Getting to Indonesia: Air, Sea, and Land Travel Options
Before planning your trip to Indonesia, it’s essential to understand the transportation options available by air, sea, and land. The easiest and most popular way to reach Indonesia is by air, with various international airports serving as gateways to the country. However, travelers can also arrive by ferry from neighboring countries or cross land borders shared with Malaysia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea.
1. Getting to Indonesia by Air
The primary entry points for international travelers are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) near Jakarta and Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali. Both have undergone significant expansions and now feature modern, convenient facilities for travelers. Other major airports serving international flights include:
- Juanda International Airport (SUB) in Surabaya, East Java
- Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) in Makassar, South Sulawesi
- Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan, North Sumatra
- West Java International Airport (KJT) in Majalengka, close to Bandung
Travel from the Americas to Indonesia generally takes around 20 hours with a layover in East Asia, Europe, or the Middle East. Meanwhile, flights from Europe to Indonesia typically take under 20 hours, with direct flights available from cities like Amsterdam, London, and Istanbul. Australia is relatively close, with flights to Bali or Jakarta taking only 4–7 hours. There are also several direct flights from Middle Eastern cities and shorter flights from Malaysian cities to Indonesian border cities, such as Pontianak to Kuching and Tarakan to Tawau.
Garuda Indonesia, the national airline, provides flights to numerous international destinations, including Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and select cities in Europe like Amsterdam and London. Other major international airlines serving Indonesia include AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Jetstar Airways. These airlines make it convenient for travelers worldwide to reach various parts of Indonesia.
2. Arriving by Sea or Ferry
For those traveling from neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Indonesia can be reached by ferry. Key entry points by sea include Batam Island and Bintan Island in Riau Islands Province, both of which are close to Singapore and serve as major ferry hubs. Frequent ferries operate from Singapore to Batam and Bintan, as well as from Malaysia’s Johor Bahru to several Indonesian ports, including Dumai and Pekanbaru in Riau Province.
Indonesia also welcomes cruise ships and yachts at designated ports such as Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Belawan (Medan), Makassar, and Tanjung Benoa (Bali). To ease entry for cruise passengers, Indonesia has simplified customs, immigration, quarantine, and port authority (CIQP) procedures and waived the cabotage rule, allowing cruises to disembark passengers at multiple Indonesian ports.
3. Entering by Land
Indonesia shares land borders with three countries: Timor Leste on Timor Island, Malaysia in Borneo, and Papua New Guinea in Papua. The main border crossings are:
- Mota’ain Border Post near Atambua for travelers from Timor Leste
- Entikong and Aruk Border Posts in West Kalimantan for entry from Malaysia’s Sarawak
- Skouw Border Post near Jayapura in Papua for crossings from Papua New Guinea
These land borders are primarily used for regional travel, and travelers crossing these borders should be aware of specific immigration and visa requirements.
Important Travel Documents for Entry
When planning your journey to Indonesia, ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including a valid passport and, if required, an Indonesia visa. Indonesia offers various visa options depending on your nationality and travel purpose, including Visa on Arrival (VOA) and e-visa for eligible countries. Familiarize yourself with Indonesia’s entry requirements and customs regulations to avoid any travel disruptions.
Need Assistance with Travel Planning?
If you need help choosing the best way to get to Indonesia, feel free to contact Indonesia Impression. We can guide you through the options to ensure a smooth and enjoyable start to your Indonesia adventure.
Indonesia Top Destinations
Hundreds of tours and holidays in Indonesia
Indonesia is a vast archipelago nation consisting of thousands of islands stretching across the Indian Ocean to the eastern edge of the Asian continental plate and the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. This archipelago geography dictates the ebb and flow of life in Indonesia and contributes to its astounding natural and cultural diversity.
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