Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest of the island of Java. It is South East Asia’s most populous city and is Indonesia’s economic, cultural and political centre. Although the city is known for its heavy traffic and high level of pollution, it still exudes a charm that captivates its visitors. Hence its nickname ‘The Big Durian’ where just like the fruit, you need to get past the city’s thorny exterior and pungent reputation to get to the delicious core of Jakarta. The city is filled with an exciting nightlife and vibrant shopping areas. The city is also the centre and melting pot of Indonesian culture.

Airports in Jakarta

1. Soekarno-Hatta Airport/ Jakarta International Airport (SHIA)

This airport is located on the island of Java and serves the Greater Jakarta area, including the capital city itself. The airport was named after the first President of Indonesia (Soekarno) as well as its first vice-President (Mohammad Hatta). Located at Benda, Tangerang, 20 km northwest of Central Jakarta it is often referred to as ‘Cengkareng Airport’ by locals. It is also considered as the main international airport in Indonesia and one of the world’s busiest airport. The easiest way to get to the city from the airport is to utilise your hotel’s airport shuttle services since the most hotel provides this service. An alternative would be to use online ride-hailing services such as Grab or Gojek. You can also book a taxi into the city from the counters right outside Customs. Taxi fare into the city will cost IDR 175,000 one way.

2. Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP)

This airport is the second gateway for getting in and out of Jakarta. HLP is located in the city of Jakarta, on Jalan Halim Perdanakusuma towards the east of the city. HLP is far smaller than SHIA and has only one terminal, which serves mostly domestic flights. It also serves hajj flights. HLP began taking on more commercial flights in 2014 to reduce the load of SHIA. It also serves as the military and presidential airbase until today.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Jakarta?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travellers to find the cheapest flights to Jakarta. All you need to do is key in the information in the search box, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to Jakarta.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Jakarta?

The best time to visit Jakarta is during the dry season which is approximately between June and September, with temperatures ranging 24-32 degrees Celsius; over 11 to 12 hours of sunlight and clearer days for sightseeing and easier travel to the city's major landmarks. In Jakarta, tourism peaks from July through September thus visitors will see a surge in hotel and activities’ prices. For a lesser crowded Jakarta, visit during the month of Ramadan, when the country’s Muslim majority residents will avoid spending too much time outside. It is best to avoid the monsoon season, approximately from September through January. The peak of the Monsoon season is usually in January until early February when rain can be incessant causing the city to flood in certain areas. Travelers should avoid visiting Jakarta during this time.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Jakarta?

1. Taman Mini Indonesia Park – Taman Mini Indonesia Park is a must-try for families visiting Jakarta or anyone looking to appreciate the rich arts and cultural diversity of the whole Indonesian islands in one place. It’s one of the unique amusement parks in the world and offers a great break away from the hectic metropolitan scenes. The park boasts multiple pavilions, each representing the unique architectures, traditional costumes and performing arts of the different islands. From the arching roofs of traditional Sumatran houses, eloquent moves of Javanese and Kalimantan traditional dancers, to the ornate woodcarvings and heritage textiles from the Nusa Tenggara Islands. Also onsite is Museum Indonesia with permanent exhibits, a flower garden, a beautiful Chinese temple, a bird park, various scheduled theatre shows and an IMAX cinema, one of the very few in Indonesia. Main park entrance fees are only IDR 10,000 per person, while various facilities within a range between IDR 10,000 to 15,000 and up to IDR 65,000 for the advanced highlights such as the IMAX theatre.

2. Jakarta Old Town (Old Batavia) – Jakarta Old Town or locally referred to as 'Kota Tua Jakarta', was the downtown area of the capital long ago, bearing silent witness to the occupation of the Dutch East India Company. A walk-through town will immerse you in streetscapes lined with buildings boasting architectural features of a bygone era, and in some corners around town, you’ll find what is considered among the best samples of Dutch colonial architecture in the region. Most of the museums in Jakarta are found within Kota Tua including the Jakarta History Museum, the Indonesian Maritime Museum, two bank museums namely Bank Mandiri and Bank Indonesia, the Wayang or Puppet Museum, and the Museum of Sculpture and Ceramic Arts.

3. The National Monument – The monument is one of the Jakarta’s top points of interest. This 132-meter high structure was built to pay homage to the struggle of Independence. You can either enjoy the view of this amazing piece of architecture from the ground, or you can climb all the way to the top and enjoy the stunning view of the city. The national monument holds a special place in the heart of the people of Indonesia. It is not only visited by the tourists, but you will find a lot of locals enjoying the sight of this amazing architectural marvel. It is also one of the best places to visit in Jakarta at night since it is beautifully lit. There is a minimal entry fee to enter the grounds, and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday 8 am to 4 pm and then 7-10 pm with extended hours in the evenings during the weekends.