Jakarta

On foot

As a rule, walking around the centre of Jakarta is neither fun nor practical. With the exception of a few posher areas, sidewalks are crowded with pushcart vendors, drivers disregard pedestrians and crossing streets can be suicidal. On many busy streets there are no pedestrian crossings, so it's best to latch onto a local and follow them as they weave their way through the endless flow of cars. Muggings do occur, especially on overhead bridges, and can happen even in the daytime. If you use pedestrian bridges, watch out for wonky steps and holes, and motorcycles and bicycles that often use the bridge illegally.

By Bajaj

The Jakartan equivalent to Thailand's tuk-tuk is the bajaj pronounced "bahdge-eye", orange mutant scooters souped up in India into tricycles that carry passengers in a small cabin at the back.

They're a popular way to get around town since they can weave through Jakarta's interminable traffic jams much like motorbikes can. Although slow, boneshaking suspension is not a feature in a bajaj, hot locals joke about the "natural A/C" and the quick way to breathing in more exhaust fumes than you ever thought possible, riding around in these little motor-bugs can really grow on you.

There are no set prices, but a short hop of a few city blocks shouldn't cost much more than Rp 5,000. Be sure to agree to read: haggle a price before you set off. Bajaj drivers are happy to overcharge visitors, and can often ask double or even more of what you would pay by meter in air-conditioned Blue Bird taxi obviously, the normal price should be less than even for a cheaper variety of taxi. Locals who regularly use the bajaj know what a typical fare should be and are happy to tell you. Also, since bajaj aren't allowed on some of the larger roads in Jakarta, your route may well take you through the bewildering warren of backstreets. Try to keep an eye on what direction you're going, because some unscrupulous bajaj drivers see nothing wrong with taking the "scenic" route and then charging you double or triple the price.

By taxi

Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is cheap and occasionally even fast. There are a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability.

The Blue Bird group ☎+62 21 79171234, 24 hr is known for their reliability, has an efficient telephone order service and always uses their meter.

The Blue Bird group also runs Silver Bird, Morante, Cendrawasih and Pusaka Nuri taxis, They normally use late model Toyota Vios sedans.

The Silver Bird executive taxi charges a premium for a larger car, normally a Mercedes Benz C & E Class or a Toyota Vellfire).

Some other large, generally reliable companies include Taxiku, Express , Dian Taksi, and newly established Taxicab. You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "argo?" "meter?" - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices especially from foreigners - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing Blue Bird taxi.

Many of the numerous other "Tarif Lama" or Tarif Bawah" taxis are mechanically unsound and have drivers of highly questionable skill. They also often engage in determined efforts to overcharge.

The standard taxi rate effective February 2009 for Blue Bird is Rp 6,000 flag-fall, and Rp 3,000/km after the first 2 km. Taxis marked TARIF BAWAH use the older, cheaper rate flag-fall fare is Rp 5,000 typically, while Silver Bird is more expensive. Tipping is not necessary but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp 1,000 is expected, so prepare some change, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp 5,000.

Beware that some of the less reputable taxi operators may use a rigged meter. If using one of these less reputable taxis you may end up paying significantly more than when using one from the more reliable Blue Bird service. If you have no idea how much the taxi fare to your destination should be, it is better to stick to the companies mentioned above, as even the locals do this, or just use a Blue Bird.

Keep the doors locked and the windows closed when travelling in a taxi, as luxury items or a bag can be an attractive target when stuck in a traffic jam or traffic light. Avoid using the smaller taxi companies especially if you are alone, and try to know the vague route - the driver might well take you a roundabout route to avoid traffic, but you will know the general direction. Stating your direction clearly and confidently will usually pre-empt any temptation to take you on the long route. It is also not uncommon for taxi drivers to be recent arrivals in Jakarta - they often don't know their way around and may be relying on you to direct them - ensure that they know the way before you get in.

By Busway

The Transjakarta Busway in Indonesian known as busway or TJ is modern, air-conditioned and generally comfortable, although sometimes service can be spotty they have a knack of going to the depot for service and refueling at the same time during the rush hours. The bus is often crowded during rush hours. There are ten lines operational as of late 2010.

Line 1: Blok M - Masjid Agung - Bundaran Senayan - Gelora Bung Karno - Polda Metro - Benhil - Karet - Setia Budi - Dukuh Atas - Tosari - Bundaran Hotel Indonesia - Sarinah - Bank Indonesia - Monas - Harmoni - Sawah Besar - Mangga Besar - Olimo - Glodok - Kota

Line 2: to Harmoni Pulo Gadung - Bermis - Pulomas - ASMI - Pedongkelan - Cempaka Timur - Rumah Sakit Islam - Cempaka Tengah - Pasar Cempaka Putih - Rawa Selatan - Galur - Senen - Atrium - RSPAD - Deplu - Gambir I - Istiqlal - Juanda - Pecenongan - Harmoni Central Busway to Pulo Gadung Harmoni Central Busway - Balai Kota - Gambir II - Kwitang - Senen - Galur - Rawa Selatan - Pasar Cempaka Putih - Cempaka Tengah - Rumah Sakit Islam - Cempaka Timur - Pedongkelan - ASMI - Pulomas - Bermis - Pulo Gadung

Line 3: to Kalideres Harmoni Central Busway - Pecenongan - Juanda - Pasar Baru - Juanda - Pecenongan - Jelambar - Indosiar - Taman Kota - Jembatan Gantung - Dispenda - Jembatan Baru - Rawa Buaya - Sumur Bor - Pesakih - Kalideres to Harmoni Central Busway Kalideres - Pesakih - Sumur Bor - Rawa Buaya - Jembatan Baru - Dispenda - Jembatan Gantung - Taman Kota - Indosiar - Jelambar - Harmoni Central Busway

Line 4: Pulo Gadung - Pasar Pulo Gadung - Tugas - Pertamina - Telkom - Tarakanita - Sunan Giri - Ikip - Kehakiman - BPKP - Utan Kayu - Pasar Genjing - Pasar Pramuka - Matraman - Manggarai - Pasar Rumput - Halimun - Dukuh Atas

Line 5: Kampung Melayu - Pasar Jatinegara to Kampung Melayu - Kebon Pala - Slamet Riyadi - Tegalan - Matraman - Salemba UI - Kramat Sentiong NU - Palputih - Senen - Departemen Keuangan - Budi Utomo - Golden Truly - Lautze - Kartini - Jembatan Merah - Mangga Dua Square - WTC - Ancol

Line 6: Ragunan - Departemen Pertanian - SMK 57 - Duren Tiga - Pejaten - Buncit Indah - Warung Jati Indah - Imigrasi - Mampang Prapatan/Hero - Kuningan Timur - Depkes - Patra Kuningan - Pasar Festival - Kuningan - Kuningan Madya - Menara Duta - Latuharhari - Halimun - Dukuh Atas

Line 7: Kampung Rambutan - Tanah Merdeka - Makro - Rumah Sakit Harapan Bunda - Pasar Induk Kramat Jati - Terminal Cililitan - Mayjen Sutoyo - UKI - Bakornas Narkoba RI - Rumah Susun - Gelanggang Remaja - Depkeu - Kampung Melayu

Line 8: Tomang-Grogol 2- Jelambar-Indosiar-Kedoya Green Garden-Kedoya Assiddiqiyah-Duri Kepa-Kebun Jeruk-Kelapa Dua Sasak-Pos Pengumben-RS Medika-Permata Hijau-Simprug-Pasar Kebayoran Lama-Kebayoran Lama Bungur-Tanah Kusir-Pondok Indah Mall-Pondok Indah South-Pondok Pinang-Lebak Bulus

Line 9: Pinang Ranti - Taman Mini Garuda - Pasar Kramat Jati - Cililitan - Sutoyo BKN - Cawang UKI - Cawang BNN - Cawang Ciliwung - Cikoko Stasiun Cawang - Tebet BPKM - Pancoran Tugu - Pancoran Barat - Tegal Parang - Kuningan Barat - Gatot Subroto Jamsostek - Gatot Subroto LIPI - Semanggi - Senayan JCC - Slipi Petamburan - Slipi Kemanggisan - S. Parman Harapan Kita - S. Parman Central Park - Grogol 2 - Latumeten Stasiun KA - Jembatan Besi - Jembatan Dua - Jembatan Tiga - Penjaringan - Pluit

Line 10: Cililitan - Cililitan PGC - Sutoyo BKN - Cawang UKI - Sutoyo Cawang - Panjaitan Penas - Kebon Nanas Cipinang - Prumpung Pedati - Stasiun Jatinegara - Utan Kayu Ramawangun - Pramuka BPKP 2 - Kayu Putih Rawasari - Pulomas Pacuan Kuda - Cempaka Putih - Yos Sudarso Cempaka Mas - Yos Sudarso Kodamar - Sunter Kelapa Gading - Plumpang Pertamina - Walikota Jakarta Utara - Permai Koja - Enggano - Tanjung Priok

The other four corridors will be finished before end of 2016.

The transfer points for the Transjakarta Busway lines are:

Dukuh Atas: Busway Line 1, 4 and 6

Halimun: Busway Line 4 and 6

Kampung Melayu: Busway Line 4 and 7

Harmoni Central Busway: Line 1,2,3

Juanda: Busway Line 2 and 3 for those who is coming from Pulo Gadung and want to transfer to Line 3

Pulo Gadung: Busway Line 2 and 4

Matraman: Busway Line 4 and 5

Senen: Busway Line 2 and 5

Jelambar & Indosiar : Busway Line 3 and 8

Semanggi/Benhill: Busway Line 1 and 9

Kuningan Barat: Busway Line 6 and 9

Grogol 2: Busway Line 3 and 9

Grogol BKN: Busway Line 7 and 9

Cililitan, Sutoyo BKN, Cawang UKI: Busway Line 7,9 and 10

Unlike Jakarta's other buses, busway buses shuttle on fully dedicated lanes and passengers must use dedicated stations with automatic doors, usually found in the middle of large thoroughfares connected to both sides by overhead bridges. The system is remarkably user-friendly by Jakartan standards, with station announcements and an LED display inside the purpose-built vehicles. Grab onto a handle as soon as you enter the bus as they move away from the stop suddenly and quickly.

Park and Ride facilities are in Ragunan, South Jakarta, Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta and Kalideres, West Jakarta and in late 2010 the city administration was holding a tender for the construction of Park and Ride facilities in Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta. That construction of that facility is planned to start in 2011.

Buses run from 5AM-10PM daily. Tickets cost a flat Rp 2,000 before 7AM, and Rp 3,500 after. Transfers between lines are free be careful not to exit the system until your journey is completed. The hub at Harmoni station is the busiest interchange. The buses can get very crowded, especially during rush hours at 7AM and 4PM, when office workers are on the move. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, a Transjakarta Application map is also available to download. As of May 2009, the application is free. For blackberry users a Transjakarta Guide for Blackberry software download (http://www.max-studio.net...) is available.

By bus

It's advisable to refrain from using other buses for intracity travel; stick with taxis as they are safer. If you're feeling adventurous, as of October 2005 the flat fare for regular buses is Rp 2,000, while air conditioned buses Mayasari or Patas AC cost Rp 5,000. Some buses have a box at the front next to the driver where you can pay your fares, while others employ a man or a kondektur who will personally collect the fares from passengers.

Cheaper yet are mikrolet mini-buses and angkot small vans that ply the smaller streets and whose fares vary from Rp 1,500 to 2,500, but good luck figuring out the routes. You pay the fare directly to the driver after getting off.

You may need to spare one or two Rp 500 coins before boarding the bus, since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian and Western pop songs asking for donations at the end of the performance, and street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, from ballpoint pens and candies to boxed donuts and health goods. If you do happen to be travelling in a bus, refrain from sitting or standing at the back area of the bus as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times as pickpocketing occurs.

Note that buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable. Sometimes a bus may take a while to come,in other circumstances it is possible that two of the same bus routes may come together and these drivers will definitely drive aggressively to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop and can stop just about anywhere they like. If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" to the left to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus for three times be sure that the driver hears your thumping, and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible as they do not fully stop the bus.

Also note that seats in these buses are built for Indonesians who are typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Caucasians and Africans. Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses to be confining and uncomfortable.

List of bus terminals in Jakarta: Blok M South Jakarta, Lebak Bulus South Jakarta, Pasar Minggu South Jakarta, Grogol, Kota, Kalideres West Jakarta, Manggarai South Jakarta, Pulogadung East Jakarta, Rawamangun East Jakarta, Kampung Melayu East Jakarta, Kampung Rambutan South Jakarta, Tanjung Priok North Jakarta, Senen Central Jakarta.