City buses operate a set-fare system, regardless of distance, but prices depend on the type of bus. The cheapest are the small, pale-blue minivans , which operate out of Kota bus station (their numbers are always preceded by the letter "M") and charge Rp400-500; the large coaches found all over the city charge the same, except those with a "P" prefix, which charge Rp700. The small, battered orange micro-minibuses all charge Rp500; the large, double-deckers charge Rp750; and the air-con buses cost Rp1800-2300.

Now that the traditional cycle-rickshaws, or becak, have been banned from Jakarta, the two-stroke motorized rickshaws, or bajaj (pronounced "ba-jais"), have monopolized Jakarta's backstreets. Be sure to bargain very, very hard and remember that bajaj are banned from major thoroughfares such as Jalan Thamrin, so you might get dropped off a long way from your destination. A sample fare, from Jalan Jaksa to the post office, would be Rp2000.

Jakarta's taxis are numerous and, providing you know your way around the city, inexpensive. Rates are usually around Rp6000 per kilometre, with a standard flag-fall of Rp1500. Drivers generally expect a tip from foreigners and may be very reluctant to hand back all your change.

Tourist information can be found in the Jakarta Theatre building, opposite Sarinah department store on Jalan Wahid Hasyim (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-noon; tel 021/3142067), and at the southern entrance of Gambir station.