Bus Travel in Indonesia
In Indonesia one of the most best road transport to use to get around is by bus. There are frequent buses serving various places from within city and intercity. If it is a holiday here, then the buses are quickly filled up so make sure you buy in advance during your travel.
There are various classes for buses – luxury bus, express bus and economy bus.
| Personally I think that you should just spend a little more and go for an air-conditioned bus (be it express or luxury) as it is definitely much more value for money and not to mention more kind to your personal health and state of mind. The economy bus not only stops in lots of places, it is most likely to get stuck in various jams from other road transports and due to detours as well. It is also almost always packed with smokers that do not hesitate to fill your entire bus with smokes, and this would reach its pinnacle of killing everyone when it rains and all windows and doors are shut. |
Bus in Indonesia
Economy Bus
It usually runs between towns and pick up passengers on the road side, therefore be prepared to have frequent stops and have your bus journey taking forever to reach destination. It can always be hot and cramp.
Express Bus
Also known as patas, this bus officially do not stop to pick up road-side passengers and go all the way straight to destination. There are air-conditioned express bus that are more comfortable. You should be able to get a seat for these bus in most major city.
Luxury Bus
This bus is air-conditioned and the most comfortable on the lot. It can vary though depending on price categories, having different facilities like reclining seats, movie or snacks. These buses should be booked in advance either via travel agents or yourself and you can choose your seats. There are also luxury overnight buses for longer distance travel and could be a good option to save time and even save on hotel for budget or time-tight travelers!
Inside the Bus in Indonesia
Safety
Generally it is alright to travel with buses in Indonesia but even wherever you are, general common sense applies. Try to carry as little amount of items as possible and always keep an eye on your belongings. There are also lack of baggage space in economy buses so you might want to get luxury buses if you have big luggage.
Costs
Economy bus costs vary from region to region with range of 50,000 Rp to 80,000 Rp while luxury bus costs range from 150,000 Rp to 200,000 Rp.
Bemo (Minibus)
Bemo in Indonesia
Bus departing from Jakarta
Kalidera – to west of Jakarta
Kampung Rambutan – to south and southwest of Jakarta
Pulo Gadung – to central and east of Java, Sumatra and Bali
Lebak balus – long distance buses to Yogayakarta, Surabaya and Bali
More bus information
Indonesia InterCity Bus List
Bus between Java and Bali
Other Transports Information:
Train Travel in Indonesia
Air Travel in Indonesia
Pelni Boat Travel in Indonesia
Best International Budget Airlines to Indonesia
Photo credits from top: basibanget, mattjlc and pwbaker
Hi Rachel,
Is there any way to book buses tickets online?
Cheers,
Ash
at the moment I don’t think so
Hi, Rachel & Aishwarya Sirohi.
Thank you for your info. I just want to tell you, now you can buying a ticket bus online; bustiket.com or damri. the price is cheap and available bus tickets to various destinations in Indonesia.
Regards,
Lunna
Hello there,
Just few info, I’m planning to cross from malacca to dumai by ferry, and reach Jakarta by land, do you know the name of some luxury bus company that I can take? I love travel with local bus but i don’t have so much time, thanks :)
Hi Simon, well the road is definitely long from Dumai to Jakarta but I guess you are looking for an adventure. You can get yourself over to Pekanbaru and then take the Pekanbaru-Jakarta bus from companies like Lorena or SAN which has AC, reclining seat and toilet. Here is the address and phone number for the bus companies – Lorena: Jl. Tuanku Tambusai No.294 Pekan Baru, 0761-65766 or SAN: Jl. Garuda Sakti KM 1 no. 14 Panam, Pekanbaru, 0761-7075448, 0761-7075447
Oh yes, adventure adventure don’t care I’m ready :) thanks to reply
have fun! stay safe :)
Hi Rachel, I want to see some of the Indonesian Islands by myself. Do you know if there’s a website with the schedules of departing ferry’s, where they leave and how much it will cost (appr.)? Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I want to see some of the Indonesian Islands by myself. Do you know if there’s a website with the schedules of departing ferry’s, where they leave and how much it will cost (appr.)? Thanks!
Hi Rachel I m lonely traveler too. Just came back from Indonesia. I used various ways of traveling. From Malaysia I went to Surabaya. I visited Malang a beautiful place I recommend. I move to Yogjakarta by train. There I visited Borobudur and finally to Jakarta. Just came back to Malaysia.
ah hope you had enjoyed yourself :) I agree that Malang is beautiful
please inform me about i want to go purwodadi to bali by bus can you please suggest me any online booking site or travel agents