Public transport in Indonesia is cheap and chaotic. Knowing a few phrases turns survival into smooth sailing. Here’s your cheat sheet.
The Basics: Getting On & Off
- “Ini ke [place]?” – “Does this go to [place]?” (Ask before boarding!)
- “Berapa harganya?” – “How much?” (Essential for non-metered transport)
- “Turun di sini, pak/bu.” – “Let me off here, sir/madam.” (Say ‘pak’ to men, ‘bu’ to women)
Pro tip: In Jakarta’s TransJakarta buses, tap your card and say “Tolong” (“please”) when passing the attendant. Politeness goes far.
Angkot (Shared Minivans) Survival Kit
Angkots follow vague routes. Shout these to stop:
- “Kiri!” – “Left!” (Driver’s side)
- “Kanan!” – “Right!”
- “Stop!” (Yes, they use the English word)
Hand cash to other passengers – it’ll reach the driver. Say “Tolong passkan” (“Please pass this”).
Train & MRT Phrases
Tiket pulang-pergi
/ˈti.kɛt pu.laŋ pər.ɡi/“Round-trip ticket”
Buy this at stations to save money. Pronounce it right and avoid queues.
- “Kereta ke Bandung jam berapa?” – “What time’s the train to Bandung?”
- “Ini kelas ekonomi/bisnis?” – “Is this economy/business class?” (Boarding the wrong carriage is awkward)
Ojek (Motorbike Taxi) Haggling
Negotiate upfront. Use “Bisa kurang?” (“Can it be less?”). If they say “Nggak bisa”, walk away – another driver will appear.
Warning: Say “Pelan-pelan saja” (“Go slowly”) if your driver’s reckless. Your life > saving 10k IDR.
When Things Go Wrong
- “Saya tersesat.” – “I’m lost.”
- “Di mana halte terdekat?” – “Where’s the nearest stop?”
- “Tolong panggilkan taksi.” – “Please call a taxi.” (For when all else fails)
Need more travel phrases? Check our guide to Indonesian island-hopping.
