Tips you must read if you are going to Jakarta

Arabiaweather.com - Ismail Qasimi - You may often hear questions about traveling to Jakarta, because the way to live in Jakarta is different and difficult for many travelers. Is Jakarta safe to travel? Is it a nice city to visit? Yes, it is a beautiful city, and here are some tips that you should know about Jakarta.

at the Air port

If you are flying into Jakarta, you will either stop at Soekarno-Hatta or Halim Perdana Kusuma, although most airlines stop at Soekarno-Hatta. Thus you have two options to go to the city center as it is quite far, so think carefully before you take a taxi, and if you choose that blue bird cars with the bird logo are always preferable.

To avoid the long line waiting for a taxi, you can go to the departures area and stop one of the drivers, it's the quickest way. But actually taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers from there because it is supposed to be a drop off area only.

The second option is to take the Dameri bus and find it at the end of the international airport arrivals hall, the cost may vary but it is usually 40,000 rupees per person.

Buy an Indonesian SIM card

If you want to stay a little longer in Indonesia, you'd better buy a local SIM card, you can get one at the airport or you can buy it in the convenience stores on the street. The best chipsets are Telcocell, XL and Indosat that you can use comfortably all over Indonesia.

Take the official taxi

Like we said, Blue Bird is the best but also make sure the driver uses the meter, ask him if he knows the place before you set off and then write the number of the car in your note book in case you leave your stuff you can easily contact the company.

Be friendly with the driver, even if they sometimes can't speak English, but a smile and greeting brings you closer to them, and you will find some of them trying to speak Arabic with you as well and help you more when you say hello.

Public transport

There are many means of public transportation in Jakarta and you are likely to confuse them. You will find the Transjakarta, which the locals call the “Busway” and it is a good option if you want to get around the city center. But there are some lines going from one place to another, it will feel very confusing as Jakarta is a huge city.

Transjakarta has separate places for females and males, females sit in the front area, also be careful with your luggage and don't put your bag in your pockets if you are riding at peak hours when people go to work or go home, the pickpockets are very professional.

Take care of your health

The best advice you will hear when traveling to Jakarta is to take care as the water is not safe to drink in Indonesia, and in addition, it is best to avoid the food that is prepared in the "street" although it is sometimes delicious, go to any suitable mall or restaurant where you see cleanliness apparent.

Be careful when crossing the street

This advice is not as ordinary as we have always heard since childhood, but the streets in Jakarta are much worse with motorbikes that can be anywhere.

Return to the airport

Be careful about time management to get back to the airport, arriving early is much better than being stuck in traffic.