Capital city, Indonesia
Is Jakarta safe?
Fine on busy streets and malls, but petty theft, flooding, traffic and bad air need care.
Is Jakarta safe?
Fine on busy streets and malls, but petty theft, flooding, traffic and bad air need care. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Indonesia: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Indonesia: 11.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Jakarta at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Pickpocketing on buses and trains, phone snatching from motorbikes, and bag theft in crowded markets. |
| At night | Malls and Senopati are lively and safe; elsewhere streets empty early. Use Grab or Gojek rather than walking or street taxis. |
| Solo women | Manageable for solo women with modest dress. Catcalls happen; use women-only train cars and book app rides at night. |
| Other risks | Flooding Jan–Feb; Traffic crashes involving motorbikes; Earthquakes and rising sea levels |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake taxis and unlicensed drivers at the airport overcharging
- Money changers short-counting notes
- Touts claiming attractions are closed, then steering you to shops
Take care
- Crowded Commuter Line and TransJakarta at rush hour: pickpockets
- Kota Tua and Glodok after dark: snatch thefts
- Low-lying north Jakarta in rainy season: flash floods
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- From 2026, sex outside marriage and unmarried cohabitation are crimes, prosecuted only on a spouse's, parent's or child's complaint
- Drug trafficking can bring the death penalty; even small amounts mean prison
- Disrespecting temples or sacred sites in Bali can lead to deportation
How Jakarta compares in Indonesia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ubud | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Canggu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seminyak | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Penida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Raja Ampat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bandung | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amed | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Batam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bintan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Surabaya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jimbaran | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jakarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kuta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Medan | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Jakarta safe for solo female travelers?
Manageable for solo women with modest dress. Catcalls happen; use women-only train cars and book app rides at night.
Is Jakarta safe at night?
Malls and Senopati are lively and safe; elsewhere streets empty early. Use Grab or Gojek rather than walking or street taxis.
What is the crime rate in Jakarta?
Pickpocketing on buses and trains, phone snatching from motorbikes, and bag theft in crowded markets. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Jakarta?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Jakarta
Going to Jakarta solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Jakarta meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- MRT Jakarta
- TransJakarta
- Soekarno–Hatta Airport
- KAI Commuter
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.