Jakarta on a Shoestring

Traveling to Jakarta can be cheap and adventurous, if you know how to do it. Generally, you can save money and get a true sense of the city by “going native” and hanging out with the locals. This means eating the local food where locals eat it, traveling in the same way locals travel, and going to the same places locals might go for entertainment.

Jakarta is a cheap place in many respects. Many Jakartans survive on a monthly wage that would seem ridiculous to any Westerner. So, traveling to Jakarta on a shoestring is all possible. However, if you stick with the tourist crowds and hang around in upmarket places, then invariably you will have to spend more money.

Budget travel to Jakarta does not necessarily mean independent travel, though. In some instances, a package tour may yield a more pleasant and less expensive holiday then an independently arranged trip. Tour operators frequently receive deep discounts from hotels and airlines as well as provide more efficient means of transportation within Jakarta. On the flipside, it does not provide the flexibility of an independent tour. Depending on your situations, a “hybrid” trip that provides a defined package tour but allows extra time to do independent sightseeing may be a better option.

If you want to enjoy Jakarta without breaking the bank, here are some of the tips:

Off-season

Peak season in Jakarta–and Indonesia in general– is from June to August when it’s summer in the northern hemisphere. Avoid the crowds, travel in the spring (March – May) or the fall (September – November). Not only will you have fewer people to elbow out of the way but also you will get the most bang for your buck, as many hotels and airlines will be offering a discount. But be aware of the local holidays, especially the long holiday at the end of Ramadan when most banks, shops and businesses close. The date for the holiday change every year because it is based on the Hijri lunar calendar, check it out before planning your trip. Another peak season in Jakarta starts just before Christmas and ends after New Years, due to the holidays in Australia and ASEAN countries. During the time, hotels are also packed with locals who want to celebrate the new year’s eve in the capital city.

Airfare

For many, the most expensive part of a budget holiday to Jakarta will be airfare. Plan in advance, the earlier you book a flight to Jakarta, the better the fare will usually be. Visit discount websites like  Zuji (a subsidiary of Priceline.com that specializes in Asia travel) or Travelocity to see if there are better deals. While these sites might charge you a service fee, they can easily combine flight segments from different airlines to give you a great deal. Change days,times and airlines, be patient and don’t give up until you get the best deal.

Budget hotels

Jakarta has many budget hotel chains: Ibis, Mercure, Formule 1 (all are part of AccorHotels) where you can find a room for 25 to 50 dollars a night. So there is no need to stay in a pricey hotel that you will not be spending much time in anyway. There are also a plethora of independent budget hotels, hostels and guest houses.

Many people who visit Jakarta independently on a very tight budget (”the backpackers”) stay in one of the cheap guest houses on Jalan Jaksa. It’s right in the heart of downtown Jakarta, close to historical places like  museums,  the National Monument and Gambir central railway station. An added advantage to staying in the ever-popular Jalan Jaksa area is that you get to hang out with other backpackers and travelers from around the world.

Food

Restaurant dining in Jakarta is certainly no more expensive than in most other world capitals and is often better value for money. Wherever you travel, restaurants in popular tourist areas will always cost more. Follow the locals and you will generally find both lower prices and more authentic Indonesian cuisine.

Dining at five star hotels is typically the most expensive way to eat in Jakarta, although you can expect consistently good food there. Budget dining can be enjoyed at more casual establishments such as food courts in shopping malls and chain fastfood restaurants. The cheapest way to eat is of course at makeshift, street-side food stalls, where a plate of nasi goreng costs no more than Rp10.000,-. But hygiene can be a concern there.

Taking such items as bottled water, soft drinks and snacks from your hotel’s mini fridge can also cost you an arm and a leg. So, buy them at supermarkets where they are much less expensive.

Transportation

Avoid taxis and use public transportation. Taxis are the laziest way to get around the city, but they are not the most economical one. Consider transjakarta buses or regular buses, they are much cheaper. Consider trains for a trip to Bandung, Bogor and other neighboring cities.

Shopping

Good quality garments and footwear can be dirt cheap in Jakarta. As a matter of fact, many well-known brands have their merchandise produced in Indonesia. If you are into garments, make a point to visit Pasar Tanah Abang and Mangga Dua. They are the biggest and liveliest shopping areas in the city, with thousands of tiny stalls inside. Be prepared to sweat for your bargains.

If you need to pick up a few souvenirs for the family back home, then head for Jalan Surabaya where prices are best. Be sure to have your bargaining boots on, too. As a rule of thumb, offer 50% of the asking price and then you’ll probably both agree to meet somewhere in the middle. You may also find better quality goods at reasonable prices at Pasar Seni, Ancol.