Java Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Sea

Jakarta is the main hub for Pelni passenger ships that run all over Indonesia, but no international connections exist. The most direct connection from Singapore is to take a ferry from Singapore to Tanjung Pinang on Pulau Bintan in the Riau archipelago off the Suma­tran coast and then take a ship to Jakarta.

Bali

Ferries run round the clock between Banyuwangi/Ketapang harbour in East Java and Gilimanuk in Bali. From Ketapang, numerous buses and trains travel to the rest of Java. An easier alternative is to take a through-bus from Denpasar to any major city in Java – these buses include the ferry journey.

Sumatra

Ferries shuttle between the Javanese port of Merak and Bakauheni in southern Sumatra, 24 hours a day. From both ports, regular buses head for the main centres of their respective islands. The easy options are the long-distance buses that run from Jakarta straight through to the main Sumatran destinations such as Medan (48 hours).

The long bus journeys in Sumatra can take their toll, and as most points of interest are in North Sumatra, many travellers prefer to take a Pelni boat.

^ Back to top

Air

Jakarta is Indonesia’s busiest entrance point for international airlines and is the best place to shop around for cheap air tickets. Two of the most popular short-hop international connections are the Jakarta–Singapore and Jakarta–Kuala Lumpur runs, which can cost as little as US$75. Surabaya has a few international flights, as does Solo.

^ Back to top