Indonesia has a good domestic flight network linking most of the larger towns to Jakarta. Many visitors hire scooters and motorbikes but care should be taken to ensure you hire vehicles from a reputable dealer, have correct documentation and are aware of the risks - accidents are all too frequent. Helmets are compulsory. Jakarta is the only city with an established conventional bus service of any size, and it has a comprehensive network.

Bahasa is the main language along with 735 local languages, English and Dutch.

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a travellers individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor.

Vaccination against Hepatitis A is recommended for travellers to Indonesia. Vaccination against Hepatitis B should be considered by frequent or long stay travellers. Vaccination against Typhoid should be considered particularly when travelling to areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Travellers staying in Indonesia for extended periods or visiting certain regions may require immunisation against Rabies or Japanese Encephalitis. As Malaria and Dengue Fever occur in Indonesia, insect avoidance measures and antimalarial medication may be necessary subject to a travellers itinerary. Care with food and beverage selection is recommended. 

Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to Indonesia should ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/indonesia

Electrical Socket: European

Voltage: 220-240 volts (same as Australia)

Modem Plug: USA 

Country Code for Indonesia: +62

Visa Global Assistance: 001 803 44 1600, International Operator: 101 (from most areas).

Emergency Services: Fire: 113 Ambulance: 118 Police: 110 These services may not have English speaking staff. To avoid delay it may be best to seek the assistance of a Bahasa speaker to call the emergency services

The malls of Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital, vary from those with high end designers to the chaotic crowds of local markets where anyone can pick up a bargain. If fashion is not your style, try shopping at a traditional market where you can test your bahasa bartering on local produce, handicrafts or antiques. Sample the tropical fruit or take in the sights of traditional bamboo furniture for sale. For those who like to browse, it will be impossible to resist the temptation to wander the streets and look at all the traditional wares on offer, from beautiful batik materials to shiny pieces of hand crafted silver jewellery. Office hours are generally from 8am to 4pm, or 9am to 5pm. Lunch break occurs between noon and 1pm. Usually offices are closed on Saturdays, including government offices. Government office hours are 8am to 4pm.

Tipping in Indonesia is common. When to tip and how much to tip always depends on the quality of the service provided. The amount you decide to tip will always depend on your satisfaction with the service. 

For the most up to date information regarding visas for Australian passport holders to Indonesia, visit www.dfat.gov.au/visas/

Greetings can be rather formal as they are meant to show respect. A handshake is the most common greeting accompanied with the word "Selamat". Many Indonesians may give a slight bow or place their hands on their heart after shaking your hand. If you are being introduced to several people, always start with the eldest or most senior person first. 

Titles are important in Indonesia as they signify status. If you know of any titles ensure you use them in conjunction with the name. Some Indonesians only have one name, although it is becoming more common for people to have a first name and a surname. Many Indonesians, especially those from Java, may have had an extremely long name, which was shortened into a sort of nickname for everyday conversation. There are several ethnic groups in Indonesia. Most have adopted Indonesian names over the years, while some retain the naming conventions of their ethnicity.