Getting to Indonesia

Before traveling to Indonesia, it is essential to research the available transportation options for air, sea, and land travel. Flying is the most convenient way to enter the country, with several international airports serving as primary entry points. The top five busiest airports in Indonesia include:
Soekarno Hatta International Airport (Tangerang, Banten)
Juanda International Airport (Sidoarjo, East Java)
I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, Bali)
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (Makassar, South Sulawesi) Kualanamu International Airport (Deli Serdang, North Sumatra) Additionally, travelers should carefully prepare their travel documentation. It is crucial to thoroughly understand the immigration policies and visa requirements for Indonesia from your home country to prevent potential complications during your trip.

1. By Air

International Air Travel to Indonesia

Entry Gateways:

  • Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta's outskirts)

  • Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali)

Both airports have been extensively modernized with state-of-the-art facilities. Additional international airports include:

  • Juanda Airport in Surabaya

  • Hasanudin Airport in Makassar

  • Kuala Namu Airport in Medan

  • West Java International Airport in Majalengka (recently established, 68 km from Bandung)

Flight Duration and Connectivity:

  • Americas to Indonesia: Approximately 20 hours, typically requiring transit in East Asia, Europe, or the Middle East

  • European Routes: Less than 20 hours

  • Direct Flights Available:

    • Amsterdam

    • London

    • Istanbul

  • Australia: Closest, with flights ranging 4-7 hours

Short Regional Connections:

  • Pontianak to Kuching

  • Tarakan to Tawau

  • Pekanbaru to Malacca

National Carrier and Airlines: Garuda Indonesia serves flights to:

  • Southeast Asian cities

  • East Asian destinations

  • Australian routes

  • Saudi Arabia

  • European cities (Amsterdam and London)

The airline has extensive code-sharing agreements through Sky Team, enhancing flight frequencies.

Other International Airlines Serving Indonesia:

  • AirAsia

  • Cathay Pacific Airways

  • China Airlines

  • Emirates

  • Eva Air

  • Firefly

  • Japan Airlines

  • KLM

  • Korean Air

  • Lion Air

  • Lufthansa

  • Malaysia Airlines

  • Qantas

  • Jetstar Airways

2. By Sea or Ferries

Maritime Transportation Connections in Indonesia

Sea Ferries and Connectivity Indonesia maintains extensive maritime connections with neighboring countries through ferry services. The primary ferry routes link Sumatra and Riau Islands Province with Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Batam and Bintan Islands serve as crucial entry points due to their proximity to Singapore and Malaysia.

Key Ferry Routes:

  1. Singapore Connections:

    • Frequent ferries connect Singapore to multiple ports in Batam

    • Daily services to Tanjung Pinang, Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi, and Tanjung Balai in Karimun Island

  2. Malaysia Connections:

    • Daily ferries departing from Johor Bahru and Port Klang near Kuala Lumpur

    • Destinations include Batam, Bintan, Tanjung Balai, Dumai, Pekanbaru, and Tanjung Balai Asahan

  3. Regional Connections:

    • Ferry services between Malaysia's Sabah state and East Kalimantan

    • Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) ships connecting General Santos and Davao in the Philippines with Bitung, North Sulawesi

    • Onward boat connections available to Jakarta and other Indonesian islands

Cruise Ship Infrastructure Indonesia supports cruise tourism through five primary ports:

  1. Tanjung Priok (North Jakarta)

  2. Tanjung Perak (Surabaya)

  3. Belawan (near Medan)

  4. Makassar

  5. Tanjung Benoa (Bali)

Cruise Operations:

  • 24 scheduled regular cruise ships from Singapore visit Java and Bali

  • Irregular cruise schedules explore Bali and Nusa Tenggara

Government Initiatives To facilitate maritime tourism, the Indonesian government has implemented several policies:

  • Waived cabotage restrictions for cruise ships

  • Simplified CIQP (customs, immigration, quarantine, and port authorities) procedures

  • Reduced sailing permit application time from one month to one day

Immigration and Travel Notes:

  • Immigration procedures can often be handled directly on cruise ships

  • For disembarking at specific locations, passengers may need to visit a local Immigration office

3. By Land

Land Border Crossings in Indonesia

Indonesia shares land borders with three neighboring countries, each offering unique border crossing points:

Timor Leste Border Crossings:

  • Located on Timor Island

  • Main border crossing is in Atambua town

  • Border posts include:

    1. Mota'ain (primary post)

    2. Matamauk

    3. Napan

Malaysian Border Crossings:

  • Located on Borneo Island

  • Connecting West Kalimantan Province with Malaysian states

  • Border posts include:

    1. Entikong: Regular buses between Kuching (Sarawak) and Pontianak (West Kalimantan)

    2. Aruk: Connects West Kalimantan to Sarawak

    3. Nanga Badau Sanggau: Links West Kalimantan and Sarawak

Papua New Guinea Border Crossing:

  • Located in Papua Province

  • Skouw Border Post in Muaratami District

  • Approximately 60 km from Jayapura (Papua Province capital)

Important Travel Tip: Always carry your travel documents to facilitate smooth entry into Indonesia. For personalized assistance in choosing the best entry method, contact us.