Indonesia transport guide

Public transport

Jakarta

MRT Jakarta: North-South line (Bundaran HI-Lebak Bulus), 16 km, 13 stations. Fares 3,000-14,000 IDR (subsidised by the DKI Jakarta government; unsubsidised end-to-end cost is around 35,000 IDR). Clean, efficient, air-conditioned. Phase 2A extension toward Kota under construction.
TransJakarta BRT: dedicated bus lanes, 14 corridors, 260+ stations. Fares 3,500 IDR flat. Can be crowded but is reliable.
KRL Commuter Line: serves Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), the busiest commuter rail in SE Asia. Fares 3,000-8,000 IDR.
LRT Jakarta: limited route (Kelapa Gading-Velodrome).
Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train: 70,000-100,000 IDR from Sudirman Station or BNI City.

Outside Jakarta (Bali, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan)

No urban rail outside Jakarta.
Bali: no public transport system. Private transport (motorbike, car) or ride-hailing is essential. Trans Sarbagita BRT (limited, unreliable). Ride-hailing apps are the default.
Bandung: limited BRT and taxis.
Surabaya: limited BRT (Suroboyo Bus).
Yogyakarta: Trans Jogja BRT. Prambanan Express train connects Yogyakarta to Solo.

Gojek: the dominant app ^[1]. Offers GoRide (motorbike), GoCar (car), GoFood (delivery), GoSend (delivery). Motorbike is the cheapest and fastest way around Jakarta and Bali.
Grab: second-largest, same service portfolio ^[2]. Prices are similar to Gojek.
Blue Bird: the only metered taxi company with a consistent reputation. Flagfall 7,500 IDR, 3,950 IDR/km. Available via app (MyBlueBird) or hail on the street.
Traditional taxis: avoid (unmetered, inflated fares, common scams at airports).
InDriver: available in Jakarta and Bali, price negotiation model.

Foreigners may drive on an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention for up to 3 months.
Beyond 3 months, you need an Indonesian driving licence (SIM).
SIM A for cars, SIM C for motorcycles. You need a valid KITAS or KITAP to apply.
Process: written test (computerised, available in English at selected SATPAS offices) and practical test. Both are administered by the Traffic Police (Korlantas) ^[3].
Third-party agencies (calo) can handle the paperwork but you must take the theory test in person.
SIM validity: 5 years.
International drivers in Bali commonly ride without a valid licence. Enforcement is uneven but checkpoints are common, especially in South Bali. Fines are 250,000-1,000,000 IDR.

Buying a motorbike: the default transport for expats in Bali and elsewhere. A new Honda Vario or Yamaha Nmax (125-155cc) costs 18-35 million IDR (1,100-2,100 EUR). Second-hand: 8-20 million IDR.
Buying a car: new Toyota Avanza or Daihatsu Xenia from 200 million IDR (12,000 EUR). Import duties on foreign cars are high (50%+).
Registration: BPKB (vehicle ownership document) and STNK (registration certificate) are the two documents. When buying used, verify BPKB at Samsat (vehicle registration office).
Insurance: third-party (TLO) is common; get comprehensive insurance (roughly 3-6 million IDR/year for a standard car).
Bali specific: many expats lease motorbikes long-term (3-12 months) rather than buy, at 300,000-800,000 IDR/month. This avoids registration complexity but check the lease terms.

Traffic is chaotic. Lane markings are guidelines, not boundaries.
Motorbike accident rates are high, particularly among inexperienced foreign riders in Bali.
Driving on the left.
Frequent bottlenecks at Jakarta and Bali tourist areas.
Toll roads exist around Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali's Mandara Toll (airport-Benoa).
Emergency: 112 (general emergency), 110 (police), 118 (ambulance).

Jakarta has Car Free Day on Sunday mornings (06:00-10:00 on Jalan Thamrin-Sudirman).
Yogyakarta and Ubud (Bali) are bicycle-friendly.
Bali's country roads (e.g. Ubud-Bedugul) are popular for cycling tours.
No laws requiring cycling licences.

Trains: Kereta Api Indonesia operates across Java. Jakarta-Surabay (various classes, 3-9 hours). Jakarta-Yogyakarta (Panarukan train, 6-8 hours). Use executive class. Book at Kai.id ^[4].
Ferries: between Java and Bali (Ketapang-Gilimanuk), Bali and Lombok (Padang Bai-Lembar), and across the archipelago. Pelni ships for far eastern Indonesia.
Domestic flights: Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Air Asia. Runway to runway across the archipelago. Jakarta-Bali ~1.5 hours, 300,000-1,500,000 IDR one way.

Motorbike is the default mode for most expats. Traffic in Canggu and Seminyak has become severe in peak season; a motorbike is significantly faster than a car.
Parking: villas in Canggu and Seminyak often lack dedicated car parking. Cars park on the street (pay 2,000-5,000 IDR to the local attendant).
Rental car with driver: 400,000-700,000 IDR for 8-10 hours (about 25-45 EUR). Very affordable.
Helmet law: enforced in Bali. Both rider and passenger must wear a standard (SNI) helmet. Non-SNI helmets are illegal. Fine 250,000 IDR.

This page is not legal advice. Verify current requirements with Korlantas.