Asia - Jakarta To Bali

Hi -

I'll be flying into CGK on my way to a holiday in Bali from there. I'd be grateful for some advice on the following:

- Do people recommend spending any time in Jakarta for itself?

- Recommend travelling to Bali by air or by land & sea? Naturally, air will (I hope!) be quicker, but if there's a lot to see on the way, I'm happy to take a train, ferry, make some stops, whatever. Less thrilled by the prospect of buses...

- If flying CGK/DPS, any recommended options, i.e. carriers other than GA, best fares, etc.?

- Are there any redemption possibilities for CGK/DPS direct flights via major airlines or alliances? I can't immediately see any, but if there are, I could potentially swap with someone on Coupon Connection.

Thanks in advance! ^

Hi there.

I think it depends on what you want to do in Jakarta. There's really not much sights to see (if that's what you're looking for). Just tons and tons of malls....oh yeah...lots of food too.

I personally think air is the easiest unless you intend on making a stop at Amanjiwo or the Losari Coffee Plantation in the middle of the island. I hear they're superb places.

In my personal opinion, I wouldn't dare step foot on an Indonesian LCCs after hearing all the accidents they've gotten into. Heck, I would much prefer not to step onto Garuda if I could. If money was no objection, I would prefer doing CGK-SIN-DPS on SQ, but then again that's me. (Sorry if that sounded too brash.)

I don't think there's anything like that for GA.

Flying around Indonesia is so cheap. I think from Jakarta to Bali should be around 30 bucks one way maybe cheaper if you fly on a low cost carrier. They have so many low cost carriers that you will be sure to find a great deal.

The safety of these airlines should all be similar (including Garuda)....just get in and hold on and hope for the best. My favorite is Wings Air who's motto is "Fly is Cheap" and they have little prayer cards in each seat pocket with a prayer for arriving at your destination safely...very comforting!

Enjoy Bali and don't stay in Jakarta too long...unless you love shopping and a pretty vibrant nightlife scene.

Thanks for the great tips.

Just wondering how easy it is transfer from incoming international to domestic flight. We'll be arriving on LH c. 18.00, so could get to DPS at a reasonable time, with a decent connection.

Any ideas on interlining luggage from LH to the domestic carrier or at least a tolerable connection?

Thanks again...

Just wondering how easy it is transfer from incoming international to domestic flight. We'll be arriving on LH c. 18.00, so could get to DPS at a reasonable time, with a decent connection.

Any ideas on interlining luggage from LH to the domestic carrier or at least a tolerable connection?



Interlining luggage from LH: No way. You would have to check in your luggage at CGK.

Transfer from int. to dom. flight should be fairly easy. You need to pass immigration and change terminal though. Many LLCs operates from a different terminal than LH.

Please allow plenty of time for immigration, delayed LH flight (my recent LH flight from BKK was delayed more than 30 min) minimum check-in time for LLC etc. I would say at least 3 hours to be on the safe side. Or stay in down town CGK for the night and fly the next morning. Airport hotels should also be available. Hotel rates (and costs in general) are very low all over Indonesia.

I do not remember the names of the LLC, but there are at 5-6 going to DPS and most have web-booking. A search on the internet should give you some names.

Enjoy Bali. There is no better place.

but if there's a lot to see on the way, I'm happy to take a train, ferry, make some stops, whatever. Less thrilled by the prospect of buses...

Possibly the most fascinating sight on our trip to Indonesia,which included Bali and Lombok is going to Yogyakarta and going out to see the Borobudur Temple. A world heritage sight. Don't miss it.

"My favorite is Wings Air who's motto is "Fly is Cheap" and they have little prayer cards in each seat pocket with a prayer for arriving at your destination safely...very comforting!"

My friend flew Wings Air too and commented on the prayer cards. He wasn't sure whether he should laugh or cry.

I myself will be flying GA from BKK to DPS via SIN next month. It can't be that bad, can it?

Yes, I thought there had to be something to see between CGK & DPS!

How would you recommend travelling to Yogyakarta - by air or overland? Any other suggestions?

Possibly the most fascinating sight on our trip to Indonesia,which included Bali and Lombok is going to Yogyakarta and going out to see the Borobudur Temple. A world heritage sight. Don't miss it.

How would you recommend travelling to Yogyakarta - by air or overland? Any other suggestions?
Yogya is a must. Go overland - its not a huge distance. Options are train, bus and long-distance share taxi.

You can also stop in Bandung e.g. to see volcano museum.

After Yogya, Surabaya for the zoo (I think Komodo dragons there). Then Bali by ferry.

Yogya is a must. Go overland - its not a huge distance. Options are train, bus and long-distance share taxi.
Um, actually it is a fairly long distance, we're talking 12 hours on a train or 9+ hours by bus, and the only night train is notorious for thefts and robbery. I'm heading for Yogya this weekend and will be flying GA, it's just an hour by plane and flights are frequent.

Perhaps somewhat late in the proceedings, I now realise that Dec/Jan is the wettest time of year in Bali. Is the weather so bad that I should consider rescheduling? I might be able to change to April instead, but would prefer to keep the dates I have if it's not going to be a wash-out.

Secondly, does anyone have any recommendations for villas on the island and/or favoured areas? Really, really want to avoid both backpacker hell and Westworld-style, sanitised tourist zones for the well-heeled.

As ever, all help much appreciated.

Sorry can't answer your questions in Bali and all...

Just wanted to chime in that I would not fly the LCCs out here. Not worth saving a few bucks over. I'd stick to AirAsia and Garuda.