Unless you are Wisnu and happen to have the mighty Garuda at your disposal (its modern version can be a Lear Jet or a Gulfstream), chances are you will need the service of airlines to reach Jakarta from your hometown. But don't worry; Jakarta is an international gateway for Indonesia. Practically all international airlines stop in Jakarta.

From within Indonesia, there are several airlines that serve the domestic markets: Garuda, Merpati, and Bouraq. If you prefer the romance of the ocean, passenger ships connect several cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta. From Medan, for example, you can take the Kambuna; it stops in Jakarta on its way to Surabaya and to Ujung Pandang.

Or if you prefer to reach Jakarta by land, you can easily do it from Sumatera or from Java and Bali. From Medan, North Sumatera, for example, you can take either ALS, Liberty, or other buses, and it'll take you about three days to reach Jakarta. On the road, you will see a lot of Sumatera. Similarly with Java; you can take a Lorena or Karina bus to travel to Jakarta from Bali, from Surabaya, and from many other cities in Java. From some cities in Java, you can travel to Jakarta by train. You can take the Parahyangan from/to Bandung, the Bima from/to Surabaya, and the Senja from/to Yogyakarta, and all the cities in between.

Getting around Jakarta

Taxis
Jakarta taxis are more colorful than the bright yellow cabs of Manhattan; they come in such a great variety and can become a source of confusion. You'll be surprised with all colorful taxis swarming in this city? There are regular taxis and also exclusive ones for those who seek convenience. The stylish and elegant taxis are usually black sedans with 3000 CC engine. This exclusive taxi doesn't look much like a taxi. Take this taxi and have a very smooth ride.Overslept guaranteed!

Limousine
If your standard of luxury equals to Holywood movie stars, a limousine service is ready for you. The limos feature a range of standard and luxury cars. They are the latest models of Japanese and European luxury cars. Stretch limousines are also available with or without driver. If you have no objection to splurging money, this is the best means of transportation you can use.

Or for the adventurous among you, there is always public transportation like:

Buses
Buses are the primary means of public transportation in Jakarta. Big Mercedes Benzes span the metropolitan Jakarta, taking you from one main hub to another way across town, while spewing toxic through their tail pipes. On some, the PATAS, you would actually be able to enjoy the comfort of air-condition and a high probability of getting a seat. On the regular DAMRI, consider yourself lucky if you can get a seat. When you do, remember to get up and inch towards the exit amidst the sea of people at least 5 minutes before your stop. Fare does not depend on distance.

Metro Mini
If you think that this is a smaller version of whatever nice image you have concocted in your head when you hear the word "Metro", think again. These bright orange beasts roam the streets of Jakarta. Warning: if you are 5'11'' or taller, there is exactly one seat in the bus where you can sit - back row, middle seat, facing the isle - and there is no chance for you to be able to stand up straight.

Despite all of these, they are quite effective in getting you from point A to point B, and, whether you like it or not, in getting you to know the warmth of Jakarta and its people along the way as you rub shoulders, backs, and step on other people's toes or getting stepped on.

Mikrolet
An even smaller version of public transport. Not as romantic as the bemo of Bali, it is typically a modified van that can carry up to 10-12 passengers. Mikrolet can take you to the remotest corners of Jakarta.

Ojek
The last one in the chain is probably Ojek. Ojeks usually park in front of small alleys (gang) that can have thousands of residencies inside. There is no chance for a taxi or a car to get into these alleys, and the distance maybe to far to walk it. So, Ojek - a motorcycle complete with its driver for hire - comes to the rescue..

Becak
Becaks (or trikshaw) used to be ubiquitous in Jakarta. They are basically bicycle with an attached 2-passanger carriage attached in front of it (or on its side if you are in Medan). Several years back, becaks are banned from the city, and they now have become home to various kinds of fish up north by the Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands). Oh, the romance of sitting together in a becak with your loved one, maybe with a slight drizzle, is no doubt part of the memory of lots of the thirty-something people of Jakarta. What is left now is a variant of becak called Bajaj, a Vespa (think of it as a fat-bottomed motorcycle, if you don't know what a Vespa is) derivative with an attached carriage. Their obnoxious bright orange color, and distinctive, ear piercing rattle, will accompany you along your ride in the constantly vibrating vehicle.

So, how would a well-seasoned traveler or a native use the public transport system in Jakarta? Quite romantic, really. Say you start from around Istana Negara, the Presidential Palace, and you want to go way down south to Cinere and beyond. You can take a comfortable, air-conditioned PATAS bus to blok M, hop into a Metro Mini (number 69 if I'm not mistaken) to take you to Pondok Labu, continue with a Mikrolet to Cinere, and for the last hop of your trip, say you are visiting a friend somewhere in the various housing complexes around the area, an Ojek (I wonder if the name is really a derivative of "Oh, Jack" - the kind of reaction that should not be uncommon when you ride these motorcycles on barely-paved roads) will complete your trip. Total time? Two hours would not be too stretching if you count the transfer time. But hey, we are talking romance, not efficiency, right?

Getting away

Despite all the excitement of Jakarta, pretty soon you might have to leave it - maybe just for a short trip to Bogor or to Bandung. You can also catch a train to Semarang,Yogya, Surabya or any other city in Java. To Bogor, you can use the Pakuan and to Bandung, you can take the Argo Gede or the Parahyangan. The Parahyangan, an old reliable train to Bandung, is an old favorite of mine (they have a newer and faster one running right now). Four hours, just perfect to recoil and recap from all your hectic pace in Jakarta, and enjoy the green scenery along the route, sometimes over deep ravines and gorges. Maybe because I tend to travel during hungry hours, I also find the Parahyangan's "Nasi Goreng Telor Mata Sapi" (Fried rice with a sunny-side up) combined with iced-tea to be such a delicious experience. Give it a try...!

To get away from Java completely, be it north to Sumatera or Kalimantan, or east to Bali, Sulawesi, or even as far as Irian. Within Java, or even as far as Sumatera or Bali, you can easily hop on to a bus. Bus rides to Sumatera can be very comfortable. Island hopping is best done by airplane. Garuda, Merpati, and Bouraq are the four major domestic carriers. Garuda serves the primary cities (and international destinations) as well as Merpati and Bouraq have their own niche. If you want to fly direct from Bandung to Denpasar, for example, you have to use Merpati. Using Garuda, you must have a stop over either in Jakarta or in Surabaya.

Choosing a means of transportation in Jakarta is sometimes quite confusing; just like playing chess. I have done my first move by explaining all means of transportation in Jakarta. Now, what is your move? Experiencing my story yourself?!