How to Spend 2 Days in Jakarta – A Full Itinerary

Quick Info about Jakarta

Located on the northwest coast of the island of Java, Jakarta is the sprawling capital city of the Republic of Indonesia. With over 11 million inhabitants in the city and over 32 million in its metropolitan area, Jakarta is the largest metropolis and one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in Southeast Asia.

Jakarta is also the second-largest urban area in the world after Tokyo, Japan. Honestly, this blows my mind as Jakarta's public transportation infrastructure is nowhere close to the scale of Tokyo's, which is ultra-efficient and easy to use. As a result, many people in Jakarta seem to own cars, hence, the crazy traffic jams. 

Fun Fact: Due to the overcrowding, pollution, flooding, and sinking land issues that Jakarta has experienced, Indonesia is planning to relocate its capital city. Nusantara, the future capital city, is currently being developed in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Although plans were originally to inaugurate the new capital in August 2024, construction on Nusantara is behind schedule. 

Cultural Melting Pot

One of Jakarta's best features is its melting pot of cultures (Javanese, Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian, European). You'll see this represented in various neighborhoods around the city as well as in the food. 

Unlike most of Southeast Asia, Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country. As a result, you'll notice people tend to dress more conservatively, even with the heat. Given the mix of cultures in Jakarta, you won't stand out quite as much wearing shorts as in other places. However, it's something to consider when choosing what to pack.

Where are the Tourists?

Since Jakarta doesn't have the same draw as places like Bali, it's no surprise that the number of foreign tourists is lower. In a way, this is nice because you're constantly surrounded by people who actually live and work in Jakarta and can get a feel for daily life.

However, fewer tourists tends to mean that English isn't as widely spoken or understood as it is in other places. But, people in Jakarta are very friendly and eager to help you, even when communication is difficult. 

When to Visit Jakarta

Typically, the best time to visit Jakarta is during the dry season from May to September. During these months, you'll be more likely to have sunny skies and clear weather, but it will be hot. The wet season, from October to April, brings heavy rain showers, sometimes occurring in short bursts, sometimes lasting several hours. 

In July, our first day was kind of rainy and overcast which was unusual for that time of year. However, our second day in Jakarta was gorgeous with sunny skies and lower pollution. 

How Long to Spend in Jakarta

During our trip to Java, we only spent two days in Jakarta. Although 2 days is plenty of time to get a taste of the city and see the main sights, it was not enough time to really get comfortable with it. That might just be me.

Since it's an overwhelming city at first, prepare to spend some time on the first day adjusting to the chaos and figuring things out. Like, how and where exactly to get a bus ticket.

Personally, I think 3 days in Jakarta is a better amount of time. If we'd stayed in Jakarta one extra day, I'd have been more comfortable getting around. Plus, we could have explored neighborhoods in different parts of the city and perhaps seen some of the sights we missed.

Getting to Jakarta

Depending from where you're traveling, you can get to Jakarta a couple different ways. Most likely, you'll get to Jakarta by plane, but if you're coming from other cities on Java, the train is a great option.  

Flying to Java

If you're traveling to Jakarta from abroad, flying is the easiest way to get to Jakarta. Jakarta's Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (airport code: CGK) is the largest airport on the island of Java and the destination to which most international carriers fly.

Even if you plan to travel to other destinations on Java, you'll most likely fly into Jakarta's airport. So, why not spend a couple of days seeing the city?

Train to Jakarta

Traveling to Jakarta from another city on Java, you may find it easier to take the train to Jakarta. Java has an extensive railway system linking the major cities around the island. We found the trains a convenient and comfortable way to travel between Jakarta and Central Java.

>>Read about our experience riding the trains on Java in this post.

Pro Tip: Book train tickets in advance to reserve your seat as tickets sell out. If you don't have an Indonesian credit card, you'll have to book through a 3rd party site, such as 12Go so you can pay with a foreign bank card. Once you arrive at the train station, you'll check-in at the counter or machines and get your boarding pass.

Where to Stay in Jakarta

Jakarta has a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxurious hotels. One of the biggest lessons we learned from our trip to Jakarta is to book a place to stay that is close to the major bus or MRT lines. Since traffic is so bad, taking taxis isn't as convenient as in other cities we've visited.  

The St. Regis Jakarta

During our trip to Jakarta, we stayed at The St. Regis Jakarta - a luxurious splurge to be sure. Our room at The St. Regis was spacious and lux, complete with a chandelier. 

In our room, they welcomed us with chocolates, a decadent cake, and a fruit bowl. The balcony/sun room had a great view and overlooked the city.  

Although we loved our stay at The St. Regis Jakarta and would highly recommend it for its amenities, comfort, and breakfast buffet, the location was inconvenient. I think we would have had an easier time getting around Jakarta if we'd stayed in a different neighborhood. 

Other Hotel Recommendations in Jakarta

Here are a few other Jakarta hotels we considered that I believe would have worked out better as far as location:

Jakarta Accommodations Map

Begin your own search for the perfect hotel in Jakarta using the map below. Enter your travel dates to get an idea of what's available and how much per night it will cost. 

Tip: To find a hotel that's convenient for your trip, think about what attractions most interest you and where you might like to eat. Then, check out the public transportation and book a hotel that's along a line that goes to those places. Or, pick a hotel within walking distance. You'll be glad you did once you arrive.

Getting around Jakarta

One of the main take-aways I had from our first day in Jakarta was that we should have figured out the public transportation system sooner. It's one of the frustrating things about writing a blog and reliving your trip, only to realize how badly you messed up while you were there!

JakLingko Card

My advice is to buy a JakLingko card as soon as possible and make sure it has ~40,000 IDR on it. You can purchase this card at Transjakarta stops, MRT, LRT, and Commuter Train stations that are integrated with JakLingko. Then, you can use the card across all forms of public transportation.

Jakarta Public Transportation

Jakarta Public Buses

Jakarta has an extensive bus system (TransJakarta) that runs to major sights such as Kota Tua and the National Monument. It seems like the most convenient way to get around and buses seem to run frequently. Stations for the buses are often elevated and look like metro stops with platform doors that prevent people from leaning or falling into the road.  

Pro Tip: Most public transportation in Jakarta offers specific sections or cars that are designated for WOMEN ONLY. If you're a guy, (or in my case, traveling with one) be sure you're not standing in the women-only area or you'll be gently informed you need to move.

Jakarta MRT and Rail Lines

Jakarta also has an MRT (metro) and a Commuter Line that runs out to the suburbs. We didn't use them but saw the trains as they passed and they looked quite nice. The MRT is fairly new (first line opened in 2019) and will be expanded in the coming decades. Hopefully, the MRT should alleviate some of the gridlock on the streets.

Taxis

Despite primarily using Grab taxis to get around Jakarta, it was one of my biggest frustrations. Most times when we called, it took a long time for a driver to be found. Then, once one accepted, we had to wait 15-20 minutes to be picked up. Add in the fact that traffic was terrible, and you'll understand why I said figuring out public transportation should be high on your list of priorities when arriving in Jakarta. 

Download Taxi Apps before your Trip: Taxis and ride-share apps are very cheap in Java. It's handy to have the apps already downloaded when you arrive though. The apps most frequently used in Indonesia are Grab and  Gojek. Another reliable (and perhaps better) taxi service on Java is Bluebird. Their taxis are quite nice and are also very affordable.

Motorbike Taxis

Although we used Grab to call car taxis, you can also use the app to call motorbike taxis. Motorbike taxis seemed to be much more common and are probably the fastest way to get around the city. Weigh that against safety and always make sure to use a helmet (which they provide) when riding a motorbike taxi.

2-Day Itinerary in Jakarta

In early July 2024, we spent 9 days on the island of Java. Since we flew into Jakarta, we began our trip with a couple of days there. Two days is really not enough time to fully explore Jakarta, but I'm glad we got a taste of this lively city.

The following itinerary shows what we got up to in Jakarta in 2 days, but also includes some of the things we missed that I wish we'd seen. Not only that, but I'll share some tips and lessons learned that will hopefully help you as you plan your trip. 

Arrival in Jakarta

Since we took a Friday evening flight to Jakarta from Hong Kong, we arrived just before midnight at the Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. Luckily, the immigration lines were short and the process moved quickly.

Taxi from Jakarta Airport to City

After a bit of a fight with the ATMs to get cash (only 1 of 3 worked for us) and getting our local SIM card at one of the airport kiosks, we set out to get a taxi. Anyone else do this wrong every time? 

We ended up going with one of the groups hawking taxis outside that probably weren't official and charged us 450,000 IDR (~27 USD) to get to the city center. However, we avoided the long taxi lines by overpaying. At that time of night, it was worth it just to get to a bed faster.

Pro Tip: Use Grab, Gojek, or Bluebird to book your taxi from the airport. It only cost around 200,000 IDR (~13 USD) on Grab to get back to the airport from central Jakarta. 

Jakarta Airport Train

If you don't arrive in Jakarta in the middle of the night, you might consider taking the Jakarta Airport Train or Railink to get you to the center city. Taking the airport train, you can avoid the heavy Jakarta traffic. Here's an article which explains how to take the Jakarta airport train to the center city. 

Private Car from Jakarta Airport

Alternatively, you could book a private airport transfer and save yourself the hassle of thinking about any of this transportation nonsense.

Checking in at The St. Regis Jakarta

We arrived at The St. Regis Jakarta - around 1:00 am. Since it was so late, we basically passed out as soon as we got to our spacious and lovely room. 

Day 1 in Jakarta

Our first day in Jakarta, we were eager to see the main sights. Since it was Saturday, many of the areas we visited were crowded and traffic was still terrible. We managed to see the things we wanted to see, but it just took longer than we expected to do it.

Merdeka Square

Located in the center of Jakarta, Merdeka Square (Independence Square) is a large green, park that covers almost an entire square kilometer. At the heart of this trapezoid park is the 132-m tall National Monument (also known as Monas). 

Completed in 1975 and opened by Suharto, the Monas is made from Italian marble and topped with a flame sculpture covered in gold leaf. 

Although you can walk around the monument for free, you'll have to pay a small fee to visit the museum underneath the base or to take the lift to the top. 

Monas Observation Deck

Visiting the observation deck at the Monas is a popular activity, especially with locals. From the top, you'll have lovely (depending on the smog) views of the surrounding city. Unfortunately, tickets for the top were sold out by the time we arrived at the Monas.

Pro Tip: If you book a Jakarta Day Tour, an entry ticket for the Monas Observation Deck may be included in the price of the tour. 

Monas Museum

Despite tickets for the top being sold out, we were able to the small history museum under the Monas. The museum gives an overview of Indonesia's history through a series of dioramas around the sides. Meanwhile, the center of the room seems to be a popular place for families to come hang out on weekends so it gets crowded. 

Central Jakarta Museums and More 

While in Merdeka Square, you may wish to visit some of the other museums and sights nearby. Unfortunately, we missed them but did get a glimpse of the impressive Istiqlal Mosque on our last day in Java as we drove by it on our way to the airport.

Kota Tua / Batavia

After exploring Central Jakarta, we headed south towards Jakarta Old Town, known as Kota Tua or Jakarta Kota. This neighborhood is the historic downtown of Jakarta, or Batavia, as it was formerly known. 

Pro Tip: If you're going from Central Jakarta to Kota Tua, take public transportation! Traffic is awful in Kota Tua and we spent a very long time sitting in gridlock. The number 1 bus on the west side of Merdeka Square runs straight north to Kota Tua and has a separate bus lane to pass by the traffic.

Fatahillah Square

Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah), a cobblestone square surrounded by Dutch colonial buildings, is the heart of Kota Tua. On weekends, it's a bustling, lively gathering place for families and friends to hang out. 

Museums in Kota Tua

Around Fatahillah Square, you'll find many museums you can visit, or just admire the historic buildings from the outside like we did. If visiting museums interests you, however, you may want to check out a couple of them. 

Batavia Cafe

As with everyone that comes to Kota Tua, we stopped at Batavia Cafe, one of the oldest restaurants in Indonesia in a beautiful Dutch colonial building. 

In this historic setting, we enjoyed a cup of coffee while enjoying the ambiance. The question "smoking or non-smoking" when we walked in took me aback. I haven't heard that one in years!

New Batavia Cafe

Before our coffee, we actually had lunch at New Batavia Cafe. The food was tasty and a bit cheaper than Batavia Cafe. A friend of ours told us he always gets food poisoning when he eats at Batavia Cafe. Given the number of diners who go to Batavia Cafe, it's probably fine. With how sensitive my stomach is, I wasn't risking it.

Krukut River

After lunch, we strolled along the Krukut River admiring the historic buildings, some of which look like they've seen better days. In this area (and in Yogya), haunted houses seem to be quite popular which we found a bit strange.

Glodok

Another interesting neighborhood just north of Kota Tua is Glodok - Jakarta's historic Chinatown. This area is home to many people of Chinese descent and is a lively shopping district. It's also known as the electronics trading center in Jakarta.

We ended up driving through (sitting in traffic on) the narrow streets of Glodok and Petak Sembilan Market, a produce and street food market in Glodok. As a result, we decided we didn't need to walk through this area. If you have time, it's worth a stroll though, especially if you like chaotic market environments.

Riding the Bus in Jakarta

Trying to return to our hotel from Kota Tua was a challenge. We initially tried calling a Grab again (because we just don't learn). But the wait was ~20 minutes and it would have ended up being longer due to traffic.

Instead, we figured out the bus ticket system, with help from a man working on the platform. First, we had to go buy water to get enough small bills for the ticket machine. Once we bought a ticket, we boarded the bus near Jakarta Kota station. 

Riding the bus was great. In many places, there are separate lanes for buses. Since the bus drove on the road that was closed to cars, we went through the section which our Grab had to detour around (landing us in gridlock) on the way to Kota Tua.

Dinner at Kaum

For dinner, we headed to Kaum Jakarta, an authentic Indonesia restaurant highlighting a variety of ethnic dishes from across the country. They also serve delicious cocktails.

The flagship restaurant, Potato Head, was open in Hong Kong for several years and we loved it. Since it closed, we had to visit this location in Jakarta and it did not disappoint.

Day 2 in Jakarta

Our goal in packing so much into our first day in Jakarta was so that we could relax a bit on our second day. As a result, we did not do a lot. You could fit much more sightseeing into the day, if you wanted to, or return to some of the museums from the previous day.

Wander around Cikini

In the morning, we took a Grab taxi over to the Cikini neighborhood in the Menteng District. This historic area also has several old colonial buildings and is a quieter neighborhood to walk around and admire the architecture. 

Historic School Building

One building that stood out to us is this junior high school is called SMP Negeri 1 Jakarta. Built in 1909 by the former Dutch East Indies' government, it was the first school for indigenous people in Batavia and was originally called Eerste School D. 

Ismail Marzuki Park 

Along our walk, we stopped in Ismail Marzuki Park (Taman Ismail Marzuki), an arts, cultural, and science center and park named after one of Indonesia's most famous composers. The grounds are peaceful and contain several facilities including a library, art theaters, cinemas, and murals adorn various structures.

Bakoel Koffie

Our last stop was a coffee at Bakoel Koffie. It turned out to be one of the best coffees we had in Java and we bought a small bag of beans to take home with us.

Lunch at Mie Aceh Jakarta

For lunch, we headed back to The St. Regis and walked down the road to a small shop called Mie Aceh Jakarta. The Mie Aceh Goreng, a stir-fried noodle dish, was delicious and one of the best (and cheapest!) meals of the trip.

Setiabudi

After lunch, we strolled around the Setiabudi neighborhood near our hotel. It's a low key neighborhood with some massive houses, plus we found a mural wall. 

Afternoon Relaxation at The St. Regis

One of the main reasons we booked The St. Regis was for its swimming pool and garden area. We were shocked to be the only guests there on a Sunday afternoon but enjoyed having the place to ourselves. 

Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a massage at the spa before heading to dinner.

Dinner at SEMAJA

For dinner, we hopped in a taxi to SEMAJA, an Indonesian restaurant using local ingredients and traditional recipes, but putting a modern spin on them. All the dishes we had were amazing but the beef cheeks and lamb nasi goreng really stood out.

Departing Jakarta

On our third morning, we had an early start to catch our train to Yogyakarta in Central Java - the next stop on our Java adventure. 

Getting to Gambir Station

We took a Grab taxi to Gambir Station and allowed plenty of time to get there given the traffic. Turns out, we were headed against rush hour traffic so it didn't take as long as we'd thought it would and we arrived an hour early.

It only took a few minutes to check-in at the KAI ticket counter to get our boarding passes. Then, we killed some time buying snacks and hanging out until it was time to board the train.

Pro Tip: If you're planning to store your luggage for a couple of hours at Gambir Station, be aware that you may not be able to unless you have an Indonesian credit card. In July 2024, they did not accept foreign credit cards or cash at the luggage locker facility in Gambir Station. Hopefully they'll adjust this in the future!