Whist rental cars are available, unless you are very familiar with the local driving practices it is not recommended to rent a car and drive on your own because of the chaotic traffic conditions and congestion. However renting a car or a wagon (known as “Avanza” or a “Kijang” for the cheap Toyotas, or a “Vellfire” for the luxury wagons) and such rental companies usually provide a driver for the duration of the time, a very helpful solution if you are travelling on a one-off trip to a slightly more distant location (i.e Krakatoa or Bandung).

The elevated high-way surrounding Jakarta is tolled at every entry for a typical 6,500rp for cars and taxis and serve as an alternative over the usually congested and dense street roads, whilst faster when traffic is good, the highways are often jammed themselves during rush-hour. The drainage systems of most roads are poorly maintained and even during light rains, major roads may be flooded leading to even more unbearable jams.

Most private residences have their own garage or dedicated parking areas, however paid parking is easy to find in shopping malls and corporate buildings and parking costs are typically 2,000rp for the first 2 hours and 2,000rp for each subsequent hour.

Parking is often a challenge in residential areas due to the narrow roads and little street management and/or most other vehicles are parked on the sides of roads anyway, often leading to tight maneuvering around these blocked corners. Typically at eating locations that are frequented by the public arriving on motorcycles or other motor vehicles, there will be parking attendants dedicated to a small area ushering vehicles in or out of the area, they are dressed in a light blue uniformed shirt of the Jakarta Transportation Agency. They are usually waving their arms frantically to usher you into their lot areas, and for such a service you typically pay 2,000rp directly to the street parking attendant, though street parking attendants do compete for “business” as they earn directly from what you pay them.

The roadside parking outside the shops and restaurants along both streets takes up much road space and causes daily congestion, but the attendants are very helpful when you are trying to reverse your way out after the meal, the attendant will attempt to halt traffic to allow you to back your car out onto the street, whilst there are genuine street parking attendants, there are also very “helpful” locals as illegal attendants operate freely as well and typically demand some form of compensation although figures can vary from 1,000rp to as much as 21,000rp.

If you do decide to drive by yourself in Jakarta, there system of having “a minimum of 3 people in one car” implemented in some of the main thoroughfares in the morning from 7.30-10pm and afternoon from 4.30 - 7pm. At such locations, there are many “helpful” locals thumbing a hitch-hike sign meaning “nebeng” or “hitch-hike”, they will get into your car to make up the numbers and you typically pay them 5,000rp for them to hitch-hike in your car.

Although renting a car to explore the city might not be a great idea (as traffic jams are horrendous and Jakartans don't drive patiently), but it can be considered if you wish to have a ride to outer parts of Jakarta. Some car rental also offered chaffeured service .Car rental counters can be found at airport arrival hall. Some reputable ones including Golden Bird Limousine and Car Rental (belongs to Blue Bird Group), Avis, Europcar, and Cipaganti Car Rental.

Golden Bird Limousine & Car Rental (Thrifty licensee in Indonesia) 021-7944444 (bookings are also available for Golden Bird Bali and Bandung) http://www.bluebirdgroup.com/limousine Trac Astra Rent A Car 021-26605333 http://www.trac.astra.co.id/ Cipaganti Car Rental 021-720 4616 / 720 4766 http://cipaganti.co.id/index.php/car- Europcar 021-3856666 http://www.europcar.com/car-rental-IN... Avis 021-3142900 http://www.avis.co.id/