This guide describes how to get from the Jakarta airport (CGK) to the city center on various taxis.
The current transportation options include Blue Bird, black and Grab taxis, train and bus. For the Jakarta airport-city center I think the train is the overall best. Grab is the second best for destinations away from the train station.
(1) Blue Bird taxi
The cheapest of the official taxis which do not have to pre-ordered. Exit the terminal 3 (international if this is where you have cleared the immigration and claimed your luggage). Turn left and go to “Bay 3”. Cross the narrow through road and there will be a line of light blue taxis with the “Bluebird” sign on top.
Those are the official taxis with the registered meters running. At the airport you cannot fix the price in advance but rely on the meter. The electronic displays all trip details including trip duration, distance, charge, and driver’s name. The Blue Bird vehicles are cheapest official taxi chain.
In theory, you should assume that (1) the driver knows the way to your destination, (2) is taking the most convenient route and (3) you pay the meter price at the end of the ride.
Regrettably, that is only the theory. The CGK Blue Bird drivers are notorious in trying to squeeze some extra money on top of the displayed price. (1) Miraculously they never have change to give. (2) At the end of the trip they claim there is a special airport taxi parking fee of e.g., IDR 100,000 ($7). (3) There is a special luggage fee of e.g., IDR50,000 ($3.50) or IDR100,000 ($7).
A one-way ride to the Jakarta city center should cost around IDS200,000 ($13.30) and take approximately 50 minutes.
Unfortunately, none of these is true. In addition, some of them do not know the route when starting or stop on the way to ask while running the meter.
Once in the car, it is difficult to do much. They profess not to understand English (or another common tourist language). At the end of the trip you might discuss and negotiate. Or you can pay, take photos of the meter and the license plates and promise to make a written complaint. Sometime it makes wonders.
(2) Black taxi
Similar to the “black cars” in New York, except they are more aggressive in trying to convince you to ride with them. Many time unmetered or with an unreliable device. The sky is the limit for the price. Avoid.
(3) Grab
Grab is a car-sharing app similar to Uber or Lyft in the U.S., Yandex Go or Kareem.
Ordering a Grab is almost always cheaper than the Blue Bird taxi by 10-20%. Ordering is relatively straightforward, even though the Grab did not have many locations in Jakarta or Lombok.
(4) Train
Probably the overall best way to the Jakarta city center. A one-way ticket costs IDR70,000 ($4.70) and it takes 50 minutes to the main train station in Jakarta.
(5) Damri Bus
The cheapest way to the Jakarta city center. Damri buses are leaving from the Jakarta airport to Gambir train station, main station in Jakarta. The one-way ticket is IDR40,000 ($2.70).
Where to stay close to the Jakarta airport?
Travelers Home is 15 minutes away from the airport – perfect if arriving late and catching a flight the following morning. Spotlessly clean, modern, strong hot shower, Chandra and his son Patrick speak fluent English and are helpful and responsive. Highly recommended.
Where to go next?
If you are traveling to Lombok, the Tetebatu traditional village or Mt Rinjani (Lombok) Hike are excellent.
If Flores is your next destination, Komodo tour, Riung (Flores) or Bena Traditional Village (Flores) are highly recommended.
In the always lovely (but sometimes overcrowded) Bali, Body Cleansing Ceremony (Bali) will leave you refreshed and more positive and optimistic.
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