Planning a trip to Jakarta, Indonesia for the first-time this 2024? I hope this Jakarta Travel Guide Blog with DIY itinerary, top things to do, tourist spots, expenses and budget for first-timers help you in planning your trip.
There are many amazing activities to enjoy, attractions to see, and tourist spots to be discovered in Jakarta! From indulging on Indonesian food, to visiting historical sites, places of worship, and architectural landmarks, there are a lot of things to do when visiting Jakarta. Here's a list of some of the best attractions, tourist spots and top things to do in Jakarta plus travel guide blog on how to get there, where to stay, DIY itinerary, and breakdown of expenses that will surely help you plan your visit to the must-see places to visit in Jakarta.
FIRST-TIMERS TRAVEL GUIDE TO JAKARTA INDONESIA 2024
TOP THINGS TO DO IN JAKARTA, TOURIST SPOTS & PLACES TO VISIT
Photos and text by Gretchen Filart of www.filipinaexplorer.com.
When traveling to Indonesia, a lot of tourists make the mistake of skipping Jakarta. “Traffic!” they say. This is not unfounded. Traffic jams in Indonesia’s capital can reach hair-raising levels, though by comparison, Manila’s traffic is still worse by more than a hair.
Those who do dare to brave Jakarta’s busy streets are oft surprised to find interesting historical attractions, unbelievable bargains, fine art, and a number of culinary gems in between.
Spend a day or two in the capital and have a look-see of these spots.
1. Get acquainted with Jakarta’s Dutch colonial past in Kota Tua
Many of the structures built by the Dutch colonization in 1700s still stand today in Kota Tua, or “old town”. Centuries ago, the complex was the site of the walled city of Batavia (it’s also called Oud Batavia), and as a port, served a major role in the spice trade.
Today, the structures have been restored and developed into museums, which you can easily explore on foot from one building to another. Some of the most important sites in the square include:
Jakarta City Museum
This was Old Batavia’s city hall in the 18th century. Some 23,500 artifacts, laid out across various rooms, are on display - many of them from the Dutch East Indies Company. These include paintings, inscriptions, and ceramics. The museum also flaunts one of the largest collections of furniture made by the Betawis – an ethnic group native to Jakarta.
Also on site is a dungeon where local captives were imprisoned under gruesome conditions.
Gereja Sion
Built in 1695, Gereja Sion, or Sion Church, is the oldest church in Jakarta. It is fashioned in Dutch architecture and was created for Eurasian captives who were Catholics.
Wayang Museum
Also known as The Puppet Museum of Indonesia, this exhibition space features various art pieces, dolls, and puppets documenting Wayang – the Indonesian art of storytelling using traditional puppets. Pieces use wood and leather, and puppet sizes range from miniscule to gargantuan.
For hassle-free experience, you may avail The Old Batavia Jakarta Day Tour.
2. Explore Jakarta’s Chinatown
Also found within Kota Tua, Glodok – Jakarta’s Chinatown – was established in the mid-17th century. Originally Old Batavia’s Chinatown, it hosted Chinese workers and traders’ shops. Today, it is a hive of activity, frequently visited by those on a hunt for Chinese delicacies, temples, gadgets and electronic devices at rock-bottom prices, and traditional Chinese herbs and medicine.
3. Shop!
Like Filipinos, Jakartans love their malls. One mall you would often see in travel guides is Sarinah, also fondly called “The Indonesian Emporium”. Indonesia’s first contemporary department store and skyscraper, Sarinah spans 15 floors and trades local artisanal goods and handicrafts, particularly batik. There’s plenty of batik variety here for all ages and shapes.
4. Bike around Fatahillah Square
Fatahillah Square serves as the focal point of Jakarta’s Dutch colonial history and contains the above said attractions. A fun way to explore the square is to rent a pushbike at the square. Rental rates start at 50,000 rupiah, inclusive of a colorful colonial-style hat to match your bike.
5. Eat street food
When in Fatahillah Square, grab a bite from one of the street food vendors selling kerak telor, a spicy egg-crust omelette. Jakarta also has pedagang kaki lima (street food carts) in many alleys, peddling a variety of curries, satay, and fried snacks. Don’t miss nasi padang and nasi uduk, both rice meals with coconut milk.
6. Check out Merdeka Square and National Monument (Monas)
One of the largest squares in the world, Merdeka Square spans 75 hectares in the middle of Jakarta. National and holiday events are usually held here, as well as sports activities. Surrounding the square are important landmarks, including the Jakarta Cathedral, the Supreme Court, and Merdeka Palace. The southeast section houses a considerable population of deer worth.
Merdeka translates to “freedom” in Indonesian, and today, this former Dutch colonial King’s Square contains one of the most iconic symbols of Indonesian independence: Monas.
At 132 meters high, Monas or National Monument dominates Jakarta’s skyline. The obelisk is located in the middle of Merdeka Square, serving as a reminder of the country’s struggle under Dutch colonization.
Vast, grassy spaces surround Monas – perfect for unwinding with friends. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the National History Museum located at the base of Monas. The museum features over 50 dioramas depicting important events in Indonesian history, from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Then, make your way up to the top of Monas for a panoramic view of the city. Built-in binoculars are available for a more enjoyable vista.
For hassle-free experience, you may avail a Jakarta City Tour (National Monument and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah).
7. Visit the largest Muslim mosque in Southeast Asia
Just next to Merdeka Square lies Southeast Asia’s biggest mosque: Istiqlal Mosque or Masjid Istiglal. This Sunni house of worship can accommodate up to 200,000 people at any given time. It is considered Indonesia’s national mosque since its founding in 1978.
8. Sample satay and grilled meats
Near Monas, you will find plenty of restaurants and grilling stations offering satay. Among them is Satay Khas Senayan, which has been making the rounds since 1974. The restaurant is best known for its moist and tender chicken satay. As is expected of Indonesian cuisine, dishes here are often sweet and extra spicy, and often come with a crackling side of kropuk (kropeck).
9. Marvel at the Jakarta Cathedral
While Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim nation, there exists a handful of Catholic cathedrals here. A notable one is the Jakarta Cathedral, or Gereja Katedral Jakarta. Built in 1901, it is known for its beautiful neo-Gothic spires and architecture. Drop by before or after a tour of Merdeka Square or Istiqlal Mosque. It sits just in front of the latter.
10. Have a look-see of the West Irian Jaya Liberation Monument
Another renowned monument in Jakarta is the West Irian Liberation Monument, a skinny 36-meter high structure at the heart of Lapangan Banteng. The monument was commissioned by former President Sukarno in 1962, after the Netherlands agreed to hand over West New Guinea to Indonesia after a long-documented territorial dispute.
WHERE TO STAY: HOTELS IN JAKARTA
Hotel Aryaduta Jakarta
If you’re looking for centrally located accommodations within easy reach of attractions and the airport, Hotel Aryaduta Jakarta is worth a stay. A mix of swanky and homey, this hotel features spacious contemporary rooms with marble tubs, designer toiletries, and ultra-comfortable beds. Rooms are fitted with floor to ceiling windows, offering you gorgeous views of the city, especially during the mornings when Jakarta is still asleep.
For dog-tired guests, there are two outdoor pools to enjoy, adjacent to a renowned spa and wellness center. The in-house restaurant also whips up fantastic breakfast selections consisting mainly of Indonesian delicacies.
For a 5-star hotel, Aryaduta’s rates are incredibly affordable even for backpackers, with rooms costing around 863,000 rupiah a night (around P3,200+), inclusive of buffet breakfast for two.
Hotel Aryaduta Jakarta
Address: Jl. KKO Usman & Harun 44-48, Jakarta 10110Phone: +62 21 2352 1234
Fax: +62 21 2351 8600
Email: reservation.jakarta@aryaduta.com
For budget travelers, you may also consider these budget hotels in Jakarta:
MaxOneHotels.com @ Platinum Hayam Wuruk Jakarta
Address: Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 05 Gambir , Gambir, Harmoni, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10120
Guests Rating: Impressive (8.5/10)
Room Rates: starts at PHP 1,900 per night for 2 persons with complimentary buffet breakfast
Bold Hotel Jakarta
Address: Jalan Mangga Besar 8 No. 9B-9C, Mangga Besar, Taman Sari, Jakarta, Indonesia, 11150
Guests Rating: Impressive (8.9/10)
Room Rates: starts at PHP 878.00 per night for 2 persons
Find more hotels in Jakarta from cheap hostels and budget hotels to the most luxurious hotels and resorts, by searching at Agoda.com.
HOW TO GET TO JAKARTA FROM MANILA PHILIPPINES?
Cebu Pacific Air offers a daily 4-hour flight to the capital’s international air hub, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The flight leaves Manila at 8:35 pm and arrives on Jakarta at 11:50 pm -- pretty good times to leave and arrive if you want to escape massive traffic in both cities. Please visit www.cebupacificair.com for more information on the latest promos, piso fares and seat sales to Jakarta.
The airport is actually not within Jakarta itself, but Tangerang. The city center can be reached in 45 minutes to an hour (with light traffic) via train, bus, taxi, or a private limo.
By train
Since 2018, a direct rail link from the airport to Sudiman Baru in the city center has been launched. The train operates from 4:00 am to 12:40 am (Indonesian time), in 15 to 30-minute intervals. One-way ticket costs 70,000 rupiah.
By bus
A slightly cheaper alternative is to take DAMRI buses to Gambir, Mangga Dua, Lebak Bulus, Kampung Rambutan, and Bogor for 40,000 to 55,000 rupiah. However, the last bus departs the airport at 10 pm.
By taxi
There are also metered taxis just outside the terminal. Avoid taxis offering fixed rates. A taxi ride to the city costs 100,000 to 200,000 rupiah on the average, excluding toll fees. Grab and Go-Jek are also available.
By limousine
If cost is not an issue, the most comfortable way to travel would be via a limousine. You can book these online prior to your trip or upon arrival at the designated counter in the airport terminal. A ride usually costs 260,000 rupiah, including toll fees.
For ease and convenience especially when traveling with kids and senior citizens, I highly recommend booking a Private Airport Transfer from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport to your hotel in Jakarta. This is also a good choice if you're arriving late at night. It's safe and convenient way of getting to or from the airport.
For other transportation options on how to get to Jakarta, or to book bus, train, private transfer or flight tickets from and to Jakarta, check out this link.
JAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG
by Pinoy Adventurista
INDONESIA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR FILIPINOS
Filipinos visiting Jakarta for tourism do not need a visa to enter Indonesia. Philippine passport holders can enter Indonesia, visa-free! You just need to have a valid Philippine passport with at least 6 months validity before expiration. Philippine passport holders can stay in Indonesia visa-free for a maximum of 30 days, and no extension possible - so always make sure that your return flight home or onward flight to your next destination if within the 30 days period. Also, be sure to have a return or onward ticket in case the immigration officer asks for it. It is also good and highly recommended to be ready with your proof of hotel bookings and vouchers for activities, in case the immigration officer asks for it.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIP: Getting a travel insurance is highly-recommended when traveling abroad. Travel with confidence anytime, anywhere you go! Get a travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage for your peace of mind!
INDONESIA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- A passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Covid-19 vaccine certificate or vaccination card showing proof of full dose and/or booster shot. Only fully-vaccinated travelers are allowed to enter Indonesia.
- Proof of return flight and hotel booking confirmation and payment of accommodation while in Indonesia.
- Download and register to PeduliLindungi app. You can download this on Google Play or Apple App Store.
- Registration to Electronic Custom Declaration. Save a printed / digital copy of the system-provided QR code.
- For more information and updated list of travel requirements, please check with your airlines.
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET IN JAKARTA?
To stay connected to the internet while in Indonesia, you may rent a portable travel WIFI that you can share the connection to your travel buddies. It's cheap because you can also share the cost of the rental among your travel buddies.
If you're traveling alone, your best option is to buy a local SIM card. Please note that SIM card is expensive if you will buy it upon arrival in Jakarta. For example, if you buy a sim card at the arrival hall of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, it costs around IDR 300,000 or PHP 1,139.00. To save on travel expenses, I highly recommend that you buy a SIM card online and just pick it up when you arrive in Jakarta. You can get it for as low as PHP 371 pesos with unlimited data 3G/4G with FUP 2GB, 30 minutes worth of calls and valid for 8 days.
BOOK AND RESERVE HERE:
WHERE TO EXCHANGE MONEY JAKARTA?
You can exchange your Philippine Peso or US Dollars in the money changers at the airport or at the city center. Exchange rate at the airport is low, it's better to change your money at the city center. Alternatively, you can also withdraw money from the ATMs. Just be sure to advise your bank before leaving your country that you will be withdrawing money abroad to avoid any inconvenience.
HOW TO GET AROUND JAKARTA?
Although there are public transportation such as buses and trains. For convenience, taxis, Go-jek, and Grab (Car/Taxi) are also available. But the most convenient way to explore Jakarta is to rent a private car. This is recommended for group of friends or a family who wants to visit the different tourist spots and attractions in Jakarta in a comfy private charter. You can rent a private car in Jakarta for as low as ₱ 2,245 per car that can comfortably fit 5 persons. The rate includes 10-hour car charter (Toyota Avanza), an English speaking driver, fuel costs, parking and toll fees.
SAMPLE JAKARTA DIY ITINERARY (3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS) WITHOUT TOURS
Jakarta can be explored on DIY (Do-It-Yourself). When we were there, we just took Go-jek or Grab car to go to the places we want to visit. This way, it's easier to let the driver know where we want to go. You can explore most of Jakarta's tourist spots, attractions and historical landmarks in one to two days.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN JAKARTA
- 08:35 PM - Manila to Jakarta Flight via Cebu Pacific Air
- 11:50 PM - Arrival in Jakarta
- Pick-up your local SIM card at the airport
- Take a private airport transfer to your hotel in Jakarta
- Late check-in at the hotel
DAY 2 - JAKARTA LANDMARKS
- Depart from hotel
- Visit Jakarta Cathedral
- Cross the street to Istiqlal Mosque
- Sample on street food or have lunch
- Check out the street stalls around the mosque
- Walk to Irian Jaya Liberation Monument
- Walk to Merdeka Square
- Check out the dioramas at The National Monument History Museum
- Go up the National Monument (MONAS) and enjoy a 360 degrees view of the city
- Dinner
- Back at the hotel
DAY 3 - CHINATOWN TOUR
- Depart from the hotel
- Take a Go-jek or Grab car to Jakarta's Chinatown (Glodok)
- Check out the wet market at Petak Sembilan Traditional Market
- Visit Vihara Dharma Sakti
- Visit St. Maria de Fatima Church
- Visit Vihara Dharma Jaya Taosebio
- Go shopping at Chinatown Street Market
- Local dishes for lunch
- Back at the hotel, check out
- Souvenir shopping
- Proceed to the airport for your flight to Manila or to your next destination
For ease and convenience, I highly recommend that you avail a Private Jakarta City Tour or The Old Batavia Jakarta Day Tour.
SAMPLE DIY ITINERARY (3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS) WITH TOURS
Exploring a new city could be quite confusing. If DIY without an organized tour is not your thing, I highly recommend that you join the group tours offered by Klook. Join-in or group tours in Jakarta are very cheap and affordable. Plus, joining a tour, you'll be assisted by an English-speaking tour guide who will accompany you and show you around Jakarta. Joining a group tour is also an awesome way to meet new friends. Here's a sample 3D/2N DIY Jakarta itinerary.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN JAKARTA
- 08:35 PM - Manila to Jakarta Flight via Cebu Pacific Air
- 11:50 PM - Arrival in Jakarta
- Pick-up your local SIM card at the airport
- Take a private airport transfer to your hotel in Jakarta
- Late check-in in the hotel
DAY 2 - CHINATOWN AND JAKARTA LANDMARKS TOUR
Chinatown Walking Day Tour
This tour costs ₱701 pesos per person. It includes English-speaking tour guide and tourist guide book in English. Not included are gratuities (optional), local transportation fee (Busway), and lunch.
- 09:00 am - Meet up with guide
- 09:30 am - Petak Sembilan Traditional Market
- 10:00 am - Vihara Jin De Yuan
- 10:30 am - Catholic Church St. Maria de Fatima
- 11:00 am - Vihara Toa Se Bio Temple
- 11:30 am - Tour ends
After the Chinatown Walking Tour, you can join the Jakarta Landmarks Tour in the afternoon.
Jakarta Landmarks Tour
This tour also costs ₱701 pesos per person. It includes English-speaking tour guide and tourist guide book (English). Not included are gratuities (optional), local transportation fee (Busway), and entrance ticket to National Monument/Monas which is IDR 20,000 per person (PHP 75.00 / USD $1.42).
I suggest, you join the Jakarta Landmarks afternoon tour:
- 01:00 pm - Meet up with tour group
- 01:30 pm - Jakarta Cathedral
- 02:00 pm - Istiqlal Mosque
- 02:30 pm - National Monument/Monas
- 04:00 pm - Tour ends
DAY 3 - JAKARTA OLD BATAVIA TOUR
Jakarta Old Batavia Walking Tour
This tour costs ₱714 for a join-in tour for a group of 2 persons or more. If you're alone, you can still book this tour for ₱775 pesos. The tour is inclusive of English-speaking tour guide and tourist guide book (English). If you want to include the entrance tickets to Museum Fatahillah, Puppet Museum and Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics, with 2 types of traditional food selected by your tour guide, traditional hat and bike rental for 30 minutes, you can book this tour for ₱918 pesos each for a group of 2 or more persons or for ₱1,020 pesos if you're traveling alone.
I suggest, you join the morning tour:
- 07:00 am - Early hotel check-out and leave bags at the hotel
- 09:00 am - Meet up with tour guide at Kota Tua Train Station
- 09:00 am - Historical Old Train Station
- 09:20 am - National Museum of Bank Indonesia
- 10:00 am - Museum Fatahillah
- 11:00 am - Puppet Museum
- 11:40 am - Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics
- 12:30 pm - Bike ride
- 01:00 pm - End of tour
- 02:00 pm - Souvenir shopping
- 05:00 pm - Go back to the hotel to pick-up bags
- 06:00 pm - Dinner
- 08:00 pm - Proceed to the airport for your flight to Manila or to your next destination
SAMPLE JAKARTA TRIP BUDGET AND EXPENSES FOR ₱ 7,700 PESOS
If you will follow the above 3 days and 2 nights Jakarta Itinerary, below is the breakdown of expenses. This assumes the following:
- You will be sharing the travel expenses with one travel buddy.
- You will be staying in a private room at MaxOneHotels.com @ Platinum Hayam Wuruk Jakarta for PHP 5,700 for 3 nights / 2 pax = PHP 2,850 per person.
- Booked room at MaxOneHotels.com comes with complimentary breakfast.
- Your budget for food is from 50,000 to 100,000 IDR (185 to 370 PHP) per meal for lunch and dinner per person.
DAY 1 EXPENSES
- Local Sim Card - ₱ 371
- Private airport transfer to hotel - ₱ 974 / 2 pax = ₱ 487 per person
- TOTAL - ₱ 858.00 per person
DAY 2 EXPENSES
- Chinatown Walking Day Tour via Klook - ₱ 701 per person
- Jakarta Landmarks Tour via Klook - ₱ 701 per person
- Monas entrance fee - PHP 70 per person
- Transportation - ₱ 400 / 2 = ₱ 200 per person
- Food (Lunch and Dinner) - ₱ 500 per person
- TOTAL - ₱ 2,172.00 per person
DAY 3 EXPENSES
- Jakarta Old Batavia Walking Tour via Klook - ₱ 918 per person (Entrance fee and food included)
- Transportation - ₱ 400 / 2 = ₱ 200 per person
- Food (Dinner) - ₱ 300 per person
- Private airport transfer from hotel - ₱ 974 / 2 pax = 487 per person
- TOTAL - ₱ 1,905.00
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES
- 3-nights Hotel Accommodation - ₱ 2,850.00
- Day 1 - ₱ 858.00
- Day 2 - ₱ 2,172.00
- Day 3 - ₱ 1,905.00
TOTAL EXPENSES - ₱ 7,785.00 per person
Not included in this computation are the following:
- Round trip airfare Manila-Jakarta-Manila
- NAIA terminal fee and travel tax
- Food expenses for snacks
- Tips or gratuities which is customary in Indonesian culture
- Budget for pasalubong, souvenirs and shopping expenses
Please note that exchange rates, ticket prices, hotel rates, tour prices, car rental rates, and other expenses are subject to change and depend on the date of your trip. Feel free to tweak these itineraries based on the tourist spots you want to visit and the things you want to do in Jakarta. You can also adjust this budget depending on how many are you in the group, where you want to stay, and how many days you plan to stay in Jakarta. You can lower the expenses and save a lot if you travel in a group of 4 persons to save more on the cost of private airport transfers and hotel room. And always make sure to have extra money for any emergencies and unexpected expenses.
JAKARTA TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS FOR FIRST-TIMERS
- Weather in Jakarta is most of the time hot and humid. It is suggested that you wear light and breathable clothes, but not too revealing. Also, don't forget to bring light jacket, umbrella or raincoat for occasional rains.
- Since you'll be walking a lot during tours, wear comfortable shoes or sandals.
- When visiting places of worship such as mosques, do not wear tank tops (or other sleeveless shirts), see-through shirts, or shorts. Before traveling to Indonesia, be sure to pack your bags with clothes appropriate when visiting a mosque. For men, it is important to wear long trousers or pants, short-sleeved shirts are okay. Women should cover their hair and arms, ankle-length skirts or pants are required. Always take off your shoes before entering a mosque.
- In Indonesia, always use your right hand. For example, when paying for what you bought, or receiving the items you bought. The left hand is considered "unclean" and using it is also considered "disrespectful." Always use your right hand when dealing with the locals.
- Giving tips or gratuities are fairly a common practice in Indonesia. A reward of 5 - 10% of the total bill or of the total amount of service rendered is good enough. Sometimes, when eating in restaurants, service charge is already included, so you don't need to leave extra tip.
- The power plugs and sockets in Indonesia are of type C ("Euro" plug) and type F ("Schuko"). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Don't forget to bring a Universal Adapter Plug so you could charge your gadgets. If you forgot to bring one, ask the reception of your hotel if you could borrow an adapter plug.
- To save on travel expenses, I recommend booking discounted tickets, tours, and activities in Jakarta at Klook.com, join group tours, take the bus or the train, walk if you can, stay in hostels or budget hotels, and take advantage of flight seat sales and promos on flights from Manila to Jakarta.
Where to go next?
After exploring Jakarta, I highly recommend that you visit Yogayakarta - a special administrative region in the island of Java in Indonesia and is considered as "the center of education and traditional Javanese arts." Because of its proximity to the Borobudur and Prambanan temples, Yogyakarta has become one of the top tourist destinations in Indonesia.
How to get to Yogyakarta? There are no direct flights from Manila to Yogyakata Indonesia. From Manila, you can take a Cebu Pacific flight to Jakarta or Bali and then take a domestic flight to Yogyakarta. Another option is to take the train or bus from Jakarta. Trains from Jakarta depart from Pasar Senen Station or Gambir Station. Travel time from Jakarta is about 8 hours and arrives in Yogyakarta in either Lempuyangan Station or Tugu Station depending on the type of train you take. By bus, there are several bus companies that offer Jakarta to Yogyakarta routes. Travel time is around 11 to 12 hours.
If you want to experience Indonesia's beaches, why not head on to Bali? From Jakarta, you can take a domestic flight to Bali. Travel time from Jakarta to Bali by air is around 1.5 to 2 hours. You may check out my Bali Travel Guide with DIY Itinerary to help you plan your trip.
I hope this First-timer's Travel Guide to Jakarta will help you in planning an exciting and fun-filled Indonesia Adventure! Enjoy, have fun and safe travels!
ALSO READ: YOGYAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG: Things to do, Sample Itinerary, Travel Tips and More!
Thank You for this! cant wait for my first solo travel this year~!
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