About Jakarta
Jakarta, officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, with administrative status equivalent to a province. It lies on the northwestern coast of Java, bordering West Java and Banten and facing the Java Sea. Jakarta covers about 664 square kilometres and had 11 million registered residents in 2025. Its urban area extends well beyond the provincial boundary into the wider Jakarta metropolitan area, which had a population of nearly 42 million in 2025 according to the United Nations.
Places to visit in Jakarta
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National Monument
LandmarkA tall obelisk topped with a gold-covered flame, standing in the center of Merdeka Square. Ride the elevator to the observation deck for city views, and get there early since tickets for the top sell out.
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Kota Tua
NeighborhoodThe old Dutch colonial quarter around Fatahillah Square, lined with historic buildings and museums. Rent one of the colorful bicycles on the square to explore, and visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.
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Istiqlal Mosque
ReligiousThe largest mosque in Southeast Asia, built after independence as a national symbol. Free guided tours are offered to visitors outside prayer times, and modest clothing is required at the entrance.
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Jakarta Cathedral
ReligiousA neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral directly across the street from Istiqlal Mosque. Visit both together, and stop by the small museum on the cathedral's upper floor to learn about Catholic history in Indonesia.
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Jakarta History Museum
Museum · 3 mi from centreA museum in the former Dutch city hall on Fatahillah Square, covering the history of Batavia and Jakarta. Look for the old dungeons below the building, and combine it with a walk through Kota Tua.
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National Museum of Indonesia
MuseumThe country's main museum of archaeology and ethnography, known locally for the elephant statue outside. Its large collection of Hindu-Buddhist statues is a good introduction before traveling elsewhere in Indonesia.
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Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Entertainment · 10 mi from centreA large cultural park showcasing traditional houses and crafts from each Indonesian province. It is spread out, so use the cable car or rent a bike, and plan at least half a day.
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Ancol Dreamland
Entertainment · 4 mi from centreA big seaside recreation area on Jakarta Bay with a theme park, aquarium, beaches and restaurants. Weekends get very busy with local families, so go on a weekday if you can.
Things to do in Jakarta by type
15 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 9 experiences Highlights of Jakarta - Private Full-Day Tour -
Transport & Rentals 3 experiences Full Day Bandung Private Car Rental -
Art & culture 2 experiences Jakarta China Town and Fatahila Square - Half-Day Private Tour
- 3-6 hours 2
- Over 6 hours 2
- 1-3 hours 1
- Private 10
- Shore excursions 2
Top experiences in Jakarta
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 15 available.
The Antiques Time Travelers - Private Full-Day Tour
From $70 per adult
Highlights of Jakarta - Private Full-Day Tour
From $78 per adult
Visit to Bandung in West Java - Private Full-Day Tour
From $124 per adult
Indonesia in Miniature - Private Full-Day Tour
From $70 per adult
Jakarta Old Batavia - Private Half-Day Tour
From $70 per adult
Full Day Bogor Puncak Private Car Rental and Sightseeing from Jakarta
From $74 per adult
Jakarta by night - Private Half-Day Tour
From $87 per adult
Visit to the countryside: The Breeze of Bogor - Private Full-Day Tour
From $134 per adult
Half Day Jakarta - Private Car Rental and Sightseeing
From $64 per adult
Full Day Bandung Private Car Rental
From $89 per adult
Sapphire Lounge in T3 International Departure - Ticket
From $47 per adult
Jakarta China Town and Fatahila Square - Half-Day Private Tour
From $78 per adult
Where to stay in Jakarta
Popular hotels in Jakarta, out of 1,643 properties you can book.
BW Kemayoran Hotel and Convention
From $25 per night
Brits Hotel Puri Indah
From $28 per night
Quest Prime Cikarang by ASTON
From $34 per night
favehotel Hasyim Ashari - Tangerang
From $27 per night
Aston Pluit Hotel & Residence
From $46 per night
Aston Imperial Bekasi Hotel & Conference Center
From $77 per night
Aston Kemayoran City Hotel
From $43 per night
Aston Priority Simatupang & Conference Center
From $99 per night
favehotel Margonda
From $39 per night
favehotel LTC Glodok
From $26 per night
favehotel Pluit Junction
From $27 per night
favehotel Melawai
From $43 per night
Best time to visit Jakarta
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Jakarta is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–90°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Jakarta weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 91° 81° 71%
- Thu 22 Oct 89° 80° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 89° 78° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 88° 74° 96%
- Sun 25 Oct 86° 77° 84%
- Mon 26 Oct 86° 77° 84%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR)1 US dollar ≈ Rp18,055
- Language
- Indonesian
- Calling code
- +62
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/JakartaUTC+7
Upcoming public holidays in Indonesia
- Christmas DayHari Raya Natal
- New Year's DayTahun Baru Masehi
- Good FridayWafat Isa Almasih
- Easter SundayPaskah
- Labour DayHari Buruh Internasional
- Ascension DayKenaikan Isa Almasih
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Jakarta
These are the airports closest to central Jakarta. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HLP Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport8 mi (12 km) from the city centre
- CGK Soekarno Hatta International Airport12 mi (20 km) from the city centre
Getting around Jakarta
Getting around Jakarta can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, the heat and chaotic streets make walking long distances impractical, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.
Fares
Jakarta's public transport network features integrated ticketing. This means you only need to use one payment method to travel on all trains and buses. Fares range from Rp2,000 to Rp20,000 depending on mode and distance.
KAI Commuter
KAI Commuter.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] (colloquially called KRL Commuterline) connects the city centre with the suburbs and satellite cities, namely Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bogor, South Tangerang, and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. It's worth trying as it is much faster than most motor vehicles on the road, but the late arrival of trains (usually by 10 to 15 minutes) might be bothersome.
Jakarta MRT
Jakarta MRT connects Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta with Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta. It follows the main business street of MH Thamrin, continuing south along the mixed-use areas of South Jakarta before ending near the southern city limits in Lebak Bulus. It primarily links a number of business centres in the city, as well as being pedestrian-accessible to several malls. It's less convenient to access other parts of the city, and passes through few tourist attractions.
Jakarta travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Jakarta?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Jakarta is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–90°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
What is the weather like in Jakarta?
October is usually the warmest month in Jakarta, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 76°F (24°C). The wettest month is typically January, with about 342 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Jakarta?
Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (12 km) from the centre of Jakarta. Other nearby airports include Soekarno Hatta International Airport (CGK, 12 mi).
What currency is used in Jakarta?
Jakarta uses the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ Rp18,055.
What time zone is Jakarta in?
Jakarta uses the Asia/Jakarta time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Jakarta?
Getting around Jakarta can be a challenge: traffic slows to a crawl for most of the day, the heat and chaotic streets make walking long distances impractical, and the public transport system has not kept up with the city's explosive growth.
What are the best places to visit in Jakarta?
Top sights in Jakarta include National Monument, Kota Tua, Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral. A tall obelisk topped with a gold-covered flame, standing in the center of Merdeka Square. Ride the elevator to the observation deck for city views, and get there early since tickets for the top sell out.
What are the top things to do in Jakarta?
Popular experiences you can book in Jakarta include The Antiques Time Travelers - Private Full-Day Tour, Highlights of Jakarta - Private Full-Day Tour and Visit to Bandung in West Java - Private Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 15 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Jakarta?
The most popular types of experiences in Jakarta are city tours (9), transport & rentals (3), art & culture (2) and travel services (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Jakarta?
Popular areas for hotels in Jakarta include Central Jakarta, West Jakarta and Cikarang. Well-reviewed options include BW Kemayoran Hotel and Convention and Brits Hotel Puri Indah .
How many hotels can I book in Jakarta?
Destina Holidays currently lists 1,643 properties in and around Jakarta, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
