Airport Information

Indonesia

 

Time

 

Indonesia spans three time zones, from GMT plus seven hours (West Zone – Java, Sumatra, west and central Kalimantan and Madura) to GMT plus eight hours (Central Zone – Bali, south and east Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Timor) and GMT plus nine hours (East Zone – Aru, Kai, Moluccas, Tanimbar, Irian Jaya).

Climate   All of the islands in the archipelago lie within the tropical zone, with average temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius (C). The dry season usually lasts from May to September, the wet season from October to April. In the hill regions west of Jakarta, average temperatures drop to a pleasant 21 degrees C. Indonesia straddles the equator and days are all the same length and rain is frequent. Yearly rainfall in Jakarta is about 300mm and humidity is more than 80 per cent. The islands east of Bali have a much drier climate, and tropical vegetation and jungles give way to rocky savannahs.

Entry requirements

Passports / Visas

All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. Visas have been waived for nationals of some Western countries for a stay of up to two months and for registered delegates attending a conference that has received official approval.

People wishing to travel to Papua must obtain a special permit from the state Police headquarters in Jakarta or regional police headquarters. Issue of the permit may take two days.

Entry and exit ports are restricted and should be checked before departure.

Business travellers wishing to engage in such activities as concluding commercial transactions or performing professional or technical services should obtain a business visa.

Customs

Personal effects are allowed entry; electrical goods are subject to customs duty. Cars, photographic equipment and typewriters are admitted, provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared.

Prohibited imports

These include narcotics, arms, ammunition, TV sets, radio, radio cassette, pornography, fresh fruit, information printed in Chinese characters and Chinese medicine. All movies and films must be censored by the film censor board.

Currency advice/regulations The maximum amount of Indonesian currency which may be imported or exported is Rp50,000 per person. Import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. Exchange rates for foreign currency are generally the same at both banks and money changers. Major currencies or travellers cheques may be exchanged at most banks, except in the provinces. It is advisable to carry rupiahs in sufficient amount before travelling to outer provinces or minor towns. Getting there Air National airline Garuda Indonesia (GA) and Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MZ).

Travelling to and in

Specialist travel agents

Most reputable agents will offer travel packages.

Travel routes to Indonesia

With the exception of Garuda Airlines, Mandala Airlines, Airfast and Ekspres Transportasi Antarbenua (operating as Premi Air), all Indonesian airlines are refused permission to operate services to the EU because Indonesia is unable to ensure all its airlines meet international safety standards. It is recommended that you avoid flying with Indonesian carriers subject to the EU operating ban.

There are international airports in several locations across Indonesia including Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Lombok, Ujung Pandang and Medan.

Flight times from London are approximately 18 hours depending on routes and stopovers.

International departure tax is Rupiah 150,000. Different rates of departure tax apply to domestic routes ranging from Rupiah 25,000 to Rupiah 50,000.

How to get to & from the airport

International flights land at either Jakarta, Bali or Medan. Jakarta International Airport is situated about 30km from the city centre.

Before departure, it is advisable to check with your travel agent regarding hotel courtesy buses and/or cars. Most of the larger international hotels provide this service. If this service is not available make sure you use a taxi from a registered taxi firm inside the airport. British Embassy, Jakarta, staff are advised to use only taxis from the Bluebird and Silverbird group. It is reasonable to give the driver a 10% tip. Taxis to the city centre will cost approximately Rupiah 200,000.

Travelling in Indonesia

Air
Air travel is the easiest and most comfortable way to get around Indonesia. It is recommended that you avoid flying with Indonesian carriers subject to the EU operating ban. At airports in major towns in Indonesia, porters should be given a tip of IDR 5,000 for a small bag and IDR 7,500 for a heavier one.

Ships/Ferries
All main ports in Indonesia are served by government-owned ships, with ferries also running between islands.

Rail
The train service in Indonesia only covers Java and parts of Sumatra.

Road
The buses are used mostly by locals and are slow, unreliable, and overcrowded, but cheap. The roads are often excellent, particularly on Java but the traffic is heavy. Traffic drives on the left. In towns, the only practicable method of transport is a car. In Jakarta, air-conditioned taxis with meters, can be obtained at most major hotels. They may also be hired on an hourly basis - the most suitable arrangement for a longer journey. As it can be difficult to find a taxi in some parts of Jakarta, taxis can be retained for the return journey. Tips are not expected but are appreciated.

 

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful but in various states of disrepair. Wherever possible, opt for Blue Bird or Silver Bird taxis and check the driver switches on the meter before starting the journey.

Taxis can be obtained at hotels, airports and railway stations. From Sukarno-Hatta airport to Jakarta, taxis add a surcharge and toll.

There are metered taxis only in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Solo, Semarang and Jogjakarta, but it may be necessary to insist on the use of the meter. Fares are very reasonable. Taxis may also be hired by the hour, which is less expensive for longer journeys.

In Jakarta it can be difficult to hail taxis, so engage one at the hotel and retain it until returning. A 10 per cent tip is usual.

There are also minicabs for two passengers, the bemo (small bus) which plies regular routes, and the becak, all of which need advance bargaining to come to a mutually accepted fare.

From city centre to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta airport taxi journey times are about 45 minutes.

Buses/trams

For short distances, three-wheelers called bajajs are available.

Sukarno-Hatta airport buses run every 20 minutes to five different points in the city. For those heading for the major hotels in the city centre, take the bus to Gambir, a railway station, around 10 minutes away by taxi from the hotels.

Metro

A US$1–2 billion 14km Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) underground transport system is planned in Jakarta with Japanese financing, despite concerns regarding the price of tickets and the fact that much of the network will be below sea level. It will have 14 stops, and will carry up to 140,000 people per day.

Car hire

Car hire, mostly chauffeur-driven, is available in major towns and cities. Except for international car hire operators which accept credit cards, full payment for car hire is made up-front. Traffic drives on the left. Driving at night can be dangerous outside major urban areas as it is common to encounter drivers who do not use their lights.

 

Health (for visitors)

Mandatory precautions Vaccination certificates for yellow fever if travelling from infected area. Advisable precautions Vaccinations for diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis 'A' and 'B', Japanese 'B' encephalitis, polio, tetanus, typhoid. Anti-malarial precautions should be taken. There is a high risk of catching dengue fever. Rabies is a risk. All water should be boiled before drinking.

Dress codes

Foreigners are expected to dress for business as they would at home, despite the heat, although men can get away without ties and jackets during the day. Formal attire includes suits, or traditional batik shirts. Women are advised to dress conservatively as do their Indonesian counterparts. Although Indonesia is Muslim, there is little of the radicalism found elsewhere. At least in Jakarta, the only women wearing veils will be strict Islamic schoolgirls. The dress traditionally worn by men and women, is the sarong. This length of fabric wraps around the waist and is topped by elaborate blouses or shirts. Halter tops and shorts are frowned upon in most places except around sports facilities or on the beach. Proper decorum should especially be observed when visiting places of worship.

Social customs/useful tips

Indonesia is predominantly Muslim and alcohol is not considered essential to social intercourse. Care should be taken to respect Muslim, Hindu and other religious conventions. Footwear should be removed before entering places of worship and temples and sometimes also private homes.

Handshaking with the right hand is customary both for men and women. It is conventional to shake hands and give a slight bow with the head on meeting and taking leave. Punctuality is appreciated on social occasions.

Pork is forbidden for the Muslim population and beef for the Balinese Hindus. Do not start to consume food or drink until invited by the host to do so.

Pribumi is used to describe anything indigenous or native to Indonesia, and occurs in commercial or business contexts with reference to local participation, local capital investment or local loans.

In Indonesia, Western-style beckoning is considered rude; instead, turn your hand palm down, and waggle your fingers – like an upside-down wave. Putting your hands on your hips is considered an overt sign of aggression or contempt.

The word `no' is regarded as impolite; often people use the word belum, which means `not yet'.

Security

Indonesia has a high crime rate and credit card fraud is a growing problem. Pickpocketing and thefts occur in popular tourist sites.

New residents in a neighbourhood are required to report to the chairman of their neighbourhood association (RT), who is responsible for all activities and concerns in the neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood also has its own civilian security force, called Hansip, who patrol at night.

Since 2000, Indonesia has been experiencing unrest and violence. There has been sectarian and ethnic strife in Aceh, Irian Jaya, Central and West Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, Central and South Sulawesi and tension in West Timor.

Since October 2002, terrorist attacks have in deliberately targetted Western tourists.

Public holidays

Fixed dates

1 Jan (New Year), 17 Aug (Independence Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day).

Variable dates

Eid al Adha, Islamic New Year, Birth of the Prophet Mohammed, Ascent of Prophet Mohammed, Eid al Fitr, Chinese New Year, Nyepi (Hindu New Year), Waisak Day (Birth of the Lord Buddha), Good Friday, Ascension Day of Jesus Christ.

The Islamic year contains 354 or 355 days, with the result that Muslim feasts advance by 10–12 days against the Gregorian calendar. Dates of feasts vary according to the sighting of the new moon, so cannot be forecast exactly.

Islamic year 1426: 10 February 2005 to 30 January 2006.

 

 

Working hours

Banking

Mon–Fri: 0830–1530  Hotel banks may remain open longer.

Business

Mon–Fri: 0800–1600; Sat: 0830–1230. Fri: it is difficult to make an appointment after 1100 although businessmen sometimes meet people in the late afternoon and early evening.

Government

Mon–Thu: 0800–1500; Fri: 0800–1130; Sat: 0800–1400.

Shops

0800/1000–2100/2200 (some close at 1730).

Electricity supply

The electricity supply in cities is generally 220volts, 50 cycles but 110 volts is still used in rural areas. Most outlets are for two or three pin round plugs; local adapters are readily available.

Weights and measures

Metric system