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.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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 west of the centre; rail (Airport Railink) and taxi options.).CGK Soekarno-Hatta International (About 19–25 mi 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.
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 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 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.)
Weather and climate
Jakarta: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
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 & 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.
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 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