Soekarno–Hatta International Airport — Local services in Tangerang

Overall, a pretty nice, 24hr airport. Nice facilities, AC working well on the second floor, polite and patient staff.

We arrived around 11pm in Terminal 3. The first stop is the COVID vaccine check. It was pretty disorganized. People who had completed the app (Pedulilindungi) beforehand were scanning the little QR Code on an unassuming sign thrown into the middle of the hall. I had the app, but missed this sign and just showed my physical vaccine card to somebody behind a counter, and she stamped my old boarding pass. It seemed like there were many people walking through without having anything checked, but there were no guards or attendants stopping or instructing anyone. Could be because it was late, or maybe they've just stopped caring.

After that, it took us about an hour to get our visa (~$35, paid by US cash), as the line moves slowly. Although it takes much longer to get the visa-on-arrival, compared to scanning the eVisa at the computers, it seems like you'd have to wait for your baggage awhile anyway as ours was just coming onto the belt as we got out of the visa section. After that, grab your baggage (regardless if you have a connecting flight), scan your customs declaration QR code (this one you do have to do on your phone beforehand), and then you can get out to the arrivals hall.

We were able to sleep in Terminal 3 to wait for a flight without any problem. The second floor is nicer for this purpose, as the first floor is hot and can get crowded (even at 2am), with strangers from outside milling in and out. There is a security checkpoint before the elevators, so only travelers are bothering to come up here. They have plenty of food options, with a few open 24 hours. Tou les Jours was serving customers by about 4am despite its posted hours.

There are several SIM card shops inside, though I'd recommend going outside and to the left, to the official Telkomsel shop, where they can set you up with a 25GB card for 150K IDR, although be warned they do not accept credit card, only cash. We wound up getting our SIM cards from the big booth right outside the hall, which was a little more expensive and careless service. There are no good options for currency exchange here, of course. We exchanged just a bit of cash to get by at the counter outside, where they charged a 25% "airport tax." They even tried to cheat us a few bills, though when we pushed they did give us the full amount.

The sky train is nice. Simple, and free. Go outside the arrival hall, ignore the people trying to give you directions, find the elevator up to the second floor. It can take you to the other two terminals or the train station, which can bring you to Jakarta proper.

We had a flight at Terminal 1, which is their older domestic terminal. Outside carries a more traditional charm, though inside the check-in hall was chaotic. You will need to pass through security a couple times. We did not take our flight out of here, as we didn't realize they are very strict about carrying large backup batteries (ours was over 160Wh). We tried talking to several different people, all of whom were very kind and patient toward us. One guy in the check-in hall was especially gracious, he coordinated help from all the other staff who could not speak English and stayed with us as long as we needed him, despite all the other customers in the hall. In the end, we wound up taking the train to Yogyakarta instead.

Take the sky train back to the train station. It's a nice station, only one train going one direction so it's hard to go wrong here, but if you're still confused the front desk is happy to help you. After this the trains get a little more confusing and the help will be less fluent in English, so figure out where you're going now and take a picture of the train map. The train showed up right on time, but it only runs every hour and moves quite slow.

At the end of the day, we got to where we were going, so this place did it's job, but it...

TL;DR Version: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta is a functional travel hub with decent amenities. While it doesn't compare to world-class airports like Incheon or Singapore, it's leagues ahead of many American airports and the Dubai airport. With free Wi-Fi, lounges, and shopping, it's a solid, if imperfect, choice for travelers.

Full Version: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK), serving Jakarta and acting as a major hub for flights in and out of Indonesia, is a perfectly acceptable airport with some redeeming qualities. While it may not rank among the top-tier airports like Singapore’s Changi or Incheon, it certainly manages to hold its ground when compared to less impressive airports, especially in America and Dubai. It doesn’t flaunt extravagant features, but it does provide a decent experience for travelers.

The design of Soekarno–Hatta is straightforward, functional, and moderately modern. The terminals are spacious enough, though there is a certain utilitarian feel to the architecture. The layout could be more intuitive in some areas, but navigating through the airport is still relatively simple, even for first-time visitors. There are several signs in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, which helps ease the flow of passengers, though the signage could be more prominent in certain parts.

One of the airport’s solid points is the availability of free Wi-Fi. In a world where connectivity is often a struggle in airports, the fact that Soekarno–Hatta offers a decent Wi-Fi connection free of charge is a welcome feature. It's fast enough for casual browsing, and the connection is relatively stable throughout the airport, which is especially important during long layovers or waiting times before flights.

There are a good selection of lounges and shops, giving travelers a chance to relax or pick up a souvenir or snack before their flight. The lounges, while not luxurious, are functional, providing comfortable seating and some basic amenities to pass the time. The shopping offerings are not as extensive as other international airports, but there are enough stores to cater to a variety of needs, from snacks to international duty-free goods.

However, there are a few things that keep Soekarno–Hatta from reaching the level of world-class airports. One oddity is the boarding process, which feels unnecessarily convoluted at times. The method of entering the plane can be a bit confusing, with inconsistent or unclear directions that may leave travelers second-guessing where they need to go. Additionally, the announcement system is muffled and difficult to understand in some terminals, making it hard to stay informed about flight changes or boarding calls. These small issues detract from an otherwise functional experience.

Despite these quirks, Soekarno–Hatta stands head and shoulders above many airports in terms of efficiency and convenience. While it may not have the cutting-edge technology or awe-inspiring design seen in places like Incheon, it certainly provides a dependable airport experience. The staff are generally polite, and the airport is well-maintained, offering a clean environment to travel through.

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is a solid, middle-of-the-road airport. It's not exceptional, but it certainly delivers a decent, hassle-free experience for travelers. Whether you're transiting through Jakarta or starting your Indonesian adventure, CGK offers the basic amenities you need, with room for some...

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta is Indonesia’s primary international gateway and offers a generally smooth and efficient travel experience. However, there are a few areas where the airport could improve to better meet the needs of travelers.

Facilities and Cleanliness The airport, especially the newer Terminal 3, is modern, clean, and well-designed. It features ample seating areas, clear signage, and spacious check-in zones. However, older terminals can feel a bit dated and crowded, particularly during peak times. The general cleanliness is maintained well throughout, but the quality of facilities can vary between terminals.

Check-In and Security Check-in and security processes are usually well-organized, with friendly and professional staff. However, lines at security and immigration can become long during busy hours. I recommend arriving early to avoid any delays, especially during peak travel seasons.

Dining and Shopping Options The airport offers a decent variety of dining options, ranging from local Indonesian food stalls to international chains like Starbucks and Burger King. However, the dining selections in older terminals are more limited, whereas Terminal 3 offers a wider range of eateries and duty-free shops. If you’re looking for a larger selection of food or higher-end retail options, Terminal 3 is where you’ll find them.

But still limited shopping.

Wi-Fi and Amenities Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport and works well enough for general browsing and communication. Charging stations are also available, though they can sometimes be hard to find in older terminals. One key shortcoming is the lack of bidets in many of the restrooms, which can be inconvenient for travelers used to this amenity, especially in a region where they are commonly expected. This is something the airport should consider upgrading to better meet international standards.

No Bidet in Restrooms One significant downside is the absence of bidets in many restrooms. This can be disappointing, especially for travelers from regions where bidets are standard. For an international airport of this size, the addition of bidets in restrooms would significantly improve the overall passenger experience, particularly for long-haul travelers looking for more comfort.

Transportation and Connectivity The airport is well-connected to Jakarta with a variety of transportation options, including taxis, ride-hailing services, and a direct airport train. The train is a convenient and efficient option to avoid Jakarta’s notorious traffic. However, for those using taxis or ride-hailing apps, traffic can sometimes cause delays, so plan accordingly.

Room for Improvement Apart from the lack of bidets, the immigration process can be slow, with long queues at certain times. More counters and better management of crowd flow during peak hours would help speed this up. Additionally, more food options in the older terminals and better-maintained restrooms would further enhance the experience.

Final Thoughts Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is efficient, particularly in Terminal 3, which offers a modern and comfortable travel experience. However, there are areas for improvement, including the lack of bidets, more diverse dining options in older terminals, and faster immigration processing. Despite these shortcomings, it’s a functional airport with friendly staff and good...