Indonesia is open to international tourism
Indonesia (including the resort island of Bali) welcomes all foreign tourists, recently abolishing nearly all travel restrictions to enter the country. There is a no-quarantine and no tests pre- and post-arrival for fully vaccinated international travelers. Visa-on-arrival (VoA) has been resumed on 28th April 2022 for passport holders from 60 countries. Citizens of nine ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) are eligible for visa exemption.
When entering Indonesia, you must show a copy of a return ticket or ticket continuing the journey to another country.
Foreign passengers are allowed to transit through Indonesian airports as long as they remain airside, have proof of their vaccination status and onward flight tickets.
Arriving in Jakarta
- If you are flying to Jakarta from abroad, you will most likely land at its main international airport — Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
CGK, located about 20 km (12.5 miles) west of the city center of Jakarta. The driving time from the airport to the city center can vary greatly depending on traffic conditions, but it typically takes around 30-60 minutes. There are many hotels located near the airport, primarily in the Tangerang area - some of them offer shuttle services to and from the airport.
The second Jakarta airport - Halim Perdanakusuma International AirportHLP- is located approximately 10 km (6 miles) southeast of the city center. HLP is a relatively small airport compared to CGK, and it primarily serves domestic flights; currently, only Citilink provides scheduled flights to and from HLP airport. - Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, FlyNas, VietJet Air, and Scoot. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Jakarta
CGK and Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport HLP. CGK is the main airport serving Jakarta, and is located about 20 km (12 miles) northwest of the city center in the Tangerang Regency. HLP is closer to the city center (about 15 km / 9 miles) and it serves only domestic flights.
What is the best time to book flights to Jakarta?
The best time to book flights to Jakarta is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Jakarta flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Jakarta flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Jakarta, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Jakarta using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Jakarta less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in Indonesia), and check the best time to fly to Jakarta. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Join ATC
A useful way to find discounted airfare is to sign up for a deal newsletter such as Air Traveler Club. The ATC team is constantly looking for price drops on popular routes, and we share them with our members free of charge.
Destination Bali? Consider flying to Jakarta or Singapore first
Depending on your departure airport, you may find flight prices to Jakarta and Singapore much lower than airfare directly to Bali’s Denpasar. Jakarta to Bali is just a 2 hours flight, and if you switch to a local budget airline (AirAsia, Citilink, Batik Air), it shouldn’t cost you more than $50 – $80. You can find similar flight deals from Singapore to Bali with local carriers such as Scoot, Jetstar, and AirAsia (~ $100 – $150).
The cheapest time to fly to Jakarta
The cheapest time to fly to Bali is from October to April (excluding dates around Christmas and New Year).
Being a tropical country, Indonesia has just two seasons – the dry season and the wet (rainy) season. Weather patterns vary across the country, with the rainy season in Bali typically running from October to April. It is the low tourist season when Bali experiences humid and rainy weather and fewer visitors. However, the rains are usually short and sharp, come in the late afternoon or evening, and are interspersed with sunny days with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees. It makes it a lovely time to be on the Island of Gods, and the travelers who brave the downpours are rewarded with the cheapest flights, low hotel rates, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Another good option for cheap flights to Bali is from April to June – it is the spring/summer shoulder season that comes just before the high season. The island isn’t yet packed with tourists, and flight prices can be 30-50% cheaper than in the peak months from July to September.
Don’t book tours or activities in advance
For most Bali tourist destinations, anything you see online will be more expensive than what you pay at your local travel agent. So do research online, choose your itinerary, then wait till you arrive and you can negotiate a much lower price in person.
Flight sales and promotions to Jakarta
Flight promotions, ticket sales, student discounts, and airline promo codes are your best bet for saving on airfares to Jakarta. These special offers can save hundreds of dollars or give you free travel perks like seat upgrades or extra checked baggage.
OTAs miss out on most sales
Airlines flying to Jakarta often use sales and promotions as key marketing tools to attract and retain customers while boosting seat occupancy. However, when you search for airfares on popular OTA websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner, you won’t find these heavily discounted tickets there. Airlines often reserve the most aggressive or enticing promotions for their own direct sales channels — primarily their websites.
How to find Jakarta promotions?
To take advantage of promotional flights to Jakarta — including special codes, vouchers, student discounts, and even flights discounted by up to 50% — your best strategy is to check airline websites consistently. You can also follow their social media channels and subscribe to newsletters from leading carriers.
The catch
That being said, finding truly valuable promotions can be tricky, as the uncomfortable details are often hidden in the fine print. Many sales are limited to unpopular routes, with inconvenient layovers or blackout dates. Some promotions come with strings attached or conditions that are difficult to match.
Top promotions from 100+ airlines
That’s where our team steps in. We do all the heavy lifting for you, keeping track of all ongoing sales and promotions from more than 100 airlines! We vet each sale, discount, or promotion and ensure that only quality offers with authentic value make it onto our final list.
Jakarta flight promotions can often be found among our list of best airline discounts — emailed weekly to 110,000 Air Traveler Club subscribers.
Flights to Jakarta from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Jakarta. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Jakarta, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop.
- Jakarta is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Jakarta with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Jakarta from the US and Canada are: American Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air Japan Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
Best aircraft for long-haul flights to Jakarta
For long-haul flights, the aircraft type can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board — especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, USB charging ports, WiFi connectivity, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin.
When booking a flight to Jakarta, it’s worth spending a few minutes researching the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. Look for airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as:
- Airbus A350. Best choice. Known for its advanced air filtration and higher cabin pressure, which enhance overall passenger well-being. Operated by Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
- Airbus A380. Offers unparalleled spaciousness and amenities like onboard lounges and shower spas in premium classes. Used by non-US airlines such as Emirates, Qantas, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
- Boeing 767. Often features a 2-3-2 seating configuration in economy, reducing the number of middle seats. The largest operators are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and ANA.
- Boeing 777. Renowned for its wide cabin, it offers a sense of spaciousness and often includes advanced in-flight entertainment options. Used by American Airlines, United Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, and Air France.
- 787 Dreamliner. Celebrated for its larger windows and dynamic lighting, designed to help regulate passengers’ circadian rhythms and reduce jet lag. Operated by Air Canada, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
Don’t use currency exchange kiosks at the airport
Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Indonesian airports are no exception. Exchange kiosks at the Denpasar Airport in Bali usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Indonesian rupiah at home.
Flying on Indonesian public holidays is expensive
Big holidays and events such as Chinese New Year (February), Ramadan and Idul Fitri (May), and Idul Adha (July) will undoubtedly affect your trip to Bali – adjust your travel dates to avoid expensive tickets. As many Indonesians choose Bali as their holiday destination, airfares and accommodation prices are rising, and transportation may be limited.
Prices also skyrocket during such national holidays as Hari Merdeka (31 August), Wesak Day (10 May), and Hari Raya Puasa (May). Last but not least, try to avoid school holidays in May, June and December.
Please note that on Nyepi Day (Balinese New Year, and the day of complete silence) Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar is totally closed – no planes land or take off for 24 hours (starting at 6 am). Also, all hotels in Bali do not accept check-ins or check-outs throughout that day.
Flights to Jakarta from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Jakarta — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Currently, only Garuda Indonesia and Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) are offering direct flights from Europe to Jakarta. Both airlines operates a few non-stop flights a week from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
AMSto Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta airportCGK. These direct flights cover the route in about 14-16 hours at the cost of around $600-$800 if booked early. If you are looking for the shortest journeys, consider airlines that operate flights from Europe to Jakarta with only one stop Singapore Airlines (from Frankfurt via Singapore), Malaysia Airlines (from Amsterdam or Frankfurt via Kuala Lumpur), Thai Airways (from Brussels or Frankfurt via Bangkok) or Cathay Pacific (from Amsterdam via Hong Kong) - Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Jakarta include Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Garuda Indonesia, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Jakarta from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
- These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Jakarta: London
LHRand ManchesterMANin the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRAand MunichMUCin Germany, ParisCDGand NiceNCEin France, AmsterdamAMSin the Netherlands, MadridMADand BarcelonaBCNin Spain, RomeFCOand MilanoMXPin Italy, BrusselsBRUin Belgium, CopenhagenOSLin Denmark, OsloOSLin Norway, StockholmARNin Sweden, ZurichZRHin Switzerland, LisbonLISin Portugal, ViennaVIEin Austria, WarsawWAWin Poland, PraguePRGin the Czech Republic, and DublinDUBin Ireland.
Jakarta flight deals. How to book the best fares?
Our go-to solution for finding and booking the best deals to Jakarta is Google Flights. Whenever we send SuperDeals to 110,000 members of Air Traveler Club, we include links to Google Flights so each deal can be secured immediately.
Google Flights’ powerful engine simplifies deal hunting. It searches and compares flight prices available from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Opodo, or eDreams. However, it doesn’t sell flights directly to travelers—instead, it passes users on to the airline or OTA to book directly with them.
How to know if the Jakarta deal we sent you is actually saving you money? One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar underneath the booking options. This bar provides a visual representation of the price compared to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline)—indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher. If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”), don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly — 40% to 80% — cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you see that your flight has the marker within the orange zone (“price is typical”) or in the red zone (“price is higher”), it means that the deal has already ‘expired’. Airfare deals often ‘expire’ because airlines frequently move cheaper flights further away from the departure date. This is when the Google Flights Price Graph tool comes in handy:
Using this tool, you can experiment with various dates and trip lengths. This perfect deal to Jakarta may still be available — but for different date combinations.
Last-minute flights to Jakarta. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Jakarta almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Jakarta is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Looking for the best deals for Jakarta? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Jakarta from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Jakarta, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Jakarta, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.
The same goes for long-haul flights to Jakarta from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!
Domestic flights from Jakarta
Most domestic routes in Indonesia are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Surabaya, Makassar, Medan, Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Lombok from Jakarta Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia, Lion Air, Batik Air, Citilink, NAM Air, Sriwijaya Air, Super Air Jet, Susi Air, TransNusa, Trigana Air, and Wings Air.
This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Indonesian destinations.
Flights to Jakarta from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Jakarta. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Jakarta. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. - Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Jakarta, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney
SYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, QueenstownZQN, and DunedinDUD. - For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Jakarta via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Jakarta are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, FlyNas, VietJet Air, and Scoot.
For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Jakarta, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.
Booking group flights to Jakarta
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Jakarta can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Jakarta and can help with logistics and scheduling.
Flights to Jakarta from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Jakarta look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Jakarta will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Indonesia and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
- Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Jakarta — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Indonesia to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Indonesia and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Jakarta, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
