Getting Around Indonesia: A Transport Guide for Travelers

Getting around Indonesia

Indonesia spreads across more than 17,000 islands, so transport ranges from modern metro lines to wooden ferries. Knowing your options saves both time and money.

Ride-hailing apps

The single most useful tool is a ride app. Gojek and Grab dominate, offering cars (GoCar, GrabCar) and motorbike taxis (GoRide, GrabBike) that weave through traffic. A short city ride costs around 15,000 to 40,000 IDR. Both apps also deliver food and let you pay with linked cards or e-wallets like GoPay and OVO. Download them before you arrive.

Trains and metro

Java has Indonesia's best rail network. KAI intercity trains link Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya; book via the Access by KAI app. The high-speed Whoosh train runs Jakarta to Bandung in about 45 minutes. In the capital, the Jakarta MRT and KRL Commuter Line are clean, cheap and beat the gridlock. Tap a card or buy single tickets at stations.

Buses and intercity travel

For longer hauls, intercity buses are inexpensive. Companies like Rosalia Indah and Pahala Kencana run reclining executive coaches. In Jakarta the TransJakarta bus rapid transit uses dedicated lanes, with a flat fare around 3,500 IDR. Local minibuses, called angkot, follow fixed routes but confuse newcomers.

Ferries and inter-island travel

To island-hop you will use ferries or flights. Pelni runs large passenger ships between major islands, while fast boats connect Bali to the Gili Islands and Lombok. For longer distances, domestic flights on Garuda, Lion Air and Citilink are often cheaper and faster than the sea.

Car and scooter rental

In Bali and Lombok, renting a scooter (around 70,000 IDR per day) is hugely popular, but ride only if you are confident and always wear a helmet. Self-drive cars are uncommon; hiring a car with a driver for a day (around 600,000 IDR) is the safer, easier choice given chaotic traffic.

Practical tips

• Carry small cash for tolls, parking and street vendors.
• Allow extra time in Jakarta and Bali, where jams are severe.
• Agree the fare or use the app meter before any motorbike taxi.

Stay connected in Indonesia

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online for maps, translation and last-minute bookings without roaming fees, so booking a Grab or checking a ferry time is effortless.