Jakarta is a city with its finger most firmly on the pulse, constantly embracing new developments.  Nonetheless, try to mention Indonesia travel, and Jakarta will most likely be overlooked.  But it need not be, for this bustling city has an intriguing blend of culture, wealth of shopping choices and a flashy nightlife to boot.  Though Indonesia is by far my favorite country in Southeast Asia because of its amazing topography, interesting culture and genuinely friendly people, like most travelers, I have often hightailed Jakarta for the temples of Yogyakarta, the highlands of Bandung or the beaches of Lombok.  On my recent trip to Indonesia, I got the chance to stay in Jakarta and explore this lively capital.  Perhaps like most travelers, I was pleasantly surprised and this metropolis left me curious and searching for other underrated attractions.  Here’s a Jakarta travel guide to help you plan your trip.

HOW TO GET TO JAKARTA, INDONESIA FROM MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Philippine Airlines fly directly to Jakarta, Indonesia from Manila, Philippines at 9:30 AM to 01:05 PM. Travel time is about 4 hours. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific fly to Jakarta from Manila with lay over in Singapore and Airasia fly to Jakarta from Manila with lay over in Kuala Lumpur.

HOW TO GET FROM JAKARTA AIRPORT TO JAKARTA CITY

From Jakarta International Airport (Soekarno Hatta Airport) to Jakarta City, you can either take a taxi or Damri Bus.

BY TAXI

When taking a taxi from Jakarta International Airport to Jakarta City, the most reliable taxi companies are Blue Bird (Blue), Taxiku (Yellow), Gamya Taxi (Green) and Express (White).  If you will be staying at Jalan Jaksa, the backpacker street in Jakarta, expect to pay around IDR 150,000 / PHP 565 / USD 11.24 to IDR 200,000 / PHP 753/ USD 15. Travel time is about 1 hour.

BY DAMRI BUS

When I first backpacked in Indonesia 5 years ago, I took a Damri Bus to Gambir Station, it’s a train station in Jakarta which is also close to Jalan Jaksa.  Damri Bus is the cheapest option to travel to Jakarta City from Jakarta International Airport.  Fare is around IDR 40,000 / PHP 150.65 / USD 3.

Aside from Gambir, Damri Bus also has buses to Blok M, Mangga Dua, Kemayoran, Rawamangun, Pasar Mingu, Lebak Bulus and Bogor from Jakarta International Airport.

TRAVEL TIP:  If you just need to stay overnight in Jakarta because you are flying to a different town, you can stay at a hotel near Jakarta Airport like Ibis Styles Jakarta Airport Hotel, Ibis Budget Jakarta Airport , D’primahotel Airport Jakarta 1

 and my personal favorite Swiss-Belinn Airport

GETTING AROUND IN JAKARTA

Jakarta City is massive and is quite complex for a first-time tourist here to navigate.   Here are the transport options you can use to guide you in your travel around Jakarta.

BY HOP ON HOP OFF BUS

My Indonesia friend Olyvia Bendon informed me of Jakarta’s Hop on Hop off double decker bus and we got to try it during my recent trip to Jakarta. Good news is, it’s for free and it stops at designated bus stops and is available from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM only.

BY TRAIN

Traveling by train in Jakarta is also recommended, just avoid the peak hours.  I took a train from Gondandingan Station (because it is near my hotel) to Kota Tua and fare is only IDR 12,000 / PHP 45 / USD 0.90.

BY TAXI

A reputable taxi company is Blue Bird, make sure you read the taxi logo because there are other blue taxis in Jakarta.  You may also opt to ride Grab or Uber.

BY MOTORCYCLE

For short distance ride, I usually take a motorcycle to avoid the traffic, a cheaper way is to book through mobile apps like Ojek or Grab.  Usual fare is IDR 5,000 / PHP 19 / USD 0.38 for short distance ride.

BY TUKTUK

Another option for short distance ride is Jakarta’s tuktuk. Fare is roughly IDR 20,000 / PHP 75.35 / USD 1.50 per ride.

 JAKARTA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Jakarta is composed of the following districts: East Jakarta, West Jakarta, Central Jakarta, North and South Jakarta.  First time travelers to Jakarta are generally greeted by Jakarta’s notorious traffic jam, which is quite a buzzkill. But endure this and you’ll find Jakarta is after all an interesting city to explore.  Here’s a list of some of the top tourist spots in Jakarta for first-time tourists, you can read a detailed post of Jakarta tourist attractions here.

CENTRAL JAKARTA

The administrative and financial center of Jakarta.  This is where you’ll find some of the city’s historic and neck-swiveling buildings.

MONAS (NATIONAL MONUMENT)

Entrance Fee: IDR 20,000 / PHP 75 / USD 1.49

MERDEKA SQUARE

Entrance Fee: Free

NATIONAL MUSEUM INDONESIA

Entrance Fee: IDR 10,000 / PHP 37 / USD 0.75

JAKARTA CATHEDRAL

Entrance Fee: Free

ISTIQLAL MOSQUE

Entrance Fee: Free

 WEST JAKARTA

Home of Jakarta’s well-preserved old town constructed by the Dutch when they attempted to build an Amsterdam-inspired city in Indonesia.

KOTA TUA JAKARTA (OLD TOWN JAKARTA)

Entrance Fee: Free

PORT OF SUNDA KELAPA

Entrance Fee: Free

SION CHURCH

Entrance Fee: Free but donations are accepted.

GLODOK CHINATOWN

Entrance Fee: Free

CANDRA NAYA

Entrance Fee: Free

EAST JAKARTA

TAMAN MINI INDONESIA

Entrance Fee: IDR 10,000 / PHP 37 / USD 0.75

WHERE TO STAY IN JAKARTA

Most budget travelers visiting in Jakarta would stay at Jalan Jaksa, the backpacker street of the city.   It is near Gambir Station, so if you are on a tight budget, you can take the Damri Bus at  Jakarta International Airport to Gambir train station (see getting to Jakarta City from airport section above). Below is my handpicked list of hotels near MONAS (National Monument) that is also near Gambir Station.

BUDGET

YELLO Hotel Harmoni

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

G7 HOTEL

JL. Samanhudi No. 47, Pasar Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

POP HOTEL PASAR BARU

Jln. KH.Samanhudi No 17-19 Pasar Baru-Sawah Besar Jakarta Pusat, Pasar Baru, Jakarta

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

MIDRANGE

Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni Hotel
Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 36 – 37, Gajah Mada, Jakarta

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Holiday Inn Express Jakarta Wahid Hasyim

Jl. K. H. Wahid Hasyim No. 123, Thamrin, Jakarta

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta

Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan No.1, PO Box 1329, Monas, Jakarta, Indonesia

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

WHERE TO EAT IN JAKARTA

There are many must-try places to dine in Jakarta, but because of limited time and my hotel’s location, I was only able to try a few.   To maximize my time, I usually dine near the attractions I am visiting like the following:

Cafe Batavia

Old Town Batavia Hawker Stalls

Chinatown

NIGHTLIFE IN JAKARTA

Potato Head Jakarta

Pacific Place, Mall Pacific Place Lt. G 51A, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 52-53, RT.5/RW.3, Senayan, Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta
Open Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Skye Bar 

 BCA Tower Lt. 56, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Menteng, RT.1/RW.5, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat, Kota Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta

Open Hours: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Cloud Lounge and Living

Altitude The Plaza Office Tower Lantai 46&49, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 28 – 30, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Open Hours: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

JAKARTA TRIP ITINERARY

Here’s a sample itinerary for your Jakarta trip, you can adjust it to fit your travel schedule.  Flights to Jakarta, Indonesia from Manila usually arrive in the afternoon, you can also check out another detailed Jakarta itinerary on this blog. 

JAKARTA TRIP BUDGET

If you are going to spend 3 days / 2 nights in Jakarta, you can explore Batavia / Jakarta’s Old Town, Merdeka Square and its surroundings and Taman Mini Indonesia.  Here’s my sample Jakarta trip budget for a 3 day 2 nights travel , good for a solo traveler, but this list doesn’t include the food, drinks and souvenirs.

 * This JAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE is a work in progress.  Feel free to  comment your suggestions below.

ALSO READ: 

YOGYAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE

 BALI TRAVEL GUIDE  

THINGS TO DO IN MAKASSAR

IJEN TOUR FROM BANYUWANGI

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