Major city · Indonesia
Merak
Use Merak as a transit point for the Merak‑Bakauheni ferry; one day is enough unless you plan a beach or island stop.
Merak is a small port town on Java's northwest tip, serving the busy Merak‑Bakauheni ferry across the Sunda Strait. The ferry, railway station and bus terminal are within walking distance, so a day visit covers the port, nearby islands and a quick meal.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Mar
- Airport
- CGK
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Merak110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Merak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyMerak is generally safe for day visitors; watch ferry queues on holidays and keep valuables secure on crowded terminals.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118/119 ambulance · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCGK Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport (About 100 km (62 mi) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll road).CGK Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport (About 62 mi (100 km) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll road).
- Getting aroundWalk between ferry port, railway station and bus terminal; use local angkots or ojek for trips to Cilegon or Salira.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CGK Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport (About 100 km (62 mi) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll road)CGK Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport (About 62 mi (100 km) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Mar (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Merak: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between ferry port, railway station and bus terminal; use local angkots or ojek for trips to Cilegon or Salira.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pulau Merak Besar
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Short boat from behind the police station, about 10 min
No facilities, bring water and snacks.
Pulau Merak Kecil
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Small boat from police station, 5 min
Popular local beach, no services.
Anyer beach
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Car via Trans‑Java toll road, ~30 km (19 mi), 40 minCar via Trans‑Java toll road, ~19 mi (30 km), 40 min
Peak on weekends; consider early start.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Feri Merak
Double rooms from Rp250,000 per night; near ferry terminal and police station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp120,000–200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Merak‑Bakauheni ferry (adult)Basic seat; reserved air‑conditioned compartment higher. | Rp14,500 |
| Car on ferryCheck for vehicle size limits. | Rp343,000 |
| Train Jakarta‑Merak (economy, one‑way)Four trains per day. | Rp30,000 |
| Bus from Soekarno‑Hatta to MerakRuns hourly during daytime. | Rp60,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry waiting times can reach several hours, especially on holidays; trucks may wait days.
- Ticket prices vary; reserved air‑conditioned seats cost more than the basic Rp14,500 adult fare.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118/119
- Fire
- 113
- General
- 112
Pocket card
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MerakMerak
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118/119
- Fire113
- General112
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Jakarta; other embassies are in Jakarta or Bandung.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Merak‑Bakauheni ferry (adult): Rp14,500, about 2 h crossing (check)
- Train Jakarta‑Merak (economy): Rp30,000, about 4 h
- Bus Soekarno‑Hatta → Merak: Rp60,000, about 3 h
Say or show
- Berapa harga tiket feri? — How much is the ferry ticket? (berapa harga tiket feri)
- Di mana terminal feri? — Where is the ferry terminal? (di mana terminal feri)
- Saya mau tempat duduk di kompartemen ber‑AC. — I would like a seat in the air‑conditioned compartment. (saya mau tempat duduk di kompartemen ber‑ac)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Merak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Mar · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Merak
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