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.
