Ins and outs
Getting there
Bogor is just 60 km south of Jakarta and with a fast toll road is easily reached on a day trip from the capital. However, it is worth staying here for longer than just a few hours. Bogor is a thriving commuter town, and, for many, the first stop from the airport for tourists who only want to see Jakarta on day trips from Bogor (rather than the other way around). The bus station is south of the famous botanical gardens, a longish walk or short angkot ride from the town centre, and there are frequent connections with Jakarta’s Kampung Rambutan terminal and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. There are also buses onto Bandung via the Puncak Pass (three hours) and further afield to Yogya, Solo and Bali. The train station is close to the town and there are regular connections with Jakarta’s Gambir station. It is best to avoid visiting at weekends as the roads get jammed due to the influx of oxygen-starved visitors from Jakarta gasping for fresh air.
Bogor
Bogor is 60 km south of Jakarta. A fast toll road makes the trip to Bogor rapid, though scenically unexciting.
Car hire
Car and driver are available for charter from Abu Pensione, Jl Mayor Oking 15.
Colt (angkutan/angkot)
Omnipresent green machines; seem to be more of them than there are passengers. Fixed fare of 2500Rp around town, destinations marked on the front. Blue angkots run to out-of-town destinations.
Bus
The station is just off Jl Raya Pajajaran, south from the botanical gardens and opposite the intersection with the toll road from Jakarta. Frequent connections with Jakarta’s Kampung Rambutan (7500Rp non a/c, 12,000Rp a/c). Bear in mind that Kampung Rambutan is still quite a distance to the centre of Jakarta, making the train trip a much more sensible option. Green angkots from here to the centre of town cost 2500Rp. Regular connections with Bandung, via the Puncak Pass, 3 hrs. For travel to Bandung, Deva Transport offer a door-to-door service. Phone and book, pay at the end of the journey (3 hrs, 60,000Rp) Jl Taman Yasmin Raya, T0251 7532582). For a/c buses to Yogya, Solo and Bali, it is best to go to use one of the well-established bus companies such as Lorena (Jl Raya Tajur 106, T0251 356666) and Pahala Kencana (Jl Sukasari 118, T0251 326482). Bookings can be made over the phone, or through one of their agents at the bus terminal. Routes include Denpasar (27 hrs, US$35), Yogya/Solo (15 hrs, US$16) Surabaya (19 hrs, US$22), Padang (30 hrs, US$32), Probolinggo (21 hrs, US$25). Also connections with Merak, Labuan and Pelabuhanratu. A very fast, efficient service runs from the Airport Bus Terminal on Jl Pajajaran to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Every 30 mins from 0300-1900, 25,000Rp.
Taxi
Blue Bird, T0251 7156969.
Train
The station (a colonial building) is northwest of the botanical gardens on Jl Rajapermas, also known as Jl Stasiun. Regular connections every 30 mins or so with Jakarta’s Gambir station. The uncom- fortable economy trains take around 1hr 20 mins and cost 2500Rp. Much better are the regular Pakaun Express a/c trains that take just under 1 hr and cost 11,000Rp. The first train leaves Bogor at 0540 and the final train out is at 1715. Trains leave from Jakarta’s Kota station, but also stop at Gambir on their way through the capital, en route to Bogor. Note that there are no trains on to Bandung.
more Bogor photos
Bogor videos
