Jakarta City Tour (Guide and Tips)

May 30, 2023

Hi everyone!

Long time no post. Lately, I tried to go to Jakarta using the public transport. So, in this post, I will recap and give some tips to you.

If you want to go to the Central Jakarta by public transport but you don't know how to start

If you are living on the South Jakarta or near Jakarta like me, I suggest you to use Trans Jakarta bus. However, you also can use other transport like MRT or commuter line train.

1. Trans Jakarta Bus

I live near South Jakarta. So, I can use Trans Jakarta bus line 8E, which is from Bintaro (South Jakarta) to Blok M (South Jakarta). If you want to use this route, you can go to Bintaro Utara Street, next to the Bintaro Mosque. The first bus stop is on this road.

2. Commuter Line Train

If you prefer to use commuter line trains, you can go to the nearest commuter line station. If you are living in South Tangerang, you can use this transportation and go to Tanah Abang train station to transit, then you can use the train from Tanah Abang to Sudirman train station. But, you need to be careful with this transportation, because the commuter line is usually almost full.

3. MRT Train

The latest transportation that you can use is MRT. But, if you are like me who live too far from any MRT station, I'm not recommend you to use this transportation from the beginning except you use Trans Jakarta bus first than transit to MRT station like me.

So, how do I go to Central Jakarta?

Route 1: Combination Between Trans Jakarta and MRT

I take Trans Jakarta line 8E to Blok M. But, before the bus has reached Blok M station, you need to stop at CSW bus stop. This bus stop is connected directly to the Asean MRT station. But, if you prefer to use the bus until you can reach Central Jakarta, you can take this bus until Blok M (bill be explained on the other route after this section). For the fare, it's only IDR 3500.

After I arrive at the Asean train station, I take the MRT from Asean station to Bundaran HI station. It's very convenient. For the fare, it's only IDR 7000.

If you want to go to Plaza Indonesia or Grand Indonesia Mall, after you arrive at Bundaran HI station, you can walk to the Bundaran HI exit. If you want to go to Sarinah Mall or Menteng District, you can walk to the Sarinah exit. Don't worry, the sign board for both exit gates is very clear and easy to understand.

Route 2: Use Trans Jakarta All the Way

For this route, you will not use any train. There are two ways that I know:

2.a. First, you take Trans Jakarta line 8E to go to Blok M bus station. Don't stop in the middle of the route. After you arrive at Blok M bus station, change your line to Trans Jakarta line 1, which is from Blok M to Kota. On the Trans Jakarta line 1, you can stop at Bundaran HI bus stop or Thamrin bus stop, depending on your destination. If you want to go to Plaza Indonesia or Grand Indonesia Mall, you can stop at Bundaran HI stop. But, If you want to go to Sarinah Mall or Menteng District, you can stop at Thamrin stop. Another stop, if you want to visit Jakarta's Kota Tua, you can take this line until the last stop.

2.b. First, you take Trans Jakarta line 8E to go to Blok M bus station. Don't stop in the middle of the route, but you need to stop at the CWS bus stop. After you stop at the CSW bus stop, turn your body 180 degrees, then wait for the Trans Jakarta line 1 which is from Blok M to Kota. On the Trans Jakarta line 1, the bus will stop at Kejaksaan Agung bus stop, which has the same bus stop with CSW bus stop (because on the same street, Kyai Maja street). So, you don't need to go to Blok M bus station.

Route 3: Use Commuter Line

For this route, as has been explained before, you can go to the nearest commuter line station. If you are living on South Tangerang like me, you can use this transportation and go to Tanah Abang train station to transit, then you can use the train from Tanah Abang to Sudirman train station. But, if you stop at Sudirman train station, you need to take the MRT from Dukuh Atas MRT station to Bundaran HI or Trans Jakarta Line 1 from Dukuh Atas bus stop to Bundaran HI.

Whatever the route you choose, it's up to you!

Here are some tips to have a convenience and safety trip to central Jakarta:

1. Bring enough stuff, not too much stuff. Remove the unused stuff.

2. Bring your own mineral water, although only in a small bottle. Because drinking is important.

3. Bring an umbrella

4. Use your comfort clothes. Don't use a very mini skirt. Also, don't use too thin and transparent shirts.

5. Know the route at least a day before your trip. So, you won't panic on the day if you forget the way or direction, although you can use google maps. I suggest you to only use google maps as the direction guide if you change your trip plan in the middle of your trip or if you want to walk to another street for your additional place to visit.

Happy traveling!