Our Indonesia transportation guide below will tell you all you need to know about travelling in and getting around Indonesia. For some great things to see and do, we have many Indonesia tours to help you explore its many parts. You can also take a look at the local transport in:

- Komodo & Lesser Sunda Islands
- Manado
- Aceh
- Jogjakarta
- Jakarta
- Makassar

Indonesia Transportation Guide

Check and double-check your bookings. Otherwise just go with the flow. You will get there eventually. Wherever you are, keep in mind that the tropical heat takes its toll and you should avoid the midday sun. Get an early start, before the rays become punishing (the tropical light is beautiful at dawn). Retreat to a cool place after lunch and go out again in the afternoon and early evening, when it's much more pleasant.

Many potential travellers are worried about safety in Indonesia even though most parts of Indonesia are safe, especially for tourists. There are a few problems in some parts of Indonesia (like some parts of Aceh and Poso), but that's only two places among thousands of places you could visit. It's unfair to judge the whole Indonesia by those to places only. Indonesia has large busy cities, many small country villages, and many islands. Transport is varied. Some forms of transport are very modern, while some old and some traditional.

By Air

Air transport is the easiest and most comfortable means of travel in Indonesia. Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier, operates both international and domestic routes. Domestically it serves 33 cities, including all the provincial capitals. The only all-jet airline on domestic routes, it, has several daily flights from Jakarta to Bali, Medan, Ujung Pandang, Manado and Yogyakarta. It also operates shuttle flights to Surabaya and Semarang several times a day. Garuda has introduced the 'Visit Indonesia Air Pass', which offers special fares on its domestic flights. The passes are sold in conjunction with travel on Garuda from Europe, USA, Australia and Japan, and have to be purchased from Garuda Offices in those countries.

Its international network serves London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, Rome, Vienna, Cairo, Abudhabi, Jeddah and Riyadh. In Asia and Australia destinations include: Ho Chi Min City, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Seoul, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Portland and Auckland.

Garuda serves Honolulu and Los Angeles in the U.S. Merpati Nusantara Airlines is the second national carrier and flies to about 110 destination in Indonesia, with some flights to Australia (Darwin), Brunei Darussalam, Davao (Philippines), and east Malaysia (Kuching). Bouraq and Mandala airlines also have regularly scheduled services. There are some other privately owned airlines which mainly operate charter flights. Indonesia's three main gateways are Soekkarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Polonia Airport in Medan and Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Indonesia.

Flights to Indonesia

By Rail

Train service is only available throughout Java and parts of Sumatra around Padang, West Sumatra, Medan in North Sumatra, South Sumatra and Lampung. Several trains run between Jakarta and Surabaya. The most comfortable are the air-conditioned 'Argobromo', 'Mutiar', and 'Bima', which travel at night. The Argobromo and Mutiara passes through Semarang, while the Bima takes the southern route through Yogyakarta. Another train, the 'Senja Utama' is an express service to Semarang, Yogyakarta and Solo. It has reclining seats but no air-conditioning. Trains to Bandung have regular services from Jakarta and Yogyakarta. The 'Argogede' offers two services a day between Jakarta and Bandung, while the 'Parahyangan' offers 19 services a day.

By Bus

Bus services are available and the best known are those serving the Bali-Banda Aceh route, traveling night and day. Many are air-conditioned and have reclining seats as well as TVs with video programmes. These are numerous bus services between major cities in Java and also limousines which provide door to door service.

Getting Around Indonesia

Taxis & Hourly Chauffeur Driven Cars

In most bigger cities taxis are available, though only in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya are metred taxis common. For metered taxis the flagfall is 1500 rp, plus 500 rp for each additional kilometre. For taxis without a metre, you must bargain in advance.

In many other cities and in tourist areas you can hire a car and driver, usually paid by the hour or for each one-way trip. Rates differ from city to city, but they are usually from Rp 5.000 to Rp 8000 per hour for use within city limits. Other rates apply when going out of town. Bargaining is necessary for these cars, the final price depending on the year, make and condition of the car.

Airport Transportation Service

Limousine services to and from the airports of Jakarta and Surabaya are available. They are comfortable and air conditioned and cost less than half the taxi fare, but chances are that you may not be let off at exactly the address you are heading for! In this case, combine it with a taxi by getting off the limousine at a spot closest to your destination. Many major hotels also offer airport transport as a service to their guests.

Local Buses

Large buses aren't used much as a means of local transport except in major cities, where the standard fare is about 300 rp. Express and AC buses along major thoroughfares are slightly more expensive, about 1800 rp.

The quality and condition of inter-city busses will vary considerably depending on where you are in Indonesia. In Java and Bali, and in many popular tourist destinations, comfortable AC buses with built in video and karoke systems are common. In more remote areas only public buses are available. Check with your hotel desk or a local travel agent for availability, schedules and fares.

Mikrolet, Oplet/Bemo & Colt

These different names all apply to the same type of vehicle, depending on where you use them. They usually operate on routes between a city and its suburbs, and can seat up to 10 passengers per vehicle, but are often filled far beyond this number! This is, in fact, part of their charm, a trip by bemo will give you first-hand exposure to the local population, as this is by far the most popular means of land transport across Indonesia.

Fares are not uniform, depending on the distance covered by the passenger. Bemos are often available for charter, however, you must bargain the fare in advance, after having obtained information on the approximate rates from your hotel clerk. They should cost less than hiring a chauffeur-driven car or a taxi.

Motorcycles

Renting a motorcycle can be one of the most exhilarating and interesting ways to travel in Indonesia. In many major tourist areas, such as Bali and Yogya, they are readily available for about 15000 rp to 25000 rp a day, depending on the make and condition. Insurance is usually covered in the rate. In Bali you do not need a driver's license and in Yogyakarta it is easy to receive a temporary one for a small fee. At many beach resorts motorcycles are also popular, and can be rented by the day.

A word of warning: extreme caution should be taken in renting a motorcycle for a number of reasons. Indonesians drive on the left side of the road, like in most Commonwealth countries, but even if this is familiar to you, the local conditions, driving habits, traffic laws and road signs are not. In most cases you will be held responsible for any damage to the motorbike, whether you feel you are responsible or not. Therefore, if you prefer to stay on the side, hire one with a driver and wear a helmet.

Bicycles

Bicycles are available in Bali, Yogyakarta and many other tourist areas. They rent by the day for about 5,000 rp. There is no insurance on the bike or rider, so make sure to ride carefully by keeping left most of the time. The best aspect of bike touring, aside from the exercise, is the leisurely pace and direct contact with the landscape and people. A pleasant ride in the countryside, surrounded by rice paddies and stops in small villages could easily be one of the highlights of your travels in Indonesia!

Ojek

An Ojek is a motorbike hired with its driver. You may pay him for one single trip, a maximum of 1000 rp, or by the hour or day. Be sure to bargain beforehand. The agreed upon fare depends on distance covered. Ojeks can be found in cities and suburbs, usually at intersections or side roads. Ojeks come in handy where roads are either too narrow or bumpy for four-wheel vehicles. Rarely, if ever, will ojek owners rent our their motorbikes without driving them themselves.

Bajaj & Becaks

Another mode of transport is the Bajaj (pronounced bahji), with the driver in the front, and room for two passengers behind, powered by a small motorcycle engine. Make sure to bargain for the fare before climbing in!

A much more common form of local transport in cities and towns throughout the archipelago is the Becak (pronounced "baychahk"), a three-wheeled cycle-rickshaw seating two people, without luggage. Becaks are found in most small cities and towns on Java, having been here for over four decades. Unfortunately becaks are gradually disappearing in the big cities, giving way to motorised transportation. In Jakarta they have practically disappeared all together, but can still be found in the suburbs, where streets are narrow and other public transportation is rare.

In other cities like Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang and Denpasar they can still be used for short distances. Make sure you agree on a fare before you get in, and expect to be charged more for two people than one, and for every extra piece of luggage you have. Becak drivers are notoriously hard bargainers, and remember it is their muscle power that is getting you to your destination, not a motor!

Dokar

No longer available in Jakarta, dokars, or horse-drawn carts can be found all over other parts of Indonesia. They differ in size and shape from place to place, either two-wheeled or four-wheeled, but are usually drawn by one horse. Depending on the size of the cart, a typical dokar can seat between two and four passengers. Here too, bargaining is necessary, the starting fare usually being around 1500 rp, with an additional 400 rp per person per kilometre being the norm.

By Sea

With the purchase of new passenger transport vessels, PELNI, the state-owned shipping company, now has six modern ships serving all main ports from Banda Aceh in the westernmost tip of the country to Sorong in Irian Jaya in the East. Built to accommodate 1000 to 1500 passengers in four classes, the ships are air-conditioned, whereas first class cabins have attached bathrooms and TV sets. Not luxurious but comfortable, the ships offer an alternative to flying and are a more leisurely form of travel. There are regular schedules and routes, all touching in at Jakarta, their main base.

Foreign cruise lines operate in Indonesian waters, though not regularly. A 40-passenger luxury cruise ship, the MV Island Explorer, offers trips to the eastern Indonesian islands from Bali part of the year, and from Jakarta to Sumatera the rest of the year. There are also ferries between islands, though comfort may not be as desired. For adventure travellers, a ride on a Pinisi Bugis schooner could be exciting if advance arrangements are made. One of the last sailing fleets in the world, about 3,000 of these schooners still ply between islands, trade goods as they have been for centuries.

Note: The information supplied here is meant as a guide only and is subject to change without warning. Therefore all travellers should check the visa and immigration details with their local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate BEFORE departure to Indonesia.