Arrival & Transportation
International Arrival
Most travelers to Indonesia land at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta or Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali/Denpasar — Indonesia's two international hubs.
Direct Flights from Germany
There are no direct flights from Germany to Jakarta. The best connections are via:
- Singapore Airlines via Singapore — often the best value for money, excellent service, short stopover (from approx. 550 € return)
- Qatar Airways via Doha — competitive prices, modern hub, good service (from approx. 500 € return)
- Emirates via Dubai — pure comfort, ideal for stopover combinations (from approx. 550 € return)
- Garuda Indonesia via Amsterdam or London — Indonesia's national airline, most direct connection, 5-star Skytrax rating (from approx. 600 € return)
- KLM via Amsterdam — good connection from many German airports (from approx. 550 € return)
- Thai Airways via Bangkok — ideal for combination trips Thailand + Indonesia
Flight time: 14–18 hours depending on the connecting flight. The shortest route is via Singapore (approx. 12 + 2 hours).
Alternative Entry Points
- Yogyakarta (JOG/YIA): The new Yogyakarta International Airport is increasingly internationally connected — ideal for Java-focused trips
- Surabaya (SUB): East Java's capital, gateway to Bromo and Ijen
- Makassar (UPG): Southwest Sulawesi, gateway to the Toraja Highlands
- Medan (KNO): North Sumatra, starting point for Bukit Lawang and Lake Toba
Tipp
Book flights 3–4 months in advance for the best prices. The route Frankfurt → Singapore → Jakarta/Yogyakarta is often 100–200 € cheaper than via the Gulf States. Flexibility with the departure airport (Munich, Düsseldorf, Vienna) can save another 50–100 €.
Domestic Flights
In a country of 17,508 islands across three time zones, domestic flights are often the only practical option. Indonesia's domestic flight market is the fifth largest in the world — and one of the most chaotic.
The Main Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia: The national airline, best service and reliability, but also the most expensive. Recommended for important connections where you can't afford delays.
- Lion Air / Batik Air: Indonesia's largest low-cost airline. Cheap, but notorious for delays and rebookings. Luggage often not included.
- Citilink: Garuda's low-cost subsidiary — a good compromise between price and reliability.
- Wings Air: Lion Air's subsidiary for small routes with ATR turboprops — often the only option for remote airports (Labuan Bajo, Flores, Toraja).
- Susi Air: Small propeller planes for remote areas in Papua and Kalimantan. Adventurous.
Important Routes & Prices
| Route | Duration | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Jakarta → Yogyakarta | 1 h 10 min | 400,000–900,000 IDR (24–54 €) |
| Jakarta → Surabaya | 1 h 30 min | 500,000–1,000,000 IDR (30–60 €) |
| Jakarta → Medan | 2 h 30 min | 600,000–1,200,000 IDR (36–72 €) |
| Jakarta/Bali → Labuan Bajo | 2 h / 1 h 30 min | 700,000–1,500,000 IDR (42–90 €) |
| Jakarta → Makassar | 2 h 30 min | 600,000–1,200,000 IDR (36–72 €) |
| Makassar → Sorong (Raja Ampat) | 3 h 30 min | 1,000,000–2,500,000 IDR (60–150 €) |
Achtung
Indonesian low-cost carriers are notorious for last-minute cancellations and multi-hour delays. Always plan a buffer day for important connections (international return flight, boat connection). Book directly through the airline's website — third-party providers complicate rebookings.
Ferries & Boats
In the archipelago, ferries and boats are essential means of transport — from huge PELNI ferries to shaky wooden boats.
PELNI Ferries
The state ferry company PELNI connects Indonesia's major islands with a network of passenger ships. The journeys often take several days (Jakarta → Makassar: ~3 days) and are an adventure in themselves — deck passage with hundreds of Indonesians, simple food, little comfort, but an incomparable experience. Cabins (Class 1–4) and deck class available.
Fast Boats & Speedboats
- Komodo Boat Tours: From Labuan Bajo to the Komodo Islands, 1–3 days, from 800,000 IDR (48 €) for a day trip
- Raja Ampat: Speedboat from Sorong to Waisai (1–2 hours, 200,000 IDR / 12 €)
- Togian Islands: From Ampana (Sulawesi), irregular ferry service
Liveaboard Boats
For divers, the best way to experience Komodo or Raja Ampat: multi-day diving cruises with 10–20 dives. Price range: 2,000–5,000 € for 5–10 days including full board and diving. Booking months in advance is necessary.
Tipp
The multi-day Komodo boat tour (Liveaboard) from Labuan Bajo is one of the best experiences in Indonesia: snorkeling, hiking, Komodo dragons, sunsets on the upper deck, starry skies. Budget option: 2–3 days on a Pinisi sailing boat from 2,000,000 IDR (~120 €) per person including meals.
Local Transportation
Indonesia's road traffic is famously chaotic — and surprisingly functional once you understand the system.
Grab & Gojek (Indonesia's Uber)
The two ride-hailing apps are your best friend in Indonesian cities. Available in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Makassar, and most larger cities. Grab and Gojek offer:
- GrabBike / GoRide: Motorcycle taxi — the fastest (and most thrilling) way to get through traffic jams. 10 km for ~15,000 IDR (0.90 €)
- GrabCar / GoCar: Car taxi with AC — more comfortable but slower in traffic. 10 km for ~40,000 IDR (2.40 €)
- GrabFood / GoFood: Food delivery — try the street food in your neighborhood
Ojek (Motorcycle Taxi)
The traditional Ojek — a motorcycle taxi without an app — is available everywhere Grab doesn't work. On Flores, in Toraja, and on smaller islands often the only option. Negotiate the price beforehand!
Bemo & Angkot
Minibuses that run fixed routes but stop anywhere. Cheapest transport option (5,000–10,000 IDR), but slow and without AC. Widely used on Java and Sumatra.
Renting a Scooter
The most popular way for tourists to get around: rent a scooter from 70,000 IDR (4.20 €) per day. An international driver's license is theoretically required but rarely checked. Helmet mandatory! On Flores and in Sulawesi, the scooter is often the only sensible option.
Train (only Java)
Java's train network is surprisingly good: The connection Jakarta → Yogyakarta with the Argo Wilis or Taksaka takes 7–8 hours, is comfortable (AC, seat reservation), and costs from 250,000 IDR (15 €) in Business Class. Much more pleasant than flying if you want to enjoy the journey. Bookable online via the PT KAI App.
Achtung
Road traffic in Indonesia is among the most dangerous in the world. When riding a scooter: always wear a helmet, drive defensively, avoid driving at night, and don't underestimate road conditions on Flores (potholes, landslides, roaming animals). International health insurance with a motorcycle clause is mandatory!
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