The complete guide to get from Jakarta Airport to Grand Indonesia. Fast, cheap and easy.
Getting to Grand Indonesia in Jakarta using the Airport Train and MRT
This article is designed to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to get to Grand Indonesia in central Jakarta using a combination of the airport train and MRT system. As you have probably heard, Jakarta struggles with very serious traffic issues. These slow downs occur because of the large population and inadequate urban planning and infrastructure.
The information that you read in this article is based on our personal travel experiences getting to Grand Indonesia from the airport on multiple occasions using the Railink (train) and the MRT. Therefore, this information is accurate and it should help to save you time and money.
One of the first questions that you may ask yourself is why you should go to Grand Indonesia in the first place?
Grand Indonesia is a massive mall located right in the heart of central Jakarta. It is considered to be one of the most popular and famous malls in the entire country. Directly beside Grand Indonesia you will also find some of the best hotels in the entire city including:
If you stay near Grand Indonesia you can also access Plaza Indonesia and other famous tourist sites such as the Monas, Tanah Abang Market and Jalan Surabaya Antique Market.
Why should you consider using the airport train and MRT to get to Grand Indonesia?
When you first arrived at Soekarno-hatta International Airport in Jakarta, you have to consider the time that you land and the expected traffic in the city center. Also have to consider the number of passengers that will be traveling to Grand Indonesia.
If there is no traffic on the way to Jakarta and you are traveling with more than two people, then it probably makes more sense to take a taxi or a private car.
However, if traffic is heavy it literally could take you two or three hours to reach Grand Indonesia from the airport. In this case, it is important that you take the airport train to city center and then transfer to the MRT.
The airport train completely bypasses notorious traffic jams in Jakarta and will enable you to access the MRT system without much stress. If you were traveling by yourself or with another person then it may also be cheaper to take the train than hiring a private vehicle.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get to the Monas using the MRT in Jakarta:
Step #1: Arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Walk to the Airport Terminal Train Station
Once you have landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport you will have to pass through immigration, collect your luggage, pass through customs and exit the airport. There are clear signs that direct passengers to the airport train terminal at each respective station.
There are currently three terminals at Soekarno-Hatta – Terminal 1, 2 and 3 and they are in the process of building a fourth terminal at the time of writing.
Terminal 3 is the largest of the terminals at the airport. Consequently, it has two train stations.
You can expect it for you to take 3 minutes to reach any of the train stations from the airport.
Step #2: Take the airport train to the Soekarno-Hatta Integrated Train Station (SHIA)
Take the airport train to Soekarno-Hatta Integrated Train Station (SHIA). This is called the integrated train station because this is where all airport trains from each terminal go before the main trains head to the city centre. In other words, regardless of which terminal you land at you need to go here before getting your train ticket to central Jakarta.
Take note that the closest station to SHIA is Terminal 1 and the farthest away is Terminal 3. Expected to take around three to five minutes to reach the integrated train station from any of the airport terminals.
Step #3: Purchase your airport train ticket to BNI Station (formerly called Sudirman Baru Station)
The next step in this journey is purchasing a ticket to BNI (City) Station once you arrive at SHIA. BNI Station is located very close to the only MRT line in Jakarta. Therefore, if you want to bypass the traffic it is important that you go to BNI Station which is located south of Bundaran HI in central Jakarta.
When you are at SHIA you can buy your ticket using one of the machines or at the ticket counter. Either way, the important thing is that you buy a ticket for BNI station and not one of the other stations on the airport line.
Check your ticket time and wait for your train to depart from SHIA at the airport to BNI.
There are few restaurants located in SHIA in case you do have to wait a while for your airport train to central Jakarta. You can also go to the bathroom and/or relax for a while while you are in the terminal building.
Step #4: Take the Jakarta Airport Train to BNI Station
Under most circumstances the Jakarta Airport Train takes you about 45 minutes to reach BNI City Station in Central Jakarta. The trains are very modern, but the rail line has been constructed on pre-existing computer tracks. The airport trains are fully air conditioned and have space for luggage.
The Jakarta Airport train will make two stops before reaching BNI City Station:
We have included a summary below of all of the different stations making up Jakarta airport rail line.
Jakarta Airport Railink Station Quicklinks:
Step #5: Transfer from BNI Station to Dukuh Atas MRT Station
Dukuh Atas MRT Station is the station that you need to transfer to from the airport train when you arrive in central Jakarta. It is located about 200 meters to the east of BNI City Station.
At the moment it is not possible to walk underground between these two stations. you will have to exit the station and simply walk over to Dukuh Atas.
Dukuh Atas MRT Station has multiple entrances with elevators, escalators and stairs. Keep in mind that if you do have a lot of luggage it is possible to use the elevator to access the MRT station.
Step #6: Ride MRT Jakarta from Dukuh Atas Station to Bundaran HI MRT Station
Conveniently, all you need to do is take the MRT from Dukuh Atas one station North to Bundaran HI MRT Station.
When you arrive at Bundaran HI you should take one of the western exits. You will then be within a 5 minute walk of Grand Indonesia and the following hotels:
As a gentle reminder, when you do exit Bundaran HI Station you will have to re-tap the same card that you used to enter the system in the first place.
Read more about MRT Jakarta Prices and Paying for MRT Tickets with these comprehensive articles.
Step #7: Walk from Bundaran HI MRT Station to Grand Indonesia.
The walk from Bundaran HI MRT Station to Grand Indonesia Mall is about 350 m. simply walk south of the station and pass by Bundaran HI, The Selamat Datang Monument and Plaza Indonesia.
Cross the road in front of Plaza Indonesia to access Grand Indonesia.
How long does it take to travel from Soekarno-Hatta to Grand Indonesia using the train/MRT?
There are three main segments that you must consider when you are trying to find out how long it will take to travel from the airport to Grand Indonesia.
The first segment is from the airport terminal you arrive at to SHIA (the integrated train station at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport). As an approximation this should take roughly 5 minutes of travel time.
Phase of this trip is from the integrated station to BNI City station using the airport train. This usually takes around 45 minutes of travel time.
Transferring from BNI City Station to Dukuh Atas should add another 5 minutes. And then the trip from Dukuh Atas to Bundaran HI should take 5 minutes.
The final walk to Grand Indonesia from the station should be no longer than 5 minutes.
You can expect the entire trip from Jakarta airport to Grand Indonesia to take about 1 hour and 10 minutes using the airport train and MRT.
$$$ How much does it cost to get from the airport to Grand Indonesia by train/MRT?
This is a very affordable trip based on international standards.
The airport Railink from Soekarno to BNI City Station costs 70,000 IDR per adult.
The MRT ride from Dukuh Atas to Bundaran HI costs about 4,000 IDR if you have a card for the trip.
The total price for this journey should be around 80,000 IDR per person. Prices here are quoted according to rates at the time of writing. Remind at these prices are subject to change over time.
Selecting the Area to Stay near Grand Indonesia
Grand Indonesia is located right in the heart of central Jakarta. Therefore, you can expect to find some of the best properties in the entire city within direct walking distance of this mall.
Directly east of Grand Indonesia is Bundaran HI. This is a very famous roundabout that is surrounded by excellent hotels to choose from. All of them are within walking distance of the mall. Unless you are on a strict budget it doesn’t make sense to stay anywhere else but right in this area of the city. It is easy to access the MRT and it is also close to other malls and sights like the Monas.
Where have we stayed near Grand Indonesia in Jakarta?
Based on our extensive experience in Jakarta, we have had the opportunity of staying at multiple hotels near the Grand Indonesia. During our last two trips to this area of the city we have stayed at the following two properties:
Both of these properties are classified as five star hotels. Based on our experience we felt that the Mandarin Oriental had better service. But Kempinski was more conveniently located (directly attached to Grand Indonesia).
The buffet breakfast at both of these properties was very thorough and well prepared. However, we felt that Kempinski had a better overall breakfast experience with more expensive meats and seafood choices.
Expect to find excellent gym facilities and spa treatments at both of these superb hotels in central Jakarta. We would recommend either of these properties if you plan on staying near Grand Indonesia.
Keep in mind that these properties have not paid us anything to share this information.
10 Closest Hotels to Grand Indonesia in Jakarta
***Organized according to Star Rating
| Name of Property | Star Rating/Distance/Travel Time to Station | Average Guest Review Score |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta | 5-Star (3 m/1-minute walk) | 9./10 2100+ reviews |
| Grand Hyatt Jakarta | 5-Star (29 m/1-minute walk) | 8.9/10 592+ reviews |
| Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jakarta | 5-Star (48 m/1-minute walk) | 9.0/10 420+ reviews |
| Ascott Jakarta | 5-Star (130 m/1-minute walk) | 8.5/10 2727+ reviews |
| Pullman Jakarta Indonesia | 5-Star (450 m/6-minute walk) | 8.4/10 4558+ reviews |
| Mandarin Oriental Jakarta | 5-Star (1.0 km/13-minute walk) | 9.1/10 251+ reviews |
| Ana Hotel Jakarta | 4-Star (350 m/4-minute walk) | 8.0/10 262+ reviews |
| Grand Picasso Hotel | 3-Star (350 m/4-minute walk) | 7.9/10 195+ reviews |
| OYO 152 O2 Residence | 2-Star (400 m/5-minute walk) | 7.7/10 35+ reviews |
| OYO 366 Thamadhiro Residence | 2-Star (400 m/5-minute walk) | 8.7/10 17+ reviews |
Any more questions about getting from the airport to Grand Indonesia by train?
This has been a step-by-step guide on how to get to Grand Indonesia using the MRT in Jakarta. It is challenging to cover all aspects of this trip in a single article. Consequently, do not hesitate to send an email if you require additional information about this journey. We also have a Facebook page where you can send us messages about any questions that you may have.
Also keep in mind that there are multiple attractions to explore within 4-5 km of Grand Indonesia Mall in central Jakarta. The Monas, for example, is the National Monument of Indonesia and it is about a five-minute drive North of Grand Indonesia. Around the Moon ask you can explore interesting sites such as the National Gallery of Indonesia and the National Museum of Indonesia.
You can learn more about itinerary ideas and attractions in Jakarta using the following to comprehensive guides: