Planning Indonesia transport with kids: a family travel guide can feel intimidating, but with the right planning, domestic flights, ferries in Indonesia, and Grab Indonesia can be safe, efficient and surprisingly kid‑friendly. This Homejourney guide walks you through practical, step‑by‑step advice so your family can move confidently around Indonesia, while also understanding how Singapore fits in if you are exploring regional travel or property investment.
This cluster article supports Homejourney’s broader pillar content on international travel, lifestyle and Asia property decisions, giving you tactical transport tips you can apply immediately, whether you are a Singapore family heading to Bali for the school holidays or an expat investor combining Jakarta meetings with a Singapore property viewing.
Why Indonesia with Kids Pairs Well with Singapore
For families based in Singapore, Indonesia is often the first overseas trip with children: short flight times, familiar food, and a wide range of family‑friendly resorts. From Changi Airport, non‑stop flights to Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Lombok typically take 2–3 hours, making them manageable even with toddlers.
Many Singapore families combine a beach break in Indonesia with a stopover in Singapore for school holiday camps, medical appointments, or property viewings. Homejourney supports this flow by helping you compare neighbourhoods, schools and commute options around key MRT lines when you are back home in Singapore, using tools like Property Search and Projects Directory .
Key Indonesia Transport Options with Kids (Quick Overview)
When travelling around Indonesia as a family, you will most likely use four main modes of transport:
- Domestic flights – for long distances between islands (e.g. Jakarta–Bali, Bali–Lombok, Jakarta–Yogyakarta).
- Ferry Indonesia routes – for short‑to‑medium hops between nearby islands (e.g. Bali–Nusa Penida, Bali–Lombok, Batam/Bintan–Singapore).
- Grab Indonesia and taxis – for city and resort transfers, often the most convenient with kids.
- Private drivers / hotel transfers – best when travelling with young children, strollers or lots of luggage.
The sections below break down what parents need to know for each of these, based on first‑hand experience travelling from Singapore with kids as well as local safety practices.
Domestic Flights in Indonesia with Kids
Because Indonesia is spread over thousands of islands, domestic flights are often the fastest and safest way to get around with children. From Singapore, you will usually enter Indonesia via Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS), or Batam (BTH), then connect onward.
Choosing Family‑Friendly Domestic Airlines
For families, prioritise airlines with good on‑time records, newer fleets and clear safety reputations. In practice, that often means:
- Full‑service carriers for longer routes (e.g. Jakarta–Sorong for Raja Ampat) if you want checked baggage and meal included.
- Reputable low‑cost carriers for popular leisure routes like Jakarta–Denpasar (Bali) or Surabaya–Lombok.
Practical tips from a Singapore‑based parent:
- Where possible, pick morning flights. In the tropics, thunderstorms often build later in the day, and morning departures tend to be more punctual.
- Allow at least 3 hours between an Indonesia domestic flight and your Singapore connection at Changi when flying home – this gives buffer for delays and immigration queues.
- If travelling with a baby, ask the airline at booking about infant bassinet rows on larger jets, and bring your own baby carrier for boarding.
Safety and Seat Selection with Kids
To maximise safety and comfort:
- Book assigned seats in the same row in advance; Indonesia domestic flights can be very full during school holidays.
- Aisle seats near the wing are usually slightly less bumpy and closer to toilets – helpful with small children.
- If your child uses a certified car seat on board, check the airline’s latest policy before booking; rules can change and may differ by aircraft type.
From a Singapore perspective, note that Changi Airport’s family facilities (play areas, nursing rooms, water bottle refill stations) are far more extensive than most Indonesian airports. Feed kids, refill water (after security where allowed), and let them burn energy at Changi before boarding your Indonesia flight.
Ferry Indonesia: Boats and Fast Ferries with Kids
Ferry Indonesia services are essential for many family‑friendly spots, from Bintan resorts (popular with Singapore families) to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands. However, standards vary significantly between routes and operators, so it is important to choose carefully with kids.
Singapore–Indonesia Ferries (Batam & Bintan)
From Singapore’s Tanah Merah and HarbourFront ferry terminals, families often head to:
- Batam – for short resort stays or golf.
- Bintan – coastal resorts that are popular for quick weekend getaways.
Insider tips from frequent Singapore–Bintan trips with kids:
- Book earlier daytime sailings – seas are usually calmer, and immigration crowds smaller.
- Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before departure during long weekends and school holidays; lines at Singapore and Indonesia immigration can get long.
- Pack light blankets and snacks; while air‑conditioning is strong on most ferries, food options onboard can be limited.
Island‑Hopping Ferries in Indonesia
For routes like Bali–Nusa Penida or Bali–Lombok/Gili:
- Use well‑reviewed operators recommended by your hotel or a trusted agent.
- Consider your child’s seasickness – fast boats can be bumpy in certain months; pack motion sickness bands or medicine as advised by your doctor.
- For infants or very young children, a short domestic flight plus road transfer can be safer and more comfortable than a long, rough sea crossing.
If your long‑term plan includes buying a holiday home or investment property in Singapore, these regular ferry links to Indonesia can make it easy to combine beach weekends with time in Singapore. Homejourney’s Projects Directory helps you see which Singapore condo or landed projects are most convenient to ferry terminals and Changi Airport.
Using Grab Indonesia and Taxis Safely with Kids
Grab Indonesia is one of the most useful tools for families, especially if you are used to Grab or Gojek in Singapore. It lets you avoid price haggling and gives you driver details, route tracking and digital payment, which aligns with Homejourney’s focus on transparency and safety.
Best Practices for Grab Indonesia with Children
When using Grab Indonesia (or similar ride‑hailing apps) as a family:
- Choose GrabCar or larger vehicle options – they provide more space for car seats and luggage.
- Confirm seatbelt availability before pulling away. Many older cars may not have three‑point belts in the middle seat.
- For toddlers, bring a portable travel booster or compact car seat. These are easy to carry from Singapore and greatly improve safety.
- Stick to pick‑ups at hotels, malls and airports rather than roadside in unfamiliar areas, especially at night.
In big cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, heavy traffic means short distances can take 45–60 minutes in peak hours. Plan your day so kids are not stuck in long jams close to meal or nap times. From experience, leaving central Jakarta for the airport at least 3–4 hours before departure with kids is wise, even if the map shows a shorter travel time.
When to Use Hotel or Private Transfers Instead
There are situations where it is safer and less stressful to pre‑book private transfers rather than relying on Grab Indonesia:
- Late‑night arrivals with young children and lots of luggage.
- Routes where you need confirmed car seats or specific vehicle types (e.g. larger MPVs for multi‑family trips).
- Remote areas where ride‑hailing coverage is patchy.
