Giakarta

Jakarta's nickname among expats is the Big Durian, and like the fruit itself, it's a shock at first sight (and smell): a sweltering, steaming, heaving mass of some 30 million people packed into a vast urban sprawl. The metropolitan area is a magnet for Indonesians, both as a business and a government centre, and the most developed city in the country. But all of this comes at a cost: the city has been struggling very hard to keep up with the urban growth. Major roads are packed up during rush hours and weekends, sometimes all day during rainy season due to motorcyclists sheltering under the fly-over or the tunnel when it's raining heavily, thus causing additional congestion, while the growth of the public transportation system has been unable to keep up.

All that said, while initially a bit overwhelming, if you can withstand the pollution and can afford to indulge in Jakarta's charms, you can discover what is also one of Asia's most exciting, most lively global cities. There is plenty to do in Jakarta, from green parks and historical centres, to cosmopolitan shopping, diverse gourmet choices, and some of the hippest nightlife in Southeast Asia!

History

The port of 1 Sunda Kelapa dates to the 12th century, when it served the Sundanese kingdom of Pajajaran near present-day Bogor. The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese, who were given permission by the Hindu Kingdom of Pakuan Pajajaran to erect a godown (warehouse) in 1522. Control was still firmly in local hands, and in 1527 the city was conquered by Prince Fatahillah, a Muslim prince from Cirebon, who changed the name to Jayakarta.

By the early 17th century, however, the Dutch had pretty much taken over the port city, and the razing of a competing English fort in 1619 secured their hold on the island. Under the name Batavia, the new Dutch town became the capital of the Dutch East Indies and was known as the Queen of the East.

However, the Dutch made the mistake of attempting to replicate Holland by digging canals throughout the malarial swamps in the area, resulting in shockingly high death rates and earning the town the epithet White Man's Graveyard. In the early 1800s most canals were filled in, the town was shifted 4 km inland and the Pearl of the Orient flourished once again.

In 1740, Chinese residents rebelled against the Dutch. The rebellion was put down harshly with the massacre of tens of thousands of Chinese people. The survivors were exiled to Sri Lanka.

In 1795, the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by France, and on March 17, 1798, the Batavian Republic, a satellite state of France, took over the VOC's debts and assets. But on August 26, 1811, a British expedition led by Lord Minto defeated the French/Dutch troops in Jakarta, leading to a brief liberation and subsequent administration of Indonesia by the British (led by Sir Stamford Raffles of Singapore fame) in 1811-1816. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Indonesia was handed over from the British to the Dutch government.

The name Jakarta was adopted as a short form of Jayakarta when the city was conquered by the Japanese in 1942. After the war, the Indonesian war of independence followed, with the capital briefly shifted to Yogyakarta after the Dutch attacked. The war lasted until 1949, four years after Indonesian Independence, when the Dutch accepted the independence and handed back the town, which became Indonesia's capital again.

Since independence, Jakarta's population has skyrocketed, thanks to migrants coming to the city from across the Indonesian archipelago. The entire Jabodetabek (Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi) metropolitan region is estimated to have a population of about 30 million. In 2019, President Joko Widodo announced that the Indonesian capital will be moved to a new purpose-built city in Kalimantan known as Nusantara, though Jakarta will remain Indonesia's main commercial and financial hub.

Climate

Jakarta, like the rest of Indonesia, is under the tropical climate classification. It has two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. It is hot and usually humid with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The average temperature is about 28°C (82°F), hot compared to other cities across Indonesia, especially because of the absence of trees in many areas.

November to March is the peak of the rainy season, and floods and traffic chaos on many of the streets usually occur. At its worst, floods can result in a standstill in susceptible areas and take a few days to subside; canal-widening and cleanings have mitigated their effect substantially and for most major roads, a couple hours is all it takes for the standing water to be wiped out. Even in rainy seasons, the sun usually appears for hours each day. During the transition from rainy to dry season or vice versa (April-May & September-October), there is occasional rain. Sometimes it pours; other times it's not a washout. The good thing is that it cools down the air after a sweltering hot day. The rain is almost always absent from June through August.

Tourism information

1 "Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Centre, Jakarta Theater Building, Jl. MH. Thamrin No. 9, ☏ +62 21 314 2067. (updated Nov 2016)

"Enjoy Jakarta" Tourism Information Service, Terminal 2D Arrival, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, ☏ +62 21 550 7088. (updated Nov 2016)

Administratively, Jakarta is a province called the Jakarta Special Capital Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta). It is administratively divided into 5 municipalities and 1 regency (the Thousand Islands in the Jakarta Bay):

Satellite cities: The Jakarta megalopolis of 30 million inhabitants includes Jakarta and the following satellite cities:

Bogor - One of the primary destinations to escape from Jakarta, with well-kept natural habitats, a world-class botanical garden, resorts, and multiple golf courses

Tangerang - The airport, many large commercial centres and clustered homes

Bekasi - Mostly industrial parks

Depok - Home to the University of Indonesia

A common abbreviation to describe the megalopolitan area is Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi).

Orientation

Finding places in Jakarta, especially smaller buildings not on the main arteries, is easier said than done. Sometimes, the same name is used for different streets in different parts of the city, and it's often difficult to find the correct street or address without the postal code/region. A sign with a street name facing you indicates the name of the street you are about to enter, not that of the cross street. Alleys off a main road are often simply notated by Roman numerals, hence a street address like "Jl. Mangga Besar VIII/21" means house number 21 on alley number 8 (VIII) off the main road of Jl. Mangga Besar.

Fortunately, there is a logic to the name of the street. Outside of the corridors of high rise offices, you basically can find out on what branch of the street you're on by looking at the name of the streets without the Roman numerals. Most often the name of the area is the same as the name of the street, especially if it also bears the phrase Jalan Raya or avenues. Knowing this almost takes you there, but gated clusters of houses have their own main roads that do not follow the convention, even though they are branches of a specific street. In that case, knowing the name of the housing cluster would be the best option in addition to the above rules. Conveniently, most navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze are useful for finding addresses and places throughout Jakarta due to regular updates from users.

If you don't want to waste time, ask for the description or name of nearby landmarks or buildings, billboards, color of the building or fence, or the postal code. If you still cannot find the address, start asking people on the street, especially ojek (motorcycle taxi drivers).

By plane

Jakarta (JKT IATA) has two airports with scheduled flights:

2 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK IATA) is 20 km northwest of the city in the neighboring city of Tangerang, and handles most commercial flights. This airport, along with transportation options to and from the airport, is covered in a separate article. KAI Commuter's Soekarno–Hatta Airport Commuter Line runs between the airport and downtown for Rp70,000. DAMRI operates bus services to various major transportation hubs (trains & other buses) routinely, while the JAConnexion buses serves a number of hotels and shopping malls within the metro area for up to Rp50,000. Many hotels are generous enough to offer shuttles from the airport. There is a dedicated tollway that takes you to the city, which should take 45 to 90 minutes. Avoid taking conventional or online taxi in rush hour as it may charge you more than Rp300.000.

3 Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP IATA) is smaller and much closer to the city (in East Jakarta), is served by a range of domestic scheduled flights, in addition to its use by the military, VIP flights, charter flights, helicopter leasing companies, and private jets. DAMRI operates bus services to Rawamangun Bus Terminal; to Pulogebang, Gambir Station, and Bekasi; and to Depok, Bogor's Botany Square, and Soekarno Hatta Airport. There are also taxi services operating here, but avoid taking them inside the airport area.

Previously, flying into Bandung (130 km away) was occasionally a reasonable alternative, but the relocation of Bandung's airport to distant Kertajati in 2023 makes this quite impractical now.

By train

Jakarta is well-served by trains from all over Java. National operator Kereta Api runs multiple daily trains from other cities such as Bandung, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. A newly-built high-speed train called Whoosh serves Jakarta and Bandung, which runs every hour and takes 35-40 minutes. Commuter trains connects with outlying suburbs and cities in Greater Jakarta such as Bekasi, Depok, Tangerang as well as some more remote cities such as Bogor and Rangkasbitung.

There are several major railway stations in Jakarta, with Gambir and Pasar Senen being the main stations for long-distance passenger service. Both are located in Central Jakarta and are well connected with public transport including the TransJakarta system. The historic Jakarta Kota terminus station in heart of old colonial Batavia is now mainly served by local and regional trains. High-speed trains terminate at Halim in East Jakarta from where it's possible to continue by Jabodebek LRT trains to the city centre.

Notice that commuter trains generally don't call at neither Gambir nor Pasar Senen. If travelling from Eastern Java it might be better to get off at Jatinegara in East Jakarta and change to a commuter train to Jakarta Kota railway station.

4 Gambir railway station. (updated Aug 2023)

5 Pasar Senen railway station. (updated Aug 2023)

6 Kota railway station. The historic terminus station, first built in 1887. Current building dates back to 1929. (updated Aug 2023)

7 Halim railway station. Terminus for high-speed trains. (updated Aug 2023)

8 Jatinegara railway station. (updated Aug 2023)

By boat

The national ferry companies, ASDP Indonesia Ferry and Pelni, operate passenger services from a large number of destinations across the Indonesian archipelago. The main ferry terminal is 9 Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta. Smaller speedboats, particularly to and from the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu), depart from Ancol and Muara Angke, also on Jakarta's north shore. There are no international passenger ferries besides a weekly 45-minute ferry ride across the strait from Singapore to Batam.

By bus

When buying tickets for buses out of Jakarta, you're better off buying them at each bus company's booth. Do not buy from anywhere outside the booth as the prices are more expensive and the bus they will take you to is questionable. Jakarta has many bus terminals, but not all of them have inter-city services. Look for the sign AKAP (Antar Kota Antar Provinsi or Inter-city and Inter-Province).

Fortunately these terminals are easy to reach. City bus services, as well as airport shuttles, start and end at bus terminals, and busway services stop there too. Even though the listing says the destination the terminal mainly serves, some services may be available to other parts of Java.

10 Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal, Jalan Lingkar Luar Selatan, East Jakarta (Use busway line ). The busiest terminal for intercity buses. Kampung Rambutan offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across Banten, especially the Merak port, and the central & southern part of Java island, such as Cianjur, Bandung, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Cilacap, Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo, and Malang, although buses to major cities across the north may exist. City & intercity buses depart from separate areas.

11 Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal, Jalan Bekasi Raya, East Jakarta (Use busway lines & ). Formerly the second busiest terminal, nowadays Pulo Gadung Terminal only serves buses to Merak, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok.

12 Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal, Jalan Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta (Use busway line ). The new and biggest bus terminal in Southeast Asia. Offers multiple bus services daily, mainly to and from destinations across the northern coast of Java, such as Cirebon, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang, and Surabaya, though some operators may also drive you to Bandung. Some buses even offer routes to Bali and Lombok together after pickup from Pulo Gadung Bus Terminal.

13 Lebak Bulus Bus Station (Use MRT North-South line or busway line ). Not a terminal but only a 100-m² bus stop, as a temporary replacement for the Lebak Bulus Terminal, which nowadays is an MRT station under construction. When the MRT station is completed, it will be integrated with the bus terminal. Service to destinations east of Jakarta, as far as East Java.

If you are arriving from Sumatra or taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you will most likely arrive at one of these two terminals:

14 Rawamangun Bus Terminal, Jalan Perserikatan No. 1 (Jalan Paus), East Jakarta (Use busway line , but does not stop right at the terminal. The nearest stop is at Pemuda Ramawangun or Velodrome.). Like Pulo Gadung Terminal, only serves buses to Merak, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok.

15 Kali Deres Bus Terminal, Jalan Daan Mogot KM 16, West Jakarta (Use busway line ). Its location in west Jakarta makes it an optimal stop for buses from Sumatra, although it doesn't have as many as Rawamangun.

Besides above if you are taking DAMRI buses from the Soekarno-Hatta airport, you can arrive at terminals:

Tanjung Priok Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 10 or 12

Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 7

Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal and then can use TransJakarta Corridor 8

By van

Vans with seats for 8-10 passengers have taken over short-distance intercity coach services. Most van companies such as CitiTrans and XTrans will take you from Bandung to Jakarta or Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. One-way fares from Bandung to Jakarta or Soekarno-Hatta International Airport are typically Rp150,000. The vans will most often drop you off at their own offices or other specific locations. You can bargain with the driver to drop you off at your desired location for an additional price.

By car

While travelling by car may not be a good idea, it remains perhaps the most convenient way to enter Jakarta. Congestion can extend well past rush hours and a hesitation at any ring road tollway in Jakarta can have a domino effect on other tolls. There are four tollways that terminate in Jakarta:

Jakarta-Merak cuts through Tangerang and leads to the western edge of Java, the Merak port for connections to Sumatra Island.

Jagorawi tollway goes south to Bogor and the Puncak holiday resorts.

Jakarta-Cikampek goes east via Bekasi and Karawang and continues to Bandung or all the way towards Central Java.

The short Jakarta-Serpong toll road connects Jakarta to South Tangerang.

An odd-even license plate scheme is in effect for the first three tollways inbound towards Jakarta on weekdays 06:00-10:00, but is enforced only at selected on-ramps. Under the system, only odd-numbered plates may enter the road on odd dates, and even-numbered plates on even dates. Only an electronic payment card is accepted.

Getting around Jakarta can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, the heat and chaotic streets make walking long distances impractical, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.

Fares

Jakarta's public transport network features integrated ticketing. This means you only need to use one payment method to travel on all trains and buses. Fares range from Rp2,000 to Rp20,000 depending on mode and distance.

There are three ways to pay for your journey:

Kartu Multi Trip, issued by KAI Commuter. The card can be purchased and topped up at KAI Commuter ticket counters and ticket machines. The card costs Rp30,000, including an initial balance of Rp10,000.

Contactless prepaid card, such as Bank Mandiri's e-money, BCA's Flazz, BNI's tap-cash, BRI's BRIZZI, or Bank DKI's JakCard. The cards can be purchased and topped up at the respective banks, convenience stores such as Alfamart and Indomaret, and Transjakarta ticket counters and ticket machines. The cards cost Rp40,000, all of which is credited toward purchases. The cards can also be used for payment at major retailers, convenience stores, toll roads and parking lots.

Contactless credit or debit card, such as Mastercard or Visa. The cards are accepted for travel on Jakarta MRT. Simply tap your card on the fare gates and away you go, no ticket required. The cards are not yet accepted for travel on any other trains or buses as of 2026.

Ensure you tap in at your origin and tap out at your destination to calculate the correct fare. Transferring between lines owned by the same company is free, but be careful not to exit the network until your journey is completed. If your balance is not high enough to tap out at your destination, you can pay the remaining balance at ticket counters and ticket machines. You will be charged Rp50,000 if you lose your card.

KAI Commuter

KAI Commuter (colloquially called KRL Commuterline) connects the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bogor, South Tangerang, and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. It's worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of trains (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome. The trains can get very crowded, especially during rush hours. Trains do not stop at Gambir and Pasar Senen stations, the starting stations for long-distance trains in Jakarta; transfer at Jatinegara station in the east instead. Major stations are adjacent to TransJakarta stations, though you often have to walk or use a feeder bus service to transfer.

Trains run between 04:30 and midnight. Trains operate every 15-30 minutes, depending on the line.

Jakarta MRT

Jakarta MRT connects Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta with Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta. It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. A northern extension to Kota is under construction and may open around 2027.

Unlike the more utilitarian and dated design of the city's other transportation services, the MRT contains modern, spacious stations designed for heavier use. North of Senayan, stations are underground and can be accessed through descending passageways on the pedestrian path. Southern stations are elevated and can't be missed. Some of the entrances have upwards escalators, but each station has at least one wheelchair-accessible elevator. Convenience stores and snacks are available outside the paid area of stations, but eating and drinking is forbidden on the platforms or within the train.

Trains run between 05:00 and midnight. Trains operate every 5 minutes during rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 17:00–19:00), and every 10 minutes during the rest of the day.

Jabodebek LRT

Jabodebek LRT connects Jatimulya in Bekasi, West Java and Harjamukti in Depok, West Java with Dukuh Atas (interchange with MRT and Commuter Line) in Central Jakarta. It follows the main business street of Sudirman-MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta and Central Jakarta. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions. The Whoosh high speed railway to Bandung is accessible via Halim station.

Trains run between 06:00 and 22:00. Trains operate every 10 minutes during rush hour (06:00-09:00 and 16:00–20:00), and every 20 minutes during the rest of the day.

Jakarta LRT

Jakarta LRT connects Pegangsaan Dua in North Jakarta to Manggarai in South Jakarta. It runs the main street of Velodrome, along Kayu Putih (Pulomas Equestrian Park), through Kelapa Gading's Boulevard Raya main road.

Trains run between 05:30 and 23:00. Trains operate every 10 minutes.

TransJakarta

TransJakarta is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network that runs on fully dedicated lanes. There are 14 mainlines in operation, in addition to a number of feeder routes that operate between them. Passengers use dedicated stations usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The network is remarkably user-friendly by Jakarta standards, with comfortable amenities at stations and announcements inside the purpose-built vehicles. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours.

The buses have separate seating for women at the front, an attendant who stands by the door announcing stops and providing security, and CCTV. There are priority seats for the elderly, disabled, and expectant mothers, but the wide gap between the platforms and buses can be a hindrance. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus, as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly.

Buses run between 05:00 and 23:00, extending to 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Buses operate every 5-15 minutes, depending on the line.

TransJakarta Pengumpan is a feeder bus service between selected mainline stations and train stations or neighborhoods where the mainline does not run. Wait for them under the blue sign of the same name.

TransJakarta Cares is a feeder bus service for disabled people to reach the nearest TransJakarta station. They can be requested by calling 1500 102.

Public bus

A multitude of public bus companies prowl the streets of Jakarta. However, buses do not run on schedule or even have one. Most maps bought outside Indonesia do not show bus routes, so Google Maps would be the best method to figure out what bus you should take. Most bus stops also post what route numbers and destinations stop there, but they do not always stop there! They make for a good adventure if you're not in a rush and don't mind being the centre of attention.

These are the bus companies, ranked from best to worst:

Transjabodetabek feeds between the Transjakarta stops and the outskirts of town. Look for the routes that has a letter preceding the line number. In case of no shelter, wait under the blue bus sign.

Kopaja AC (not to be confused with Kopaja non-AC) has introduced a similar service on selected routes. Some of the lines are reachable from the Transjakarta bus stops. Look for the metallic grey and green colour bus. These buses offer Wi-Fi connectivity.

Mayasari Bakti has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. Air conditioned buses bear the letters AC on the bus number. These buses usually have a light & dark blue body, but some are green and orange. Inquire if in doubt.

PPD also has a combination of an air conditioned and non-air conditioned fleet. They have fewer buses and noticeably a lower tier of service than Mayasari Bakti. Look for the white & black strip, with the Monas icon; the buses may be branded as "PATAS", which means express.

Be prepared for on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs and asking for donations at the end of the performance. Street vendors may also try to sell almost anything from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed doughnuts and health goods.

Avoid sitting or standing in the back of the bus, as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times for pickpockets and do not wear any valuable. The best seat is in the front, next to the driver.

Buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, other times two buses of the same route may come together and the drivers will steer aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop, but anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus three times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping, best to use a coin), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible and move the body in line with bus direction, as they do not fully stop the bus.

Also, seats in these buses are built for Indonesians, who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Europeans and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses confining and uncomfortable. TransJabodetabek, APTB and BKTB are not so crowded and the seats are more comfortable for non-Indonesians.

While most bus routes are from one bus terminal to another, not all of them have connections to long-distance bus services.

The city government provides tour buses. Dubbed the City Tour Jakarta, the buses are double-decker and you can ride them for free! There are four loop routes that are sorted by the genre: Historical, Modern, Art & Culinary and Jakarta Skyscrapers. The Historical and Modern routes run Monday-Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00, while the Art & Culinary and Jakarta Skyscrapers routes only run Saturday from 17:00 to 23:00.

By van

Mikrotrans, mikrolets and angkots are vans that serve fixed stops around the city. You can use the Moovit website or app to trace available stops. Make sure the prefix JAK (e.g. JAK-01, JAK-02) is displayed on the front of the van so you don't go wrong taking an older van with cash payments.

By taxi

Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is very cheap by Western standards, abundant and occasionally fast. There is a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability.

Blue Bird Group, ☏ +62 21 7917 1234, +62 21 794 1234. The Blue Bird, including the Pusaka & Morante taxis as well as the premium brands Silver Bird and Golden Bird, are well known for their reliability, efficient telephone order service, and orderly meter usage. A special ride for the physically impaired can also be requested. The Silver Bird executive taxi charges a premium rate for a larger car. In addition, Blue Bird Taxi has launched taxis using a low roof MPV which can accommodate up to 7 persons. The fare is the same as for a regular taxi, but if you want one, order it specifically when you call for a taxi.

The popularity of online taxis (GrabCar and GoCar), due to cheaper fares, safer and more polite drivers, means that nowadays it can be more difficult or time-consuming to get conventional/regular taxis; out of 32 taxi companies that used to operating in Jakarta, there are only 4 now. Besides Blue Bird, these are the remaining companies:

Express, ☏ +62 21 500 122. This is typically the second-best option, if Blue Bird taxis are not visible, but hail this taxi if your main concern is price. No minimum payment for hailing in the street, the minimum payment of Rp40,000 is only for ordering by phone.

Gamya, ☏ +62 21 8779 5555, +62 21 840 3838.

Green SM, ☏ +62818 0526 8689 (WhatsApp Business), toll-free: 14068Country code missing. Electric car alternative for taxi service in Jakarta. (updated Nov 2025)

However, English is not widely spoken in Indonesia, so if you want to take the taxi, ask your hotel staff to write down the destination in Indonesian to give it to the taxi driver. You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "Pakai argo?" ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near airport, train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially to foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing taxi from the above companies.

Tipping is not necessary, but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp5,000 is expected, although rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp1,000 is also OK. So prepare some change if you want, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp5,000.

If the taxi takes a toll road, the added cost is not reflected on the meter. The driver will tap their contactless card to the toll booth, receive a receipt, and you can see the cost shown on a large display next to the payment machine. Drivers may run out of their card's credits and require a short stop at a convenience store to top up; this is normal. At the end of the trip, your driver will sum up the meter price with any toll receipts, and you can always pay in cash, while some taxis accept cards. A taxi receipt is available on request and is not standard.

Blue Bird, Gojek and Grab apps can be downloaded for free to help you order taxis via smartphone. Fill in the departure and arrival points and Google Maps will show the map with the taxis and also the estimated cost displayed in a range. Blue Bird Taxi has the same fare regardless of whether you hire them online or by phone (with minimum payment applied). GoCar and GrabCar have prices fixed in advance, regardless of any traffic jams. Choose the taxi that will be used and the taxi will usually come in five minutes. Only qualified taxis and qualified drivers can join the apps, so this is one of the safest ways to get a taxi. Taxis have been abundant since online ride-hailing started operating in Jakarta. Online taxis rate is only about two-thirds that of a conventional taxi, or at most the same as a conventional one during peak hours. Since the price is preset, drivers have no incentive to take an unnecessarily roundabout route, which used to be common with conventional taxis.

By bajaj

The Jakartan equivalent to Thailand's tuk-tuk is the bajaj (pronounced "bahdge-eye"), orange mutant scooters souped up in India into little three-wheeled vehicles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back. Besides the usual orange bajaj, there is blue bajaj, which use gas as fuel.

They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking (they have no suspension), hot and windy (locals joke about the "natural A/C"), and a great way to breathe in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible (maybe less if you ride the blue bajaj), riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you. Blue gas-fueled bajaj are quieter than the orange 2-cycle bajaj.

There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp5,000. Be sure to agree to (read: haggle) a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and often ask double or even more than what you would pay by a meter in a more comfortable Blue Bird taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price.

There are Grab bajaj that use the Grab application. The tariff is Rp 3,000 per kilometre and minimum payment Rp 9,000. It is intermediate between GrabBike and GrabCar due to Bajaj can accommodate 2 passengers and baggage.

There are Qute bajaj that have 4 wheels instead of 3. Qute are much quieter than bemo and have air conditioning. These 'new bemo' operate throughout Central Jakarta towards North Jakarta via Mangga Dua to Ancol. The price is quite the same as for ordinary bajaj (about Rp5,000 for a short hop). Make sure to haggle a price before you ride the vehicle.

By ojek

If you're poking around narrow back streets, or in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb or more to get there, then Jakarta's motorcycle taxis (ojek) might be the ticket for you. Jakarta's ojek services consist of guys with bikes lounging around street corners, who usually shuttle short distances down alleys and roads but will also do longer trips for a price. Agree on the fare before you set off. Insist on a helmet and wear it properly—no need to make it more insanely dangerous than it already is. The ojek drivers will insist you're safe with them and that they'll drive carefully—some are telling the truth, some lying. Before you choose a driver, pay attention to their motorcycle's appearance and their helmet; sometimes it shows their character. Locals normally pay Rp5,000 for a short ride (one kilometre) and Rp7,000-10,000 for a longer (roughly more than a kilometre or a 15-minute walk). Foreigners are likely to be asked for more, but generally, ojek drivers will accept the proper fare if you insist on it, unless they see you really need their service.

On-demand (online) ojek services such as Go-Jek and Grab are ubiquitous can be booked through their respective smartphone apps and offer generally cheaper fares which are stated in advance, although for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi area are more expensive than other area Rp 2,250 to Rp 2,650 per kilometer with minimum payment Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,500. Payments can be made by cash or stored value (akin to prepaid mobile phone service). You may chat or call the driver for help with finding each other, although some knowledge of Indonesian would be helpful. Go-Jek as a pioneer has more widespread availability; those who travel here alongside other Southeast Asian countries may find it useful to keep using Grab. The other more expensive on-demand ojek service is Lady Jek with female drivers. Unlike conventional ojeks, which typically only operate dawn to dusk, they are available at all times and relatively safe for both passengers and drivers as they are monitored by GPS. While it seems cheap, those who travel in groups of at least three may be better off taking a taxi for convenience and the unnoticeable difference in fares.

The aforementioned brands also offer taxi service that are either private cars akin to Uber elsewhere in the world or with taxi companies so that you can hail them from the same app. Other services include food or groceries delivery and shipping between residents or from online businesses.

By car

Getting around Jakarta is, more often than not, problematic. The city layout is bewildering with horrendous traffic jams (macet "MAH-chet"), slowing the city to a crawl during rush hour. To make things worse, the traffic jams are worse during the rainy season despite no real flooding, mainly due to motorcyclists sheltering under tunnels. Various areas of the city have different levels of chaotic traffic. But while the better-organised traffic is mainly in the business districts (MH Thamrin, Jendral Sudirman, and H.R. Rasuna Said), they remain one of the most congested spots in Jakarta! It can even go beyond business hours because of the area's mixed-use as both office and commercial space, as well as the domino effect from other streets' stop-and-go traffic.

Rental cars are available, but unless you are familiar with local driving practices or lack thereof, take reputable taxis. Foreigners are recommended not to rent cars and drive on their own, as the chaotic traffic can give you a headache; renting with a driver is more than advisable. That being said, safety and road rules are enforced much more rigorously than in other parts of the country—obey the traffic laws and do not be tempted to disobey like many of the locals do, even when it seems convenient. Police regularly patrol the major roadways, and many rules are poorly marked, such as which lanes exactly are reserved for the TransJakarta service.

Two toll roads circle the city: the Lingkar Dalam ("inner ring road", bisecting the downtown core) and Lingkar Luar (JORR, Jakarta Outer Ring Road, encircling the outskirts). Using these toll roads is faster when the traffic is good, but are very often jammed themselves, particularly during rush hours. They generally only accept payment using prepaid bank cards.

Outside of the toll roads, road quality differs heavily between the wide downtown avenues and thin alleyways in the residential districts. Road types may be poorly marked in maps. Flooding is common in certain areas during the rainy season, with even large roads being completely inaccessible.

Finding parking places in residential areas can be difficult due to the narrow roads. Paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls, offices and the like for a shockingly cheap rate: Rp4,000-6,000 per hour. Street parking often requires payment of up to Rp3,000-5,000 to an illegal parking 'attendant' for one hour. For 41 areas with street electronic parking posts, the fee is Rp5,000 per hour paid by 7 certain debit cards, and don't pay anything to a formal attendant (monitoring by CCTV) such as you would in Sabang and Kelapa Gading Boulevards. If you park on a street, do so only at the designated areas and in a way that does not block the traffic. Otherwise, your car will be towed and ticketed, in which case you will need some paperwork to get it back!

An odd-even traffic control system called GAGE (GAnjil-GEnap, literally translated to odd-even) is enforced along select main streets Mondays to Fridays from 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-21:00, except public holidays. Under the system, only vehicles with odd license plate numbers are permitted to travel on odd-numbered calendar dates, and even-numbered license plates on even-numbered dates. The fine for violations is Rp500,000, but electric vehicles (with blue stripe plate number), taxis and public transportation (vehicles with yellow-black plate number) are exempt. Look for the sign above the road that indicates if the rule is enforced at the adjacent street; generally speaking they are valid on roads along the Inner Ring Road from Tomang Raya to MT. Haryono in the south, Rasuna Said district, along Jenderal Ahmad Yani section of the ring road in the east, and the main road from Kota Tua (Old Town) down to Medan Merdeka Barat, Thamrin, Sudirman, Sisingamangaraja (ASEAN Headquarters), Panglima Polim, to Fatmawati.

If you wish to rent a car, consider these companies:

RentalMobil.com, SCBD Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52 - 53, ☏ +62 21 29608390.

Golden Bird (A subsidiary service of Blue Bird Group), ☏ +62 21 794 4444. (updated Dec 2017)

By scooter

Grab (the online transport service provider stated in the 'Ojek' section) offers eScooter services with the 'GrabWheels' brand and a fare of Rp 5,000 per 30 minutes (Nov 2019). There are hundreds of parking lots for GrabWheels in Jakarta, mainly in the Sudirman Street area, so one can depart from a GrabWheels parking lot and deposit their eScooter in another. Despite the service's relative newness, many people rent it.

However, after a car accident involving GrabWheels, in which 2 persons were killed and 4 others were injured, regulations were enacted: eScooters can be used only at bicycle lanes (no usage allowed along pavements, regular streets, or pedestrian overhead bridges).

By bicycle

Cycling provisions are lacking in Jakarta, but the first signs of a cycling culture are emerging. Every Sunday from 06:00-11:00 during the Car Free Day (CFD) in Jalan Sudirman and Thamrin (and every month in other places in each city in Jakarta) are emptied of motorised vehicles, except TransJakarta. The atmosphere can be festive, as events are held in some places (especially in Hotel Indonesia Roundabout). As of late 2023, 314 km of new bicycle lanes have been opened, and are targeted to reach 535 km by 2026. The Pemuda Pramuka is the most used bicycle lane, mainly to commute between work and home. New rules mention that bicycle lanes can be used by bicycle, electric bicycle, otopet, electric scooter, hoverboard and unicycle. Whoever violates the rule will be penalised up to Rp500,000.

Beyond that, there are dedicated mountain biking paths in Cihuni and along the Jalur Gas Pipa, both in Tangerang. Or you could head to Salak Mountain or other parts of the region beyond Bogor.

By foot

Jakarta is hot and humid year-round, discouraging pedestrians, while what sidewalk is left is often quickly occupied by pushcart vendors. Crosswalks are not always available, and not always respected even when present. Many locals will simply walk across a busy street, holding up a palm to request vehicles slow down for them.

Even then, walking can sometimes be faster than using a vehicle, especially when the maze of streets results in a winding, roundabout, and congested route.

Jakarta is rapidly revamping its pedestrian facilities on its main roads, with clean and accessible wide sidewalks already in place along the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor and adjacent districts, with continuous construction work outwards. The paths remain hot and are very quiet during the day, but are more pleasant and busy during the afternoons. Still expect to clamber around mismatched concrete blocks and step on asphalt in the residential areas of the city.

A few other neighbourhoods can be explored on foot:

Kota Tua (West Jakarta): a pedestrian-friendly square, a walk in this area explores the sights of Dutch colonial charm that was once central to the colonial administration.

Glodok (West Jakarta): the Jakarta's Chinatown district with Konghucu temples (kelenteng), vibrant market, and Chinese-Indonesian delicacies.

Pasar Baru (Central Jakarta): a pedestrian-friendly market that has been in existence since the colonial era. Be sure to check Lapangan Banteng nearby, especially during the weekends.

Blok M (South Jakarta): a vibrant hangout and shopping spots with hundreds of hip local and international delicacies, along with its Little Tokyo district offering authentic Japanese restaurants.

Rasuna Said, Kuningan District (South Jakarta): another business district along Jl. HR Rasuna Said with many embassies and office buildings.

Monas and Kebon Sirih area (Central Jakarta): the city square is a pedestrian-friendly zone, and the surrounding area has several attractions such as the presidential palace and old colonial churches.

Kanal Banjir Timur (Jakarta Timur), a nice river view in the morning with special bicycle and walking/running lane.

Jatinegara (Jakarta Timur), full of vintage stalls, building, train station, and river view of Ciliwung.

Kemang (Jakarta Selatan), full of coffee stalls, restaurants and bars. The best place to walk at night.

Cikini (Jakarta Pusat), for coffee stalls, art spaces, and performances.

On Car-Free Day (CFD), every Sunday from 06:00 to 11:00 in the morning, the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfares are closed to motor vehicles, except for the Transjakarta buses. Locals crowd the streets to walk, jog, bike, enjoy performance arts and generally have some fun on the streets. While crowded, this is a good time to get in touch with the locals and see a different side of the city.

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

The heart of tourist attractions is to the north and centre of Jakarta. Visitors typically start exploring Jakarta from this part of the town, called the Kota Tua, where the old buildings of Jakarta are preserved within a dedicated walking area. Jakarta has 47 museums, which are spread across the city.

The Jakarta History Museum, formerly a city hall (Stadhuis), covers Jakarta's history from 400 AD to the present day, with photos, replicas, and maps. Do not miss the Jagur cannon in the back yard.

The Bank Indonesia Museum tells about the economy and currency system then and now using modern technology while the Museum Bahari takes you to the old glory of Jakarta's port, and Indonesia's as a whole. If you are into arts & crafts, the Museum Wayang has a collection of different puppets (Wayang) from all across the country and the world, and the Museum Seni Rupa & Keramik allows you to admire Indonesia's art in paintings and sculptures. Museum Prasasti for historical and scripture.

A few kilometres down south, you'll find the legacy of the Dutch and the first years of the Indonesian government, such as the iconic landmark of Jakarta, the National Monument park standing right at the centre of the court, and the Presidential Palace on its north side. And where else in the world could you find the Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, and a 113-year-old gothic cathedral standing mightily across from each other? On the western side of the court, the elephant statue welcomes you to the Museum Nasional, one of the better designed museums out there. Or Gallery Nasional for art and sculpture.

Statues and monuments are ubiquitous in Jakarta and many stand prominently in major points across the city. Most of these icons were erected during Soekarno's rule in 1960, and thus still represent the old glory of independence. Start your trip from the Tugu Tani statue in Menteng that has a figure of a farmer going out to war. Across the Monas Park is Arjuna Wijaya, an eight-horse carriage statue near Monas. Going south at Jalan MH Thamrin, the iconic Selamat Datang statue waves at you, with a fountain that signifies its importance as the city centre of Jakarta. Passing through that is the Jenderal Sudirman statue giving a salute, that gives the street its name. Going further until the end of the straight street, is the Pemuda Membangun or Youth Developing statue that looks like a man holding up a burning bowl. The Dirgantara statue is visible in its glory if you are using the inner tollway in South Jakarta.

Parks

Green spaces are often overlooked in Jakarta. While the city has nearly 1,000 public parks big and small, very few are well maintained including even the National Monument Park (Monas). Menteng is large and perhaps the best and Taman Suropati hosts regular violin shows. Pantai Indah Kapuk, while inundated by housing projects, still leaves a space for mangrove swamps and monkeys' habitats in the two parks there. For parks with lakes, Pluit Park is one option, and a smaller one is Pulo Mas Park. Ragunan, the official zoo of Jakarta, is the second largest zoo in the world (140 hectares), offering diverse Indonesian and international flora & fauna, including a dedicated centre that houses primates, especially the endemic orangutans. Kalijodo Park is open 24 hours a day with green and child-friendly public space and an international skate park. For community park, look for Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA). Although smaller, it usually offers a small library with A/C and a futsal field. The newest is Lapangan Banteng Park which is also open 24 hours and has good illumination for playing football.

Jakarta also hosts two amusement parks. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol at the North, that is for pure fun plus a sea world aquarium, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesia in miniature) in East Jakarta, which celebrates the culture of all 34 provinces of Indonesia, a bird park containing multiple endemic species, and multiple museums. Escape to Kepulauan Seribu to see wild birds and eagles, and island resorts not too far away from the city. The Setu Babakan down south is the centre of the indigenous Betawi culture. If you are looking for lake scene, go to Taman Waduk Pluit or Taman Waduk Ria Rio. For river scene, go to Taman Kanal Banjir Timur or RPTRA Mawar.

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

Betawi culture

Despite being the melting pot of Indonesia, Jakarta's indigenous tribe called the Betawi still stays proud of its culture. They are actually a unique assimilation of various domestic and international races from the Chinese to the Portuguese, which makes it distinct from other parts of Indonesia. The Lenong theatre performance is accompanied by the Gambang Kromong orchestra that consists of the Sundanese Gendang, the Javanese Gamelan, and the Chinese Kongahyan (its own version of violin). The Tanjidor trumpets are an influence from the Dutch, while the Portuguese bequeathed the Keroncong orchestra. At the anniversary of the city's founding every 22 June, a distinctive piece of culture can be seen in hotels, the infamous pair of Ondel-ondel puppets. The complete experience of the culture can be found at Setu Babakan, the village of Betawi culture (and fishing at its lake).

Cinema

Cinemas are a more affordable escape at around Rp30,000 - 45,000 for a plush seat (Rp40,000 - 70,000 on the weekend, up to Rp150,000 if you watch in Premiere Class at XXI or Velvet Class at CGV ) in any of the capital's shopping malls. Beware of the heavy hand of the Indonesian censor though. The price of popcorn and drinks are exorbitant so you may wish to sneak your own coming in. CGV cinemas will typically show movies in any foreign language other than English and the lesser ones also exhibit Indonesian B-Movies with erotic themes (still heavily censored). The largest chain of cinemas in Indonesia are the 21 Cineplex (branded as XXI in premium shopping malls) and CGV . IMAX theaters are only available at Gandaria City's XXI theatre, Mal Kelapa Gading III's theatre and Keong Mas in TMII, although the latter more often shows documentary than blockbuster films.

Performing arts festivals

With its many young music fans, Jakarta boasts some of the world's largest music events, running the genre gamut from rock concerts to Korean pop. Artists from around the world regularly perform in Jakarta as part of their world tours. Perhaps the best known event is the annual Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival that takes place each March for 3 days, filled with over 40 international and local artists performing jazz, R&B and reggae songs. The Hammersonic is an annual metal music concert, while We The Fest boasts some of the performances from indie/pop artists in August since its first inception in 2014, Road to Soundrenaline takes you to the popular local indie/major label bands showcases, before it ends up in Bali for the main event with some of international artists performing there and the Djakarta Warehouse Project hosts world famous DJs to jam the start of the year-end holiday. For a street performance, the Sudirman-Thamrin strip is closed at night on 22 June and New Year's Eve, when stages for musical performances are erected and cultural parades set up to usher in Jakarta's founding anniversary and the New Year, respectively.

For some traditional and classical stuff, there are performances at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, by indie, jazz, dance, and classical music orchestras. Taman Ismail Marzuki hosts mainly theatrical shows, although English shows might be rare. Erasmus Huis Hall by the Dutch embassy also regularly hosts classical music shows and photography exhibitions.

Café hopping

Coffee culture is prevalent in Jakarta and is often a pre- or post-work activity centered around the local term nongkrong (nohng-KROHNG), which means "hanging out" in Indonesian. As the number of coffee shops increases, so does the pool of aspiring baristas and coffee aficionados. This trend has established Jakarta as one of the key places in the world to experience a vibrant specialty coffee scene and local coffee drinks such as kopi susu gula aren, which is made with espresso, milk, and palm sugar, typically served cold with ice.

The Jakarta Coffee Week (Jacoweek) is one of the most anticipated annual events, held since 2016, typically in October or November. It serves as a major gathering point for coffee enthusiasts, roasters, and competitive baristas, where many come to compete for a chance to represent Indonesia in the world championships. Visitors can try various coffee drinks, buy freshly roasted beans from local and international roasters (some of which offer special editions just for the event), and browse or try the latest coffee gadgets and equipment.

Sport

The sport scene in Jakarta is perhaps one of the most vibrant you'll ever see in Asia. The Senayan sports complex still lives up to its name since the 1962 Asian Games, where archery and indoor shooting range are also publicly available to try. Soemantri-Brodjonegoro in Kuningan district also offers you many kinds of sport activities. If you like skateboarding, Kalijodo Skatepark is the best place to meet others.

Golf

Jakarta is perhaps the best city to play golf in Asia, thanks to the abundance of courses close to or even in the middle of the city, and relatively cheap prices compared to Western standards. Green fees can go as low as Rp70,000 on weekdays, although the better courses are twice that, and weekend rates are considerably steeper at Rp300,000 and more. Many golf courses are at South and East within the immediate suburbs of the city, much better in quality and quantity at the satellite cities.

Football

Indonesia is one of the few Asian countries where European soccer teams, including from the prestigious British Premier League or the Italian League, play friendlies against the national team when the game itself is at break in Europe. The supporters between the national team and the Europeans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium are even, yet even though for the most part Indonesia's national team post losses, clashes do not seem to occur. When the European leagues are in season, numerous cafés and bars around town put up gigantic TV screens to let the enthusiasm erupt while having a drink at dawn.

Futsal is the indoor version of football, which has 5 players per team and more lax rules of play. Anytime after work or on the weekends, you can easily find crowds at the many indoor courts across the city. Outdoors, the dirt and grass makeshift fields are abundant in residential areas, crowded with players, spectators and vendors, typically on weekend afternoons. In these casual games, anyone can simply ask to jump in.

Badminton

As a badminton powerhouse, Jakarta has a multitude of badminton courts, ranging from the national venues at the Senayan Complex to the suburban halls which cater to both futsal and badminton. Most of them have wood-panel flooring and are maintained in reasonably good condition. Lighting is strictly functional and is below par in comparison with standard badminton halls. People play almost every evening - so, walk in, strike up a conversation with the group's captain, and expect to blend in with their group for the session. If the captain refuses payment (usually less than Rp20,000), it is polite to buy the players a round of soft-drinks (Teh-botol is a good choice). Be warned that it is common for Indonesians to eat, smoke, drink and nap by the side of the court: so watch your step.

If you want to watch rather than to play, the Istora Senayan is packed in the middle of January for Indonesia Masters Super 500 and early June during the Indonesia Open Super 1000 (a Grand Slam equivalent in badminton), when the world's top badminton players compete. The deafening cheers are chanted even beyond when the players hit the shuttlecock, an enthusiasm unmatched elsewhere in the world. It is advised to buy tickets online (especially for the weekend matches), otherwise you may be relegated to watching it on the big screen outside the venue.

Karaoke

You are in one of Asia's big cities—karaoke is the norm, so sing your heart out! Most chain brands such as Inul Vizta, NAV, or DIVA can be found at the upscale shopping malls where the youngsters play. You'll have your own lavish room with a wide span of libraries containing local, English, and East Asian songs, on a wide-screen TV while you can order a drink or food to be enjoyed while you wait your turn to sing. Rates can start from as low as Rp70,000 per room for a minimum of 6 people.

Books and Library

The Jakarta Library is government-run libraries that were renovated in July 2022. The architecture is now more modern and Instagram-friendly. These libraries are located within the same complex as and can be accessed via the Cikini Commuter Line Station Jakarta - Bogor . Entrance is free.

The National Library of Indonesia The National Library of Indonesia is located in Gambir, on the south side of Merdaka Square, Jakarta. The new building, at 127 meters (417 feet) tall, is claimed to be the tallest library building in the world. Visitors can enjoy views of Jakarta and Monas from the 24th floor. It is accessible via the TransJakarta bus, Balai Kota stop . Entrance is free.

Baca Di Tebet Perpustakaan dan Ruang Temu (Read In Tebet Library and Meeting Room) is located on Jl. Tebet Barat Dalam Raya, Tebet Subdistrict, South Jakarta. This place combines a cozy reading space with a café featuring classic interiors. The daily entrance fee is Rp 35,000, not including food and drinks.

Freedom Institute is located on Jalan Rasuna Said, on the ground floor of Wisma Bakrie 1. This library houses a collection of 10,000 books, mostly in English, from various genres. It is accessible via the Setiabudi LRT Station L1 L2 . Entrance is free.

Taman Literasi (Literacy Park) Martha Christina Tiahahu is an open space park and reading area with a collection of books. The park also features many cafes and restaurants and is located in the Blok M area. It can be accessed via the Blok M MRT Station. Entrance is free.

Bursa Buku (Book Exchange) Blok M is a marketplace for both new and used books located in the basement of Blok M Square. Blok M was a popular cultural icon in Jakarta during the 1990s. It can be accessed via the Blok M Station M1 .

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

More than 2.5 million foreign tourists and more than 30 million domestic tourists visit Jakarta every year. It's a paradise for buying international brand-name garments (both genuine and fake).

If you're stopping in Jakarta, consider buying an extra suitcase, because there are lots of good shopping opportunities. Good used suitcases can be bought at Surabaya street and vendors also sell antiques. However, although quality can be excellent, genuine branded goods or quality products are expensive.

Every year, the Provincial Government of Jakarta holds an annual Festival Jakarta Great Sale that takes place from Mid-June to Mid-July. Most markets, shopping malls, and department stores attend it and will give discounts on selected items, although the event itself might be barely noticeable aside from some banners. Some stores also run Midnight Sales, usually in the weekend. And most of the malls are open from 10:00-20:00 every day, except on Ied Day when they're open 13:30-22:00.

Shopping malls

An escape from Jakarta's sweltering heat, hundreds of shopping malls serve as social hotspots and are where the city congregate on weekends to shop, buy groceries, and hang out. They range from grand top-end luxury malls to smaller trade centers and shopping complexes, with new buildings constantly under construction, so you can probably find a suitably stocked mall (or three) for what you're looking for close to you. Genuinely imported goods from official retailers are priced to international standards, but Jakarta also offers local and lesser-known designer alternatives. A vast selection of cafes and social spots are also attached to malls, so if you're planning to meet up with an Indonesian acquaintance, brunch or dinner at a mall is a popular affair.

As a convention, most Jakarta malls will have a supermarket in the basement, alongside utilities such as ATMs, office goods, barber shops, pharmacies, personal health, and budget eating options. Shopping options are on the middle floors, followed by a selection of higher-end restaurants and potentially a movie theater at the top floors. Expect each location to have one or more lobbies at which you can be dropped off, and one of these lobbies will usually include a taxi stand. If calling in your own taxi (or rideshare) be sure to specify which lobby you're waiting at. Most malls open at 10:00, though breakfast dining spaces on the ground floor may open sooner, and lunch options may only fully open at 11:00.

Some of the most well known shopping complexes are at the heart of the city. Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia are massive upper-class malls next to each other on Jakarta's busy Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, easily accessible via MRT. To the south, Plaza Senayan & Senayan City are popular chic hangouts across from each other, also accessible by MRT. Mal Taman Anggrek and Central Park to the west at Jalan Letjen S. Parman are for all rounders.

Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio is Jakarta's answer to the famed Orchard Road in Singapore, Ginza in Tokyo and Fifth Avenue in New York. Four malls (namely ITC Mal Ambassador, Kuningan City, Lotte Shopping Avenue, and a bit further off, Kota Kasablanka) and counting, catering to visitors of all budget levels. Kelapa Gading has a street with four malls on its side, and two other giant malls are located elsewhere in the region. Pluit and Pondok Indah hosts three malls located along a single strip.

Every shopping mall has at least one department store, alongside brands that have their own shops. Sogo has the most branches, followed by Metro & Centro. Galeries Lafayette can be found at Pacific Place while Seibu and Central are located at Grand Indonesia. Matahari also provides similar fashion usually for a lower price.

Markets

In addition to malls, there are also numerous extremely large shopping centres, most of them within a complex, so if you are unable to find what you need at one mall, you can try again at the mall next door. Mangga Dua, Tanah Abang, and Pasar Baru are the best places in Jakarta to shop for fashion. In Mangga Dua area there are at least 3 shopping centres connected by bridges: ITC is for middle and upper middle class fashion, while the lower class is served by Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, and Mangga Dua Mall is for gadget enthuasiasts. Tanah Abang is a wholesale market and the biggest in Southeast Asia, with delivery to Africa and other parts of the world. Tanah Abang is overcrowded, so Thamrin city next to Grand Indonesia (500 m from Tanah Abang) can serve as an alternative, mainly for Muslim wear and batik. Pasar Baru is not a shopping centre, but more like a street with old retail shops; stamp collectors will be able to find Indonesian stamps at the front of many of these shops. Mangga Dua Square, as well as Glodok and Roxy, are places to find gadgets. WTC (Wholesale Trade Centre) Mangga Dua is now specialised in selling used cars, with more than 100 sold per day.

If you are looking for antique products such as local handicrafts, Indonesian traditional batik or wayang golek (Sundanese puppets), you can go to Jalan Surabaya in Central Jakarta. If you are looking for rare maps, prints or paintings, you can go to Kemang Raya, where there are many galleries including Bartele gallery and Hadi Prana. Pasaraya Grande shopping mall at Blok M, South Jakarta has one dedicated floor for Indonesian antiques and handicrafts. Pasar Seni at Ancol is the centre of paintings and sculpture, including portrait pictures you can have done on the spot. Sarinah department store also has a vast section of traditional gifts.

Shopping at traditional markets may also be an exciting experience, where you can find exotic tropical fruits, traditional snacks, cheap fashion and novelty items. While most of them are far from tourist hot spots, Pasar Gondangdia across the namesake train station and the Fresh Market Pantai Indah Kapuk are the places that still offer such experience in a modern building while easily accessible.

Cash is still the most effective payment system for all transactions. A few established shops may accept payment with debit/credit card and electronic money.

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

Jakarta has a vast range of food available at hundreds of eating complexes located all over the huge city. In addition to selections from all over the country, you can also find excellent Chinese, Japanese, Western, and many other international foods thanks to the cosmopolitan population.

If you want to go local Jakarta, the indigenous Betawi has its own dishes to offer:

Asinan Betawi: assorted pickled vegetables, served with peanut sauce (and sometimes chili) and chips.

Bubur ase/dingin, literally cold porridge with beef sweet soup.

Gabus pucung, snakehead fish soup.

Gado-gado is like ketoprak, but all of it is vegetables.

Kerak telor, omelette cooked with glutinous rice and served with shredded coconut and a dried shrimp topping.

Ketoprak, lontong (rice cake), tofu, bean sprout, and shrimp crackers in peanut sauce.

Mie kangkung: noodles with water spinach in savoury thick gravy sauce.

Nasi kebuli: a Betawi pilaf influenced by Arab culture.

Nasi uduk, rice cooked in coconut milk similar to nasi lemak, served with choices of various toppings, such as fried chicken, beef, fried shallots, and sambal (chili sauce).

Nasi ulam, rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried minced beef, sweet fried tempeh, many other toppings, cucumber, and sambal.

Rujak/Mie juhi: noodles with vegetables and dried squid in peanut sauce.

Sop iga sapi, beef spare rib soup that takes a simple Dutch dish and piles on Indonesian spices.

Soto Betawi, coconut milk broth with beef tendons, intestines, tripe.

Food at malls and brick-and-mortar restaurants are by and large of hygiene standards. Street vendors (kaki lima) or carts can be questionable, though it is still wise to use discretion as some of the best or well-known food can actually be from them.

The online ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab also offer food delivery service (such as Gojek's GO-FOOD) to virtually all restaurants, for a small fee. Furthermore, it can increase your convenience when you only want to rest at your hotel.

Though tipping is not customary in restaurants, it has become more common. In fact, a few automatically charge a service fee (typically 5%), which may surprise some patrons. Eating at restaurants are almost always subject to a 10% general tax.

Budget

Food courts at just about every shopping mall in Jakarta offer cheap but filling meals. Prices range from Rp35,000 to Rp60,000. While street vendors (kaki lima) are cheap with questionable hygiene standards, some items are unfortunately offered only by street vendors, so use good judgment when shopping around. Look for those that have lines at least a couple people long, as that means it's reputable and indisputably delicious. Steer clear from vendors that offer are pushy or suspiciously cheap, as their hygiene or food quality may be poor.

For cleaner alternatives with decent price, you can look for Lokbin (lokasi binaan), Loksem (Lokasi sementara), or Lenggang Jakarta, which serve same affordable food but with better hygiene standards. Practically the sellers there are relocated street vendors. Price in Lenggang Jakarta and Lokbin will be around Rp10.000 to Rp30.000.

Franchise fast food chains are also a good choice for eating as the hygiene is more likely to be up to standards. American fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's have ample seating. Local chain Bakmi GM is famous for its noodles and its fried wanton. Hoka-hoka Bento (locally known as HokBen), also a local chain, provides Japanese buffet with a complete meal set for an affordable price. Also consider Es Teler 77 & Solaria. You will find one or all of them at major malls across the city. Department store or mini market food items can be an alternative should you need to eat on the go or at work.

For some exquisite Indonesian snacks, head to the traditional markets or street vendors. The infamous jajanan pasar (lit. market snacks) or bakpao (Chinese meat buns) should cost around Rp10,000 to Rp35,000 per box or piece. Assorted fritters (gorengan) are ubiquitous throughout and should cost Rp10,000 to Rp20,000 for up to a dozen pieces of fried tofu, tempeh, cassava, yam, and even banana. Siomay and batagor will be available for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000. Instant ramen noodle for around Rp5.000-Rp10.000, ketoprak Rp10.000-Rp20.000, pecel lele Rp12.000-Rp20.000, or nasi uduk Rp5.000-Rp12.000.

More substantial meals such as martabak, satay, chicken noodle (mi ayam) or porridge (bubur ayam), and nasi goreng are typically on the upper end of budget dining. The Indonesian soto soup can be enjoyed for Rp45,000 with rice and a drink of your choice and a bowl of meatball (bakso) soup with a side of noodles or vermicelli should cost no more than Rp50,000 per bowl. Bakeries also have buns that you can consume for breakfast, starting from Rp10,000. Roti Lauw and Tan Ek Tjoan is the most popular choice in Jakarta.

As some traditional Indonesian cuisine may be too hot and spicy for many foreign tourist, you can usually ask for just a little chili or none at all: "pedas sedikit" and "tidak pedas", respectively. It also better to know that you can say "bungkus" for take away order, or "makan di sini" for dine in. And be careful as red ketchup usually means hot chilli sauce, not tomato.

Mid-range

Fine dining restaurants offer main courses for a range of prices and can be found at just about every mall in Jakarta or better yet outside the malls.

Some of the restaurants in this category include pizza franchises Pizza Hut and Domino's, or A&W, Wendy's, and Burger King for fast food chain. Mains in shopping mall restaurants typically range between Rp40,000 and Rp75,000; many even provide lunch set menus for just about Rp50,000 that entitles you to rice, one or two main platters and a glass of drink which can be an impressive deal. Seafood restaurants north of the city centre falls on the borderline between mid-range to expensive depending on your preference, with shrimp & fish on the cheaper side, followed by scallop, and lastly crab & lobster.

For middle class traditional cuisine, go to the Menteng area and look for Gado-Gado Boplo, Daun Muda, Bumbu Desa, Dapur Sunda, Bungarampai or Sate Khas Senayan. Or try to look around Sabang area. Garuda, Natrabu, Sederhana, Penang Bistro, or Pagi Sore will offer you the best value over price.

Splurge

The best gourmet splurges in Jakarta are the opulent buffet spreads in the 5-star hotels such as the JW Marriott, Hotel Mulia, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La, which offer amazing value by international standards. Expect to pay upwards of Rp150,000 per person.

Chinese roundtable restaurants, such as Angke, Din Tai Fung, Imperial Duck, Jun Njan, or Imperial Shanghai, among other small enterprises, offer considerably expensive dishes, but these are mostly meant to be communal rather than for individuals.

Steakhouses also fall into this category, especially if the beef is imported from Australia or a USDA certified. For pizza, look for Pizza Marzano, Pizzeria Cavalese or Pizza e Birra, which are available in most of the big malls.

For premium traditional cuisine, Plataran, Lara Djonggrang, Remboelan and Tugu Kunstkring Paleis will serve you the highest standard.

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

Jakarta may be the capital of the world's largest Muslim-majority country, but it has an underground life of its own. If you're the clubbing type, its nightlife is arguably among the best in Asia, except during fasting months when some venues are closed or have limited hours. From the upscale Kemang to the seedy Mangga Besar, nightlife is there for all levels of loudness, but bring a friend if you decide to brave the seedier places (though they tend to have the best DJs). Fans of live music, on the other hand, are largely out of luck if they go to budget bars, at least unless they're into Indonesian pop.

Since 2015 alcoholic drinks are no longer available in convenience stores to discourage underage drinking. Malls and supermarkets are exempt from this rule. In addition, there are specialist imported wine and liquor shops.

Jakarta has a fairly large number of prostitutes, known in local parlance as ayam (lit. "chicken"), so much so that much of the female clientele of some respectable bars (operated by five-star hotels, etc.) is on the take.

The Kota area in northern Jakarta is the oldest part of town with numerous colonial buildings still dominating the area. It is also considered to be the seediest part of town after midnight. Most karaoke bars and 'health' clubs there are in fact brothels who mostly cater to local Jakartans. Even regular discos such as Golden Crown have special areas designated for prostitutes. Other notable establishments in this area are Malioboro and Club 36 which should not be missed. This part of town has a large ethnic Chinese population who also dominate the clubbing scene there.

The bulk of the clubbing scene is spread throughout Jakarta but usually found in office buildings or hotels. The help of an experienced local with finding these places is recommended. Nightlife in Jakarta tends to be pricey by local standards.

Due to Jakarta's freedom, there is no specific dress code that should be worn unless you are in a religious area. However, it is best not to dress too openly to avoid awkward stares or giving the impression (especially for women) that you are a prostitute since most of them in Jakarta wear very short dresses or skirts. Sandals are fine to wear if you're heading for North Jakarta since it is near the beach. During the month of Ramadan, most nightlife ends at midnight, while some venues do not open all month.

A nightlife district popular among expats is Blok M in South Jakarta, or more specifically the single lane of Jl. Palatehan 1 just north of the bus terminal, packed with pubs and bars geared squarely towards single male Western visitors. While lacking the bikini-clad go-go dancers of Patpong, the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned prostitute. Blok M is easily accessible as the southern terminus of BRT Line 1. For a more off-the-beaten track experience, head a few blocks south to Jl. Melawai 6 (opposite Plaza Blok M), Jakarta's de-facto Little Japan with lots of Japanese restaurants, bars and karaoke bars. If you prefer to mingle with Koreans, go south to Jalan Wijaya.

Plaza Senayan's Arcadia annex attempts to duplicate the concept, but with more of an emphasis on fine dining. The Kemang area in southern Jakarta is popular with expats and locals alike so it has numerous places to eat, drink and dance. Or if you want to keep it sober, bubble tea cafes and coffee shops are popping up sporadically, especially in North and West Jakarta, and most major malls. No jamming music and (mostly) no alcohol, but still a good place to hang out.

Coffee aficionados can rejoice as some of the best beans in the world hail from Indonesia, and they can easily be found from stands on the street to dedicated coffee shops and even the sachets at the supermarket. They are usually priced from Rp30,000 per cup while powdered coffee are sold from Rp15,000. Co-working spaces are also starting to expand their business into making a coffee shop which caters mostly for workers in the city.

Individual listings can be found in Jakarta's district articles

The travel agencies at Jakarta's airport can have surprisingly good rates for mid-range and above hotels. Star ratings are reserved for midrange and better hotels, while budget places have "Melati" rankings from 1-3 (best). Tax and service charges of 21% are usually added to the bill.

Budget, hostels (losmen) can be found around Jalan Jaksa, which is close to the Gambir station, for as low as Rp30,000 per night! Or Kwitang area offer low cost but filthy hotel for Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Hotels around Cikini has better room to offer for Rp300,000 to Rp 400,000. Another choice is hotels around Mangga Besar, a street with a wide variety of hotels, clubs, restaurants and low class spas. Elsewhere, look for brands such as favehotel, amaris, and ibis budget.

Mid-range are easily found at all parts of Jakarta, from independents to chain brands such as all Accor Group hotels but Pullman.

Splurge, Jakarta has more than its fair share of luxury hotels, and after the prolonged post-crash hangover new ones are now going up again. Many remain good value by world prices, but opulent lobbies do not always correspond to the same quality in the room. Mostly found within the business strips of Sudirman-Thamrin and Rasuna Said.

Jakarta is a business destination, so rates are often lower on the weekends. During the Eid holiday season, Jakarta empties out and there are some great deals to be had.

For stays longer than 2½–3 weeks, monthly rental rooms (called kost) and apartments are a good alternative to budget and mid-range hotels, respectively. Fully-furnished rooms (with TV, air-con, large bed, hot shower, kitchen outside) can be rented for 1½-4 million rupiah per month. In most cases, the rental fee already includes electricity and water usage, and often there are additional services included like laundry, Internet access, breakfast, etc. There are cheaper rooms as well (starting from Rp500,000-700,000), but those are usually small, windowless, and the furniture includes just a bed or even nothing at all. Also, some cheaper places are exclusively for either men or women (no opposite-sex tenants or visitors allowed); many others allow couples to stay together only if they're legally married.

For apartments (one or more rooms + private kitchen + often balcony), prices are Rp3-4 million and up. Cheaper rates can be obtained in some places which are oriented to the long-term rental (3, 6 months or 1 year minimum); however, there may be same limitations as for cheaper rooms. Short term room rentals services such as Airbnb can be an option for those on the budget.

By and large, your stay in Jakarta should not be problematic as long as you use common sense. While theft and robbery are common, they are highly unlikely to happen in the crowded Sudirman streets, but much more likely at night in the less economically fortunate areas such as in the East, or in residential areas in the suburbs. It is generally better to use a car, or the Transjakarta and commuter trains if you opt for public transit. Women are even entitled to a dedicated seating area or car on these routes!

Strict gun control laws make Jakarta safer, leaving theft and robbery as day-to-day concerns. Violence is low, and most criminal acts are done by stealth or intimidation rather than lethal force. It is rare for serious injuries to occur during these situations, although there are exceptions. If the theft is done by stealth, simply catching the thief in the act will cause him to run away. For intimidation such as robberies, simply giving them an object of value will usually satisfy the thief, who will leave without further ado. Shout for help ("Tolong!") or robber ("Maling!"). Many Indonesians are very protective of their neighbors and friends; in many neighborhoods, a thief caught by the local residents will be punished "traditionally" before being taken to police.

Be on your guard in crowded places such as markets, because pickpockets often steal wallets and cellular phones. Carry your backpack on your chest when you see others do the same. Keep a close eye on laptops, which have been known to disappear even from within co-working spaces. For all-night party excursions, it may be wise to keep your cab waiting; the extra cost is cheap and it's worth it for the security. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Organised criminals sometimes operate on the streets (especially at traffic lights) without fearing crowds.

A number of high-profile terror attacks in 2003, 2004, and 2009 have led to the city beefing up its security presence. An attack in 2016 specifically targeted foreigners, killing four. However, given the scale and population of the city, terror attacks are exceedingly rare and wayward traffic is a much more realistic threat. Security continues to be highly visible in the city, although checks are generally light and act more as a first layer of defense. You'll spot many x-ray machines and people waving metal-detection wands in offices, malls and transportation infrastructure.

Protests

As a dense metropolis representing one of the world's largest democracies, Jakarta sees regular protests of all sorts. Most protests are rowdy yet organised events, taking place around government offices. Visitors will see their impact from miles away as they cause congestion in the already congested traffic, but they're also decorated with large banners, flags and posters. Protesters generally don't interact with others around them, although given the tight streets and sidewalks, beware of getting swept away or separated in a march. During larger protests, entire roads or areas may be cordoned off by police.

There is always a police presence of some sort at these events, so follow their directions. Transjakarta, rail and metro services will also know in advance and announcements may be displayed in stations. Taxi companies also broadcast this information to their drivers. When in doubt, do like an Indonesian and simply ask a nearby uniformed person and ask if there's a disruption going on.

Protests tend to take a turn for the chaotic once night falls and the bulk of protesters leave to return to their families. Most protests end right around nightfall (about 18:00), but if one extends into the night, it would be prudent to give it a wide berth.

Tap water in Jakarta is not drinkable, unless it's boiled or purified. It is generally fine for a bathing or brushing teeth. Bottled water is cheap, up to Rp5,000, but for safety reasons it is better to buy it from minimarts, rather than from street vendors who may refill empty bottles with tap water. If you're staying for extended periods, you can also obtain gallon-sized water containers. Ensure the tamper-proof seal is intact.

Jakarta's air quality is poor, especially during the dry season. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors near the streets (especially in less central areas, where you may be meters from passing cars and motorbikes, without a proper sidewalk) it's wise to do like many Indonesians and wear a mask. You can obtain masks from pharmacies or convenience stores; ask for a "motorbike mask" if necessary. Keep an eye on air quality through weather apps if you're sensitive to air quality, as it may vary depending on where you are in the city.

There is a law against smoking in public places in Jakarta, and the smoker can (in theory) be fined up to US$5,000. You may see the signs threatening a fine (denda) of Rp50 million or 6 months jail for smoking, although that law seems not to be enforced, as locals still smoke everywhere on the street and even in local buses, as anywhere in Indonesia. It's generally prohibited to smoke, however, inside shops, offices, hotel, and air-conditioned buildings generally. If in doubt, you can ask locals: Boleh merokok?

Diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever is common in Jakarta, so it's wise to prepare yourself with antidiarrheal medication and activated carbon, and always bring hand sanitizer. A visit to a general practitioner will cost you roughly Rp50,000 to Rp150,000. Seeing a specialist or going to hospital will cost you around Rp200,000-Rp500,000.

Within the metropolitan area:

The fun does not end in Jakarta, but well beyond its satellite cities!

Thousand Islands — administratively a part of Jakarta, but it is the complete opposite of the hectic mainland: an island escape with sprawling resorts and nature reserves.

Bogor — a sense of nature one hour away, where you can tuck yourself away in its botanic gardens or golf courses.

Puncak — cooler climate, beautiful view of the mountains and tea plantations, restaurants, as well as the Taman Safari Wildlife Park.

Tangerang — a thriving area for premium residents and opulent malls, especially to its south.

Depok — a budget style city with adequate facilities because of the nearby University of Indonesia.

Bekasi — home to Jakarta's big companies and an increasingly bustling city.

A bit further off

A 3-hour drive using the tollway leads into the Merak Port at the western end of Java, where you can continue your journey by ferry to Sumatra island for 1½ hours.

Anyer is an upscale resort beach 4 hours away from Jakarta, but if you want a less crowded option, the Carita Beach is just a short drive away from there.

Pulau Umang, an island resort to itself, is midway between Carita Beach and Ujung Kulon National Park.

Ujung Kulon National Park — a beautiful national park 5 hours away, featuring the endangered single-horn rhinoceros.

Bandung — 3 hours away from Jakarta, it's a budget style city famous for both food and bargain fashions.

For a tropical island hype (without the resorts) and an instant escape from the hectic city, head to Belitung Island, less than 1 hour away by air.