure to wear it.

Both Go and Grab are usually about 10-20% cheaper than taking a taxi following the meter.  This can vary though during surges and peak traffic times. They are usually significantly cheaper for short rides, however.

BlueBird taxis usually charge a minimum of 20,000 IDR for short rides, whereas Go-Jek and Grab often have prices as low as 9,000 IDR for short rides under 2 km.

As you might have guessed, moto rides are the cheapest option available. Locals and expats in Jakarta love using these apps for moto rides because they are the cheapest and fastest option available. Motorcycle travel in Jakarta is definitely more dangerous, but motos bypass many traffic jams by driving between cars and by hugging the curb.

If safety is your priority and you aren’t concerned about money, stick with cars!

If you want to reach your destination fast and save money while doing so, go with a moto.

Which is cheaper Grab or Go-Jek?

Both Grab and Go are similarly priced most of the time. Both companies will significantly increase their prices during peak traffic times, when they are short of drivers and when it rains!

In this case, it is a wise decision to check the price on both apps before searching for a driver.

Overall, Go-Jek has a larger market share in Jakarta. They are an Indonesian-based company and their app features all kinds of additional delivery services.

If you are planning on staying in Jakarta for a long time, it is wise to join their points programs. You will save money on each trip, go cashless, and receive points towards redeemable prizes.

Since these are internet-based apps, you will need either roaming or a data plan while you are in Jakarta. You can download both Go-Jek and Grab on Google Play.

Can Go-Jek and Grab Drivers Speak English?

Although there are some Go and Grab drivers can understand and speak English, on average most of them cannot.

Therefore, if you don’t speak some Bahasa Indonesian it will be more challenging to use their services. Typically, drivers will call you or text you to ask where you are to be picked up from. This is usually done in Bahasa Indonesian.

If you still want to use Go or Grab in Jakarta then text them the name of your pick up spot.

Alternatively, you can tell them to “tolong gunakan GPS”. This translates to “please use GPS” to find your location for pick up.

Taxis in Jakarta

Jakarta has no shortage of taxi services within the city. When you walk around central Jakarta you will notice that taxis will have different colored vehicles depending on which company it is. Unlike many cities in Southeast Asia, Jakarta does not have a set color for taxis.

The most respected and reliable taxi service in Jakarta is provided by the Blue Bird Group .

As the name suggests, the most common kind of Blue Bird taxi is blue. They also have a SilverBird taxi as well that is typically a black luxury vehicle.

Bluebird taxis are the most trusted in Jakarta for taking the meter. It is quite rare for a BlueBird driver to request for additional money or to refuse to take the meter. They have complaint phone centers set up where unsatisfied passengers can call to complain and report drivers.

You can arrange for a taxi pick-up in Jakarta using three methods:

• Waving down a taxi along the road
• Calling the taxi company
• Using a taxi company app

BlueBird is not the only taxi company in Jakarta. You might even have a good experience using a different company. Just remember to make sure the taxi driver knows exactly where they intend to drop you off and that they follow the meter.

It is also a wise decision to track the route your driver is taking using Google Maps or another similar program. This will ensure that you avoid unexpected traffic jams and take the most direct route to your destination.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Indonesia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, indonesia - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Indonesia due to  terrorism and natural disasters.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not travel to:

• The provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) due to civil unrest.

Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in Indonesia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets/shopping malls, and restaurants.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions may result in disruptions to transportation, infrastructure, sanitation, and the availability of health services.

Demonstrations occur frequently and have the potential to become violent.  Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 

Indonesia’s revised criminal code, which takes effect January 2026, includes penalties for defamation, blasphemy, cohabitation, and sex outside of marriage. It is unclear how Indonesian authorities will implement the revised criminal code.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Indonesia.  

If you decide to travel to Indonesia:

• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans. 
• Visit the websites for  Badan Geologi  (Indonesian Geological Agency, Indonesian language only) for the latest information from the Government of Indonesia on current natural disasters.
• Review the  CDC’s suggestions on how to prepare for natural disasters.
• Be aware of your personal safety and security at all times. 
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
• Follow the Department of State Facebook  and Twitter .  Follow the U.S. Embassy Jakarta on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report  for Indonesia.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Central Papua and Highland Papua– Level 4: Do Not Travel

In Central Papua and Highland Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens. Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Armed separatists may kidnap foreign nationals.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Papua and Highland Papua as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas.

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• Travel Updates

Panic after Perth flight to Indonesia delayed by power outage

More than a dozen passengers have walked off an early morning flight to Indonesia following “technical issues” before takeoff.

Plane crashes trying to land at airport

Missing travellers rescued from Aussie outback

Disaster at JFK Airport narrowly avoided

A woman onboard an AirAsia flight that lost power shortly before take off says fearful passengers were abandoned by the airline.

Levanna, 37, was supposed to be travelling to her native Jakarta with her best friend for an Anzac Day holiday long weekend.

Instead, she became one of 17 passengers who voluntarily disembarked the plane after repeated power outages sparked chaos.

The Indonesian-born woman said staff were giving safety demonstrations when the power cut out on board the Airbus A320.

“Suddenly, all the lights and the speaker and the aircon, it suddenly shut down (and) we can hear like a pop sound,” she said.

The power returned to the cabin after about seven minutes only for it to shut off again minutes later, according to Levanna.

“They were trying to continue (the demonstration), but it shut down again. It was hard because there was no aircon,” she said.

“It wasn’t just for second. It was about 10 minutes for the second (power outage). Nobody said anything. They pilot didn’t say anything.”

Levanna said passengers started to panic, with an asthma sufferer reacting to the stalled aircon and her friend having a panic attack.

After a while, Levanna said the pilot informed the passengers the issue was due to the auxiliary power and wouldn’t affect the flight.

The announcement came as little solace for Levanna who decided to disembark fearing further power issues once in the air.

“Of course we worry. We were so scared … They (the staff) didn’t say sorry. They said ‘You’re no longer our concern’,” she said.

“They (the airline) cannot treat us like this. They cannot say we are no longer their concern as soon as we step out”.

Levanna praised Perth airport staff who assisted passengers who had disembarked the plane, but said her trip was likely ruined.

Despite being a frequent passenger on AirAsia, Levanna said she had rebooked with a different airline for a much shorter trip.

She claimed no staff were present from AirAsia to assist the 17 offloaded passengers and that the next flight was not until Monday.

AirAsia flight QZ533 was due to depart Western Australia about 3am on Thursday when it suffered power failure while on the tarmac.

A spokesperson for Perth airport confirmed the passengers had voluntarily disembarked the plane following “technical issues”.

“We had been advised of a technical issue at the airport as the aircraft departed just before 3am,” the spokesperson said.

“It is due to land shortly. We’re not aware of what the issue was and we cannot comment on the airline (AirtAsia) specifically”.

The spokesperson confirmed no passenger was treated medically at the international airport after disembarking.

In a statement, AirAsia confirmed the flight was delayed due to “a minor technical issue before departure”.

“We thank all passengers for their co-operation and understanding,” Corporate Communications Manager Ageng Wibowo Leksono said.

“Indonesia AirAsia understands that this may cause inconvenience to all passengers.

“However, this decision was made to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew.

Mr Leksono said confirmed that “at no time was safety at any risk” to the passengers.

“The aircraft had not left the airport, oxygen and back up lighting were on throughout the cabin,” he said.

“The technical matter was addressed within 15 minutes and the flight resumed normal operations as soon as possible.”

The airline confirmed the flight departed 75 minutes late after it was cleared by the AirAsia engineering team and airport authorities.

It arrived at 6.30am at Soekarno Hatta International Airport at “without incident”.

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