A-not-really-complete Jakarta’s Tourism 101

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From Soekarno-Hatta Airport

To Bandung using shuttle bus: Cipagant, Cit Trans, Xtrans (follow the sign outside the arrival gate for
Shuttle Bus, or ask the informaton center). It is recommended since it can be used directly from the
airport and in Bandung, and in Bandung, it stops in the center of the city.

To Bandung using train: (make sure to prebook the train online in https://tket.kereta-api.co.id/ or
www.tket.com/kereta-api). Take DAMRI bus from the airport to Gambir, then it will stop exactly in
the train staton. In Bandung, it will stop not in city center, so you have to take taxi or contact your
CP.

To Jakarta using DAMRI:

Destnaton
1. Gambir: if you want to visit Indonesia’s icon Monas (Natonal Monument) Rp 40.000
2. Mangga Dua: if you want to visit Ancol or Kota Tua, use this DAMRI then take taxi for only ±Rp
20.000

To Jakarta using taxi: for a more convenient way to your hotel, you can use taxi. Please make sure to
use blue taxi (Blue Bird Group) or white taxi (Express group) for a reliable company, they won’t trick
your fare. Usually trip to Jakarta took Rp 100.000 – Rp 150.000.

To Bogor using DAMRI: if you want to visit Kebun Raya Bogor Rp 55.000 then take taxi.

To get around in Jakarta

There are 2 main and most convenient mass transportaton in Jakarta. It’s commuter line (inside the city
train) and Transjakarta (or Indonesians usually call Busway). Basic rule: avoid a rush hour (16.00-18.00 or
beyond) to avoid a long endless traffic jam and fully loaded transportatons.

Commuter Line

Commuter Line use a tcket that basically can be bought in the counter. There’s a single trip card or
multtrip card (Rp 50.000 with balance Rp 30.000) or you can also use electronic money (like Flazz, etc.
with first actvatng it in the “tap here” red box near the counter). Note that one multtrip card and
electronic money can only be used by one person. Note: commuter line doesn’t stop at Gambir staton
(staton which you can to go to Bandung). Single trip card needs a deposit Rp 5000 for every trip you
bought, but can be withdraw again in your destnaton counter.

Download the route map: http://www.krl.co.id/images/stories/Peta_Lintas_KRL_Jabodetabek_2.jpg

Transjakarta (Tj) or Busway

Transjakarta is a well-integrated bus in Jakarta. For using Tj, you can only use electronic money. You can
purchase electronic money in any Tj shelter, and that e-money can widely use in another tenants, from
Tj, Indomaret, most of modern shop, and even Commuter Line. I suggest you to pick Flazz (from BCA
bank) since it’s the most widely used in any tenants in all Indonesia. The card price is Rp 40.000 with
balance Rp 20.000. Any single trip to whole Jakarta is flat price Rp 3.500. Here’s the most convenient way
to go anywhere in Jakarta with low price and ‘experience like locals’. Note that one card can be used by
many people at once, since you can re-tap it. You can go basically anywhere in Jakarta by this.

Download the route map: http://www.transportumum.com/jakarta/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/peta-

jaringan-busway-transjakarta-2013.jpg

Another Transportation

1. Motorcycle taxi (Ojek)

It’s actually a perfect, fast way to travel despite of traffic jam in Jakarta. And now the most
amazing thing is that it can be ordered through local modern applicaton: Go-Jek (can be
downloaded in App Store or Google Play). It is widely used by locals since it is traffic-free. When
you order an ojek, they sometmes will call you to make sure that you order them and they will
ask you to tell them where are you now. Just make sure you have pinpoint the right locaton on
that order map, and just tell them “lihat peta” if they’re confused and call you. Go-Jek also offer
a food delivery, massage, etc. One motorcycle just can be used for one person only, but it’s dirt
cheap!
2. Taxi
I have told you to just use Blue Bird Group and Express Group for a reliable non-scam taxi. Taxi in
Indonesia is cheap, if you want to go anywhere but you don’t want to bother finding a way with
Tj or Train and avoid getting lost, just use Taxi. It can load for up to 4 people and you can call to
order them. (Blue Bird: 021 79171234 or 021 7941234, Express: 1500122 then press 1).
3. Bajaj (a 3 wheel motorcycle taxi)
A traditonal transportaton.
4. Angkot (means city transportaton)
It’s a light blue cars with numbers to show the route. It’s least recommended for a long distance
since it has many many routes that are not easy to remember, and they often stop to gather
more passangers. Usually pay Rp 4000 for short distance.
5. Metromini
The red minibus with open door, same kind with Angkot, but the bus kind. Number shows route.
Usually pay Rp 4000 for short distance.
6. Kopaja
The white-green minibus which works exactly like metromini. Number shows route.

Tourism Spots
In Jakarta, there are many tourism spots. But on a short tem visit, I list some of them below.

1. Kota Tua
The first one is in the northern of Jakarta, It’s the less modern, more ancient side of Jakarta. It’s a
complex consist of many many museums (Most modern one: museum Bank Indonesia, most
unique: Museum Wayang) in an ancient atmosphere. It has many restaurants (most famous:
Café Batavia). You can also visit Sunda Kelapa harbor, there’s a bicycle taxi which can take you
there (ask the tourist informaton center). Oh, and note that every museums are closed on
Monday and natonal holiday.
 How to get there:
- Using Commuter Line: take any train that stops in Jakarta Kota, then walk to Kota Tua.
- Using Transjakarta: take the Transjakarta corridor Blok M-Kota and stop in Kota then walk.

Allocated tme: Half day

2. Monas
It’s the icon of Indonesia. You can visit it during the day or during the night (in the night the
monument is lighten up with colors). And you can go up to the top of the monument daily at
08.00-16.00 WIB or in the night at 19.00-22.00 WIB (Tuesday-Friday) or 19.00-00.00 WIB
(Saturday, Sunday, or holiday). On Monday it’s closed. Tickets can only be purchased on that day
(can’t pre book) and it’s limited, so try to go early to avoid a crowded queue. Near the Monas
there are also museum below the Monas, and museum in front of the monas: Museum Gajah.
There are also an Istqlal Mosque and Cathedral Church nearby (which are sometmes also
considered as tourism spots). In Istqlal, you can visit the biggest mosque in Indonesia and
guided by a free English speaking tour.
How to get there:
- Using Transjakarta: take the Transjakarta to Pulo Gadung or Senen and stop in Monas or
Gambir (see the route map, Monas shelter is located near Harmoni Central Busway)
- Using Commuter Line: take train to Gondangdia staton then use Kopaja (white-green
minibus) P 20 to Pasar Senen, stops in Gambir staton (or just use taxi from Gondangdia).
Allocated tme: 2 hours for sightseeing, if go up to the top then no specific tme.

3. TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah)

It literally means “Beautful Indonesia Miniature Park”. The park is a synopsis of Indonesian
culture, with virtually all aspects of daily life in Indonesia's provinces encapsulated in separate
pavilions with the collectons of Indonesian architecture, clothing, dances and traditons. There
are also miniatures of all islands in Indonesia, museums, gardens, theater, all in one place. If
you’re tred of walking, you can take cable car, or a bus that goes around the park.
How to get there:
- Using Transjakarta: take Transjakarta to Pinangrant and stops in Garuda Taman Mini, then
take any Angkot (T15A, K40, etc.) then stop in the TMII gate.
- Using Commuter Line: stop at Tanjung Barat then take taxi to TMII.
Allocated tme: full day

4. Dufan
It’s a theme park (like Disneyland, Legoland, etc.) located inside the Ancol Dreamland complex.
The theme park consists of many excitng and thrilling rides. Iit’s much cheaper than Disneyland
(not sure if Rp 200.000 or Rp 300.000). You can also go to the Seaworld (aquariums) for Rp
100.000 and Ocean Dream Samudra (many animal shows) for Rp 150.000 or both of them
(bundling) for Rp 200.000 since it’s stll in Ancol Dreamland complex. There are also a beach for
leisure. On Ramadhan month it’s usually much more quiet but you have to make sure the
opening tme (call 021 29 222 222).
How to get there:
- Using Transjakarta: take any busway that stops on Ancol
- Using Commuter Line: stop at Kota then take taxi to Ancol

Allocated tme: full day

 5. Pulau Seribu
It’s in the northern part of Jakarta. Its literal meaning is ‘thousand islands’ and you can visit there
with tour. I haven’t actually visit there, but I heard your destnaton island depends on your visit
tme. You can book as cheap as IDR 95.000 for one day tour to 3 islands (Kelor, Cipir, Onrust). Or
for more than a day trip and a cottage to stay in, the recommended island is Pelangi island,
Macan island, Tidung, or a more budget, village atmosphere one-Pramuka island. I read that
Kotok and Sepa island is best for its diving and snorkeling experience.
How to get there:
- Usually using boat from Marina (in Ancol Dreamland) but the rate can be relatvely higher
since they’re using fancy boat.
- From Muara Angke (for a cheaper, more traditonal boat).
To get there exactly, and another more detailed info, I haven’t really know since I’ve never been
there either.

6. Bundaran HI
It’s not actually a tourism spots, but it’s the roundabout in the very center of Jakarta.
Surrounded by many high-class malls to visit. If you’re looking for a mall to represent Indonesia,
or a fancy hotel to stay, visit this region.

Additional Info
Jakarta City Tour Bus

It’s a newly launched Jakarta City Tour bus. The bus is free and stop in some tourism spots in center of
Jakarta. The operatonal hour for city tour bus is 9am - 7pm from Monday to Saturday, while for Sunday
it's 12pm - 7pm due to the car free day on Sunday. There are 9 bus stops: Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (in
front of Hotel Indonesia) - Museum Nasional - Pecenongan - Gedung Kesenian Jakarta - Istqlal Mosque -
Medan Merdeka Utara (near Istana Negara) - Monumen Nasional - City Hall - Sarinah - back to Bundaran
Hotel Indonesia. The bus stop sign is marked "city tour". The waitng tme can be short or sometmes
frustratngly long, just need to be patent. If your patent runs out, just take taxi.

For weekdays, the bus will stop at all of the bus stops, while for weekends each bus will stop at several
bus stops only. The route for weekends:

- Bus #1 & #5: Hotel Indonesia bus stop only

- Bus #2: Museum Nasional, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Sarinah

- Bus #3: Istqlal & Medan Merdeka Utara

- Bus #4: Monumen Nasional & City Hall

To check the latest weekend route, we can check the twitter account @CityTourJakarta. Bus stops in
Hotel Indonesia and Monumen Nasional was packed with people, I think it's better to take bus #2 or #3
on weekends. Don't expect a nice queue - most people will try to force their way to enter the bus.

The bus itself is AC double decker bus and the capacity is limited so that nobody is standing inside the
bus. Since it's stll new, the bus conditon is clean, good & the AC is working very well.
The drivers are mostly women and each bus has tour guide and a police officer. On my bus, the guide
wasn't informatve. He's mostly busy explaining about the dos & don'ts of the city tour bus and didn't
explain much about the route. The explanaton was supposed to be bilingual (Indonesian & English), but
he only spoke in Indonesian language - probably because there's no foreigner on the bus at the tme.
Overall it's a nice experience although in my opinion the route is too short.

(taken from https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294229-i9444-k7332466-Jakarta_City_Tour_bus-

Jakarta_Java.html (credit to radjaff)

The Very Last Note

Too tred to ride a public transportaton? Too confused of a complicated route? Got lost? Don’t worry to
take taxi since it’s cheap and more convenient. Avoid traffic rush hour since it can trap you in the road for
hours.

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That’s all I can think about right now. If you have any questons, you can call or Whatsapp me and I’ll try
my best to answer your questons.

Cheers!

Athira