Getting around · Jakarta · Indonesia
Getting around Jakarta
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Jakarta's traffic is notorious, so rail and dedicated bus lanes are often faster than cars. The MRT runs north–south through the business districts, TransJakarta buses have their own lanes on the main roads, and ride-hailing cars and motorbike taxis cover everything else. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- CGK, HLP
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Bank e-money cards
Ways to get around
Metro
The MRT North–South line runs from Lebak Bulus in the south through Blok M, Senayan and Sudirman to Bundaran HI, with clean, air-conditioned trains; the LRT Jabodebek and KRL commuter trains serve other routes, including Jakarta Kota station for the old town.
Pay with a contactless bank e-money card, which works on the MRT, TransJakarta and KRL.
Bus
TransJakarta is a large bus rapid transit network with dedicated lanes and raised stations; corridor 1 runs from Blok M along Sudirman and Thamrin to Kota.
Some buses and carriages have women-only sections at the front.
Ride-hailing
Grab and Gojek offer cars and motorbike taxis (ojek), which are often the quickest way through traffic for short trips.
Taxi
Bluebird taxis are reliable, metered and can be booked by app; use them over unmarked taxis.
Avoid unofficial drivers who approach you at the airport arrivals hall.
Train
The Whoosh high-speed train runs from Halim to the Bandung area in under an hour, and long-distance trains from Gambir and Pasar Senen go to Yogyakarta and other Javanese cities.
Tickets and passes
Bank e-money cards
Prepaid cards such as Mandiri e-money, BCA Flazz and BNI TapCash, sold in convenience stores and stations, work on the MRT, TransJakarta, KRL and toll roads.
From the airport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is about 25 km northwest of the centre; the airport rail link reaches BNI City near Sudirman in about 45–55 minutes, and taxis take 45 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta handles some domestic flights.
Do you need a car?
No. Traffic is heavy and driving rules are informal; use the MRT, TransJakarta, ride-hailing and taxis. Hire a car with driver for day trips to Bogor or Puncak.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Bogor | About 1–1.5 hours by commuter train | KRL commuter line from Jakarta Kota or central stations |
| Thousand Islands | About 1–2.5 hours by boat | Speedboat from Marina Ancol or public ferry from Muara Angke |
| Bandung | About 1–1.5 hours by high-speed train and shuttle | Whoosh high-speed train from Halim, then feeder train or taxi |
| Puncak | About 2–3 hours by car, longer at weekends | Car with driver via the Jagorawi toll road |
| Taman Safari Indonesia | About 2–2.5 hours by car | Car with driver via Bogor and the Puncak road |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Jakarta?
No. Traffic is heavy and driving rules are informal; use the MRT, TransJakarta, ride-hailing and taxis. Hire a car with driver for day trips to Bogor or Puncak.
+How do you get from the airport to Jakarta?
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is about 25 km northwest of the centre; the airport rail link reaches BNI City near Sudirman in about 45–55 minutes, and taxis take 45 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta handles some domestic flights.
+What is the best way to get around Jakarta?
Metro: The MRT North–South line runs from Lebak Bulus in the south through Blok M, Senayan and Sudirman to Bundaran HI, with clean, air-conditioned trains; the LRT Jabodebek and KRL commuter trains serve other routes, including Jakarta Kota station for the old town.