Indonesia is a massive archipelago – over 17,000 islands stretching across three time zones. Whether you’re navigating Jakarta’s legendary traffic, hopping between islands by ferry, or finding your way to a hidden beach in Lombok, these six phrases will get you where you need to go.
1. "Saya Mau Ke..." – I Want to Go To...
This is the single most important travel phrase in Indonesian. Say it to every taxi driver, Grab driver, ojek (motorcycle taxi) rider, and bus attendant:
- Saya mau ke bandara – I want to go to the airport
- Saya mau ke pantai – I want to go to the beach
- Saya mau ke hotel – I want to go to the hotel
- Saya mau ke pasar – I want to go to the market
Pro tip: show the address on your phone while saying this. Belt-and-suspenders approach.
2. "Di Mana...?" – Where Is...?
Lost? This is your lifeline.
- Di mana toilet? – Where is the toilet? (priority #1 for all travelers)
- Di mana ATM? – Where is the ATM?
- Di mana stasiun? – Where is the station?
3. "Belok Kiri / Belok Kanan" – Turn Left / Turn Right
When you’re in a taxi and your driver is unsure, being able to say "belok kiri" (turn left) or "belok kanan" (turn right) makes you incredibly helpful. Add "lurus" (LOO-roos) for "straight ahead" and you can navigate from the back seat.
4. "Dekat / Jauh" – Near / Far
Before committing to a journey, ask "Apakah dekat?" (Is it near?). If the answer is "jauh" (far), you might want a taxi instead of walking.
Cultural warning: Indonesian and Western concepts of "near" don’t always match. What a local calls "dekat" might be further than you expect, especially in sprawling cities. And "jauh" in a village might mean a 10-minute walk. Always follow up with the next phrase...
5. "Berapa Lama?" – How Long?
Time is more useful than distance in Indonesia, especially in cities where traffic can turn a 3km trip into a 45-minute ordeal.
- Berapa lama ke bandara? – How long to the airport?
- Berapa lama menunggu? – How long is the wait?
Be prepared for "jam karet" (rubber time) – the Indonesian concept that time is flexible. A "30-minute" journey might take an hour. Build in buffers, especially for flights.
6. "Berhenti Di Sini" – Stop Here
When you’ve arrived at your destination: "Berhenti di sini, Pak!" (Stop here, Sir!). Essential for taxis, buses, and ojeks.
Modern Transportation Tips
Ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek have transformed getting around Indonesian cities. They’re cheap, convenient, and you can set your destination in the app without speaking at all. But for traditional transport, remote areas, and when your phone dies – these phrases are lifesavers.
Learn all six phrases with native pronunciation in our Getting Around module!