Indonesia (ID)

Bali and beyond — Indonesia is a vast tropical archipelago of 17,000+ islands offering affordable living, extraordinary cultural diversity, world-class nature, and a rapidly growing digital economy that attracts digital nomads, retirees, and professionals from around the globe.

Capital: Jakarta

Region: Asia

Language: Indonesian

Currency: IDR (Rp)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 28)

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Indonesia.

Public Transport Overview

Jakarta has a rapidly expanding public transport network. The MRT Jakarta (Mass Rapid Transit) opened in 2019 with north-south Line 1 (Lebak Bulus to Bundaran HI — 13 stations) and north extension toward Kota under construction (Phase 2A — Bundaran HI–Monas section expected 2027; full Kota extension ~2029; 60% complete as of mid-2026). KRL Commuter Line connects Jakarta to Bekasi, Bogor, Tangerang, Serpong, and Cikarang — covering the Greater Jakarta metro area with 80+ stations. Transjakarta BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) covers 230+ routes across all Jakarta corridors — extensive and cheap (Rp3,500 flat fare) but slower than MRT. LRT Jakarta covers East Jakarta. Integrated Jakcard e-money card works across all modes. Bali and other cities lack comparable public transit — motorcycle and car remain dominant outside Jakarta.

Main operators:

MRT Jakarta (PT MRT Jakarta)KRL Commuter Line (PT KAI Commuter)Transjakarta (PT Transportasi Jakarta)LRT Jakarta (PT LRT Jakarta)Damri (intercity bus, airport routes)GoJek / GoCar (ride-hailing, motorcycle and car)Grab (ride-hailing, car and motorcycle)Bluebird Taxi (metered taxi, most trusted brand)PT KAI (national railway — intercity)Garuda Indonesia (national airline)Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink (low-cost airlines)

🎫 Transit Passes

Jakcard (JakLingko Multi-Modal Card) Card: Rp20,000 deposit; top-up minimum Rp10,000

MRT Jakarta, KRL Commuter Line, Transjakarta BRT, LRT Jakarta — one card for all

💡 Available at MRT/KRL stations. Top-up at stations, Indomaret/Alfamart, and via banking apps. Contactless tap-in/tap-out system. Free transfers between integrated MRT-Transjakarta stations.

E-Toll Card (Kartu e-Toll) Card: Rp25,000–50,000; top-up as needed

All toll roads (Tol) in Indonesia — cashless mandatory at GTO (Gardu Tol Otomatis) gates

💡 Accepted brands: BCA Flazz, Mandiri e-Money, BNI TapCash, BRI Brizzi. Buy at petrol stations, minimarkets, or bank branches. Top-up at ATMs, minimarkets, and via banking apps. Mandatory for highway driving.

KAI Access Monthly Pass Rp150,000–300,000/month depending on route

KRL Commuter Line unlimited trips on selected routes (Jabodetabek)

💡 Available via KAI Access app. Significant saving for daily commuters. Requires registration with ID and KITAS.

Taxi & Rideshare

Bluebird Group is the most trusted and recommended metered taxi brand in Indonesia — recognisable by its blue colour and Bluebird logo. Always request a metered fare. Avoid unbranded taxis that may overcharge. Express Taxi and Silver Bird (executive) also operate. Flag fall Rp8,000–10,000; meter rate Rp4,000–5,000/km. Book via Gojek app (Gocar) or Bluebird app for safety.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

GoJek and Grab dominate Indonesian ride-hailing. GoJek (Indonesian unicorn) offers GoRide (motorcycle), GoCar (car), GoBluebird (Bluebird taxi), GoFood (delivery), GoSend (courier), and dozens of other services. Grab operates similarly. Both show fare before booking, driver ID and photo, and real-time tracking. Motorcycle ride-hailing (ojek online) is fastest and cheapest for city navigation — Rp10,000–20,000 for 5km. Always wear the provided helmet.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure varies greatly. Jakarta has limited dedicated bike lanes (jalur sepeda) on major roads like Sudirman/Thamrin, opened during pandemic but contested by traffic. Bali has no safe cycling infrastructure in Kuta/Seminyak but rural Ubud and surrounds offer scenic cycling. Bicycle hire available in Yogyakarta for kraton and temple exploration. Cycling is recreational rather than practical for commuting in most Indonesian cities due to heat, humidity, and traffic.

Intercity Trains

PT KAI operates an extensive rail network across Java — the island has the best train connections. Jakarta to Yogyakarta: 8 hours by Argo Lawu/Argo Dwipangga executive class (Rp250,000–800,000). Jakarta to Surabaya: 11 hours by Argo Bromo Anggrek executive (Rp400,000–1,200,000). Sumatra has limited rail (Lampung to Palembang). Book well in advance via KAI Access app or tiket.com. Kereta Cepat Whoosh (high-speed rail) Jakarta to Bandung opened 2023 — 45 minutes, Rp150,000–350,000. Intercity buses (Lorena, SAN, Pahala Kencana) connect where trains don't reach.

Driving

Indonesia drives on the left. Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on national highways, 60–100 km/h on toll roads. E-toll card mandatory for all toll roads. Motorbike culture dominates — an estimated 80+ million motorcycles in Indonesia. Renting a scooter in Bali: Rp50,000–80,000/day from local rental shops. International Driving Permit (IDP) valid initially — convert to Indonesian SIM within 30 days of KITAS. SIM A (car) and SIM C (motorcycle) tested at Polres Satlantas. Traffic in Jakarta is consistently among the world's worst — allow double travel time in rush hours (7–9am, 5–8pm). GoJek motorcycle ride often fastest mode in Jakarta.

Airports

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) — Jakarta's main international hub, 30km west of city centre. Terminal 3 (T3) handles Garuda Indonesia and international carriers. Airport Railink (Kereta Bandara) runs from Manggarai/Sudirman to airport in 55 minutes (Rp70,000). Toll road taxi: Rp130,000–300,000 depending on destination. Avoid airport taxis — use GoJek, Grab, or pre-booked Bluebird. Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) serves Bali — 13km from Kuta/Seminyak. Juanda International (SUB) serves Surabaya. Kualanamu (KNO) serves Medan. Lombok International (LOP) serves Lombok/Gili Islands.