
Private cars, online taxis, public transportation in Jakarta... Don't stress, here's how to get around the Big Durian for those brave enough to move to the big city.
Getting around Jakarta can be tricky thanks to our legendary traffic but luckily, there is a variety of ways to get around the city. No matter what your personal needs and preference are, you can find the perfect ride to navigate the Big Durian. And to help you out, we’ve put together your options for transportation in Jakarta. Go on, the city is your oyster!
TRANSPORTATION IN JAKARTA: Private vehicles and taxis

1. Private cars and motorcycles
Just commuting to work can be an adventure! Driving yourself around Jakarta is also an option if you have the right paperwork and the courage. Officially you will need to obtain an international driver’s license from your home country. Already an Indonesian resident? You can also apply for a national driver’s license (AKA Sim A for cars and Sim C for motorbikes). Or if you’re not up for the traffic adventure, there’s always an option to employ a full-time driver if you can afford it.
2. Offline taxis
One of the most convenient ways to get around town is by taking a taxi. You can grab them off the streets or at stands found at malls, hotels, and other high-traffic places. The most popular and most trustworthy taxi company is Blue Bird. There are also premium taxis around (hellooo Mercedes!) which you can book to take you to special events, or whenever you’re in the mood to go to town in style.
Another common type of taxi is motorcycle taxi, AKA Ojek, which can be found during the day on most street corners. They can take one passenger just around the corner or even across town. The big pro is that the motorcycles can get into tight spots, making them super convenient during rush-hour traffic, but you’ll have to put on your bargaining hat and haggle over a price with the driver. Most drivers have a helmet for their passengers but it can still be quite dangerous weaving in an out of traffic with no protection. On a less serious note, you get pretty sweaty and blasted by exhaust and other pollutants so an ojek ride can get pretty grimy.
For the nostalgic bunch, there’s always the good ol’ bajaj, AKA Indonesia’s version of Thai tuk tuk. These small orange and blue two-seaters are the best way to get around short distances (think about the same length that can be covered by bicycles) within the neighbourhood. You’ll have to set a price with the driver, but they are usually much cheaper than taking a taxi.
3. Online taxis
The transportation (and delivery) game in Jakarta was changed ever since Grab and GoJek came to town. The upside of online taxi is you don’t have to deal with handing over cash, haggling over prices, and many times the price is lower than taking the offline taxis. They also have promos and lower rates for those who use their online payment facilities like Ovo for Grab and GoPay for GoJek. If you and your colleagues are heading to the same direction, you can even choose their car-pooling option, where you and the other passengers can share a ride and split the bill. While it’s often considered as the cheaper option of transportation, the charge may be multiplied during rush hours or rainy days, so having more transportation options is always a good idea.
For an even cheaper option, online taxi companies also offer online motorcycle taxis. Similarly, they have set a pre-determined price for your desired ride, so you won’t need to bargain with the drivers just like you would with the traditional ojek. Another plus point we love about online motorcycle taxi is that they come with free head covers and masks to give you an extra protection.
TRANSPORTATION IN JAKARTA: Public trains and buses

4. TransJakarta
TransJakarta is the public bus system that runs through multiple routes from daytime to nighttime. The routes go through the major landmarks and popular sites in the city, including Kota Tua, Taman Mini, Blok M, and the Central Business District. To board and pay for the bus ride, you will need to have a bank-issued prepaid card, AKA e-money, or e-Toll Card. The only downside of TransJakarta is that the buses don’t really run on a set schedule due to traffic.
5. Metro-minis, kopaja and angkot
These informal (mini) buses run on specific routes and you can tell which one is going where based on the numbers on the vehicles. Metro-minis are painted orange with a blue stripe while kopaja are green and white and angkot are smaller and light blue, but they all operate in very similar ways. Rides, regardless of distance, cost around IDR 5,000, and unlike TransJakarta’s designated stops, you can hail them anywhere along their route and jump off wherever as well.
6. KRL Commuter line
Another way to beat the traffic for long-distance travels is by boarding the train or KRL commuter line. With over 1,000 units of trains, the electric train service passes stations across Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. They also have special carriages designated for female passengers for extra convenience. However, just like some other public transportations in the city, the trains may not come on time and are extra packed, especially during rush hours.
7. MRT Jakarta
The city’s version of subway – the public train runs mainly underground, and through a number of stations in central Jakarta, from Bundaran HI to Lebak Bulus. Like a subway, you can get a one-way or multi ticket at each of the MRT stations.
BONUS: Getting around the city on car-free day

8. Biking and walking
Picture this: empty streets, without any motorised vehicle in Jakarta. Nope, that’s not a dream, that’s the designated car-free roads on a Sunday. You can stroll and bike freely on these assigned roads for a change – it’s healthy and good for the environment.
Happy exploring, Honeys!