The inconvenience of travelling an hour earlier than the flight offering the optimum schedule is nothing compared with the headache (and wallet-ache) of missing the separately-ticketed long-haul you're connecting to. That's not only common sense: you'll be travelling in a region where on-time performance can be shaky and wild cards such as extreme weather and volcanic eruptions can come into play :eek:

For time sensitive arrivals I'd prefer Garuda, in spite of its higher fares. Of the low-cost operators, Citilink has a good reputation as a Garuda subsidiary. I'm happy with the other LCCs for point-to-point flights, but if I were connecting in CGK I would allow a VERY wide buffer. The low-cost business plan calls for tightly packed schedules, which mean that delays build up through the day so that evening services are best avoided if time-keeping is an issue, while flights at any time can get cancelled and/or amalgamated.

Terminals are a very important consideration at Jakarta. Citilink was a T3 airline, but one scheduled for a March switch to operations split between terminals 1 and 2. I have no idea if that has taken place, but maybe best not to book Citilink or the other LCC, all of which will leave you with picking up your bags and switching terminal.

Garuda and Qatar don't share the membership of the same alliance but they do operate some forms of code-sharing. You might check if Garuda can check your bags through to QR, notwithstanding the separate tickets. The best horse's-mouth place to check would be with Garuda personnel in DPS.

So for the alternatives you've given yourself, Garuda's 21:00 arrival would be the sensible choice. The later flight might work, but why take the risk? There re worse place to kick your heels for an hour than CGK T3.

That was a great explanation. Thanks a ton. I suppose an hour won't kill us but we do have a long onward journey...DPS-CGK-DOH-SEA-SFO!

Does anyone know whether I can expect to receive a gate checked (in LBJ) stroller at the gate in CGK or is it one of those airports that handle it as checked luggage and I can only expect delivery at final destinating (flying on an international flight onwards from CGK)?

Tips for CGK Long Layovers
 

Hi all, I'll have 2 long CGK layovers and was looking for some advice...
- First layover is Int'l => Int'l from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. w/ checked luggage (so I'll likely need to enter the country). Any airport hotels or nap rooms offer good day rates? Due to daytime traffic I doubt I'll head into town. Otherwise, how's either the arrivals or pre-security departures hall for hanging around for a bit? (Qatar Airways, my departing airline, won't open check in counters 'til 3 p.m. or so)
- Second layover is Domestic => Int'l, I haven't booked my domestic flight yet but will be connecting to a 9 p.m. JAL flight. Still haven't decided if I'll risk connecting same-day separate tix (from LBJ if that matters) or the night before (or perhaps hop to DPS the night before so I'll have a bajillion options if my initial flight borks). Any advice for that case?

There are loads of options.

There are plenty of cheap and clean hotels near the airport. If you’re at T3 there is the Anara Hotel which is super convenient but getting run down and I don’t think that they do day rooms - and the restaurant is awful. The Grand Anara on the domestic end which is new so I don’t I know if there are day rooms. There is also the d’Prima Hotel - I haven’t tried that either.

The departure level at T3 has a lot of restaurants and is very nice. I don’t think that I’d want to spend 8 hours there.

I will position at CGK to take QR first to DOH and then to SEA. The QR CGK-DOH flight leaves at 00:55.
My real location of origin is HKG.
Therefore, I need to buy a separate one-way ticket on CX to travel to CGK from HKG on the previous day.
There are three flights from HKG to CGK, arriving at 13:10, 19:40, and 22:30, The last flight arrives too late and thus I won't consider it. My question is:
Which HKG-CGK flight should I take? If I take the first flight and arrive at 13:10, will QR accept my check-in bag if I check-in immediately after reaching landside? I have OW Sapphire status if this matters at all.
Alternatively, if I take the second flight, will I be cutting too close?

How long are immigration lines at CGK (both entering and exiting)? What about security check lines? Is there a premium line? I have heard that Bali is hell. I am currently at HAN, where immigration lines both ways are insane and chaotic.

Also, in general, are there lots of delays at CGK?

Thank you.

I got thru Bali’s e-Gates in 30 seconds on my last visit fwiw. Do the eVisa in advance and your experience even in Jakarta should be quite fast

Thank you. Can I use the e-gate if I don't need a visa at all? Thanks.

Ah...found the answer. I need to register for BVK in order to use the e-gates. I am relieved.

What about security lines? How crazy are they? Are there fast lanes for J and F passengers?
Here at Hanoi, the lines snake out to landside! Fortunately, there is a priority line for premium passengers and some elite flyers.

Like in Vietnam, it's a bit unclear exactly who does and does not get access to the fast line with one of the few "for sures" being that premium passengers on the national flag carrier (Garuda, at CGK) get in. I find it odd that an airport serviced by a fair number of international first class flights (SQ alone has two daily) doesn't have a blanket policy of of all J/F pax getting priority security. In any event, I've not seen lines like at HAN and SGN anywhere in Indonesia, even DPS at its worst a a few years back.

So have u taken the flight? I'm planning on a similar trip departing from China to CGK on CX to connect QR CGK-DOH-SFO. I DO have checked bag but think it should be fine to check thru, but seems like either I arrive on the latest flight, which leave merely 2 hrs to transfer at CGK, or I need to leave one day prior and stay overnight at HKG, arriving at noon. Do you think TWOV with CX->QR possible or I need to enter ID and out? Tried to contact QR Jakarta office but no reply.

It all depends on the airlines. Two hours is tight. I wouldn't risk it.

Checking through to the US: it's unlikely because the check-in agent at CGK is responsible for confirming you have a US passport or visa.

Is international-international transit only difficult for people on different tickets?

I have a single itinerary - KUL-CGK on MH arriving at 11:40pm, connecting ~7 hours later to the 6:35am CGK-NRT on JL. Both segments business class. Plan was to hang out at the JAS Premier Lounge, which is supposedly open 24/7 according to the oneworld lounge finder. What should I expect?

Edit: the JL site lists the Garuda Indonesia Lounge (open 3:30am - midnight) and Saphire - Plaza Premium Lounge (24/7) as options for business class passengers.

Have no idea. You will need to call MH and JL to see if they will allow you to check through. Call multiple times as phone agents sometimes give wrong advice. Good luck.

Just flown the whole experience and can answer for a few.

According to another post on FlyerTalk, you can transfer if your next segment is Garuda (quite certain) or you "need your arriving airline people to escort you". I finally altered my flight to one arriving at 9:30 pm when there's apparently NO ONE at the transfer counter.

I'd say buying a 30 USD e-visa would be an easier and more hassle-free option when you want to transfer; otherwise, it's greatly YMMV. Also, it seems like you can purchase a VIP escort from the airport, but in my case, my trip is not allowed to be purchased.