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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp70,000–120,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp120,000–200,000 excl. bed · High Rp200,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 118/119 · Fire 113 · General 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
- Tipping
- Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Merak‑Bakauheni ferry (adult) | Rp14,500 |
| Car on ferry | Rp343,000 |
| Train Jakarta‑Merak (economy, one‑way) | Rp30,000 |
| Bus from Soekarno‑Hatta to Merak | Rp60,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CGK · Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport
- About 100 km (62 mi) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll roadAbout 62 mi (100 km) east; 1.5–2 h drive via Jakarta‑Merak toll road
Typical fares
- 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
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk between ferry port, railway station and bus terminal; use local angkots or ojek for trips to Cilegon or Salira.
See and do
Known for
- Merak ferry port
- Pulau Merak Besar and Kecil islands
- Western terminus of the Trans‑Java toll road
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pulau Merak Besar | Short boat from behind the police station, about 10 min | ≈15 min |
| Pulau Merak Kecil | Small boat from police station, 5 min | ≈10 min |
| Anyer beach | Car via Trans‑Java toll road, ~30 km (19 mi), 40 minCar via Trans‑Java toll road, ~19 mi (30 km), 40 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Feri Merak
- Double rooms from Rp250,000 per night; near ferry terminal and police station.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much is the ferry ticket? | Berapa harga tiket feri?berapa harga tiket feri |
| Where is the ferry terminal? | Di mana terminal feri?di mana terminal feri |
| I would like a seat in the air‑conditioned compartment. | Saya mau tempat duduk di kompartemen ber‑AC.saya mau tempat duduk di kompartemen ber‑ac |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
- Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
- Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
- Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
- Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Merak is generally safe for day visitors; watch ferry queues on holidays and keep valuables secure on crowded terminals.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Merak yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Merak ferry port
- Pulau Merak Besar and Kecil islands
- Western terminus of the Trans‑Java toll road
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Merak, revision 4491672 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4491672
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/merak). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.