How to get around Indonesia

Navigating Indonesia is straightforward with a variety of public and private transport options. Here's what you need to know about getting between and within its cities and towns.

Inter-City Travel

Traveling between Indonesian cities and islands offers various options catering to different budgets and travel preferences. Flights are a popular choice for covering long distances quickly and are generally affordable, especially with budget airlines like AirAsia, Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink, and Sriwijaya Air.

A flight from Jakarta to Bali can cost around IDR 500,000 in low season, while Bali to Lombok can be as low as IDR 200,000. For longer domestic flights, prices typically range from $50-$200 USD. Garuda Indonesia offers a more premium flying experience.

Buses are a budget-friendly way to travel across islands. Economy buses cost approximately Rp 50,000 – Rp 80,000, while more comfortable luxury and executive buses with amenities like air conditioning and reclining seats range from Rp 150,000 – Rp 200,000. Long journeys, such as Bali to Yogyakarta, are around IDR 370,000, and Jakarta to Bali can range from IDR 470,000 – IDR 750,000 (18-36 hours).

Trains are a pleasant and often faster option than buses on Java, with limited services on Sumatra. Fares for trains typically range from IDR 105,000 to IDR 1,500,000, though many long trips on Java rarely exceed $15 USD. Luxury train classes, such as the Suite Class Compartment, offer private rooms and fully reclining seats, with prices around IDR 1,950,000 for routes like Jakarta-Surabaya. The high-speed train 'Whoosh' connects Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes.

Ferries and boats are essential for inter-island travel, with prices generally between Rp 150,000 and Rp 250,000 for shorter routes. The government-run Pelni line offers a budget-friendly option for extensive routes across the archipelago, though journeys can be long (e.g., Jakarta to Papua for around US$70, taking seven days).

For groups or those seeking convenience, private car services with drivers are available, costing around $40-$70 for a full day in areas like Bali.

Travel Within Cities

Navigating within Indonesian cities can be done through various modes. Ride-hailing apps like Go-Jek and Grab are widely used and often the most convenient, offering both motorbike (Ojek/GrabBike) and car (Go-Car/GrabCar) services. Motorbike taxis are typically the cheapest and quickest way to avoid traffic, with app-driven scooter trips in Bali costing $1-$3 USD. Go-Car base fares are around Rp 15,000, and Grab Car starts at Rp 10,000 with an additional Rp 4,500 per kilometer.

Traditional taxis, such as Blue Bird Group, are common and reliable, with fares starting around IDR 7,500 and an additional IDR 400 per 100 meters. A typical city center ride in Jakarta is between IDR 30,000 and IDR 100,000. Public bus systems, like Jakarta's TransJakarta Busway, operate on dedicated lanes, with affordable fares ranging from IDR 2,000 to IDR 3,500.

Commuter trains (KRL Commuter Line) in Jakarta and surrounding areas are also very budget-friendly, costing IDR 3,000 to IDR 6,000 per trip. Angkots, or shared minibuses, offer a cheap local transport option, costing around IDR 2,000 - IDR 10,000 per ride. Becaks, motorized trishaws, are available in some cities, with short rides starting from IDR 10,000.

In tourist areas like Bali, renting a scooter or motorbike is popular and cost-effective, with daily rates of $5-$7 USD, or $10-$25 USD for premium options.

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