Jakarta: Getting there & around

Several international airlines, including Garuda, KLM and Lufthansa, fly into Jakarta, as do several domestic airlines. A toll road links the airport to the city and the journey takes about an hour - longer in rush hour. There's a good Damri bus service every half hour and metred taxis are available from ranks. Avoid unregistered taxis. Arrival is also possible by boat from Singapore. The passenger line timetables are tough to track down, but generally services run each way three times a week.

Boat is also a popular way of getting around once in Indonesia; many services run from Jakarta to destinations throughout Indonesia. The island of Java has a good rail network, centred in Jakarta. Bus travel is also popular, but Jakarta's four main bus stations are all a long way from the city centre - it can take longer to get to the bus stop than to take the bus trip itself.

Getting around Jakarta really deserves an entire website. In short, it's nigh-on impossible to get around quickly. The traffic is relentless and congested - you could literally lose days off your visit once you add up time spent stuck in traffic jams. As a pedestrian, you're even worse off; few attractions are close together, you have no right of way at all and it's usually too hot anyway. At least in a car you're unlikely to be knocked down. The good news is that even if the traffic moves slowly and the pickpockets move quickly, the Jakarta bus network is one of the best in Asia.

If you keep your wits about you, and have some idea of the direction of your destination, Jakarta's taxis are also an efficient form of transport. Although some drivers have given customers impromptu scenic tours, most will take the most direct route. A bajaj (motorised rickshaw) ride also requires you keep your wits about you. Short trips are best and haggling is essential.