Bandung Transportation

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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

When using the Angkutan, don't ask about the amount of fare from the driver. Ask the other passengers instead. The driver will rip u off if he knows ur a tourist and a first timer there. I was told to pay 10,000Rp for a very short distance trip which cost only 4,000Rp (4 person). I only know this tip on the 2nd day i was there.

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If you want to get to Bandung to Jakarta, take the train ride. It's a breathtaking ride and a lot of opportunities to take picturesque photos.

There a two type of train: Parahyangan and Argo Gede. The latter is 50k rupiah whilst the former is 40k rupiah. It doesbt matter which train you take but i personally like the Argo Gede better

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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.