Bandung Transportation

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If going to Bandung from Jakarta it is now easy to take the car. It is quite comfortable if one is going to a nearby "Bluebird" - taxistation- the offer a car rent for a day (see bluebird internet adress).

A little cheaper is the regular Bus, but one should good in bahasa indonesia or going in a group.

The shortest way is now the new highway- so the old up and down way over Puncak Pass is now history!
If there is not traffic jam it needs so about 2 hours from south Jakarta (Jln Tol) to Bandung (Jln. Tol).

Remark:
Don`t forget a good Map/PETA of Bandung- there are build much new housing complexes around Bandung and it is not easy for an Jakarta driver to find out.
We go 2 hours at highway and so a 3/4 hour in Bandung itself - if we had not the help by handphone, we shure had to need more!.

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A comfortable way to Bandung is the kereta api- the Parayangan and the Argo.

Usually is so about 3 hours- and from train is a good view to the little villages nearby.

And in the mountain area there can be seen the deep valleys and the mountains nearby- see the photos.

From Jakarta to Bandung in last time was the best and comfort way to take a train-
the express train "Argo" or "Parahjangan".

But like modern times is- now is the new highway ready,
so an good alternative is the car. - Here at photo a view fro Highway: The old train bridge build from neatherland engineers, and in well condition until now.

The construction of the bridge seems maybe a little unusual, but in the Java area with ususal earthquake (gempa bumi) - this construction with "down hang bow" is maybe good self stabilising while shaked by earth the quake waves.

If taking a taxi in Bandung it is good if going from central area-
from other direction it can is difficult in the rush-hour to order a taxi by phone- it can sometimes be that say say "booked out" try later (maybe in the so no touristic areas simply not much taxis on the way) I had the experience in an outer area but this was quite near the touristic well known ANKLUNG performance "Saung Udjo".
The other is most taxi drivers must ask the way special if the came from Jakarta or it is late night or it is rainy and not see the direction clearly.

But the new time is coming gives help:
A friend assured me to pick up- "Oh, no need explaining - simply tell me name of street and name of area in Bandung " he said.
Later I saw: he had in his car a GPS assistance - a "TomTom" like here in Europa. The GPS-card of Bandung was full ok- I was very inmpressed to see it!

Bandung is a beautiful city to visit. Many interesting places in the city. Unfortunately Bandung does not have a mass rapid transport and convenient public transport, so for foreign tourists get around Bandung can be difficult.
To get around the city of Bandung ease, you can use the car rental with driver. By using the car rental services, you can visit tourist attraction and shopping place easily. Look for car rental service with experienced drivers, because with an experienced driver you can arrange schedule trips in the city of Bandung so you can visit the great tourist attractions and cheap shopping places. If you do not speak Indonesian ask the car rental service provider if they have drivers who can speak English, because not all rental cars have drivers who speak English.
Rate rental car for 1-6 passengers, varied range of idr 200k – 400k (only car and driver) when you want it easier you can take full package service, full service package is usually included cars, fuel, drivers, parking and tolls. The rate range of about idr 300k-500k.
MPV Rent a Car is a car rental service provider that has an experienced driver and can speak English, and they also offer the rental price is quite cheap. Their rate for avanza car with full package is idr 350k.
you can call mr fadi for reservation (+6282 116600 789)

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Taxi from Sokaerno Hatta Airport, Jakarta to Bandung cost Rp 750,000. About SGD 100 or USD 87. It takes between 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Our ride was a Suzuki APV, which can fit the 5 of us.

But be careful not to take the advise of the driver who would volunteer to bring you around Bandung for another Rp 500,000. We were fooled thinking that since, it is our first time in Bandung, it might be a good idea. But this driver called Ari, knows nothing about Bandung. Lucky, I had my own Map Droid on my phone, and with my help, we finally managed to get to our hotel, Holiday Inn.

Next he brought us to Tangkuban Perahu, which he got lost again, he had to make a few calls and asking several locals. My Map Droid could not get us there, since the mountainous route was not clearly defined in this Androip apps.

The fastest way to get Bandung from Jakarta or other cities is by plane. Bandung's Hussein Sastranegara airport has a difficult location among the mountains and has only limited services with small planes. The air service is excellent and when you get Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, you can take a taxi to hotels or make a call for pick up service.

Domestic Flights
Merpati Nusantara Airlines www.merpati.co.id
Cilitink www.citilink.co.id/schedule.php
Sriwijaya Air www.sriwijayaair-online.com

International Flights
AirAsia www.airasia.com (Kuala Lumpur)

Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Kuala Lumpur -starting April 2008).

From Jakarta to Bandung there are two trains with executive class service which boasts nice reclining seats and air conditioning. (Business class has no a/c).

The Argo Gede train is the more expensive one because it's half an hour faster than Parahyangan train. Argo Gede - Jakarta-Bandung trip is only twice a day, takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

The Parahyangan train costs slightly less and leaves Jakarta very frequently, but takes over 3 1/2 hours.

I recommend taking the Argo Gede train as it is more tourist-friendly, spacious and comfortable.

You can purchase your train tickets at the Gambir station before your departure, or if you want to be assured of seating, get your tickets through a travel agent a week before departure.

It's easy to come to Bandung by train from any big cities in Java island. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful view of mountains, hills, rivers, and fertile valleys of West Java.

From Jakarta (Gambir station, next to National Monument), it takes approximately 3 hours to reach Bandung, or 2.5 hours by Argo Gede train. Trains:
- Argo Gede, priority all-executive train, 2 times a day (subject to change).
- Parahyangan, business and executive train, almost every hour (subject to change).

From Yogyakarta, it takes approximately 6-7 hours to reach Bandung.
- Turangga, all-executive train, once a day (subject to change).
- Argo Willis, all-executive train, once a day (subject to change).

From Surabaya (East Java), it takes approximately 12 hours to reach Bandung.

Better to reserve and buy in advance (max 7 days) in Reservation Office (usually in or near the main station).

For information about routes, timetable, and fare of trains in Indonesia, visit:
http://infoka.kereta-api.com/index.php?ch_lang=en
http://ticketing.kereta-api.com/

As the government of Indonesia established a highway named CIPULARANG ( an abreviation of CIKAMPEK-PURWAKARTA-PADALARANG), it was encourage the traveler to visit Bandung in a relatively short time, tracking a 170 km long toll road in about two hours and enjoy a very fascinating green scenery of rice fields and tea plantation both side road and a bluish mountain range of western part Parahyangan land.
There were also many stop over places in between, its give a chance to the drivers or attendances to a short time leisure the trip for a breakfast, a lunch, a diner or just take a glass of coffee or tea