Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Jakarta (CGK): 20 km from city.
• Denpasar (DPS): 13 km from Bali.
• Full list of airports in Indonesia with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

The extensive local flight network is good for island-hopping. Air passes may be purchased outside Indonesia, giving discounted access to varying numbers of cities depending on the type of ticket bought. Sea ferries operate from ports such as Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Padang Bai and Benoa (Bali), Sekupang (Batam) and Belawan (Medan). These are slow, but efficient. Luxury passenger liners and cruise ships also offer trips to various destinations, including the eastern islands.

An extensive rail network runs throughout Java, linking Jakarta with Surabaya and Bandung. In Sumatra, trains connect Palembang and Panjang (three trains daily) in the south and Belawan, Medan and Tanjong Balai/Rantu Prapet (two or three trains daily) in the north.

Although the larger islands such as Java, Bali and Sumatra have a good road network, the other islands tend to have poor road systems. Car hire is available from a number of international and local companies, and chauffeur-driven vehicles are also widely available. Speed limits are usually 80-100 kph (50-62 mph) on highways, 60-70 kph (37-43 mph) on inter-city roads and 30-40 kph (19-25 mph) on inner city streets, depending on the territory.

Local buses are good for more remote places, with chartered buses providing regular services between most towns. Bus fares are relatively low, with a higher price for the air-conditioned buses. However, visitors should bear in mind that Indonesia is the land of jam karet (rubber time), and complicated journeys involving more than a single change should not be attempted in a day. Buses can also be extremely crowded, and some drivers are fairly reckless. There is a comprehensive city bus network in Jakarta.

Taxis are widely available in cities and towns, as are rickshaws, which may include the becak (pedal-powered by a rider sitting behind two passengers) and the motorised bajaj, which seats two passengers, with the driver in front. Also available are opelets and bemos, which are communal minibuses. Fares for all of these forms of transport should be negotiated in advance.