Transportation

From Bali's Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) airport, use the official airport taxi counter or a Grab/Gojek pickup at the designated area. From Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta, the airport rail link and official taxis reach the city. Agree fares or use the app, and ignore drivers touting inside the terminal.

Jakarta has a modern MRT, LRT and the TransJakarta bus network. Other cities have buses of varying quality. In Bali there is little formal public transport, so most visitors use Grab, Gojek or hire a driver. For getting around, ride-hailing apps are usually the easiest option.

There is no single nationwide transit card. In Jakarta, bank-issued e-money cards (like those from Mandiri, BCA, BRI) work on the MRT, LRT, TransJakarta and toll roads, and some services accept QR payment via apps. In Bali there is little to no card-based transit, so this is mainly a Jakarta feature.

Grab and Gojek dominate, offering cars and cheap motorbike rides with upfront app pricing — this avoids fare disputes. Bluebird is a reputable metered taxi brand; insist on the meter with any taxi. Some tourist areas restrict app pickups, so use the designated points. Avoid unmarked cars and pushy touts.

Java has a good train network (book via KAI or partner apps), useful for city-to-city trips like Jakarta–Yogyakarta. Between islands, domestic flights and ferries are the norm — Bali connects by short flights or fast boats to nearby islands like the Gilis and Nusa Penida. Book popular routes ahead.

With thousands of islands, domestic flights are the practical way to cover long distances. Carriers include Garuda Indonesia (full service), plus Citilink, Lion Air and others (low-cost). Book ahead for better fares and allow buffer time, as schedules can shift. Small-island flights may use tiny aircraft with strict baggage limits.

Use Grab or Gojek for reliable, upfront pricing and to avoid haggling. Consider hiring a car with a driver for day trips, especially in Bali. Traffic is heavy and Indonesia drives on the left, so cross roads carefully. Book flights and popular trains ahead, and keep small cash for tolls, parking and small vendors.