Getting to Indonesia

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Indonesia Travel

Though the devastation of the 2004 tsunami and recent threats of terrorism have deterred some visitors, Indonesia remains a bastion of beauty: the wildlife of Australia and Asia come together on these island chains, making for some of the world’s most distinctive species. Indonesian culture combines aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and animism to form a people steeped in unique traditions. Learn about this country of volcanoes, tropical rainforests, Komodo dragons and spices, and plan a trip using the Web.

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Indonesia Travel Basics

Indonesia is the longest archipelago in the world, and its islands could stretch from Oregon to ... read more »

Indonesia Travel Requirements

As with a trip to any country, it is important to perform a bit of research into history, culture ... read more »

Getting to Indonesia

Indonesia is on the other side of the world for those in the United States, and flights to the country require some stops. There are airports on the major islands but chances are you’ll fly into Java. If you’re in Southeast Asia, there are also ferries that could take you there. This section provides links about traveling to the Indonesian islands by plane and boat.

Dulcinea's Insight

There are more than 60 airports in Indonesia, but Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) receives the most flights. Tourist capital Bali also sees heavy traffic.

Indonesian airlines do not have the best track record, so consider avoiding flying with them. In 2007, an Adam Air flight vanished and a Garuda flight crashed. Later that year, the EU banned all Indonesian airlines from entering the country, according to the BBC. Additionally, a March, 2007 audit by Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry found that none of the country’s 20 major passenger and cargo airlines completely met national safety regulations, reported the travel blog World Hum.

Indonesia’s three mainland crossings are at Entikong, Motoain and the road from Jayapura or Sentani to Vanimo. Visa requirements are not particularly strict, according to Lonely Planet. Ferries and speedboats from Malaysia are alternative modes of transport into the country.

For additional Web sites, advice and insider tips to help you find and book a flight, consult the findingDulcinea Travel Web Guide.

Dulcinea's Picks

For general information …

The Weather Channel has a concise overview of getting to Indonesia by air, car, bus and rail. Find need-to-know entry information, like where to find international border crossings and how long you can stay under a temporary tourist visa.

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For flight searches …

Kayak consolidates flight information and fares from hundreds of individual airlines and online travel agents (like CheapTickets and Orbitz). Enter your flight preferences to get a list of possibilities. To learn exactly which airlines and agents Kayak covers, visit the "Providers" page.

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Orbitz has a clean look, simple navigation, and offers solid prices on flights. Orbitz is particularly great if you have flexible travel dates. Use the FlexSearch feature to find the best rates on weekend flights, within 30 days, or within just a few days of your chosen departure and arrival dates. Then, compare your options by using the price grid, and book your flight through Orbitz.

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For boat travel …

AsiaRooms.com has a good summary on how to get to Indonesia by boat. Learn about the most popular ferries, and find a list of the major routes from Singapore and the primary connections from the Malaysian peninsula.

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The Langkawi Ferry has a service connecting Penang, Thailand and Medan, Indonesia. The ferry leaves at 9 a.m. and the trip takes approximately six hours. The site advises you to check in about an hour before departure. Make reservations and find more information on the Web site.

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