City break Jakarta

When is the best time to visit Jakarta?

The dry season from June to September is the ideal period: less rain, lower humidity and more pleasant conditions for city exploration. The best months are June, July and August. Jakarta has a tropical climate year-round at 28 to 33 degrees, but in the rainy season (October to April) heavy rain falls daily, sometimes causing floods in low-lying parts of the city.

Also avoid the Lebaran period (the feast after Ramadan, date varies each year): flights and hotels are much more expensive and the city partly empties. The weeks after are quiet and affordable. Book summer flights 8 to 12 weeks in advance as it coincides with Dutch summer holidays.

Best neighbourhoods in Jakarta

• Kota Tua (Old Batavia) The colonial heart from the VOC era around Fatahillah Square: the Jakarta History Museum, the Wayang Puppet Museum and colourful warehouse streets along the Kali Besar. The most photogenic part of Jakarta; go early morning for the best light.
• Menteng (Central Jakarta) A green residential quarter with broad colonial avenues and elegant townhouses. Contains Suropati Park and a concentration of good coffee bars and warung eateries. Quieter atmosphere than the rest of the city, ideal as a base for sightseeing.
• SCBD/Sudirman-Thamrin corridor The modern financial district with luxury shopping centres (Senayan City, Grand Indonesia), international five-star hotels, rooftop bars and the MRT line running beneath. Jakarta's most western feel in the evening.
• Kemang (South Jakarta) The trendy neighbourhood of expats and creative Jakartans: international restaurants, art galleries, concept stores and a buzzing brunch culture. Easily accessible by Grab or Gojek.
• Glodok (Chinatown, West Jakarta) Adjacent to Kota Tua: Southeast Asia's oldest and largest Chinatown with the Jin De Yuan Temple (Jakarta's oldest Chinese temple), herb markets, street food stalls and electronics bazaars. Raw and authentic.

Top attractions in Jakarta with real prices

• National Monument (Monas) The 132-metre obelisk with gilded flame is Jakarta's symbol. Park and museum: IDR 20,000 (approx. 1.20 euros). Observation deck at 115 metres: IDR 50,000 to 55,000 (approx. 3 euros) for foreigners. Daily 8:00-16:00, closed Monday. Go on a weekday early to avoid queues.
• Istiqlal Mosque Southeast Asia's largest mosque: capacity for 120,000 worshippers. Free entry for visitors outside prayer times. Required: covered legs and shoulders (headscarves available). Stands opposite Jakarta Cathedral as a symbol of religious tolerance.
• National Museum (Elephant Museum) One of Southeast Asia's most important museums: 145,000 artefacts including Hindu-Buddhist statues, gold jewellery and ceramics. Entry for foreigners: IDR 25,000 to 50,000 (approx. 1.50 to 3 euros). Tue-Sun 8:00-16:00.
• Ragunan Zoo One of Asia's largest zoos: 147 hectares, more than 4,000 animals including Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons and orang-utans. Entry: IDR 4,000 (approx. 0.25 euros). Accessible by Transjakarta bus. Go on a weekday for fewer crowds.
• Taman Mini Indonesia Indah A large outdoor park (150 hectares) with miniature replicas of traditional houses from all 34 Indonesian provinces, plus a cable car and IMAX cinema. Ideal for families. Entry: IDR 25,000 to 35,000 (approx. 1.50 to 2 euros).

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Jakarta

KLM flies 5 to 6 times a week direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) with the Boeing 787-9 in approximately 12 to 13 hours. Return ticket from approximately 800 euros outside school holidays (summer and December holidays push prices to 1,200 to 1,400 euros).

From Eindhoven, travel by train to Schiphol (approx. 1 hour 15) and fly on with KLM. Via routes via Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) can sometimes be cheaper but add 4 to 8 hours of travel time.

From Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK): the Damri bus (IDR 45,000, approx. 2.70 euros) runs to Gambir or Blok M in 60 to 90 minutes. A Bluebird taxi or Grab costs IDR 180,000 to 280,000 (approx. 11 to 17 euros). Within the city, use the MRT (IDR 3,000 to 14,000 per ride), Transjakarta BRT (IDR 3,500 per ride, day pass available) or Grab/Gojek for places off the metro line.

Food and street food in Jakarta

Jakarta is a culinary melting pot from Indonesia's 300 ethnic groups. Try Nasi Goreng (fried rice, IDR 20,000 to 35,000), Soto Betawi (rich coconut beef soup, typical for Batavia), Kerak Telor (glutinous rice omelette cooked over charcoal near the Monas park, IDR 20,000) and Rendang (spiced dry beef stew from West Sumatra).

Good spots: Warung (local eateries, IDR 15,000 to 35,000 per meal), Pasar Santa (food market in Blok M with young chefs), and the Glodok neighbourhood for dim sum and Chinese street food. A full dinner at a restaurant outside the centre costs approximately IDR 80,000 to 150,000 (5 to 9 euros) per person.

Insider tip: Pantjoran Tea House - free tea since 1910

Most travel guides send visitors past the famous attractions of Kota Tua, but the Pantjoran Tea House on Jalan Pantjoran is a hidden gem. For more than a century, since 1910 as a gesture of courtesy to Chinese merchants in the area, this teahouse has been offering free jasmine and oolong tea to every passer-by.

There are no conditions and nothing is obligatory: walk in, sit down and tea is served. Buy loose tea to take home if you wish. One of the quieter, most genuine experiences in Jakarta, without social media hype.