What is the cheapest way from Soekarno–Hatta Airport to central Jakarta?

The TransJakarta SH1 bus at a flat Rp 3,500 paid with an e-money card. You take it from the airport train station to Kalideres, then transfer free within the network toward Monas; budget 1.5–2 hours with traffic.

Do I need cash for the airport bus or train?

No — TransJakarta, the DAMRI bus and the Railink airport train are all cashless. TransJakarta needs a JakLingko or bank e-money card; the train and DAMRI also take debit/credit cards and QRIS.

How much is the Soekarno–Hatta airport train to the city?

The KA Bandara / Railink (Commuter Line Basoetta) is Rp 70,000 one-way to BNI City or Manggarai, taking about 46–52 minutes and running every 30 minutes — traffic-proof and faster than any bus.

How do I get from the terminal to the bus or train?

Take the free Skytrain (Kalayang) from Terminal 1, 2 or 3 to the airport railway station; the Railink trains and the TransJakarta SH1 stop there, while DAMRI buses also pick up at the terminal curbs.

How much is a taxi from Soekarno–Hatta Airport to the city?

Only from the official metered taxi rank, never from the touts who approach you inside arrivals. Even an official taxi runs roughly Rp 150,000–300,000 with tolls — far more than the bus or train.

What is the best way from CGK to downtown Jakarta?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the TransJakarta SH1 bus — a flat Rp 3,500 by e-money card, roughly 1.5–2 hours to the city centre with a free transfer at Kalideres.

How do you get from Jakarta Soekarno–Hatta Airport (CGK) to downtown Jakarta — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Soekarno–Hatta Airport (CGK) into central Jakarta is the TransJakarta SH1 bus, a flat Rp 3,500 (about US$0.22) paid with an e-money card: ride it from the airport train station to Kalideres terminal, then transfer for free within the network toward Monas/Harmoni, roughly 1.5–2 hours with traffic. It is slow and not built for big suitcases, so if you would rather go direct, the KA Bandara / Railink airport train reaches BNI City or Manggarai in about 50 minutes for Rp 70,000, or the DAMRI bus runs straight to Gambir station for Rp 80,000. Ignore the taxi and 'travel' touts in the arrivals hall, who quote inflated flat fares of Rp 200,000 or more.

How to find it

AIRPORTJakarta Soekarno–Hatta International Airport
01From Terminal 1, 2 or 3, take the free Skytrain (Kalayang) to the airport railway/integrated station — the TransJakarta SH1 bus stops there, not at the terminal curb.
02Buy or top up a JakLingko or bank e-money card before boarding — TransJakarta takes no cash and issues no paper ticket.
03Board SH1 toward Kalideres (it runs roughly 05:00–22:00), tap in, and ride about 45–70 minutes depending on traffic.
04At Kalideres terminal, transfer for free inside the paid area to Corridor 3 toward Harmoni/Monas — the heart of central Jakarta, next to Gambir station. The whole journey stays Rp 3,500.
CITY CENTREJakarta

Ticket

TransJakarta SH1 single fare (tap in/out with an e-money card)

Where to buy: There is no paper ticket. Buy or top up a JakLingko or bank e-money card (Flazz, e-Money, TapCash or Brizzi) at airport minimarkets, station machines, or any Indomaret/Alfamart in the city.

How to pay: Cashless only: tap the card on the reader when you board and again when you transfer or leave. The flat Rp 3,500 covers the whole trip, including free transfers within the TransJakarta network, as long as you stay inside the paid area.

Local's trick: One Rp 3,500 tap buys free transfers across the whole TransJakarta network, so at Kalideres switch to Corridor 3 toward Monas/Harmoni without paying again — just don't tap out until your final stop. Carry a JakLingko or bank e-money card, because there is no cash and no paper ticket.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the taxi and 'travel' touts who approach you inside the arrivals hall offering a fixed car ride — they quote inflated flat fares, often Rp 200,000–400,000 or more, and are not the official service. Use the TransJakarta stop, or the DAMRI and airport-train counters, instead.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	IDR 3,500	1 h 50 min	TransJakarta SH1 single fare (tap in/out with an e-money card)
Train	IDR 70,000	55 min	Commuter Line Basoetta (KA Bandara / Railink) one-way to BNI City or Manggarai

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Soekarno–Hatta Airport to central Jakarta?: The TransJakarta SH1 bus at a flat Rp 3,500 paid with an e-money card. You take it from the airport train station to Kalideres, then transfer free within the network toward Monas; budget 1.5–2 hours with traffic.
Do I need cash for the airport bus or train?: No — TransJakarta, the DAMRI bus and the Railink airport train are all cashless. TransJakarta needs a JakLingko or bank e-money card; the train and DAMRI also take debit/credit cards and QRIS.
How much is the Soekarno–Hatta airport train to the city?: The KA Bandara / Railink (Commuter Line Basoetta) is Rp 70,000 one-way to BNI City or Manggarai, taking about 46–52 minutes and running every 30 minutes — traffic-proof and faster than any bus.
How do I get from the terminal to the bus or train?: Take the free Skytrain (Kalayang) from Terminal 1, 2 or 3 to the airport railway station; the Railink trains and the TransJakarta SH1 stop there, while DAMRI buses also pick up at the terminal curbs.
How much is a taxi from Soekarno–Hatta Airport to the city?: Only from the official metered taxi rank, never from the touts who approach you inside arrivals. Even an official taxi runs roughly Rp 150,000–300,000 with tolls — far more than the bus or train.
What is the best way from CGK to downtown Jakarta?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the TransJakarta SH1 bus — a flat Rp 3,500 by e-money card, roughly 1.5–2 hours to the city centre with a free transfer at Kalideres.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.