It is polite to call prior to visiting a local family. You will be offered drinks but toasting is uncommon. Remember that the good Muslim abstains from drinking alcohol.

The left hand is considered unclean. Use your right hand when eating, passing, receiving gifts, handing cash, and touching people. Avoid touching a person`s head. Indonesians consider it the centre of the soul.

Remove shoes at the entrance halls of mosques and temples. Some places require scarves and robes for their female visitors.

It is advisable to ask for permission if you plan to take photographs at places of worship.

At first, some customs may take you off guard. Indonesians are straightforward communicators. Don`t get perplexed by their attention. In most cases, people simply display their good intentions. Locals are extremely polite and will never criticize you openly. They would rather answer your question than appear uninformed. So, beware if you really need accurate information.

It is always polite to speak a couple of words in the local language. The Indonesians will be particularly delighted if you try to learn. Indonesia`s national language is called Bahia Indonesia. Most Indonesians speak both, their regional language and Bahia. Some common expressions are listed below.

Selma dating – Welcome

Kemble – You are welcome

Mad – Sorry

Yes – Yak

No – Tidal

Please – To long

Thank you – Terumi Kasich

Ape Akbar? – How are you?

Selma page – Good morning

Selma sang – Good day

Selma sore – Good afternoon

Selma madam – Good evening

Selma tidier – Good night

Selma making – Have a good meal!

Selma jalap – Goodbye

Premise – Excuse me

Name say… – My name is…

Karma – room

Karma Mandy – bathroom

kamar untuk seorang – single room

tempat tidur besar satu kamar – double room

Saya tersesat – I am lost

Saya sakit – I am ill

Bisa berbicara Bahasa Ingris di sini? – Do you speak English?

Saya tidak mengert – I don`t understand

If staying in a hotel, you may be offered a free airport transfer. A number of hotels include this service in your package. You can also opt for a DAMRI shuttle bus calling at Block M, Gambir, Pasar Minggu, and Rawamangun. Travel time is approximately one hour. Blue Bird and Silver Bird taxis are generally reliable. You are advised to avoid taxi drivers who bargain or refuse to use the meter.

By Boat / Ferry

Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) is the largest government-run shipping company. Pelni ships call in at most ports around the archipelago. It is best to call a Pelni office (contacts provided at: www.pelni.com) for details on routes and schedules. You can board on a Pelni ship at Palabuhan Satu, 13 kilometres away from the city centre.

The modern air-con passenger carriers have four cabin classes plus an economy class. First class offers cabins with two beds, second class has four beds per cabin, third and fourth classes have six and eight beds, respectively. Economy class is an outdoor accommodation. First and second class passengers can eat in quality restaurants. Third and forth class will offer you cafeteria meals, and economy class serves food from kiosks. If you travel economy, it is advisable to shop your food before you board.

In case of physical discomfort, you can drop in a clinic onboard.

By Train

Trains from the Gambir station, eastern side of Merdeka Square, depart to Bogor, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, and Surabaya. Call the Gambir booking office (3842777) for schedules and departure times. Schedules are also available at train stations.

Trains are by far the easiest although not always the most comfortable way out of Jakarta. Top-end trains, indicated by Argo, offer executive class air-con carriages and comfy reclining seats. Soft drink and snack are included in the fare. Express trains have executive and business class carriages. Business class provides fans and padded upright seats. Executive class offers spacious surroundings, air-con, reclining seats, and snacks. Seat reservation is possible weeks in advance. Commuter trains operate between 5 am and 10 pm. They are cheap, slow and overcrowded. Seats are uncomfortable and cannot be booked. Tickets are sold one hour before departure time.

By Bus

Java has a good intercity bus service. You can opt for public, economy, and deluxe coaches. Tickets are sold onboard. Tickets for luxury buses can be bought in advance at bus terminals. Note that the major bus terminals (Kalideres, Kampung Rambutan, Pulo Gadung, Lebak Bulus) are far off from the city centre. Situated in West Jakarta, Kalideres handles buses to the West coast. In East Jakarta, Kampung Rambutan operates coach services to West Java. Pulo Gagung has coaches running to Bali, East Java, and Sumatera. Lebak Bulus, in Southern Jakarta, is a departure gate for buses to Bali, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta.

By Car

Stay highly focused if you pick the driving option. The roads are populated by all sorts of vehicles, food cards, pedestrians and life stock. It is safer and cheaper to rent a car with a driver.