Asia > Indonesia > Jakarta (CGK)
The Car or no Car advice for Jakarta can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Jakarta ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Jakarta ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Jakarta?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Jakarta is one of the world’s largest megacities, and visitors often arrive asking a surprisingly simple question: should you rent a car in Jakarta? Given the scale, traffic, and rapid changes to transport infrastructure, the answer is far more nuanced than it first appears.
Jakarta without a car 🚇🚶♂️
For most visitors, Jakarta works best without a rental car. Traffic congestion is extreme, unpredictable, and often overwhelming for first-time drivers. Distances are long, junctions are complex, and local driving styles take time to adjust to.
That said, Jakarta’s public transport has improved dramatically. The MRT, LRT, and commuter rail (KRL) now form a growing backbone across the city. These systems are modern, air-conditioned, and reliable. They connect key business districts, shopping areas, and residential zones far more efficiently than driving at peak times.
Buses also play a major role. The TransJakarta Bus Rapid Transit system is one of the largest in the world, using dedicated lanes that bypass congestion. For many journeys, buses are faster than cars.
Walking works in limited areas, especially around newer districts and shopping malls, but Jakarta is not a classic walking city due to heat, scale, and fragmented pavements.
Taxis, ride-hailing, and airport access 🚖
Instead of renting a car, most visitors rely on Grab or Gojek. These services are cheap, plentiful, and far less stressful than self-driving. They work especially well for short trips or evening travel.
Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is connected by a fast airport rail link, which avoids traffic entirely and delivers you straight into the city.
When a car might make sense 🚗
A rental car only starts to make sense if you are travelling outside Jakarta, for example towards West Java, Bandung, or coastal areas. Even then, many travellers prefer trains or a car with a driver.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Jakarta?
For the city itself, no. Jakarta’s rail, bus, and ride-hailing options are far more practical than driving. A car only becomes useful if Jakarta is a starting point for longer regional trips.
