Day trips from Jakarta
 

Are there any worthwhile/feasible day trips from Jakarta? I will be there for several days, but with some free time, so I'm interested in a one-day trip out. But I'm not sure where or how to go. I definitely don't want to drive. It seems like most tourism entails going to Bali or somewhere further away. Is there anything nearby? Or would I be better entertained by scouring the city for things to tour?

Bogor is easy: do it by train, bus or car. Botanical gardens and colonial mansion and all round chaos of an Indonesian city.

Plenty to see in Jakarta without battling to get in and out of the city. What are you interested in?

Unless you're an animal activist, I like Taman Safari. Go early. Don't stick your arms out the window in the Tiger enclosure.

Bandung can be interesting. The Angklung show is nice. Just don't go on the weekend or holiday. The train costs $8-10 each way, and Uber and Grab are pretty cheap.

I'm planning on visiting Bogor in about a week's time, staying near CGK.
Bus from airport to Bogor.
Train from Bogor to downtown Jarkarta and bus back to airport.

Well that's the plan...

Happy wandering

Fred

Are the volcano and Bandung do-able for a day trip? Seems to be 2-3 hours by car each way.

I'd say 2.5-3 hours to Bandung, if not on the weekend or holiday times. I'm nt sure what volcano you're looking for. Anak Krakatoa?

i wouldn't dream of driving: did it once and arrived tense and tired. The train's 31/2 hours: nice enough journey and you can relax. Not sure it would be worth it for the day. For me Banding is an acquired taste - nothing really special to see or do, but the place has grown on me. Drat!!

Excellent plan. If you want a Bogor hotel recommendation - I rate most strongly the Santika, by the bus station.

Years back, when I lived there in early '90s, often took friends to Borobudor (http://borobudurpark.com/the-borobudur-temple/) for the day. Caught super early flight, arranged car/driver/guide and then caught late afternoon flight back. But you do miss sunrise and sunset this way.

Best way to reach Bandung is by minibus transport. Fairly cheap and fast (about 2-2.5 hours away). What volcano do you want to visit? I advise 'kawa putih' but this might prove a bit difficult for a day trip. And I do not recommend 'Tangkuban Prahu'.

2-2.5 hours? Perhaps during the night time.

I rather enjoyed the train...for the first half of the ride (from Jakarta), it's not much, but the second half you get to see rice terraces, and the endless verdant setting of West Java.

If you go for nice views, sure the train is the right option. But in my experience it's slower than going by minibus. You could try http://www.daytrans.co.id/

Nicer views, you can stretch your legs, get refreshments served at your seat .... and it's just a bit less tense :D

Minibus greatly depends on traffic. If it's non-stop traffic, you could spend 5-6 hours.

I've only once gone from Bandung to Jakarta in 2 hours. It was 5am on Christmas morning with almost no traffic, and a minibus driver driving like a bat out of hell.