Things to do in Jakarta for 12 hours (In transit time)

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  mastablasta on 25/06/2012 - 08:26

  It's been a while since I've been there, but if you're looking for cheap fake stuff (and some genuine stuff), I believe Mangga Dua is the place to go.

  Also, give yourself lots of time with regards to transport - traffic is a nightmare over there.

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    mineallmine on 25/06/2012 - 09:54

    Ditto here, I used to live there 10 years ago and Mangga Dua used to be the place for electronics, DVDs etc at the time but I figure things have probably moved on (at one stage the trade discussions were on and they shut down all the pirate stuff).

    Depending what you are after if the clothes are made in Indonesia (eg Ralph Lauren stuff) the real McCoy can be cheap from proper stores but if you are after handbags etc. then pirate it is.

    Traffic is something to be VERY careful with. Even 10 years ago it could take 90 minutes to get to the airport and if there is a jam 2-3 hours may not be unexpected but then again this was 10 years ago times so now may be better but I suspect a lot worse :-(

    Not sure now but be aware this isn't Kansas Dorethy and keep your wits about you. Most Indonesians are lovely people but with all countries some are not (BTW just be aware your average Indonesian loves to be helpful and that sometimes they will give you directions even if they have no idea but if you have a car and driver you should be right).

    Have a great holiday :-)

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  cintamami on 25/06/2012 - 12:26

  Hopefully my comment could help….

  If you only have 12 hours (from leaving and coming back to airport for your connecting flight), the following info would be nice:

  1. What time will be arriving at Soekarno - Hatta?

  No need for daily driver, taxi should be pretty cheap with our currency. ONLY TAKE "BLUEBIRD GROUP" taxi.

  Assuming you arrive in the morning say 8-9 AM, take the taxi to Mangga Dua (Cheap clothing) or Glodok (Cheap electronic stuff, believed to be the largest electronic trading place in S.E.Asia).

  I can not recommend place to eat as people live in Jakarta has their own favourite place, etc… but those 2 places should have food courts or food stalls around the plaza.

  Just to be safe, I would allow 2-3 hours travelling time from the airport to Mangga Dua/Glodok each way (so that gives you 6 hours shopping window, or if you can time it well, you can go to both places in 6 hrs, 2.5 hrs in each place, I believe Glodok and Mangga dua are pretty close to each other), I heard traffic to the airport is a nightmare lately (have not been back home for a year and a half now).

  Both places, you need to bargain, not as hard as if you were in China but you can generally get it cheaper than the asking price. For electronics, Glodok is well known to be the cheapest, you probably cant bargain much, but you bargain for extras, like casings or bags perhaps.

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    mineallmine on 25/06/2012 - 15:20

    Would second that opinion about the cabs make sure it a Blue or Silver Bird (same chain but Silverbird are flashier cabs which cost a bit more).

    Also Bluebirds should be all blue if the signage says something like bluebird but it isn't blue its a fake (Cintamami could correct me here but this was a problem many years ago).

    Cintamami do you have to negotiate the fare before you get in? Have a vague recollection you did but is been 10 years so I don't remember now. Also will he need tip money and what is the appropriate denomination for Porters, cab drivers and all those people that insist on helping you with your luggage when you don't want them to? :-)

    You're lucky to get a local to give you current advice.

    BTW Glodok can be really cheap depending on the brands, I bought my old Hi-Fi there for about 40% off Australian Price. Thats just because Nakamichi was marketing at different price points in Australia to Indonesia while otherthings were actually more expensive so best to know what you want and what its worth in Australia before you go. Good luck shopping :-)

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      cintamami on 25/06/2012 - 16:58

      Bluebird group has many smaller groups with different color scheme, black (Silver Bird - more expensive, they use Mercedes C Class or Toyota Crown I think), green, but most notably blue.

      Just ensure that the taxi you are getting on has a big BLUE BIRD GROUP sticker on it somewhere.

      Blue bird taxis HAVE to use the meter, they are not allowed to pre-negotiate fares. They also cant refuse customer (some taxi driver refused customer and only pick the longer distance ones).

      If you use porters / any helpers, you generally do give them some convenient tip, Rp 10,000 - Rp 20,000 should be more than enough. But I suggest that you do not use any of those helps, just give them a firm NO and stash your luggage at the airport for a small change.

      The only warning is that traffic can be very very very very very very bad, so please do take them into consideration. Be careful of your wife when shes in Mangga Dua, my mom normally goes berserk.

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  easternculture on 26/06/2012 - 05:31

  ok, the plane touches down at 0825 and checkin closes at 2245 which means ill be out of the airport at around 0900 hrs and need to be back by 2200 at the most which gives me 13 hours.
  If i leave 6 hours for travel time then i have 7 hours to shop, right.