Capital · Indonesia
Jakarta
Treat Jakarta as a gateway and business city: give it 1–2 nights for the old town and museums, travel in the drier months, and move on rather than trying to base a holiday here.
Jakarta is Indonesia's capital and largest city, on the northwest coast of Java. Indonesia has announced a planned move of the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan, with Jakarta still the working capital for most functions; check current status. Jakarta is dense, with severe traffic and a spread-out layout.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- May–Sep (drier, less flooding)
- avoid Jan–Feb (heaviest rain, street and river flooding)
- Airports
- CGK · HLP
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
What is in this basic guide5 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
- Forecast and monthly weather
- Where to sleep3 areas
- Getting around
- What to watch out for4 notes
- Airports2 airports
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
Official sites
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jakarta, 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
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
Show all 11 answers
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 or 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)Indonesia-wide
- 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 (About 30–40 km (19–25 mi) west of the centre; rail (Airport Railink) and taxi options.).CGK Soekarno-Hatta International (About 19–25 mi (30–40 km) west of the centre; rail (Airport Railink) and taxi options.).
- Getting aroundUse the Jakarta MRT, TransJakarta bus rapid transit and ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) to cover the spread-out city.
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 (About 30–40 km (19–25 mi) west of the centre; rail (Airport Railink) and taxi options.) · HLP Halim Perdanakusuma (Smaller airport east of the centre, used by some domestic and regional flights.)CGK Soekarno-Hatta International (About 19–25 mi (30–40 km) west of the centre; rail (Airport Railink) and taxi options.) · HLP Halim Perdanakusuma (Smaller airport east of the centre, used by some domestic and regional flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
Feb
Avoid
Mar
not flagged
Apr
not flagged
May
Best
Jun
Best
Jul
Best
Aug
Best
Sep
Best
Oct
not flagged
Nov
not flagged
Dec
not flagged
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Jakarta: 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.
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
Use the Jakarta MRT, TransJakarta bus rapid transit and ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) to cover the spread-out city. Road traffic is heavy at almost all hours; allow generous time and avoid scheduling back-to-back stops far apart.
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.
Menteng
Leafy central district with mid-range hotels and cafes.
Sudirman and Thamrin
Business core with MRT access.
Kemang
South Jakarta expat district with restaurants and bars, further from the old town.
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
Watch out
- Traffic is severe; plan around it rather than through it.
- Flooding can occur in the wet season, especially Jan–Feb; check local conditions.
- Air quality is often poor, particularly in the dry season.
- Pavements are uneven and crossings are few; cross with the flow of local pedestrians or use pedestrian bridges.
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 Jakarta. 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 (drier, less flooding) · avoid Jan–Feb (heaviest rain, street and river flooding)
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
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
- officialWonderful Indonesia
- secondaryWikivoyage — Jakarta