Getting around Jakarta is now a breeze with the convenience of various reliable public transportation options. One of the most convenient is the Jakarta MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), a subway system that swiftly takes you to numerous strategic places in South and Central Jakarta in a very short time.
In the busiest districts, you can cover around 15.7 km (9,75 mil) in just 29-30 minutes. This is a significant time-saving compared to using a car, especially considering those unpredictable traffic in Jakarta. The locations are also strategically placed, making it a relief for workers and tourists.
That is why you need to learn more about Jakarta MRT, especially if you are planning to come to the city and want to travel more comfortably. So, here is your ultimate transportation guide before using the MRT, especially for foreigners!
Jakarta MRT Route
There is only one Jakarta MRT route in 2024. The route is called MRT NS Phase 1, and it can take you from the South to central Jakarta and vice versa.
It consists of 13 Jakarta MRT stations situated in the most vital areas. Seven stops are above ground, and six stops are underground.
The route will be longer in the future. However, the MRT Jakarta Fase 2 is still under construction, so you will have to wait years until it is ready.
MRT Stations and Places Nearby
Wondering when and where to get off the train is understandable. Especially if you still aren’t familiar with the city. So, here are some essential places that are located near the MRT stations in Jakarta!
1. Lebak Bulus Grab
The stop is integrated with Halte TransJakarta, so you can easily travel around the southern areas. The most popular tourist destination near Lebak Bulus is Sangga Buana Urban Forest. You can also go to Ragunan Zoo and Karida Garden from here.
2. Fatmawati Indomaret
Fatmawati is one of the business districts in Jakarta, so you can easily find some shopping centers near the station, such as One Bellpark Mall. You can take a walk or take the TransJakarta bus to get there. You can also visit some museums, such as the Basuki Abdullah Museum.
3. Cipete Raya
Usually, you get off at Cipete Raya if you want to go to some cafes or restaurants. Because there are tons of them in the area. It is perfect for those of you who want to eat good food without too much crowd.
4. Haji Nawi
The most notable place near Haji Nawi Station is Pondok Indah Mall. There are also many good cafes and restaurants around. Those who want to go to Kemang District can also get off here. However, you might need to use an online or conventional taxi.
5. Blok A
If your destination is in the Senopati area, you can get off from Blok A. The Senopati area is one of the most popular places for hanging out and searching for entertainment. So, it is unsurprising that this place is popular among foreigners. But, you need to take a taxi from Blok A Station to Senopati.
6. Blok M BCA
Another popular place for hanging out is the Blok M area, especially for youngsters. There are so many hip and trendy cafes. The number of restaurants near the station is also huge; you can get to them on foot. There are also various malls here, one of which is integrated with the station.
7. ASEAN
Most people get off at ASEAN Station to go to the parks or museums. You can visit Polri Museum, Langsat Park, or Ayodya Park.
8. Senayan Mastercard
This station is located near Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. So, if you come to Indonesia to watch football matches or concerts, you can get off from here. The station is also near various shopping centers, such as Senayan City, Plaza Senayan, and FX Sudirman.
9. Istora Mandiri
Another side of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK Arena) is situated near this station. For example, Istora Senayan, Indonesia Arena, and Tenis Indoor Senayan. You can get off here if you want to watch badminton or basketball matches. This also applies if you want to watch concerts at those venues.
10. Bendungan Hilir
Another station is Bendungan Hilir, and you can get off here if you want to come to the Ambassador Mall or Kota Kasablanka Mall (Kokas).
11. Setiabudi Astra
There are many shopping centers near the station: Setiabudi One, Epicentrum Walk, and Plaza Festival.
12. Dukuh Atas BNI
You can get off here to use the KRL Commuter Line to another side of Jakarta. After that, you can walk to Sudirman Station beside the MRT station.
13. Bundaran HI Bank DKI
Last but not least, you can get off at Bundaran HI, which has many shopping centers near the stations, such as Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia. You can reach them by walking. Aside from that, you can also go to Thamrin, Monas, and many other tourist attractions from here.
Fare Price & Schedule
For most foreigners, the MRT Jakarta fare is very cheap. The fare is calculated based on the number of stations you pass. Depending on your journey, you may need to pay between Rp3.000—Rp14.000 (USD0,19 – USD0,88).
If you want to know how to pay the MRT Jakarta fare, there are several ways to do that, such as:
1. Transport Card and e-money
You can buy a Jakarta public transport card or e-money at some stations or minimarkets (Alfamidi, Alfamart, Lawson, Indomaret). You can tap the card during check-in and check-out.
2. myMRTJ Mobile App
You can also download the MyMRTJ mobile app and purchase the ticket online.
- Select departure and destination station.
- Klik “Buy Ticket”
- Select the number of tickets you want to purchase.
- Choose one-way or round-trip.
- Click “Pay”
- Choose how you want to pay it; you can also use a credit card.
- Complete the purchase and scan the QR code when checking in and checking out from those stations. The QR code is only valid for one day and is for single use.
For your information, the Jakarta MRT schedules are every 10-12 minutes. The earliest schedule from Lebak Bulus and Bundaran HI Bank DKI is around 5 a.m., and the latest is around 11.27 p.m.
Tips to Use MRT
There are some tips for you to make it easier when using MRT, especially for foreigners:
- Buy an e-money card to save time. You can also use it to pay for parking fees and tolls or take KRL, LRT, TransJakarta, and JakLingko.
- Avoid taking the MRT during rush hours because many workers are commuting. These are usually on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The station will be crowded. If you bring a suitcase, ask the guards for the location of the lifts so you won’t have to drag it while walking down the stairs.
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