Your Guide to Intercity Bus Travel in Indonesia: Where to Grab Your Tickets!

Many foreign visitors staying in Bali long-term, or living here permanently, often look for the best travel options for exploring Indonesia. For those without private transportation or a driver’s license, buses can be a convenient and affordable choice. Intercity passenger transportation in Indonesia is well-developed, with various options to suit different needs. For example, traveling from Bali to Yogyakarta costs just IDR 370,000 per person. Tickets can be purchased online, at bus station ticket counters, or through travel agencies.

You’ll find two main options: large, comfortable buses with reclining seats or smaller Elf minibuses that accommodate up to 11 passengers.

If comfort is a priority, large buses are often the better choice. They are equipped with softer suspensions compared to Elf minibuses, which can make a big difference on long journeys by reducing fatigue from constant vibrations and bumpy roads.

Travel agencies also offer convenient charter options, where you can book either an entire vehicle for your family or just a seat in a shared charter car. These smaller vehicles and shared charters come with the added convenience of door-to-door pickup. Simply provide your home address to the transportation company, and the driver will pick you up directly from your doorstep—this service is usually available only through travel agencies.

For intercity routes from Bali to other islands, which often exceed five hours, ticket prices typically include a stop for a meal along the way.

If you enjoy overland travel and, for example, need to get from Bali to Medan in Sumatra, there are no direct bus routes. However, you can purchase separate tickets for Bali to Surabaya (approximately IDR 300,000) and Surabaya to Medan (IDR 800,000), making it significantly cheaper than flying this route.

Here are the main bus terminals in Bali:

• Terminal GOR Ngurah Rai in Denpasar

• Terminal Tegal Sari in Denpasar

• Terminal Ubung in Denpasar

• Terminal Mengwi near Tabanan

• Terminal Pesiapan in Tabanan

• Terminal Bus Gilimanuk in the port town of Gilimanuk, where ferries to Java depart

One of the most convenient ways to book tickets is through online platforms like Tiket.com.

• The website has an English version, and its interface is user-friendly.

• You can register using an Indonesian phone number or log in via Apple, Facebook, or Google accounts.

To book a ticket:

1. Enter your departure and destination points (e.g., Denpasar or Tabanan to Yogyakarta).

2. Select whether the trip is one-way or round-trip, specify the date, and input the number of passengers.

3. Click search to view available routes.

The results will show a list of buses and routes. You can refine your search by specifying pick-up and drop-off points (displayed on the right). This is especially helpful if you’re not traveling directly between bus stations. Once you find a suitable route, select your preferred trip and proceed to book.

Once you’ve selected your desired route, a window will appear displaying the amenities available on the bus, along with a seating chart for you to choose your seat

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Your Seat: Click on your preferred seat.

2. Enter Passenger Details: Provide the details of the purchaser and passenger, or check the box “Same as contact details” if they are the same.

3. Proceed to Payment: You can pay via virtual accounts at Indonesian banks (BCA or Mandiri) or use a Visa or MasterCard from a foreign bank.

4. Receive Your E-Ticket: After payment, the electronic ticket will be sent to the email address provided during the booking process.

• The website has an English version.

• Creating an account is simple: click on the “Sign In/Sign Up” button (highlighted in green in the upper right corner) and log in with an Indonesian phone number or through a Google account.

Booking Process:

1. Enter your departure and destination points (e.g., Badung (Bali) to Malang) and your travel date, then click search.

2. Choose a suitable trip and click “View Seats” to select your seat.

4. Provide passenger and booking details.

5. Optionally, add a refund guarantee or insurance.

Payment Methods:

Redbus.id offers a variety of payment options:

• Virtual accounts at Indonesian banks

• Bank transfers

• Visa/MasterCard from foreign banks

• Digital wallets like Gopay

• Payment at retail stores like Indomaret and Alfamart by order number

• The website supports English and allows account registration via email and phone, or you can log in using Facebook, Google, or Microsoft.

• It’s particularly helpful for finding routes to smaller cities in Indonesia, such as Magetan.

Booking Process:

1. Choose your seat.

2. Enter purchaser and passenger details.

3. Optional: Select a vegetarian menu for the included meal if available.

Payment Methods:

Easybook.com supports various payment methods:

• Multiple e-wallets

• Virtual accounts at BCA

• Visa/MasterCard

• QRIS payments

Additional Resources

Another helpful site is Jadwalbis.com, which provides schedules and contact details for agencies selling tickets for specific routes. While this platform does not facilitate direct booking, it’s an excellent resource for finding schedules and additional information about bus services across Indonesia.