If you are arriving on the island of Java from abroad, you will most likely land at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). It is the main air hub in Jakarta, serving approximately 50 million passengers annually, and is the destination for most commercial flights.
The airport is named after two significant Indonesian figures – the first president, Soekarno, and vice president, Mohammad Hatta. Its international code, CGK, however, is derived from the area of Cengkareng where it is located.
Difference Between the Two Jakarta Airports
Jakarta has another, lesser-known airport called Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP). While it’s primarily used for flights by the president, government officials, and military planes, airlines like Batik Air and Citilink also operate here. Located south of Jakarta, HLP offers access to the city center with a few transfers using public transportation.
Where to Head in City Center (Best Areas to Find Accommodation in Jakarta)
Jakarta’s traffic is notoriously among the worst in the world, so it’s crucial to choose your accommodation—and its location—wisely to minimize your time on the road. Your choice of where to stay will also impact the best way to get from the airport.
Here are some of the best areas to consider when looking for a place to stay in Jakarta:
Menteng
If you’re looking to rest after a long flight and continue your journey the next day, staying near the main train stations—Gambir or Pasar Senen—is a smart choice. Jalan Jaksa in the Menteng district is a well-known street with plenty of budget accommodations and nightlife options.
While this area is convenient for quick access to the train stations, it’s a bit on the rough side, so it may not be ideal if you’re seeking a more comfortable stay. For higher-quality options, explore nearby streets within the Menteng area, where you’ll find better-rated accommodations.
Personal Tips Where to Stay in Menteng:
- Konko Hostel – The best hostel for solo travelers in the Menteng area.
- Stanley Wahid Hasyim Jakarta – A beautiful, clean, and affordable hotel, perfect for couples.
Kota Tua (Old Town)
If you’re looking to explore Jakarta’s historical side, Kota Tua is an excellent choice. Situated north of Gambir, this area offers a range of accommodations, from hostels to hotels. Staying here puts you within walking distance of Fatahillah Square, various museums, and other historic sites. The atmosphere is especially charming in the evenings, perfect for a stroll along the renovated waterfront.
Wondering what to do and see in Kota Tua? Head to our guide Visiting Kota Tua Jakarta: A Blend of Culture and History in One Place + How to Get There
Personal Tips Where to Stay in Kota Tua:
- Wonderloft Hostel Jakarta – A top recommendation for solo travelers and even couples, but private rooms tend to sell out quickly.
- Mercur Hotel Batavia – A luxurious yet affordable hotel with a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, and buffet breakfast.
West Jakarta
If you’re planning to leave Jakarta and want easy access to the airport, consider staying in West Jakarta. This area is particularly convenient for airport travel, with the journey typically taking about 30 minutes.
Personal Tips Where to Stay in West Jakarta:
Sambina Hotel is a great option—it’s affordable, offers a fantastic view of the city, and is surrounded by numerous street food stalls, giving you a taste of local life.
Ways to Get from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Jakarta City Center
Most international flights arrive at the Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which is why I often reference it as the starting point. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines operate from this terminal.
However, if you happen to arrive at a different terminal, don’t worry—there’s a Sky Train that connects all the terminals, making it easy to transfer between them. If you’re unsure where to go, just ask one of the airport staff, who can direct you to the nearest bus stop or the pick-up points for Grab or Gojek.
Airport Bus
At each terminal of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, you’ll find a stop for long-distance buses that head to the city center. Several companies operate these routes, each serving different destinations.
After exiting Terminal 3, head left along the airport building. The walk may take a bit of time, but you can follow the signs or ask an airport employee for directions.
While the airport’s website lists these companies, the information may not be very detailed. Instead, play it safe and look for the DAMRI bus stop after exiting the airport. DAMRI operates at all terminals and covers nearly all routes (Jabotek – as mentioned on the website – is an abbreviation for all the major cities around the airport Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi), so you can’t go wrong with DAMRI.
If your next stop is Jakarta city center, buy a ticket to Gambir train station, located right in the heart of the city. Be prepared for traffic jams that can make it hard to predict exactly when you’ll arrive. The journey from the airport to the city center usually takes about 50 minutes, but to be safe, I’d expect an hour and a half.
The ticket price has doubled over the past few years, and as of 2024 it costs 80,000 IDR (around 5 USD). Even so, it remains the second cheapest way to get to the city center for solo travelers. At the counter, you’ll receive a ticket that you should keep. Find a bench and wait. The electronic departure board probably won’t be working, so listen carefully to the airport employees calling out destinations. Even though each bus is marked with a sign indicating its destination, the “shouters” will still announce it for you.
Once you hear “Gambir,” head to the bus, place your luggage in the storage compartment, and board the bus with only a small bag. During the ride, a steward will come through the bus to check your ticket.
Upon arrival at Gambir, you’ll likely be approached by taxi drivers eager to take you somewhere. Politely decline and keep walking. If you’re staying near Jalan Jaksa, you can walk from the station (though I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a suitcase or if it’s nighttime because the sidewalks are in poor condition), or you can hop into one of the blue BlueBird taxis waiting nearby. Or even better, order a car or motorcycle through the Gojek or Grab apps.
Overview of the Airport Bus
- Ticket price: 80,000 IDR
- Where to buy a ticket: on-site or online through the Traveloka app (I don’t recommend it due to delays)
- Bus operating hours:
- Airport -> Gambir (6:00 AM – 12:00 AM)
- Gambir -> Airport (3:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- Pros:
- Affordable: At 80,000 IDR (around 5 USD), it’s one of the cheapest ways to get to Jakarta’s city center, especially for solo travelers.
- Direct Access to City Center: You can buy a ticket directly to Gambir train station, conveniently located in the heart of Jakarta.
- Cons:
- Unpredictable Travel Time: Traffic jams in Jakarta can significantly delay your journey, making it hard to predict exactly when you’ll arrive.
- Limited Information: The airport website provides limited details about the different bus companies, so you may need to rely on on-site guidance.
Airport Train – Soekarno-Hatta Airport Railink
In December 2017, a new and undoubtedly the fastest transportation option to and from Soekarno-Hatta Airport was introduced: the airport train. Designed with travelers in mind, it offers comfort along with free WiFi and USB ports for charging your devices.
The regular train departures are particularly convenient for those heading to the airport. Jakarta’s infamous traffic jams can be a major headache, especially if you’re traveling during the day. You never know if you’ll be stuck for just a few minutes or several hours, making the pre-flight experience rather stressful.
The main drawback of the airport train is that it doesn’t connect directly to Jakarta’s main station, Gambir, where most travelers start their journeys across Java. Instead, the train’s final stop is Manggarai.
Fortunately, Manggarai, BNI City station (formerly Sudirman Baru) or Duri are easily accessible by public transportation, including trains and TransJakarta buses. You can reach them from Gambir or Kota Tua (Old Town) in just a few minutes for a small fare.
Overall, the airport train is a comfortable and cost-effective option, particularly if you’re traveling alone. However, it may be less economical if you’re traveling in a group.
Airport Train Stop Plan:
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA)
- Batu Ceper
- Duri
- BNI City (formerly Sudirman Baru)
- Manggarai
How to Get to the Airport Train:
After arriving at one of Jakarta’s terminals, head to the Sky Train, which connects the terminals to the airport train station. Unfortunately, the Sky Train doesn’t run as frequently as similar services at other airports, which can be inconvenient, especially if you’re in a hurry for the airport train, which runs twice an hour. The Sky Train ride is free.
Overview of the Airport Train
- Ticket price:
- 70,000 IDR – basic ticket from the airport to the city and vice versa
- Cheaper economy fares, group discounts, or flexible tickets valid all day may also be available.
- Where to buy a ticket: Through the KAI Access mobile app or at the train stations
- Train operating hours:
- Airport -> Manggarai (4:51 AM – 9:51 PM)
- Manggarai -> Airport (6:49 AM – 6:49 PM)
- Pros:
- Fastest Option: The airport train is the quickest way to travel between Soekarno-Hatta Airport and the city, avoiding Jakarta’s notorious traffic.
- Comfortable: The train is designed with travelers in mind, offering comfortable seating, free WiFi, and USB ports for charging devices.
- Regular Departures: Frequent departures make it a reliable option for those heading to or from the airport.
- Cons:
- Not Connected to Gambir Station: The train doesn’t connect directly to Jakarta’s main station, Gambir, which could be inconvenient for travelers continuing their journey across Java.
- Less Economical for Groups: While affordable for solo travelers, the train may not be the most cost-effective option for groups.
Taxi
In Jakarta, you’ll find a wide variety of taxi companies, each with different levels of service. For foreigners, it’s recommended to choose the blue taxis from the BlueBird company. Since copyright enforcement isn’t very strict, make sure you’re getting into an actual BlueBird taxi and not one of its many imitators.
BlueBird taxis always use a taximeter, but it’s a good idea to check that it’s running at the start of your ride. Fares start at around 10,000 IDR, with the total cost from the airport to the city typically ranging from 200,000 to 250,000 IDR (approximately 13-16 USD). This amount does not include toll fees and airport parking fees, which will add about 25,000 IDR to the total.
Overview of Taxi
- Taxi fare:
- The journey to Kota Tua will cost approximately 250,000 IDR, plus toll and parking fees
- During peak hours (4-6 PM), prices can rise significantly due to heavy traffic.
- Pros:
- Convenient: Taxis are readily available, providing door-to-door service, which is particularly useful if you have a lot of luggage.
- Comfortable: Taxis offer a comfortable and private way to travel, especially after a long flight.
- Cons:
- Unpredictable Final Cost: You never know the final price until the end of the journey, especially during peak hours when traffic can cause the fare to increase significantly.
Online Apps (Grab and Gojek)
Indonesia may be a developing country, but almost everyone has a mobile phone, which is why online apps and ride-hailing services like Grab and Gojek are so popular. These apps offer many advantages, such as GPS tracking and pre-set prices, though travelers might be put off by the need to purchase an Indonesian SIM card (required for Gojek), without which you can’t register on the apps.
However, SIM cards and data packages are inexpensive in Indonesia. You can purchase a SIM card (I recommend Telkomsel) at the airport for just under 150,000 IDR (10 USD), which includes a data package valid for a month.
I recommend downloading Gojek or Grab apps at the airport or, ideally, before you arrive. Both apps operate on the same principle and will definitely come in handy in Indonesia. With just a few taps, you can order a car, motorcycle, or even food at a transparent price, with no hidden fees or haggling.
Gojek and Grab pick-up points are located near the bus stop at Terminal 3. After exiting the airport building, head left and look for the green signs across the street. These are the pick-up points for Grab and Gojek, where your driver will pick you up. Both companies use green in their logos, and their pick-up points are almost next to each other at the airport.
The airport offers free WiFi, which you can use to order a car. However, the WiFi doesn’t reach the pick-up point, but that’s not a problem. You can order the car through the app in front of the building, then walk to your app’s pick-up point, sit on a bench, and wait for the Gojek or Grab employees to call your name.
Overview of the Online Apps
- Taxi fare:
- The ride to Kota Tua will cost approximately 250,000 IDR (16 USD) in the basic tariff, plus toll and parking fees (additional 25,000 IDR)
- Both Grab and Gojek also offer the option to order more luxurious cars, though the final price can be double.
- If you’re traveling in a larger group, you can use Grab to order an XL car that accommodates up to 7 passengers. This option is not available in the Gojek app.
- Pros:
- Convenient and Easy to Use: The apps offer a user-friendly interface, allowing you to book a ride with just a few taps.
- Transparent Pricing: You’ll know the cost of your ride upfront, so there are no surprises when you reach your destination.
- Variety of Options: You can choose from different types of vehicles, including more luxurious options or larger vehicles for groups.
- Cons:
- Requires Indonesian SIM Card: To register for Gojek, you need an Indonesian SIM card, which may be an inconvenience for some travelers.
Best Transportation from and to Soekarno-Hatta Airport?
As you can see, there are several options for getting from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport to your destination. But which one should you choose? Here’s how I usually decide:
Best Ways to Get to Soekarno-Hatta Airport:
- If I’m traveling alone: I most often take the bus from Gambir, where I usually arrive by train (or alternatively from the nearby Pasar Senen train station).
- If I’m spending more nights in Jakarta: I opt for the airport train, especially if I’m not staying in the northern historic part of the city, Kota Tua.
- If I’m traveling in a group: I choose Grab or Gojek, making sure to book with sufficient advance notice.
Best Ways to Get from Soekarno-Hatta Airport:
- If I’m staying in Jakarta: I usually decide based on my accommodation, but I most often choose either a Gojek or Grab, or the airport train.
- If I’m heading straight out of Jakarta: I take the bus to Gambir train station.
