Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is Indonesia's largest and busiest airport, serving the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area with over 65 million passengers annually. Named after Indonesia's founding fathers Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, it is the primary hub for Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, and a major gateway to Southeast Asia.

The airport is located 20 km northwest of Jakarta in Tangerang, Banten province. Traffic between the airport and the city can be severe, especially during rush hours (7-10am and 4-8pm), with journey times ranging from 45 minutes to over 2 hours.

The airport has three terminals arranged in a sprawling layout connected by the Skytrain automated people mover:

• Terminal 1: Domestic flights (Lion Air, Citilink, Wings Air, and other domestic carriers)
• Terminal 2: Domestic flights (Garuda Indonesia domestic, Batik Air domestic, Sriwijaya Air)
• Terminal 3: International and domestic flights (Garuda Indonesia international, all foreign carriers, AirAsia, premium domestic services)

Terminal 3 is the newest and most modern facility, opened in 2016, featuring contemporary design and improved passenger facilities. It handles all international flights and premium domestic services. Terminals 1 and 2 are older structures with more basic amenities but serve the majority of domestic routes.

Soekarno-Hatta is located 20 km northwest of Jakarta's city center in Tangerang. The distance is not the issue; traffic congestion is the primary challenge.

Typical travel times to Central Jakarta:

• Off-peak hours (10am-4pm, late night): 45-60 minutes
• Peak hours (7-10am, 4-8pm): 1.5-2.5 hours
• Severe traffic (Friday evenings, holidays): 3+ hours possible

Travel options summary:

• Airport Railink: Fastest, most reliable (45-60 min to city)
• Taxi/Rideshare: Convenient but unpredictable travel time
• Bus: Budget option, slow during traffic

Gojek and Grab

Indonesia's dominant rideshare apps are Gojek (local) and Grab (regional). Both operate at CGK with designated pickup zones.

Pickup location: Look for "Online Taxi" or "Ride-Hailing" pickup areas on the arrivals level. Follow signs to the designated zones outside each terminal.

Destination	Fare (estimate)	Time
Central Jakarta (Thamrin/Sudirman)	IDR 150,000-250,000 (USD 10-16)	45-90 min
South Jakarta (Kemang, Senayan)	IDR 200,000-350,000 (USD 13-23)	60-120 min
Tangerang City	IDR 80,000-150,000 (USD 5-10)	30-45 min
Bogor	IDR 350,000-500,000 (USD 23-33)	2-3 hours

Tips:

• Download apps before arrival (requires local or roaming data)
• Gojek is often slightly cheaper; Grab may have more premium options
• Prices surge during peak hours and rain
• Cash or card payment available in apps

Blue Bird Taxi

Blue Bird is Indonesia's most trusted taxi company, known for using meters and reliable service.

• Pickup: Official taxi stands at arrivals
• Metered fares: Starting fare IDR 7,500, approximately IDR 4,500/km
• To Central Jakarta: IDR 150,000-200,000 (USD 10-13) plus tolls (IDR 20,000-40,000)
• App: Download "My Blue Bird" app for booking

Warning: Avoid unofficial taxis or drivers approaching you in the terminal. Use only the official Blue Bird stands or app-based services.

Airport Taxi (Fixed Rate)

Official airport taxis with fixed rates to various destinations are available at taxi counters in arrivals. Prices are higher than metered taxis but predictable.

Destination	Fixed Rate
Central Jakarta (Sudirman)	IDR 200,000-250,000 (USD 13-16)
South Jakarta	IDR 250,000-300,000 (USD 16-20)
Bandung	IDR 800,000-1,000,000 (USD 52-65)

Airport Railink (KAI Bandara)

The Airport Railink is the fastest and most reliable way to reach Jakarta, unaffected by traffic.

Routes:

1. CGK → BNI City Station (Sudirman, Central Jakarta): 45-60 min
2. CGK → Bekasi (east Jakarta): Available with transfer

How to take the Railink:

1. Follow signs to "KAI Bandara" or "Airport Train" in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3
2. Purchase tickets at counters or vending machines
3. Tap in and board the train

Ticket Type	Price
Single journey	IDR 70,000 (USD 4.50)
Return ticket	IDR 140,000 (USD 9)

Frequency: Every 30 minutes Operating hours: 05:20-23:00

From BNI City Station: Connect to MRT Jakarta, TransJakarta bus, or taxi to reach your final destination.

DAMRI Bus

DAMRI operates bus services from CGK to various Jakarta destinations and beyond.

Destination	Fare	Time
Gambir Station (Central Jakarta)	IDR 60,000 (USD 4)	1.5-3 hours
Blok M (South Jakarta)	IDR 60,000 (USD 4)	1.5-3 hours
Bekasi	IDR 85,000 (USD 5.50)	2-4 hours
Bogor	IDR 100,000 (USD 6.50)	3-4 hours
Bandung	IDR 150,000 (USD 10)	4-6 hours

Pickup: DAMRI bus stops at each terminal arrivals area. Tickets: Purchase at DAMRI counters or on the bus.

Note: Travel times are highly variable due to Jakarta's traffic. Allow extra time during rush hours.

Soekarno-Hatta has extensive parking facilities at each terminal.

Facility	Rate
Terminal 1 Parking	IDR 6,000/hour (first 2 hours), then IDR 4,000/hour
Terminal 2 Parking	IDR 6,000/hour (first 2 hours), then IDR 4,000/hour
Terminal 3 Parking	IDR 7,000/hour (first 2 hours), then IDR 5,000/hour
Long-term parking	From IDR 25,000/day (economy lots)

Tips:

• Parking fills quickly during peak travel periods
• Consider using rideshare for airport drop-off to avoid parking hassles
• Terminal 3 has more structured parking facilities

Food options vary significantly between terminals, with Terminal 3 offering the best selection.

Terminal 1 & 2 (Landside and Airside)

• HokBen (Hoka Hoka Bento): Japanese fast food, popular with locals
• McDonald's: Standard fare
• A&W: American fast food
• Es Teler 77: Indonesian beverages and snacks
• Bakmi GM: Indonesian noodles
• Various local food courts: Affordable Indonesian fare

Terminal 3 (Airside - International)

• Sate Khas Senayan: Indonesian cuisine, satay specialties
• Marugame Udon: Japanese noodles
• Pizza Marzano: Italian
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Coffee and light fare
• Starbucks: Multiple locations
• Eat & Eat food court: Multiple vendors

Terminal 3 (Airside - Domestic)

• Sour Sally: Frozen yogurt
• J.CO Donuts: Indonesian donut chain
• Burger King: Fast food
• Various Indonesian restaurants: Nasi Padang, Bakso, local dishes

Budget tip: Landside food courts in Terminal 1 and 2 offer the best value. 7-Eleven (if available) and local warungs near the airport perimeter offer the cheapest options, though they require exiting the secure area.

Free WiFi is available throughout Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	@Wifi.id, CGK Free WiFi
Registration	Phone number or social media login
Time limit	Varies, typically 30-60 min free sessions
Speed	Variable, can be slow during peak times

Tips:

• Connection quality varies by location; Terminal 3 generally has better coverage
• Consider purchasing a local SIM card for more reliable connectivity
• Airline lounges offer faster WiFi

Indonesian SIM cards are readily available at the airport and offer excellent value for data.

Airport Locations

• Telkomsel (all terminals): Indonesia's largest carrier, best coverage
• XL Axiata (Terminal 2 and 3): Good value, reliable coverage
• Indosat Ooredoo (Terminal 3): Competitive packages
• Smartfren (Terminal 3): Budget option

Pricing

Provider	Package	Price	Data
Telkomsel	Tourist SIM	IDR 100,000 (USD 6.50)	15-25 GB
XL Axiata	Tourist Package	IDR 80,000 (USD 5)	10-15 GB
Indosat	Freedom Package	IDR 100,000 (USD 6.50)	20 GB

Tips:

• Telkomsel has the best coverage across Indonesia, especially for travel outside Java
• Bring your passport for SIM registration (required by law)
• Airport prices are slightly higher than city shops, but convenience is worth it
• Most SIMs are valid for 30 days

ATMs are widely available throughout all terminals in landside and airside areas. Major Indonesian banks (BCA, Mandiri, BNI, BRI) have machines throughout.

Currency

• Indonesia: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 USD = 15,500 IDR, 1 EUR = 17,000 IDR

Currency Exchange

Money changers are located in arrivals and departure areas of all terminals. Airport rates are less favorable than city exchange offices.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw IDR from ATMs (most have minimal fees)
• BCA and Mandiri ATMs typically offer best rates
• Some ATMs dispense IDR 50,000 and 100,000 notes (specify if possible)
• Wise or Revolut cards work well in Indonesia

Important:

• Many smaller vendors are cash-only
• Credit cards accepted at larger establishments, hotels, and malls
• Mobile payments (GoPay via Gojek, OVO, Dana) are widely used; requires local number to set up
• ATM withdrawal limits typically IDR 1,250,000-2,500,000 per transaction

Soekarno-Hatta offers shopping across all terminals, with Terminal 3 having the most extensive retail options.

Duty-Free (Terminal 3 International)

• Dufry: Main duty-free operator with cosmetics, perfumes, alcohol, tobacco
• King Power: Southeast Asian duty-free chain
• Liquor prices: Generally 20-40% savings on international brands

Indonesian Products

• Batik Keris: Traditional Indonesian batik clothing
• Sogan Batik: High-quality batik
• Sarinah: Indonesian handicrafts and souvenirs
• The Body Shop Indonesia: Local skincare products
• Kopi Luwak: Indonesian coffee (including the famous civet coffee)

Terminal 3 Mall Area

• Sogo: Department store
• Fashion brands: Various international and local brands
• Electronics: Mobile phones, accessories

Tips

• Duty-free allowances for departing Indonesia: 1L alcohol, 200 cigarettes
• Batik makes excellent souvenirs; quality varies by price
• Indonesian coffee and spices are popular gifts
• Best shopping is in Terminal 3 departures

Terminal 3 has the majority of lounge options at CGK.

Airline Lounges

Garuda Indonesia Lounge (Terminal 3):

• Access: Garuda Business Class, GarudaMiles Platinum
• Amenities: Hot Indonesian buffet, showers, Wi-Fi, prayer room
• Quality: Excellent, Indonesian hospitality

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (Terminal 3):

• Access: Singapore Airlines Business/First, Star Alliance Gold
• Amenities: Buffet, bar, workstations
• Quality: Good, standard SilverKris experience

Priority Pass Lounges

Concordia Premier Lounge (Terminal 3):

• Location: International departures
• Access: Priority Pass, day pass available (USD 35)
• Amenities: Hot food, bar, showers
• Hours: 05:00-22:00

Blue Sky Lounge (Terminal 2):

• Location: Domestic departures
• Access: Priority Pass, various credit cards
• Amenities: Light snacks, beverages
• Quality: Basic but comfortable

Pay-Per-Entry

Day passes available at various lounges for IDR 250,000-400,000 (USD 16-26). Quality varies significantly.

Terminal 1 & 2

Limited lounge options for domestic flights. Garuda Indonesia has domestic lounges for Business Class and frequent flyer members.

Several hotels are located at or near Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

At the Airport

Jakarta Airport Hotel (managed by Topotels, Terminal 2):

• Connected to Terminal 2 landside
• Transit rooms and full-day stays available
• From IDR 600,000/night (USD 39)

FM7 Resort Hotel:

• 10-minute shuttle from terminals
• Full-service hotel with pool
• From IDR 500,000/night (USD 32)

Capsule Hotel Terminal 3:

• Located inside Terminal 3 (landside)
• Pod-style accommodations
• From IDR 200,000 for 6 hours (USD 13)

Near the Airport

• Swiss-Belhotel Airport Jakarta: 5-minute drive, free shuttle, from IDR 700,000/night (USD 45)
• Ibis Styles Jakarta Airport: 10-minute drive, from IDR 500,000/night (USD 32)
• Novotel Tangerang: 15-minute drive, business hotel, from IDR 800,000/night (USD 52)
• Allium Tangerang Hotel: 15-minute drive, good value, from IDR 550,000/night (USD 35)

Transit Options

For short layovers:

• Capsule hotels in Terminal 3 for nap/rest
• Prayer rooms (musholla) available in all terminals for Muslim travelers
• Massage services available in Terminal 3

Jakarta is Indonesia's massive capital city, home to over 10 million people (30+ million in the greater metro area). It's a chaotic, vibrant metropolis with world-class malls, historic sites, and incredible food.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time from Airport	Route
National Monument (Monas)	1-2 hours	Railink + MRT/taxi
Kota Tua (Old Town)	1.5-2.5 hours	Railink + taxi/TransJakarta
Grand Indonesia Mall	1-2 hours	Railink to BNI City
Ancol Beach/Theme Park	1.5-2 hours	Taxi/rideshare
Tangerang (PIK, Alam Sutera)	30-60 min	Direct taxi

Jakarta Highlights

• Kota Tua (Old Batavia): Dutch colonial architecture, museums, cafes
• National Monument (Monas): Iconic 132-meter tower, national history museum
• Istiqlal Mosque: Largest mosque in Southeast Asia
• Grand Indonesia/Pacific Place: Premium shopping malls
• Kemang/Senopati: Trendy dining and nightlife district

Day Trips from Jakarta

Bogor (60 km south):

• Famous botanical gardens (Kebun Raya Bogor)
• Cooler mountain climate
• 2-3 hours from CGK by car/bus

Bandung (150 km southeast):

• Colonial hill station with tea plantations
• Outlet shopping, cafes, volcanic landscapes
• 4-6 hours from CGK, consider Husein Sastranegara Airport (BDO) as alternative

Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu):

• Island getaway north of Jakarta
• Ferries from Ancol marina (1-2 hours)
• Day trip or overnight possible

Travel Tips

• Traffic: Jakarta's traffic is legendary; plan around rush hours (7-10am, 4-8pm)
• Ride apps: Download Gojek and Grab before arrival
• Weather: Hot and humid year-round (27-33°C); rainy season November-March
• Tipping: Not expected but appreciated; round up for good service
• Dress code: Modest dress recommended for mosques and some venues
• Electricity: 220V, Type C/F plugs (European-style)

Indonesian Food to Try

• Nasi Goreng: Fried rice, national dish
• Sate (Satay): Grilled skewered meat with peanut sauce
• Bakso: Meatball soup
• Rendang: Slow-cooked spicy beef
• Gado-Gado: Vegetable salad with peanut sauce
• Martabak: Stuffed pancake (sweet or savory)
• Es Teler/Es Cendol: Sweet iced desserts

Long Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Stay at airport, explore Terminal 3 shops and lounges
• 8-hour layover: Quick trip to Tangerang malls (Summarecon, AEON) or BSD City
• 12+ hour layover: Visit Jakarta's Kota Tua old town or Grand Indonesia mall (account for 3-4 hours round trip)