Bandung Transportation

The primary means of public transportation is by minibus, called angkot (from angkutan=transportation and kota=city). They serve certain routes throughout the city and are operated privately. To find exact angkot routes, information are available through the drivers or at terminals.

This city transport has only origin and destination names on top. Sometimes with via description if there are more than one angkot route for a certain origin-destination route. There is no route description anywhere. For locals, it is somewhat amazing that they only memorize where and how the route of each angkot route.

Although there is an official price for angkot from organda (the local organization of these private city transport), sometimes price is based on how far you travel. It's better that you ask the driver or kernet (driver assistance) about the price to go to a location. To ask for an angkot to stop and pick you up, just raise your hand and they will stop. When you're inside and want to stop, just ask the kernet to stop. Or say 'kiri' (key-reey) or simply 'stop' out loud. It was easy to find a bell that you can press to stop but not anymore. Most angkot fare are ranging from 2000-3000 rupiah (about 25 cents USD) depends on the route and distance.

The official angkot routes: http://www.bandung.go.id/index.php?fa=enliving.angkot&id=17

No frills...and that is the truth about AirAsia.

Initially the thought of waking up at wee hours just to catch the flight from Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) to Bandung made me think twice about going ahead with the plan.

I found out later that, passengers are actually allowed to check in not later than 45 minutes before departure time - from Kuala Lumpur. Not like some of other airlines where u need to do it 2 hours before!

From Bandung to KL, the check in time is not later than 30 minutes before departure time.

The earlier u made the booking with this airline, the cheaper the ticket price is. Do check out the website for latest promotion. Dont forget to check the terms & condition of using this flight.

Flight arrival in Bandung is at Bandara Husein Sastranegara Airport.

We hired a toyota Kijang, 7-seater car, including a well-trained driver from this well established company called Golden Bird. We paid 375,000 Rupiah for 6 hours trip to the Volcano and HotSpring and 50,000 Rupiah for every additional hour. I think it was a very good deal for 6 of us.. it also save us the time to wait for the taxis and we could put the things we bought in the car without having to carry them when we went for another factory outlet...

When you arrive at Soekarno Hatta International Airport (Cengkareng-Jakarta), ask the information centre to get more detail, many tour-travel companies offer minibus, car rental, or taxi service to Bandung, departing upon demand.

With 7-10 seater minivans leaving every few minutes, the transportation service company market between Jakarta and Bandung is fiercely competitive. Roughly speaking, services can be categorized as either door to door (chartered car or van that takes your group exactly where you want to go) or point to point. Many companies offer both.
A select list of larger transportation companies:

Cipaganti www.cipaganti.co.id
Primajasa, tel. +62-22-6073-992 (Bandung), tel. +62-21-8009-545 (Jakarta). Direct shuttle bus service from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Bandung Super Mall.

X-Trans, Jl. Blora 1 AB, Central Jakarta, 62-21-3150-555.

Travelling around in Bandung is quite complex and frustrating, especially to newcomers. There is no mass rapid transit system, metro nor tram in Bandung. The best way to get around bandung is by taxi or minibus, hired via your hotel. The city centre can be comfortably discovered on foot.

Taxi:
Blue Bird, Jl Terusan Buah Batu 194, Bandung 40286, Tel.: (62)(22) 7561234. Good reputation and reliable.
www.bluebirdgroup.com

Car
Mulia Car Rental (62) (22) 70750566 - 70167297, mobile: +62-8122-015-474 muliarental.com
TotalCarRental, Jl. Jajaway Dago Atas no. 12FA, Bandung 40135, Tel: +62-22-8252-0044 rental.total.or.id
Cipaganti, Jl Cipaganti 84, Bandung 40131. Tel.: 62-22-2034-376 www.cipaganti.co.id/
R

if you do not want to visit the hectic jakarta . once u arrive jakarta airport you can go direct to bandung . it is 2 hrs journey and provide hourly services.

so here are the options

1) X-trail express - Rp 70 000 per person
- type : mini bus
- look at the counter near kfc outside the airport
- driver- drives very fast!
- stop : stop at ciamplas street ( the street wear area..but not a really good place
for accomodation
2) cipaganti - also a minibus. about rp60 - 65 000. stop at cipaganti street near jl. setiabudi .
3) Periwisata - a fully air condition bus . i would say its comfortable. has toilet in the bus.
cost rp 60 000. has every hour too.

u need to ask around for the counter in the airport. but dont be fooled by the men that approach u once u arrive. they are actually pushy and offering for private transport to bandung. usually uses mpv such as kijang, toyota innova , toyota unser. their rates is about rp130 000 per person.

another way to get to bandung is via train.
dont be fooled by the cab. they easily cheat u knowing u are foreigner. so ...
take a bus to any main area in jakarta called DAMRI bus which is Rp 10 000 . it reach gambir railway station in central jakarta. the train are comfy and serves food. ( fried rice as usual) its about rp 60 000.

the best mode is by using Angkut... cost you only 1500 - 3000 rupiah to go around bandung. As long as you get the right Angkut coz not all Angkut go to all the places. Others will be by Tricycle (beca) or taxi, costly but convenience.

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.

This kind of service has actually emerged not too long ago. One of the main transportations between Bandung and Jakarta used to be by trains because of the convenience and time saving. However, since the new toll road between Bandung and Jakarta was completed, the travel time between these two cities was cut in about an hour if you are using the toll road, rather than travelling by trains. That's how these shuttle service companies emerged.

My personal experience using this shuttle service (the Xtrans) was very pleasing. The driver handled the car very profesionally. We stopped halfway for a bathroom break. They were using a van that fit 10 adults very comfortably.

They way they work is this. They set up several offices in Bandung and Jakarta. Those offices become the pickup and drop point in each city. They might drop you off at a drop point before the main office, if you don't know your way, just stay in the car until they reach the main office.

Cost is Rp.60000, including a bottle of water.

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/