Best Transportation in Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelago with over 17,000 islands, meaning boats, ferries, and planes are crucial for long-distance travel. However, in big cities like Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya, public transportation, taxis, and motorbikes are more practical. Here’s a full breakdown of the best ways to travel in Indonesia, including fun, price, and best routes.

Table of Contents

✈️ Plane – Best for Traveling Between Islands

Fun: 🛫 Medium (Fast but you miss the scenery)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Can be expensive, but budget airlines help)
Best for: Traveling between major islands (Java, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Lombok, Flores, Papua, Kalimantan)

Pros: Fastest way to travel between distant islands
Cons: Airports are sometimes far from cities, delays are common
Best Airlines: Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, AirAsia Indonesia, Citilink

✈️ Example: Jakarta → Bali (~1.5-hour flight, $50–$150 USD) vs. Ferry + Bus (~24 hours, $30–$60 USD)

🚆 Train – Best for Java Island Travel

Fun: 🚞 High (Scenic, comfortable, affordable)
Price: 💰💰 (Affordable, good for budget travelers)
Best for: Traveling across Java (Jakarta → Yogyakarta → Surabaya → Banyuwangi)

Pros: Comfortable, scenic, cheaper than flights
Cons: Only available on Java Island
Best Train Routes:
- Jakarta → Yogyakarta (7 hours, scenic volcano views!)
- Yogyakarta → Surabaya (5 hours, cultural & modern city mix!)
- Surabaya → Banyuwangi (For ferry to Bali, 6 hours!)

🚆 Example: Jakarta → Yogyakarta train (~$20–$50 USD, 7 hours)

👉 Pro Tip: Book train tickets on KAI Access App or Indonesian Railways (KAI) website for the best deals!

🚌 Bus – Cheapest for Budget Travel

Fun: 🏞️ Medium (Nice scenery, but long travel times)
Price: 💰 (Cheaper than trains, but less comfortable)
Best for: Traveling within cities or between smaller towns

Pros: Super cheap, reaches more remote areas
Cons: Traffic can be bad, especially in Jakarta
Best Bus Companies: DAMRI, PO Sinar Jaya, Primajasa, Lorena, Kramat Djati

🚌 Example: Jakarta → Bandung (~3 hours, $5–$10 USD)

👉 Pro Tip: Use Traveloka or RedBus to book bus tickets in advance.

🚗 Car – Best for Road Trips & Exploring Rural Areas

Fun: 🚙 High (Ultimate freedom, but requires patience with traffic)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Rentals & fuel can be expensive)
Best for: Exploring Bali, Lombok, Sumatra, and Java’s countryside

Pros: Best for flexibility and reaching remote destinations
Cons: Traffic is terrible in Jakarta and Bali!
Best Road Trips:
- Bali (Ubud → Uluwatu → Mount Batur → Lovina Beach)
- Java (Bandung → Yogyakarta → Bromo Volcano)
- Sumatra (Lake Toba → Medan → Bukit Lawang for orangutans!)

🚗 Example: Renting a car in Bali (~$30–$70 USD/day + fuel)

👉 Pro Tip: Consider hiring a driver (~$50–$100 USD/day) instead of self-driving to avoid stress in traffic!

🚖 Taxi & Ride-Sharing – Best for City Travel

Fun: 🚕 Medium (Convenient but traffic can be annoying)
Price: 💰💰 (Affordable compared to Western countries)
Best for: Short trips in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Yogyakarta

Pros: Widely available, safe, and metered (if using apps)
Cons: Traffic jams, some drivers may overcharge tourists
Apps: Grab, Gojek, Blue Bird Taxi (most trusted metered taxis)

🚖 Example: Short taxi ride in Jakarta (~$3–$10 USD)

👉 Pro Tip: ALWAYS use the Grab or Gojek app to avoid scams!

⛴️ Boat – Best for Island Hopping & Coastal Travel

Fun: ⛵ Very High (Scenic, relaxing experience)
Price: 💰💰 (Budget ferries available, but luxury cruises are expensive)
Best for: Traveling between islands like Java → Bali, Bali → Lombok, Flores → Komodo

Best Routes:
- Bali → Gili Islands (1.5-hour fast boat, crystal clear waters!)
- Java → Bali (Ferry from Banyuwangi, 45 min, $2 USD!)
- Labuan Bajo → Komodo Islands (Multi-day boat tours to see Komodo dragons!)

🛥 Example: Bali → Gili Islands fast boat (~$20–$40 USD, 1.5 hours)

👉 Pro Tip: Avoid slow ferries for long distances. Fast boats save time!

🚲 Bike – Best for Short Distances & Exploring

Fun: 🚴‍♂️ High (Great in Bali, Yogyakarta, & small islands)
Price: 💰 (Very cheap, sometimes free with rentals)
Best for: Bali, Yogyakarta, Gili Islands, Ubud, Bandung

Pros: Eco-friendly, cheap, fun for short distances
Cons: Not safe in big cities like Jakarta (crazy traffic!)
Bike Rentals & Sharing:
- Bali: Local bike rental shops
- Gili Islands: Best place to cycle, NO cars allowed!

🚴‍♂️ Example: Renting a bike in Ubud (~$3–$10 USD per day)

👉 Pro Tip: In Bali, consider renting a scooter (~$5–$15 USD/day) instead of a bicycle to cover longer distances!

🏆 Best Choice Based on Your Travel Style

Fastest: ✈️ Plane (for long distances) / 🚆 Train (Java only)
Cheapest: 🚌 Bus / 🚲 Bike
Most scenic: 🚞 Train through Java / 🚗 Bali Road Trip / ⛴️ Komodo Boat Tour
Best for city travel: 🚖 Taxi / 🏍️ Motorbike / 🚍 Public Bus
Best adventure: 🚗 Road Trip / 🚲 Bike / ⛴️ Island Hopping

Indonesia is a paradise for island hopping, volcano trekking, and cultural adventures! 🚀 What kind of trip are you planning? 😊

🇮🇩 Indonesia Transportation FAQ ✈️🚆🚗🚌🚖⛴️🚲

Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting around Indonesia!

✈️ FLIGHTS & AIR TRAVEL

1. Is flying the best way to travel in Indonesia?
✅ Yes, for long distances and island hopping. Indonesia is an archipelago, and flying is the fastest way to travel between major islands.

2. What are the major airports in Indonesia?
🛫 The biggest airports are:

Jakarta (CGK – Soekarno-Hatta International Airport) – Main international hub
Bali (DPS – Ngurah Rai International Airport) – Main tourist airport
Surabaya (SUB), Medan (KNO), Makassar (UPG) – Regional hubs

3. How long are domestic flights in Indonesia?
✈️ Jakarta → Bali (~1.5 hours)
✈️ Jakarta → Medan (~2 hours)
✈️ Bali → Labuan Bajo (For Komodo, ~1 hour)

4. How much do domestic flights cost?
💰 $50–$150 USD one way, depending on season and booking time.

5. What airlines fly within Indonesia?
🛫 Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Lion Air, Citilink, AirAsia Indonesia

🚆 TRAINS (BEST FOR JAVA ISLAND)

6. Is the train system in Indonesia good?
✅ Yes, but only on Java Island. It’s the best option for travel between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya.

7. How much do train tickets cost?
💰 Jakarta → Yogyakarta (~$20–$50 USD, 7 hours)

8. What are the best train routes?
🚆 Jakarta → Yogyakarta (Scenic volcano views!)
🚆 Yogyakarta → Surabaya (Cultural & modern mix!)
🚆 Surabaya → Banyuwangi (For ferry to Bali!)

9. Can I buy train tickets online?
✅ Yes! Use KAI Access App or Indonesian Railways (KAI) website.

10. Do trains have Wi-Fi and food?
🚂 Some trains have Wi-Fi, and food is available for purchase.

🚌 BUSES (CHEAPEST TRANSPORT OPTION)

11. Are buses a good way to travel in Indonesia?
✅ Yes, for budget travel, but they are slower than trains.

12. How much do bus tickets cost?
💰 Jakarta → Bandung (~$5–$10 USD, 3 hours)

13. What are the best bus companies?
🚌 DAMRI, PO Sinar Jaya, Primajasa, Lorena, Kramat Djati

14. Do long-distance buses have Wi-Fi and bathrooms?
🚽 Some do, but not all. Bring tissues & water!

🚗 RENTING A CAR & DRIVING

15. Should I rent a car in Indonesia?
🚫 No, if staying in Jakarta or Bali (traffic is bad!).
✅ Yes, if exploring rural areas (Sumatra, Lombok, Java, Flores).

16. How much does renting a car cost?
💰 $30–$70 USD/day + fuel (~$1.00 USD per liter)

17. Do I need an international driver’s license?
🔹 Yes, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

18. Is driving in Indonesia safe?
⚠️ It can be chaotic, especially in Jakarta & Bali. Be prepared for:

Motorbikes weaving through traffic
Road conditions that vary from city to rural areas
Left-side driving (like the UK)

19. What are the best road trips in Indonesia?
🚗 Bali (Ubud → Uluwatu → Mount Batur → Lovina Beach)
🚗 Java (Bandung → Yogyakarta → Bromo Volcano)
🚗 Sumatra (Lake Toba → Medan → Bukit Lawang for orangutans!)

🚖 TAXIS & RIDESHARING

20. Is Uber available in Indonesia?
🚫 No, Uber does not operate in Indonesia. Use Grab or Gojek instead.

21. Are taxis expensive?
💰 Short rides (~$3–$10 USD)
💰 Jakarta Airport → City Center (~$10–$20 USD)

22. How do I avoid taxi scams?
✅ Always use Grab, Gojek, or Blue Bird Taxi (trusted metered taxis).

⛴️ BOATS & FERRIES (BEST FOR ISLAND TRAVEL)

23. Can I take a ferry in Indonesia?
✅ Yes! Ferries and fast boats are essential for island hopping.

24. How much do ferry tickets cost?
💰 Bali → Gili Islands (~$20–$40 USD, 1.5 hours)
💰 Java → Bali (~$2 USD, 45 min ferry ride)

25. What are the best ferry & boat routes?
🚢 Bali → Gili Islands (Fast boat, crystal clear waters!)
🚢 Labuan Bajo → Komodo Islands (Multi-day tours!)
🚢 Jakarta → Sumatra (Slow ferries, not recommended for short trips!)

26. What’s the difference between normal and fast boats?
⛴️ Normal ferry: Slower (6–12 hours), cheaper ($10–$20 USD)
⛴️ Fast boat: Faster (1–2 hours), more expensive ($20–$50 USD)