Capital city, Indonesia
Jakarta for solo travelers
Is Jakarta good for solo travel?
Indonesia's huge capital offers business hubs, excellent food, malls, museums and a growing metro, but also severe traffic, heat and air pollution. Few solo travelers linger; nomads mostly pass through.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Manageable for solo women with modest dress. Catcalls happen; use women-only train cars and book app rides at night. |
How to meet people in Jakarta
Running clubs, coworking events, language-exchange meetups, hostels in Menteng and Kota Tua, and expat bars in Kemang.
Good things to do alone
- Eat at Pasar Santa food stalls
- Visit the National Museum and Monas
- Walk Kota Tua's Fatahillah Square
- Ride the MRT through the CBD
- Browse Sarinah and Blok M for local design
Where to stay in Jakarta
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Menteng | Leafy and central: cafés, museums, embassies |
| Senopati–SCBD | Business district, bars, coworking and nightlife |
| Kemang | Expat enclave with restaurants and bars |
| Kota Tua | Colonial old town, budget hostels |
Solo travel across Indonesia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ubud | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Canggu | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Seminyak | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sanur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amed | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Malang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Manado | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 | Limited |
| Jakarta | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nusa Penida | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuta | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nusa Dua | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Raja Ampat | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bandung | 3/5 | Limited |
| Batam | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bintan | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Medan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Surabaya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Jimbaran | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Jakarta good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Indonesia's huge capital offers business hubs, excellent food, malls, museums and a growing metro, but also severe traffic, heat and air pollution.
How do you meet people in Jakarta?
Running clubs, coworking events, language-exchange meetups, hostels in Menteng and Kota Tua, and expat bars in Kemang. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Jakarta?
Common in tourist areas.
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.
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.