Main airports
Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) is the country's main gateway and domestic hub, in Tangerang, Banten. It is operated by InJourney Airports. According to Wikipedia, it handled 49,080,532 passengers in 2023. It has three main terminals and two parallel runways, plus a third runway listed as completed.
- Denpasar Ngurah Rai (DPS): Bali's international and domestic gateway for leisure travel.
- Surabaya Juanda (SUB): the main airport for East Java.
- Medan Kualanamu (KNO): the main airport for North Sumatra.
- Makassar Hasanuddin (UPG): the main airport for South Sulawesi and a gateway to eastern Indonesia.
- Balikpapan Sultan Aji Muhamad Sulaiman (BPN): the main airport for East Kalimantan.
Which airport for which airline
Soekarno-Hatta is the base for most Indonesian carriers. Wikipedia lists it as a hub for Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air, Lion Air, NAM Air, Pelita Air, Sriwijaya Air, Super Air Jet, Indonesia AirAsia and TransNusa. Wings Air is part of the Lion Air group.
- Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are separate buildings. Check which one your airline uses on your booking or the airport's website before leaving for the airport.
- Terminals 2D and 2E became an international low-cost terminal in 2019.
- Terminal 2F has handled only hajj and umrah flights since 2025.
- Terminal 1B reopened after renovation on 15 March 2025 and Terminal 1C on 12 November 2025, so older terminal information may be out of date.
Getting between airports and into the city
At Soekarno-Hatta, a free Skytrain people mover runs on the landside only. According to Wikipedia, it is 3.05 km long and connects Terminals 1, 2 and 3 with the airport railway station. Trains run about every 5 minutes, and Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 takes about 7 minutes. Because it is landside only, allow time to exit and re-check-in if you change terminals on separate tickets.
- Rail: an airport rail link runs from the airport station to BNI City station in central Jakarta.
- Bus: Transjakarta routes SH1 and SH2 serve the airport. DAMRI and Primajasa also run airport buses, and one service goes to Blok M.
Airlines: full-service and low-cost
Garuda Indonesia is the national full-service carrier. Citilink is its low-cost subsidiary. Batik Air, Lion Air and the regional turboprop operator Wings Air belong to the Lion group. Other carriers at Soekarno-Hatta include Super Air Jet, Pelita Air, Sriwijaya Air, NAM Air, TransNusa and Indonesia AirAsia. Foreign airlines at Jakarta include KLM, Korean Air, Asiana, All Nippon Airways and Malaysia Airlines.
Baggage allowances and add-on charges differ by airline and fare type and change often. Check the fare conditions on the airline's own site before booking. Meals, seat selection and checked baggage are the usual places where low-cost fares rise.
Lounges
Lounge details change often, so check the operator's current information before you travel. The Soekarno-Hatta airport website is the place to start for Jakarta. Lounge access depends on your terminal, airline and ticket class. Travellers without status should check whether a lounge sells walk-in or pre-booked passes. They should also check whether a bank card or lounge membership includes access.
When to fly
Demand at Soekarno-Hatta rises around religious travel. Terminal 2F has handled hajj and umrah flights since 2025, and Lion Air lists seasonal flights from Jakarta to Jeddah and Medina. Indonesia's weather has a wet and a dry season, which affect flights through storms and low visibility. Check the national weather agency, BMKG, for forecasts. Public holidays such as Eid al-Fitr fill flights, so book early. Check the official holiday calendar for the year you travel.
