Soekarno Hatta Airport (Jakarta)

Arriving in a foreign country can be a bit of a shock for the first time, so this email contains a few pointers on what to do once you hit Jakarta. I’m sure you will have no trouble negotiating your way from the airport to your accommodation, but for those who are unsure- this is just to give you a better idea of what to expect.

When arriving in Jakarta, please be aware that in the arrival hall, airport porters (in uniforms) will often ask you if you would like help with your bags. Sometimes they do not ask and will just pick up your bags and start walking with them as though this is a free service. They will then turn around and demand ridiculous amounts of money for their ‘services’. Unless you require a porter (and negotiate a price before they do anything), just decline any assistance. Likewise, when exiting the terminal, decline any offers for ‘transport’. People will be persistent, often walking alongside for five minutes saying ‘Taxi, taxi, transport!’ Just make it clear you are not interested.

Taxis

You are responsible for all transportation costs to your hotel, so please be sure to budget accordingly and carry sufficient Indonesian Rupiah cash (several money changers and ATMs are available in the arrivals hall).

To get to your hotel, simply take a taxi from Jakarta airport. Coming into a new city—particularly at night—is always a bit daunting and Jakarta is no different. However, getting a taxi into town is very simple. We recommend Blue Bird Group Taxi service.

You can opt for the premium Silver Bird (another taxi under Blue Bird’s management), which can be ordered from inside the terminal if you like, but this can be a bit expensive (approx. 25 AUD more expensive than Blue Bird).

You will likely be met by a barrage of taxi drivers and people offering transport at the airport when you come out of the arrival hall (some of them have even paid their way into the arrival hall to start the shake down there) Just ignore them (a polite wave of the hand is enough then just pretend they are not there) and proceed to the taxi ranks at the curb outside the arrival hall.

Taxis are arranged by company and the Bluebird Group stand will be there with staff dressed in the blue uniform. Wander along and you will find it. Order a taxi from the Blue Bird Group staff who are dressed in the smart blue uniform (sometimes with a grey vest) and you will be given a ticket with number on it. They will let you know when it is your turn in the queue.

If you find yourself walking off into the carpark with a shady character who has sold you the ‘cheap transport’ line or claims to work for Blue Bird, you are being scammed. Pinch yourself and go back to the start. Genuine Blue Bird taxi staff never tout for business away from their official stand on the arrivals concourse.

When you get a Blue Bird taxi, there will be charges for three items: (a) the taxi fare (around Rp 150,000 – 250,000, charged according to the meter and paid at the end of the journey), (b) toll road charge (around Rp. 20,000, paid in cash at the toll gate – the taxi driver will ask you for this when he/she approaching the toll gate) and (c) airport surcharge fee (around Rp. 10,000, added to the metered fare at the end of the journey). The vast majority of taxis only accept payment in Indonesian Rupiah cash, so, once again, make sure to have sufficient Indonesian Rupiah on you before getting in a taxi (Rp 500,000 should be more than enough).

You can use an ATM at the airport to withdraw money (there is an ATM centre located near the baggage carousel in the international arrivals hall, and more ATMs on the concourse outside both domestic and international arrivals) or change some Australian Dollars cash at the booths in the arrival hall (ask for Rp 50,000 notes, not 100,000s – the latter are far more difficult to break). If you use an ATM, don’t leave your card in the machine. Unlike Australia, money often comes out first and then your card – so don’t forget to take your card!

If you want to wait for someone else to come out of the airport so you can share a cab, or if you simply need a bite to eat in peace, just walk up the stairs to the departure concourse which is on top of the arrival hall—it is by and large free of annoying ‘transport, transport’ people, just a few fake watch and perfume sellers to deal with up there. There are plenty of food outlets where you can have a coffee and grab something to eat. Again, you’ll need to pay for everything in Indonesian Rupiah.

Damri Bus

For experienced budget travellers, you can also catch a Damri airport bus into town. The bus fare is around Rp. 40,000. Damri buses operate from about 07:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (departing every half an hour). They are safe and comfortable and have room for luggage up the front or below in the luggage hold. Tickets can be purchased in the loket/ booth at the airport. The Damri bus stands are located not too far from the Taxi stands. Please ask official airport staff or anyone inside a loket/ booth, to ensure you stand at the right place. Again, ignore anyone who offers you anything.

When you get to the Damri booth, catch the one going to Gambir (train station- look for the sign on the windscreen or ask the Damri staff at the booth), that will set you down close to the hotel. From there it is only a Rp. 40,000 cab to your orientation hotel. However, the Gambir train station taxi drivers sometimes will ask for ridiculous amounts to get in their shonky cabs that all have—conveniently—broken meters. Again, look for a Blue Bird, or Express taxi (another reliable taxi service) either inside the station area or outside the station area. Blue Bird cabs are blue, and Express cabs are white.

Beware of imitation Blue Bird or Express Taxis. Genuine Bluebird taxis will have uniformed drivers, a large “Blue Bird Group” sticker across the windshield, and “Blue Bird” logos on the headrests.  Take the same precautions in determining whether you are getting into a genuine Express Taxi. Gambir is one of the places that quite well-known for being surrounded by imitation taxis.

Train

Trains depart half-hourly from Soekarno Hatta International Airport station to Sudirman Baru (BNI City) station in central Jakarta between 6:20am and 11:20pm. Tickets cost Rp. 70,000 one way. A free Skytrain connects terminals 1, 2 and 3 with the airport train station. Once you exit the station, look for a Blue Bird or Express taxi to take you to your hotel, and, once again, beware of imitation Blue Bird or Express Taxis.