Job Discussion Forums

[Amani Renas]

I was looking at getting a plane ticket from Batam to Medan for when my sis and I travel to Indonesia, and I've looked online and in this forum for comments about typical prices of airplane tickets within Indonesia, but have been generally unsuccessful.

Can of you guys point me in the right direction? I've gone to many websites, and I even downloaded a price spreadsheet, but couldn't make head or tails of what was going on with the numbers .

I've also been looking at ferry prices from Singapore to Indonesia...and have had no luck. So, to all of those who have not flown directly into Indonesia, but have gone through Singapore or Malaysia, please spread your wisdom .

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks.

-Amani

[rayman]

www.airasia.com

This is probably the best option from Malaysia.

You can fly one way from Kuala Lumpur to Medan for about US$30

[Amani Renas]

[laughing_magpie06]

Ferry prices are $23 Sing round trip and I highly recommend doing it this way as it is a pleasant and relaxing journey. If you travel with an Indonesian prices are even less, maybe around $18. Clearing Immigration at the Batam seaport is also much cosier than going through Jakarta, an airport which to me is one of the most sterile I have ever been to.

[guruengerish]

I've just travelled in and out of Indonesia using AirAsia (partly owned by Virgin). The planes are new, service quick and efficient, and no need to travel with Garuda or fly into Jakarta. KL to Solo was $50 each way.

Have a look at the site mentioned in a previous mail, and see the different routes flown by AirAsia. I flew out of Solo, not that I'd recommended that to anyone. Yogya also has regular departures.

Most flights are to KL, but there are flights to Johor Baru from Surabaya and JKT.

[Yr of Living Dangerously]

The following airlines have direct flights from Batam to Medan and online booking/e-tickets:

Mandala Air at 09:40: http://www.mandalaair.com/default.aspx?culture=en-US
AND
Batavia Air at 13:25:
http://www.batavia-air.co.id/English/index.php

In the past, I have successfully used the online booking system for Mandala, but the Batavia Air one is new and doesn't seem to work properly.

Mandala doesn't require the passenger name to be the same as that of the credit cardholder; I don't know about Batavia Air for the reason above.

And if you're wondering about safety, they are both in Category 1 (along with Garuda and Merpati). I have flown on Mandala once, and had no problems; I am yet to fly on Batavia.

You can PM me if you have any further questions.

[malu]

Batavia aren't too bad. Since the demise of the Adam Air flying circus I think all domestic operators are on their best behaviour at the moment.