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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Jakarta Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Indonesia – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) £1 ≈ IDR 24,141.20 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas of Indonesia, particularly in larger cities. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like GoPay and OVO are widely accepted in many establishments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Indonesia. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not commonly seen in Indonesia. Alcohol is consumed mainly in licensed establishments such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, shopping centres, and public transport. |
| Independence Day (17 August) |
A national holiday with celebrations and ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Nyepi (March/April) |
The Balinese Day of Silence, celebrated with unique rituals and festivities |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | GoJek, Grab |
| Other: | Indonesia is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and jungles. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Jakarta, Indonesia
Rainy season November to March: flash floods can disrupt roads and the city, worst in January and February
Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset
Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan): millions leave the city, shops close for several days and travel is overloaded
Don't miss
- 🗼 Climb National Monument (Monas) for city views
- 🏛️ Explore Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua) historic district
- 🕌 Visit Southeast Asia’s largest Istiqlal Mosque
- ⛪ Admire architecture of Jakarta Cathedral nearby
- 🏞️ Discover diverse culture at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
- 🍜 Shop and eat street food in lively Pasar Baru
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Jakarta?
Jakarta is an exciting mix of cultures, with influences from Javanese, Chinese, Arab and Dutch heritage. The food scene is incredible, from sizzling street vendors to elegant rooftop restaurants. History lovers can explore colonial architecture and museums, while nightlife seekers will find lively bars and clubs. Despite its chaotic traffic, there's a certain charm in the city's hustle and bustle.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
-
Jakarta Fair (Pekan Raya Jakarta)
-
Jakarta Fashion Week
-
Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP)
-
Chinese New Year Celebrations
-
Eid Festivities
-
Jakarta Marathon
-
Kota Tua Festival
-
Jakarta Film Week
-
Independence Day (August 17th) Celebrations
Knowledge before you go
- Visit Monas early morning to beat heat and crowds.
- Explore Kota Tua's colonial buildings and street food markets.
- Tour Istiqlal Mosque; respectful dress required for entry.
- Stroll Merdeka Square at dusk for illuminated National Monument views.
How to travel to Jakarta
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the main gateway, with direct flights from many international cities. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) serves domestic flights. Ferries connect Jakarta to other Indonesian islands, but flights are much faster.
Access summary
- From Soekarno–Hatta (CGK): Airport Railink train to BNI City/Manggarai, about 45–60 minutes.
- From Bandung: Intercity trains or buses to Jakarta, usually around 3–4 hours.
- From Surabaya: Many daily flights to CGK, typically about 1.5–2 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Jakarta
Jakarta offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels in the city center to budget-friendly guesthouses. Business travelers often stay in the SCBD area, while backpackers prefer Kemang or Jalan Jaksa for cheaper options.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Jakarta
Jakarta’s traffic is notorious, but public transport is improving. The MRT and TransJakarta buses are affordable and efficient for main routes. Ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab are the best way to get around quickly. Walking is difficult due to limited sidewalks.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Jakarta are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to IDR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Jakarta is generally safe, but petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar places and be cautious of traffic when crossing streets.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities are good in private hospitals, but public hospitals may have long wait times. Tap water is not safe to drink – stick to bottled or filtered water. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue can be a concern.
Accessibility
Sidewalks and ramps are often lacking, making accessibility difficult for wheelchair users. Some malls and newer MRT stations are wheelchair-friendly, but overall infrastructure is not well-adapted for disabled travelers.
Tap water
Tap water is not potable and boiling is recommended even for brushing teeth. Bottled water is widely available and affordable. Some hotels and restaurants provide filtered water dispensers.
Packing recommendations for Jakarta
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small rucksack
🪰
Insect repellent
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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