Cheap Flights to Jakarta

Discover Jakarta

Cheap Flights to Jakarta

Indonesia has Bali, Sulawesi, Java and so much more, islands that showcase the country's natural gifts at their finest. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, however, is different. A megapolis of 1 million, and bursting at its seams with cars, high-rises and industry, and rebuilding itself inside-out day and night, the city is the very archetype of the maddeningly busy Asian city that you've always read about. Yet, it is a city of remarkably friendly and kindhearted people, non-existent crime and pleasant surprises at every corner. It is one of the most intriguing cities of Asia, and a wonderful place to visit.

The essentials: coming to Jakarta

Since the country can get very warm in summer, it's best to go in April. The six months between April and October are usually the least likely to be disrupted by rain. You'll find the best flight and hotel prices on an efficient search engine like Skyscanner.

Those who hold a Canadian passport need no visa to enter Indonesia for tourism-related visits under 30 days.

Arriving at Jakarta's airport, you will find there are helpful information desks everywhere. If you need to catch a connecting flight at any point, you may need to move to a different terminal, for which the airport provides free shuttle buses. Immigration can be challenging; winding lines tend to be hundreds of people long. It can take two hours or longer to get to the head of any line. You may find officials offering to push people to the head of a line in exchange for a bribe; you may or may not be comfortable with the practice.

Jakarta airport has many modern facilities, free Wi-Fi, shopping and dining, luggage storage, disabled facilities and car rentals among them. When you're ready to go to the city, you can either take a shuttle bus at C$2 or a taxi at C$20. Traffic on the airport road tends to be heavy, and you should expect it to take between one and two hours, depending on the time of the day.

Taking in the best of Jakarta

Jakarta is a city of the night, a reputation easily borne out by the blaze of lights that turn night into day around the city. Experiencing the city's famed nightlife is one of the best ways to absorb its spirit -- from high-class nightclubs to seedy joints, there's something for everyone.

During the day, if you really want to see what the massive developments around Jakarta are turning the city into, you should head over to Merdeka Square, a finished sector of the city with luxurious buildings and promenades on display. For some of the most modern shopping anywhere in Asia, the pedestrian traffic-only expanse of Jl Thamrin Boulevard is your destination. It's a fine example of modern architecture for consumers that competes with anything in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai or Seoul.

The city is extraordinarily ethnically diverse, as well, with people coming in from every corner of this country of 17,000 islands. You should make a point to sample as many food stalls and restaurants. You'll never have imagined that there were so many ways to cook a fish or chicken.

The energy of Jakarta can be infectious and wonderful. It can take a while to acclimatize and to really begin enjoying yourself, however. It would make sense to give yourself a week in the city.