Getting Around Indonesia: Flights, Ferries & Transport Guide | Homejourney

Indonesia transport can feel overwhelming at first glance – 17,000+ islands, dozens of airlines, ferries crossing in all directions, and everything from modern MRT-style systems to horse carts and becak (pedicabs). For Singapore-based travellers, expats, and investors, understanding how to move safely and efficiently around Indonesia is essential – both for planning holidays and for evaluating lifestyle or property investment opportunities across the region.

As a platform built around user safety and trust, Homejourney has created this deeply researched, practical guide to help you navigate Indonesia’s domestic flights, ferries, ride-hailing (including Grab Indonesia), trains, buses, and local transport with confidence. This is written from the perspective of a Singapore-based traveller who regularly flies to Jakarta, Bali, Batam and Surabaya, with real examples, typical prices, and safety-focused, on‑the‑ground insights.

1. Indonesia Transport Overview for Singapore Travellers
2. Getting from Singapore to Indonesia
3. Domestic Flights in Indonesia
4. Ferries & Boats in Indonesia
5. Intercity Trains, Buses & Private Drivers
6. City Transport: Grab Indonesia, Taxis & Local Options
7. Key Regions: Jakarta, Bali, Batam–Bintan & Beyond
8. Safety, Scams & Insurance: Travel the Homejourney Way
9. Typical Transport Costs: Quick Reference Tables
10. Linking Travel & Real Estate: Why Singapore Buyers Care
11. Practical Planning Tips for Singapore Travellers
12. FAQ: Getting Around Indonesia – Singapore Traveller Edition

1. Indonesia Transport Overview for Singapore Travellers

Indonesia’s transport network reflects its geography: planes for long distances, ferries between islands, and a mix of trains, buses, ride-hailing, and motorbikes on land.[6][7] For Singapore-based travellers used to the MRT and predictable public transport, Indonesia can feel more chaotic – but with planning, it is manageable and rewarding.

1.1 Why understanding Indonesia transport matters for Singapore-based users

If you live or invest in Singapore, Indonesia is effectively your backyard. It is common to:

Do weekend getaways to Batam, Bintan or Bali
Commute regularly for work between Singapore and Jakarta
Explore second-home or villa investment options in Bali, Batam, Lombok or emerging resort areas

In all these cases, your lifestyle depends heavily on how reliably you can move in and out of Indonesia’s key gateways – often via Changi Airport or Singapore’s ferry terminals. Homejourney helps you assess not only property options in Singapore via Property Search , but also the travel practicality of your favourite regional destinations, so you can compare real estate with a full picture of connectivity and ease of movement.

1.2 Best time to travel around Indonesia

Broadly, the best time to travel is the dry season from May to September, especially for ferries and smaller domestic airports where heavy rain can disrupt operations.[5] However, peak periods matter more for transport planning:

Eid / Lebaran (Idul Fitri): Massive domestic migration; flights, trains and buses sell out weeks ahead; traffic jams nationwide.[5][6]
Christmas & New Year: High demand on Bali, Jakarta and major tourist islands.
Singapore school holidays: Bali and Batam/Bintan see price spikes, especially from Changi and HarbourFront.

For critical connections (e.g. connecting to a Singapore–Europe flight), avoid same‑day tight transfers from small Indonesian islands. Homejourney recommends adding a buffer night in Jakarta, Bali or Batam when connecting to major long‑haul departures from Changi.

1.3 Currency, payments & exchange tips for transport

Indonesia uses the Rupiah (IDR). As of late 2025, 1 SGD typically buys around 11,000–12,000 IDR (check live rates before you book). Many transport payments – from Grab Indonesia rides to train tickets – are easiest with card or e‑wallet, but you still need cash for smaller ferries, local buses and warung (small eateries).

Change some IDR at Changi or in Singapore CBD before flying; rates are often better than at small island airports.
Use ATMs in major airports and malls in Jakarta, Bali or Batam; avoid standalone ATMs in very quiet areas.
For long‑term planning (e.g. property purchase), Homejourney supports multi‑currency browsing and comparisons so you can see Singapore property prices alongside your IDR income or assets seamlessly.Bank Rates

2. Getting from Singapore to Indonesia

From Singapore, your main gateways into Indonesia are:

By air: Changi to Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Surabaya, Medan, Balikpapan and others
By sea: Ferries from HarbourFront / Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Batam and Bintan[7]

2.1 Flights from Singapore to Indonesia

Changi Airport offers frequent direct flights to multiple Indonesian cities via full‑service and low‑cost carriers. Typical routes include Singapore–Jakarta, Singapore–Denpasar (Bali), Singapore–Surabaya, Singapore–Medan and more.[5][8]

From personal experience, the most popular patterns for Singapore residents are:

Morning business flights to Jakarta, returning same evening or next day.
Friday evening flights to Bali, returning Sunday or Monday.
Short hops to Batam or Bintan combined with ferry returns for weekend spa/golf trips.

Book early for public holidays; prices can double versus off‑peak. For long‑term investors basing themselves in Singapore, you can factor in flight frequency and competition (which influence pricing) when choosing where in Indonesia to spend the most time.

2.2 Ferries from Singapore to Indonesia

Frequent ferry services connect Singapore to nearby Indonesian islands like Batam and Bintan, operating from HarbourFront Centre and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.[7] Crossings typically take 45–75 minutes depending on route and operator.

Insider tips from regular commuters:

For Batam, morning ferries are less crowded than early afternoon returns to Singapore on Sundays.
Book ahead for long weekends; popular spa resorts in Batam/Bintan often bundle ferry tickets.
Arrive at the terminal at least 60–90 minutes before departure for immigration and security.

These quick ferries make Batam and Bintan viable for Singapore-based buyers considering a weekend‑use villa or apartment in Indonesia, while keeping their main residence or core investments in Singapore.

3. Domestic Flights in Indonesia

Given Indonesia’s vast distances – for example, Jakarta to Papua is thousands of kilometres – domestic flights are often the fastest and, surprisingly, sometimes the most cost‑effective way to get around.[1][3][4] For Singapore travellers landing in Jakarta or Bali, domestic flights are key to accessing secondary cities and island chains.

3.1 Key Indonesian airlines & safety considerations

Major domestic airlines include Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air and AirAsia Indonesia.[1][4][6] According to multiple travel guides, Garuda Indonesia is widely regarded as the most reliable and safety‑focused full‑service carrier.[1][6]

For risk‑aware travelers aligned with Homejourney’s safety-first approach:

Prefer Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air and Citilink where schedules and budget allow.[1][6]
Check luggage rules carefully for low‑cost carriers; cabin and checked baggage limits can be stricter than Singapore norms.[1]
Book direct on airline apps/websites or through trusted OTAs to reduce fraud risk.

3.2 Domestic flight routes that matter for Singapore travellers

Common patterns for Singapore-based users include:

Singapore → Jakarta → Yogyakarta / Surabaya (for heritage, business and manufacturing hubs)
Singapore → Denpasar (Bali) → Lombok / Labuan Bajo (Komodo) via short hops[1][5]
Singapore → Batam by ferry → domestic flights to other Sumatra or Kalimantan cities

Because domestic flights can be delayed – especially during storms or peak periods – Homejourney recommends a generous buffer (typically 3–4 hours minimum, ideally overnight) before any major long‑haul flight out of Singapore or Jakarta.

3.3 Booking strategies, prices & timing

Prices vary widely by route and season. As a rough guide, a one‑way domestic route like Jakarta–Bali can range from budget fares around SGD 50–80 off‑peak to more than SGD 150 in peak periods, depending on airline and advance booking (values derived from typical fare ranges reported in travel guides and OTAs, not fixed tariffs).

Booking tips:

Use price alerts for popular routes (Jakarta–Bali, Bali–Lombok).
Avoid very tight connections with ferries or long‑distance buses.
For early-morning flights, stay in a hotel near the airport – in Jakarta, that can easily save 90–120 minutes of rush‑hour traffic time.

4. Ferries & Boats in Indonesia

Boats and ferries are at the heart of Indonesia transport. With thousands of inhabited islands, ferries are essential both for locals and travelers.[1][2][3][5][6][7] They range from giant state‑run ships to small wooden boats linking tiny islands.

4.1 Main ferry operators & types

Key players and services include:

Pelni: State‑owned long‑distance ferries linking hundreds of coastal cities and major islands.[1][2][3][5][6]
ASDP Indonesia Ferry: State‑run car and passenger ferries on shorter, high‑frequency crossings (e.g. Sumatra–Java, Java–Bali).[6][7]
Private fast boats: Popular tourist routes (e.g. Bali–Lombok, Bali–Nusa Penida, Bali–Gili).[1][4][6]

4.2 Popular ferry routes for Singapore-based travelers

Besides the direct Singapore–Batam/Bintan ferries, common routes within Indonesia include:[1][3][4][6][7]

Java ↔ Bali (Ketapang–Gilimanuk) – busy, 24/7 vehicle ferries.[7]
Bali ↔ Lombok – combination of public ferries and fast boats.[4][6]
Bali ↔ Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan – short fast boat rides; popular day-trip destinations.[4]
Sumatra ↔ Java – frequent ferries across the Sunda Strait.[7]

4.3 Safety, comfort and booking tips for ferries

Travel guides consistently note that while ferries are cheap and atmospheric, schedules may change and delays can be common.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Homejourney-aligned safety practices:

Prioritise operators with clear safety briefings and visible lifejackets.
Avoid travelling in poor weather; monitor local advisories especially during monsoon months.[1]
For long or overnight Pelni routes, upgrade to a cabin if possible for security and comfort.[1][2][5][6]
Keep valuables in a small daypack you can keep on you at all times.

Ticketing:

Pelni tickets: buy at local Pelni offices a few days before departure or online where available; demand can exceed capacity on popular routes.[3][5][6]
Fast boats (e.g. Bali–Lombok): book online or via reputable agents; confirm whether hotel transfers are included.[4][6]

4.4 Featured snippet: Indonesia ferry options at a glance

Ferry Type	Typical Routes	Best For	Safety & Comfort Notes
Pelni long-distance ferries	Jakarta–Papua, major inter‑island routes[2][5][6]	Budget, slow travel, remote islands	Very cheap but slow; book early; consider cabin upgrade; expect crowds.[1][2][5][6]
ASDP car/passenger ferries	Sumatra–Java, Java–Bali, Bali–Lombok[6][7]	Short crossings with vehicles	Run frequently, including 24/7 on key straits; basic seating; delays possible.[6][7]
Fast boats (private)	Bali–Lombok, Bali–Gili, Bali–Nusa Penida[4][6]	Tourists, time‑saving	Faster but more exposed to sea conditions; choose reputable operators; seatbelts/lifejackets mandatory.

5. Intercity Trains, Buses & Private Drivers

Once you are on a major island like Java, Sumatra or Bali, you will likely use a combination of trains, buses and hired cars. Indonesia’s land transport has improved significantly but still varies by region.[5][6][7]