Travel advice for Indonesia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Indonesia
With over 17,000 islands, figuring out the best way to reach Indonesia can seem daunting. If your trip planning to Indonesia is underway, this guide will help you navigate your options, with insider tips from our Rough Guides local travel experts to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Mount Merapi, Indonesia © Pixabay
Where to fly into Indonesia?
Indonesia has quite a few international airports. The ones that you’re most likely to fly into are:
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) - Jakarta
- Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) - Bali
- Juanda International Airport (SUB) - Surabaya
- Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) - Makassar
- Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) - Medan
- Adisucipto International Airport (JOG) - Yogyakarta
- Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO) - Bandung
Traveling during the rainy season (January to March) will mean cheaper tickets, but make sure you are prepared for wet weather and humidity. For a more in-depth look, see our guide to the best time to get to Indonesia.
Fort Belgica With Banda Neira ocean, Indonesia © Shutterstock
How to get to Indonesia from the US?
Direct flights are available from major US cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco to Jakarta or Bali. Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier, and other airlines like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer direct or connecting flights.
Planning a layover can save you money and help you to adjust to the time zone difference, which is anywhere from 12 to 17 hours
- Flights from the US to Indonesia typically take around 18-22 hours, depending on the specific route and layover duration if any.
- Costs for round-trip flights from the US to Indonesia generally range from $800 to $1,500 USD.
How to get to Indonesia from the UK?
Direct flights from the UK to Indonesia are available from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and occasionally from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Jakarta (CGK). There are usually offered by Garuda Indonesia.
If direct flights are not available or if you prefer more options, connecting flights are available via major hubs such as Singapore (Singapore Changi Airport), Doha (Hamad International Airport), Dubai (Dubai International Airport), and other cities in Asia. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others offer connecting flights to Jakarta and Bali.
- The cost of round-trip flights from the UK to Indonesia generally ranges from £500 to £1,200 GBP per person
- Direct flights from London to Jakarta typically take around 14-16 hours.
Entrance to the Elephant Cave, Ubud, Bali © Shutterstock
How to get to Indonesia from Canada
Direct flights from Canada to Indonesia are not typically available. Most will need to take connecting flights through major hubs in Asia or the Middle East. Common layover cities include Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), Seoul (Incheon), Hong Kong, Singapore, Doha, and Dubai.
- Air Canada: Provides flights from major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver to Jakarta with a layover in Asia, typically in Tokyo or Hong Kong. Flight duration varies but generally ranges from 18 to 24 hours including layovers.
- Cathay Pacific: Offers flights from Vancouver to Jakarta with a layover in Hong Kong. This route takes around 15 to 17 hours.
- Qatar Airways: Connects from Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto to Jakarta via Doha. Flight durations are similar, averaging 20 to 24 hours.
A round-trip economy class ticket from Canada to Indonesia generally ranges from CAD 1200 to CAD 2000 or more.
How to get to Indonesia from Europe
The cost of round-trip flights from Europe to Indonesia generally ranges from €600 to €1,200 or more. Flights typically will take around 12 to 16 hours, depending on where in Europe you are flying from.
- From Western Europe: Flights from major hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris to Jakarta or Bali are available. Airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways offer these routes.
- From Eastern Europe: Travelers can fly from cities like Moscow or Istanbul with airlines like Aeroflot or Turkish Airlines, connecting through their respective hubs to Jakarta or Bali.
- From Northern Europe: Flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Jakarta are provided by airlines like SAS (Scandinavian Airlines).
- From Southern Europe: Flights from Rome and Athens to Jakarta are operated by airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, often with a layover in their hub cities.
Ora Beach in Maluku © Shutterstock
How to get to Indonesia from Malaysia and Singapore
Traveling between Indonesia and Malaysia or Singapore can be done by air. Low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Lion Air, and Jetstar Asia operate frequent flights to Indonesia from neighboring countries and major Asian cities.
However, there are other options available that are even cheaper:
From Penang and Melaka to Sumatra
Ferries and speed boats depart to Medan from Penang, and to Dumai or Pekanbaru from Melaka. Travel times range from 3 to 6 hours, with costs typically between MYR 100 to MYR 300 (USD 25 to USD 75).
From Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Port Klang to Sumatra
Ferries connect to Sumatra via Batam, Bintan, Tanjung Balai, and Dumai. Travel times vary from 1 to 5 hours, costing approximately MYR 50 to MYR 250 (USD 12 to USD 60).
Between East Malaysia and Kalimantan
You can take a bus from Kuching (Sarawak) to Pontianak (West Kalimantan), with an 8 to 10-hour journey costing MYR 80 to MYR 150 (USD 20 to USD 35).
Alternatively, catch a ferry from Tawau (Sabah) to Pulau Nunukan or Tarakan, a 2 to 3-hour ride costing around MYR 50 to MYR 100 (USD 12 to USD 25) from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Mawi beach in Lombok, Kuta, Indonesia © Shutterstock
Do you need a visa?
Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival (VOA) valid for 30 days upon entering Indonesia. This can typically be extended once for an additional 30 days.
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity beyond your planned departure date and that you have a return or onward ticket. Indonesia also offer e-visas for longer stays or for those who wish to prepare in advance.