Jakarta is Indonesia's sprawling capital megacity, a fast-moving mix of Dutch colonial Kota Tua, national monuments, glass towers, huge malls, street-food alleys and a thriving nightlife and arts scene. It is the main gateway to Java and the launch point for the Thousand Islands and day trips to Bogor, Bandung and the Puncak highlands.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Jakarta has some of the worst traffic in Asia, but the network of MRT, LRT, TransJakarta buses and KRL commuter trains now covers most tourist areas. Rail and busway services avoid gridlock and are the most reliable way to travel at rush hour (07:00-09:30 and 16:30-20:00). Grab, Gojek and Bluebird cover the last mile. Visitors should pay with a tap-in e-money card or the Jakarta transit apps and avoid driving themselves.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy multi-day or weekly transit passes if you'll use public transport more than twice a day.
Keep small change handy for buses and shorter trips where contactless may not work.
Avoid rush hour (typically 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) for a more comfortable journey.