In the beginning, the free VOA was for tourists only. Now it applies to almost all types of visitors, up to 30 days.

I guess the Danish ministry of foreign affairs is linking to an outdated version of the visa requirements from the Indonesian authorities. I just checked the pages again. No mention of a free VOA. Anyway, it was 35 USD it is not going to keep me awake. But it would explain the empty line for payment :D

Alas, my trip to CGK is upon me, leaving Miami Saturday morning and arriving in CGK at 11 pm on Sunday from Hong Kong. Staying at the Holiday Inn Pluit for two days and back to Miami, well, JAL via NRT, SAN and MIA. Looking forward to my last Mileage Run for AA, albeit, paid a hefty price of $1.3K, or around 5.5 cents per mile :(

Appreciate all the feedback in this thread, good reading, especially the last few pages. Arriving late at night, I will take Uber and, unless the ride is crap, will take Uber back as I like seamless transactions. If anyone is around, and would like to get a beer/drinks, let me know

BTW, do the lounges at the airport serve/have liquor?

The lounge that JAL use does have liqour. At least of the first class side. I have not been to the business class side. (AA Plat will allow the J lounge)

Unfortunately I will be in CGK the following Sunday. Normally the choices of liquor are rather limited in lounges in Indonesia. In some cases, you need to ask the attendants because they may not be displayed freely. They are happy to serve you beer or wine.

Thanks CPH and Riz, appreciate the response

Initial thoughts...

Arrived at 11 pm from HKG (CX 797). Upon arrival, I'm not sure what other flights arrived, but there was a massive line for the VOA and Passports. Americans, as stated, do not need to pay anything, but neither do 130 other countries. Passport line was about an hour, but after that it was walking without any interruptions. Baggage Claim was hectic, but I didn't check in and walked out. Now it became hairy aore to comes I was calling/using uber. It took me about 20' to finally get him, but it was due to a lack of communication/language. After giving my phone to the police officer, he was able to guide me to the driver. According to the driver, uber is ONLY allowed to park upstairs. Once I found him, 20' to the Holiday Inn Pluit, 84K IDR. Gave him a $5 tip (felt bad). M

About the dead time I expect to spend entering the US through MIA, on a good day :D

Or, indeed, the time you might take to get through Heathrow's immigration process.


Pleased to hear you managed to locate your Uber driver: I'm afraid I was defeated in that, so your information is helpful for next time - thanks!

An hour is not too bad actually. Many other airports in big cities around the world have the same issue (particularly in the US and also including my home airport, SYD), if not worse.

I've never used Uber in my life so can't comment on that. Silver Bird (fancy one) and Blue Bird are reliable taxi services in CGK, although they are more expensive than Uber.

I guess I'm really used to Global Entry in the USA 😉 - I did expect a lighter line arriving when I did, but I'm also underestimating the size of Jakarta and CGK is one of the busiest airports in the world. And yes, if you don't have GE, Miami is a nightmare! Just woke up and missed breakfast at the hotel 😁. Time to roam the streets in Pluit

Enjoy Jakarta! I will share my CGK experience next week. Will be staying at Fairmont Hotel, which I believe is located near a major shopping centre (although I guess major shopping centres are everywhere in Jakarta).

My time was short lived in Jakarta, and really didn't do much outside of visiting the Emporio mall downstairs (HIE was on floor ten). Mall was okay, actually surprised by the size, bought a few things at H&M (don't ask) and stuff for the kids. Outside of the mall, didn't really venture out nor did I have super time to do it (and the DNC was airing)

Ended up leaving at 16 hrs (bluebird) to the airport (100K IDR) and arrived very fast, a bit too fast (25 minute drive from HIE) as my flight doesn't leave until 21:55 to NRT. As many mentioned, the check in opens exactly three hours before so I was caught walking terminal two about 50 times back and forth looking like I was lost. Check in opened, I was first in line and I was given a pass to the Purah lounge. I asked the attendant for the Premier and he gave it to me (so if you're eligible for Purah, it doesn't hurt to ask). I came directly to Premier and am sitting here now, next to the "bar." And when I mean bar, the one guy serving beer on tap. Wifi doesn't work today, and already had a few drinks and food (chicken with noodles, wasn't that bad). Rather crowded, 80% full but very quite

Arriving in NRT tomorrow and headed to Sakura for the day until the flight leaves at 17 hrs to SAN

Good to hear that you had a reasonable, albeit short, experience in Jakarta. There are many big and fancy malls in Jakarta actually (much fancier than Emporium).

The Premier lounge was so so, but better than nothing. The smoking room was a bit annoying when I was there. WiFi is normally slow, although there should be an airport WiFi too? I can't remember now.

Riza, from what I gathered, there were eight apparently "free" wifi connections, though none of them worked for me, but it didn't bother me. How was your experience there? Where did you end up staying?

Oh, I will fly to CGK from SYD tomorrow actually and will stay at Fairmont Jakarta. What I said earlier is my previous experience in CGK, about 2 years ago. They are currently building a new terminal, which is still under commissioning. I don't think I will be able to try it.