Jakarta Travel: 100 Questions Answered based on NeemTime research
General Travel Planning & Logistics
Is Jakarta worth visiting for tourists? It’s subjective. Many find it less “touristy” than Bali, but it offers a unique urban Indonesian experience, vibrant food scene, and cultural sites.
How many days should I spend in Jakarta? 2-5 days is a common recommendation for first-timers to get a feel for the city and see major sights.
What’s the best time of year to visit Jakarta? The dry season (May to September) is generally preferred for less rain.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia? It depends on your nationality. Many countries have visa-free entry, but always check the latest regulations.
What currency is used in Jakarta? Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Where can I exchange money? Banks, authorized money changers, and some hotels. ATMs are widely available.
Is credit card widely accepted? Yes, in malls, larger restaurants, and hotels. Smaller local shops and street food vendors usually prefer cash.
What’s the best way to get from the airport to the city? Airport train (Railink) is efficient and avoids traffic. Taxis/ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) are also options but can be expensive with tolls. Damri buses are a cheaper alternative but slower.
How can I get around Jakarta? Grab and Gojek (ride-hailing apps for cars and motorbikes) are highly recommended. MRT and TransJakarta buses are good for specific routes, especially in central areas. The commuter train (KRL) is extensive but can be very crowded.
Do I need a local SIM card? Recommended for using ride-hailing apps and navigation. You can buy one at the airport or convenience stores.
What are “e-money” cards and do I need one? Yes, for public transport (MRT, TransJakarta, KRL) and some toll roads. You can buy them at convenience stores (Indomaret, Alfamart) and top them up.
Is Jakarta safe for solo female travelers? Generally safe, but always exercise caution, especially at night. Stick to well-lit, crowded areas.
Is Jakarta safe for tourists in general? Yes, violent crime is rare. Be aware of pickpockets and bag snatching, especially in crowded areas.
What should I do if I get lost? Use Google Maps (offline maps are helpful). Most locals are friendly and willing to help, but language can be a barrier.
What’s the typical cost of a Grab/Gojek ride? Very affordable, especially for short to medium distances. A 45-minute, 10km journey might cost around 5 Euros (around IDR 80,000-90,000).
How much should I budget per day? For a comfortable stay, $100-$200 USD per day (including mid-range accommodation, food, and transport) is a rough estimate. It can be significantly cheaper if you stick to local food and public transport.
What’s the traffic like in Jakarta? Horrific. Be prepared for long travel times, especially during rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM).
Are there any common scams to be aware of? Be wary of inflated taxi fares if not using ride-hailing apps. Be cautious with unsolicited help from strangers.
What’s the general etiquette for interacting with locals? Use your right hand for greetings, giving/receiving items. Indonesians are generally polite; try to avoid being too blunt.
Is English widely spoken? In tourist areas, hotels, and malls, yes. Less so with street vendors or public transport staff.
What apps should I download for Jakarta? Grab, Gojek, Google Maps, and a translation app. Tiket.com is good for booking flights, hotels, and attractions.
Accommodation
What are the best areas to stay in Jakarta? Kuningan, SCBD, Thamrin/Menteng (central), and Kemang are popular for their amenities and accessibility.
Why Kuningan? Strategic location, good for business and leisure, seamless transportation connections (MRT, TransJakarta), and plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Recommended hotels in Kuningan? Shangri-La Jakarta, Kosenda Hotel, B. Morrissey Hotel, and others depending on budget.
Are budget hotels available? Yes, use Agoda or other booking sites to find reasonably clean and affordable options.
What’s a good mid-range hotel? Many international chains have properties in Jakarta. Check reviews for specific ones.
What about luxury hotels? Raffles Jakarta, Hotel Borobudur, and Ritz-Carlton are highly rated.
Is it better to stay in a hotel or Airbnb? Both are available. Hotels offer more services, while Airbnbs can provide a more local experience and potentially better value for longer stays.
Things to Do & See
What are the top must-see attractions in Jakarta?
Indonesia National Monument (Monas)
Sunda Kelapa (Jakarta Old Port)
Glodok (Jakarta Chinatown)
National Museum
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park)
What can I do around Monas? Explore the monument itself, visit the museum inside, and enjoy the surrounding Merdeka Square.
What’s unique about Sunda Kelapa? See traditional wooden “pinisi” sailing ships and experience the historical port atmosphere.
What can I find in Glodok (Chinatown)? Bustling markets, Chinese eateries, temples, and traditional medicine shops.
Is the National Museum worth visiting? Yes, it has a rich collection covering Indonesian history, culture, and archaeology.
What is Taman Mini Indonesia Indah? A large park showcasing miniature replicas of traditional houses from various Indonesian cultures, along with museums, gardens, and entertainment.
Are there any good shopping malls? Jakarta is famous for its malls! Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Senayan City, Pacific Place, Lotte Shopping Avenue, and Ambassador Mall are popular.
Are there any traditional markets? Yes, look for “pasar traditional” or “pasar malam” (night markets). Tanah Abang and Thamrin City are known for shopping.
What about cultural venues? Check out cultural venues in Kuningan and explore the arts scene.
Are there any good museums besides the National Museum? Museum Bank Indonesia is a popular choice near Kota Tua.
Where can I experience local life? Explore local neighborhoods, visit traditional markets, and try street food.
Are there any parks or green spaces? Taman Suropati and Menteng Park are nice for a stroll.
What’s a popular area for café hopping? Kemang and Blok M.
Are there any interesting places for photography? Kota Tua, Monas, Bundaran HI, and various modern architecture.
Can I do day trips from Jakarta? Yes, popular options include Bogor (Botanical Garden, waterfalls), Bandung (volcanoes, tea plantations via Whoosh high-speed train), and Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) for snorkeling/kayaking.
How long does it take to get to Bogor? Around 2 hours by commuter train from Manggarai station. Taxis/Grab/Gojek will vary depending on traffic.
Is Bandung worth an overnight stay? Yes, many recommend staying 1-2 nights for hiking and sightseeing.
What can I do at Kepulauan Seribu? Tidung Island and Pramuka Island are mentioned for snorkeling and beach activities.
Any unique activities for art and culture lovers? Look for local art galleries, cultural performances, and traditional craft workshops.
What about entertainment for families? Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Ragunan Zoo, and theme parks like Dufan (in Ancol Dreamland) are options.
Are there any historical sites in Jakarta? Kota Tua (Old Town Batavia) is the main historical area with Dutch colonial buildings.
What’s there to see in Kota Tua? Fatahillah Square, Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum, and the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum.
Can I visit a mosque in Jakarta? Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, is a significant landmark. Remember to dress modestly.
What about a church? Jakarta Cathedral is located directly opposite Istiqlal Mosque and is an impressive building.
Is there a “Little Tokyo” in Jakarta? Yes, across from Blok M Plaza, with many Japanese-owned F&B businesses and izakayas.
Where can I find spas and massages? Many malls and standalone establishments offer good and affordable massage services.
Are there any good spots for panoramic city views? Rooftop bars in upscale hotels offer great views.
Food & Drink
What are some must-try local Jakarta dishes?
Nasi Padang: A unique dining experience where many small plates of different Indonesian dishes are brought to your table, and you pay for what you eat.
Sate (Satay): Grilled skewers, often chicken or beef, served with peanut sauce.
Bakso: Meatball soup.
Soto: A traditional soup, try Soto Betawi (Jakarta-style beef and coconut milk soup).
Gado-gado: Indonesian salad with peanut sauce.
Martabak: Sweet (manis) or savory (telur) pancakes.
Nasi Goreng: Fried rice, a national dish.
Oxtail Soup (Sop Buntut): A Jakarta specialty, especially at Bogor Cafe.
Ketoprak: Vermicelli, tofu, and bean sprouts with peanut sauce.
Where can I try Nasi Padang? Rumah Makan Sederhana, Garuda, or Pagi Sore are popular.
Where can I find good street food? Blok M in the evening, a small street behind Grand Indonesia, Pasar Lama Tangerang (a bit further out but recommended), and Glodok.
Is street food safe? Generally, but it’s recommended to be cautious and choose vendors with high turnover. Some advise against ice cubes from street vendors.
What are some recommended Indonesian restaurants (non-street food)?
Remboelan: Popular for a wide variety of Indonesian dishes from across the archipelago, found in malls.
Kafe Betawi: For authentic Betawi cuisine.
Pagi Sore Kemang: Another good option for Indonesian food.
Lara Djonggrang: For a more upscale Indonesian dining experience.
What about international cuisine? Jakarta has a vast array of international restaurants, especially in malls and upscale neighborhoods.
Are there good cafes? Yes, Jakarta has a thriving cafe scene, particularly in areas like Kemang and Blok M.
Where can I find unique Indonesian desserts? Es Cendol, Es Pisang Ijo, Es Campur, Kolak, and various traditional cakes (“kue”).
What’s the dining experience like for Nasi Padang? They bring a variety of small dishes to your table, and you only pay for what you eat or touch.
Are there specific places for specific foods?
Oxtail soup: Bogor Cafe (Hotel Borobudur or Pondok Indah Mall).
Soto Betawi: Soto Kaki Sapi Bening Bang Rizal Soto Betawi Bang Rizal.
Ketoprak: Ketoprak Cobek Mas Yono.
Ikan Patin Bakar (grilled fish): Kedai Disto in Cipete.
Martabak Manis: Orient brand or other street vendors.
Any recommendations for a “village” ambience with traditional food? Telaga Sampireun.
Where can I find upscale dining? Restaurants like August, ESA, Charkoal, and 1945 Halal (Fairmont Jakarta) are highly regarded.
Is it easy to find halal food? Yes, Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, so halal food is widely available.
Can I find vegetarian/vegan options? Yes, many Indonesian dishes are plant-based, or can be made so. There are also specific vegetarian/vegan restaurants.
What are typical Indonesian drinks? Es Teh Manis (sweet iced tea), fresh fruit juices, and various local coffees.
Nightlife
What’s the nightlife like in Jakarta? Vibrant, with options ranging from upscale rooftop bars to nightclubs.
What are some popular nightclubs? Dragonfly, Jenja, Fable, Immigrant Lounge and Club, Colosseum.
Where can I find rooftop bars? Skye Bar (BCA Building), Awan Lounge (Kosenda Hotel), and other upscale hotels.
What are the popular areas for nightlife? SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District), Kuningan, and Kemang.
Are there any areas to avoid at night? Be cautious in less crowded, poorly lit alleyways. Some clubs might have a “seedy” reputation (e.g., Illigals).
Is there a dress code for clubs? Generally, smart casual is recommended for most upscale clubs.
What’s the typical cost of drinks at clubs? Drinks can be expensive in upscale clubs.
Are there places with live music? Many bars and lounges feature live bands.
Are there “free flow” alcohol deals? Some places offer these, ask locals or check online for current promotions.
What’s the age limit for drinking? 21 years old.
Are there casual bars or pubs? Yes, explore areas like Wahid Hashim for more casual and affordable options.
Culture & Customs
What are some cultural norms I should be aware of?
Use your right hand for gestures and exchanges.
Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.
Remove your shoes before entering homes or some religious places.
Bargaining is common in traditional markets.
Be polite and avoid direct confrontation.
Will I encounter language barriers? Bahasa Indonesia is the official language. While English is spoken in tourist areas, learning a few basic Indonesian phrases is appreciated.
What about prayer calls? Mosques will blare prayer calls, sometimes as early as 4 AM. It can be loud, especially if your hotel is near a mosque. Some people use earplugs.
Is it offensive to wear revealing clothing? In general, dress conservatively, especially outside of modern malls and hotel areas.
Is tipping customary? Not mandatory, but appreciated for good service. Many restaurants include a service charge.
Can I drink tap water? No, tap water is generally not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water.
What kind of adapter do I need for electronics? Type C/F (European 2-pin) or Type G (UK 3-pin) are common.
Is it customary to haggle? Yes, in traditional markets and smaller shops, it’s expected.
What about street photography? Be respectful and ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in more rural or traditional settings.
Miscellaneous
What souvenirs should I buy in Jakarta? Batik clothing, traditional crafts, local snacks, and coffee.
Where can I buy souvenirs? Malls, traditional markets like Pasaraya Grande, or dedicated souvenir shops.
What’s the best way to avoid traffic? Utilize MRT/TransJakarta where possible, travel during off-peak hours, or use Gojek/Grab motorbikes for shorter distances.
Are there any co-working spaces? Yes, especially in central business districts, some hotels also offer co-working areas.
What’s a “minimarket” and are they common? Indomaret and Alfamart are ubiquitous convenience stores where you can buy snacks, drinks, and top up e-money cards.
What are the common payment methods on Grab/Gojek? Cash or linking a credit card.
Is Jakarta generally expensive? Not compared to Western countries or places like Singapore, but it’s not as cheap as some other Southeast Asian cities.
Are there any specific cultural events or festivals I should look out for? Check local calendars for events, especially around national holidays or religious festivals.
What if I get sick? Many modern hospitals are available, especially in central Jakarta. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Any final tips for a first-time visitor? Be patient with traffic, embrace the chaos, try the local food, and enjoy the friendly people!