89

hotels in Indonesia

47

cities and destinations

70+

destinations worldwide

From Jakarta airport

The Skytrain links the terminals with the airport rail link, which runs to BNI City and Manggarai in central Jakarta. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take 45 minutes to over 90 minutes depending on traffic.



For early flights, stay at Swiss-Belhotel Airport Jakarta, near Soekarno-Hatta.

From Bali airport

Kuta and Tuban are 10 to 20 minutes from the airport, Seminyak about 30 minutes, and Ubud around 90 minutes. Use the official airport taxi counters or pre-book a hotel transfer.



Nearest hotels: Swiss-Belhotel Rainforest, Swiss-Belexpress Kuta and Swiss-Belcourt Sunset.

Yogyakarta and Surabaya

Yogyakarta International Airport is in Kulon Progo, about an hour from the city. The airport train connects it to Yogyakarta station.



Stay next to the terminal at Swiss-Belhotel Airport Yogyakarta, or near Juanda at Swiss-Belinn Airport Surabaya.

By ferry from Singapore

Ferries from Singapore’s HarbourFront and Tanah Merah terminals reach Batam in about an hour. Harbour Bay terminal is a short walk from Grand Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay and Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay.

Domestic flights

Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air group and Indonesia AirAsia link Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya with the rest of the archipelago. Fly to Labuan Bajo for Komodo, Sorong for Raja Ampat, Manado for Bunaken and Silangit or Medan for Lake Toba.

Ride-hailing apps

Gojek and Grab are the easiest way to book cars, motorbike taxis and food delivery in cities and in Bali. Prices are fixed in the app, and you can pay by card or in cash.

Getting around Jakarta

Use the MRT north–south line, the LRT, Transjakarta buses and the KRL Commuter Line to Bogor and Tangerang. Pay with a contactless e-money card or a JakLingko QR ticket. Allow extra time at rush hour, roughly 7–9 am and 5–8 pm.

Trains across Java

KAI intercity trains connect Jakarta, Bandung, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, Solo, Malang and Surabaya. The Whoosh high-speed train runs from Jakarta (Halim) to Bandung in under an hour. Book on the Access by KAI app.

Road trips on the Trans Java toll road

The toll road links Jakarta with Surabaya. Break the drive at our Swiss-Belexpress rest-area hotels at KM 164, KM 166, KM 260 and KM 379A. Traffic drives on the left, and you need an International Driving Permit. Most visitors hire a car with a driver.

Island hopping

Fast boats from Sanur reach Nusa Penida in about 45 minutes, near MĀUA Nusa Penida. Boats also run from Bali to the Gili Islands and Lombok. From Batam, boats go to Nirup Island for Riahi Villas. Check sea conditions in the wet season.

Safety and emergency numbers

Call 112 for all emergencies, 110 for police and 118 or 119 for an ambulance. Keep valuables in your room safe, use official taxis or apps at night, and swim only at beaches with lifeguards.

Etiquette and customs

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, and Bali is mainly Hindu. Dress modestly at mosques and temples, cover shoulders and knees, and wear a sarong and sash at Balinese temples. Take off your shoes before entering homes and places of worship.



Give and receive with your right hand, and don’t touch people’s heads. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in conservative areas during the day.

Food to try

Start with nasi goreng, rendang, sate and gado-gado. Look for regional dishes: babi guling and bebek betutu in Bali, gudeg in Yogyakarta, rawon in Surabaya, coto Makassar in Makassar, bika ambon in Medan and papeda in Papua.



Try Balinese cuisine at the Friday Balinese Vaganza Buffet at Kōwhai Restaurant, or Indonesian favourites at our Swiss-Café™ restaurants.

Shopping and souvenirs

Buy batik in Yogyakarta, Solo and Pekalongan, silver and woodcarving around Ubud, and Indonesian coffee from Toraja, Gayo and Kintamani. Bargain politely at markets, but not in malls or fixed-price shops.

Tipping

Tipping isn’t expected, but it is appreciated. Many bills already include a service charge. Rounding up for drivers, or IDR 20,000–50,000 for porters and guides, is a common thank-you.

Responsible travel

Refill water bottles at your hotel, use reef-safe sunscreen when snorkelling, and don’t buy coral, shells or wildlife products. Choose licensed guides for volcano treks and national parks.