Asia > 🇮🇩Indonesia
Should You Hire a Car in Indonesia? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Indonesia (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Indonesia - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by Chat GPT, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end.
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Batam | BTH | |
| Denpasar | DPS | |
| Jakarta | CGK | |
| Lombok | LOP | |
| Nusantara | BPNn | |
| Palau | PLW | |
| Surabaya | SUB |
Should You Rent a Car in Indonesia? 🚗🌋
Indonesia is a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands, known for its volcanoes, rainforests, temples, beaches, and unique cultures. Transport varies dramatically from island to island, which is why many travellers ask: should you rent a car in Indonesia? The answer depends entirely on which island you’re visiting and how confident you are navigating local roads and traffic conditions.
Indonesia is not a one-size-fits-all destination. While renting a car in Bali might offer freedom to explore beaches and rice terraces, driving in Jakarta is best avoided due to heavy congestion. Meanwhile, on islands like Java and Sumatra, trains and drivers-for-hire are often better options than self-driving.
🚶 When You Don’t Need a Car
Some parts of Indonesia are easier and more enjoyable to explore without hiring your own vehicle.
| Location / Region | Why a Car Isn’t Needed | Best Transport Option |
|---|---|---|
| Jakarta | Extreme traffic congestion | Taxi, ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) |
| Yogyakarta (Java) | Excellent train links to temples | Guided tour or driver-for-hire |
| Gili Islands | No cars allowed | Bicycle or horse cart |
| Komodo Islands | Boat-based excursions | Liveaboard or tour boat |
➡ Ideal for travellers who prefer guided experiences or plan to stay in one area.
🚗 When Renting a Car Is a Great Option
On certain islands, having a car offers independence and access to areas not well-served by public transport.
| Island / Region | Why Renting Helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | Access hidden beaches, temples, rice terraces | Most visitors hire a car with driver |
| Lombok | Scenic coastal driving, waterfalls | Roads are quieter than Bali |
| Sumatra | Remote national parks and lakes | 4×4 sometimes required |
| Flores | Access to volcano trails and villages | Self-drive possible but challenging |
In most cases, travellers hire a car with a driver, as local knowledge is essential and prices are affordable.
🚦 Driving in Indonesia – What to Expect
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You drive on the left-hand side
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Traffic can be chaotic, especially in urban areas
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Road quality varies: highways in Java are excellent, but rural island roads may be steep or unpaved
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Scooters and motorbikes dominate the road network
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Navigation can be difficult without local knowledge
Car Rental Options
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Major airports (Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan) offer international and local car rental companies
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Most tourists choose a car with private driver
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Self-drive is possible but requires an International Driving Permit (IDP)
🚕 Alternatives to Renting a Car
| Transport Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scooter rental | Solo travellers in Bali or Lombok | Most popular local option |
| Driver with car | Full-day excursions | Affordable and stress-free |
| Train (Java) | Long-distance travel | Comfortable and scenic |
| Domestic flights | Inter-island travel | Essential due to long distances |
| Ferries & speedboats | Island hopping | Frequent services between major islands |
🧭 Conclusion
Renting a car in Indonesia can be incredibly useful in places like Bali, Lombok, and Flores, where scenic drives and rural attractions are spread out. However, in major cities such as Jakarta or on islands where cars aren’t practical, it’s better to rely on drivers, tours, scooters, or public transport. The best choice depends on which island you’re visiting and whether you value independence and exploration or convenience and local guidance.
Should You Hire a Car in 🇮🇩 — or Not? Advice on this page has been written using Chat GPT, backed up by 20 years experience in the travel industry. This site is planned for full launch on 1st January 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow. UN flag is a placeholder
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