FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > Asia > Indonesia > Jakarta

Local time Jakarta

Currency

Rp

Getting around Jakarta

Public transport

Jakarta’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system (tel: +62 21 8087 9449; www.transjakarta.co.id), also known as Transjakarta Busway, is overcrowded and inefficient. There are 12 main routes, three of which run for 24 hours a day. A compulsory prepaid e-ticketing system has replaced Transjakarta’s old paper tickets. You have to buy cards at local banks, which can be topped up with credit at all bus stops.

In addition, the city has a fleet of chronically overcrowded angkots (minibuses), though they have no schedule, fixed stops or air conditioning.

A monorail project was re-launched in 2013 after being abandoned in 2008, but was cancelled in 2015 due to commercial development disputes along the intended line.

A 16km (10-mile) urban railway, known as the MRT (www.jakartamrt.co.id) is under construction; the first phase, with 13 stations, is expected to open in August 2017 and the second, with a further eight stations, in 2018.

Taxis

Taxis are considered the best way of getting around Jakarta, and although flagging one down in the street may be easy, you set yourself up for being ripped off. Book one at a hotel or a shopping mall’s pangkalan (taxi queue) instead.

The most reputable companies are Blue Bird (tel: +62 21 4682 2345) and Express Taxi (tel: 150 0122, in Indonesia only). Make sure drivers use the meter. It also helps to know a bit of Bahasa Indonesia as many drivers determine your familiarity with Jakarta by gauging your language skills. If you appear lost in tongue then you could be taken for a ride. Tipping is not expected though at times the driver will make you feel it’s required.

Hiring an Ojek (motorcycle taxi) is much faster than getting around by taxi, though not for the faint-hearted. They usually hang out in front of bus stops or terminals. Be sure to pick one with a helmet on offer, or face a fine from the police.

Bajaj (Indonesian tuk-tuks) are motorised rickshaws that can be hailed in the street. They fail to separate passengers from the elements, but are cheap to hire.

Driving

Vehicles in Jakarta move at an average of 10-12 kph (6-8 mph) during peak times. This is the slowest among all the Southeast Asian capitals. Driving can be dangerous due to poor local driving standards and tolls are collected on major roads. To dissuade drivers from commuting by car, parking is expensive.

 

Car hire

A number of car hire companies have offices in Jakarta including Avis (tel: +62 21 314 2900; www.avis.co.id), , Trac Astra Rent a Car (tel: +62 21 877 877 87; www.trac.astra.co.id). 

Zoe Car Booking (tel: +62 9108 6023; www.zoecarbooking.com) will arrange car rentals with a driver.

You must be at least 25 years old to hire a car and have held your licence for at least a year. Some companies will rent to younger drivers, but charge an extra fee. 

Bicycle hire

Cycling on Jakarta's busy streets is not recommended. Attempts have been made to increase the amount of cycle lanes and to promote cycling as a way to ease the city's congestion, but Jakarta's City Council have refused funding. In the meantime, there are no official cycle rental companies in the city, but hawkers do rent out ontel (old bicycles) by the hour around Fatahilah Square.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Related Articles

City Highlight: Jakarta

Jakarta is as bold and dynamic as the Java coffee beans it has been exporting to the world since the 17th century. For intrepid foodies, it’s Kopi Luwak that gets all the attention.

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Red Planet Hotel Pasar Baru

Right next door to the famous Ramayana Pasar Baru market, this hip hotel offers guests the chance to explore Central Jakarta without straying too far from their accommodation. Each room has free Wi-Fi, custom-made beds, flat-screen TVs, and of course air conditioning to survive the year-round sky-high temperatures.

Grand Hyatt

Only in the moderately priced bracket if booked in advance because this is a luxurious residence bearing the hallmarks of quality expected from a Grand Hyatt. Located in the Pinheiros financial district, it has all the amenities you could wish for, including high speed internet, a choice of bars and restaurants, 466 rooms and suites and an exemplary spa. The Wine Library bar offers guests a giddying choice of 2,500 bottles. Breakfast included.

Harris Suites fX Sudirman

This budget hotel is housed in a beautiful high-rise building in the heart of Jakarta's CBD, with direct access to fX Sudirman Mall and Plaza Senayan for travellers who want to save on accommodation but spend big in Jakarta's famous shopping malls. Harris Suites offers free Wi-Fi for all guests and complimentary water, tea, and coffee in their modern, bright, and clean rooms.

Novotel Jakarta Gajah Mada

This 4-star hotel is located near Batavia, Jakarta's Old Town, so guests can enjoy all the cultural, artistic, and leisure activities that North Jakarta has to offer. In addition to using the hotel's modern meeting rooms, guests can enjoy delicious meals at the in-house restaurant or relax at the pool, sauna, or spa.

Grand Mercure Jakarta Kemayoran

Visitors staying at the Grand Mercure can easily walk to various destinations in the business district of Kemayoran, including shopping centers and the popular culinary hub called Kelapa Gading. The hotel also boasts a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, and rooms with LED TVs and mini bars.

Kosenda Hotel

Located in Central Jakarta, this hotel feels luxurious but the low price is quite shocking. The 57 rooms come in three sizes at different price points, so guests can choose how comfortable they want to be, though even the smallest rooms offer great design and high quality service for a cheap price. Kosenda Hotel also offers a restaurant, fitness centre, free buffet breakfast, a coffee shop, and free newspapers and bottled water in the rooms.