Indonesia is a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands, offering incredible diversity from ancient temples and volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Home to unique cultures, world-class diving, and lush rainforests, it's exceptional territory for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
- Public
- Jakarta has a modern MRT, BRT TransJakarta, and KRL commuter rail; other cities have basic bus networks; Bali has very limited public transport
- Taxi
- Gojek and Grab ride apps are the most reliable, safe, and affordable option in all major cities; Blue Bird metered taxi is trusted
- Rental
- Scooter rental excellent value in Bali at $5-8/day; self-drive car from $25-40/day; private driver with car $60-100/day recommended outside cities
- Walking
- City centers are not walkable due to heat, humidity, traffic, and broken footpaths; tourist areas of Ubud and Yogyakarta are partially walkable
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Pre-paid taxi: $15-20 to Kuta, $20-25 to Seminyak, $30-35 to Ubud
- Shuttle
- Grab/Gojek rideshare: $8-15 to Kuta, $12-18 to Seminyak
- Bus
- Airport shuttle bus: $5-10 to major hotels
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
TransJakarta BRT in Jakarta is extensive and modern ($0.30 per trip). Other cities have basic bus networks. Bali has limited public bus service. Quality varies significantly.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis: Base fare $1, approximately $0.50 per km. Blue Bird is most reliable company. Always insist on meter ('argo'). Available in major cities.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive bus network nationwide. Economy buses: $5-15 for long routes. VIP/AC buses: $15-30. Night buses common for long distances. Book through Redbus, Traveloka, or bus terminals.
Flights
Numerous budget airlines (Lion Air, Citilink, AirAsia, Wings Air) and full-service carriers (Garuda Indonesia). Inter-island flights: $30-100 typically. Book early for best prices. Essential for island hopping.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar, Bali)
From centre: 13 km to Denpasar, 9 km to Kuta
Options: Pre-paid taxi: $15-20 to Kuta, $20-25 to Seminyak, $30-35 to Ubud; Grab/Gojek rideshare: $8-15 to Kuta, $12-18 to Seminyak; Airport shuttle bus: $5-10 to major hotels; Private driver: $25-40 depending on destination
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta)
From centre: 25 km to central Jakarta
Options: Airport train to city center: $2 (30-40 minutes); Pre-paid taxi: $15-25 to central Jakarta; Grab/Gojek: $10-20 to city center; Airport bus Damri: $3-5 to various city points
Juanda International Airport (Surabaya)
From centre: 15 km to central Surabaya
Options: Pre-paid taxi: $8-12 to city center; Grab/Gojek: $6-10; Airport bus: $2-3; Private car hire: $15-20
Lombok International Airport
From centre: 40 km to Mataram, 65 km to Senggigi
Options: Pre-paid taxi: $20-25 to Mataram, $35-40 to Senggigi; Shuttle bus: $10-15 to major destinations; Private driver: $30-50 depending on destination
Komodo Airport (Labuan Bajo)
From centre: 2 km to Labuan Bajo town
Options: Taxi: $3-5 to town center; Hotel shuttle: Often included; Walking: 30 minutes to town
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Gojek
Indonesia's super-app for motorcycle taxi, car rides, food delivery, and payments — most versatile transport app with widest driver network
Grab
Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing app — good for car rides; slightly fewer drivers than Gojek in some areas but reliable
Traveloka
Indonesia's leading travel platform for booking domestic flights, trains, buses, and hotels at competitive prices with Indonesian-language support
KAI Access
Official app for PT KAI Indonesian Railways — book Java train tickets for all classes on this official platform
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Gojek and Grab apps before arriving — they offer motorcycle taxis (Go-Ride/GrabBike), cars (GoCar/GrabCar), and food delivery at transparent prices
Always use the app-generated price for rides; never negotiate with unmarked taxis, especially outside Ngurah Rai airport in Bali
For Java inter-city travel, book trains via PT KAI's website or Traveloka app — executive class trains between Jakarta-Yogyakarta ($15-30) are comfortable and reliable
Ferry connections between Bali-Lombok (fast boat 2 hours) and Bali-Nusa Penida (fast boat 45 min) are the most common inter-island hops — book through reputable operators for safety-checked vessels
Domestic flights between islands are often cheaper than overland alternatives — compare on Traveloka or Tiket.com for best prices
Renting a scooter in Bali is the best way to explore but requires an International Driving Permit (motorcycle class); traffic is chaotic and accidents among tourists are common — only rent if experienced