Taking a Taxi in Jakarta: Blue Bird, Express & 'Tarif Bawah'

Blue Bird Group

If you want to take a taxi in Jakarta, I highly recommend you to take a Blue Bird (regular taxi) or Silver Bird (executive taxi, more expensive than Blue Bird). It is probably also useful to know that 'Pusaka' is also part of Blue Bird Group, so you can also take a taxi with 'Pusaka' logo on the doors (taxi looks same as the other Blue Bird taxis, except logo/name).

Blue Bird Taxi in Menteng

Other Taxis: 'Tariff Bawah' (lower rate)

Taxis with 'Tarif Bawah'-sticker on their window offer the lowest fare (approved by government).

I really want to emphasize that I do not recommend to take a 'Tarif Bawah' taxi, especially if you don't speak bahasa Indonesia. You might end up with a smelly driver (no aircon) who cheats on the meter and you have a bigger chance to get robbed. Besides that, they are just slightly cheaper than the more convenient and reliable Blue Bird taxi (flag-fall of 6000 rupiah + 3000 rupiah/km for Blue Bird Taxi).

If there is no Blue Bird taxi around (which hardly ever happens) and you are in a hurry, I would recommend  the relatively safe and convenient 'Express' taxi (white taxi, price similar to Blue Bird).

How to hail a taxi in Jakarta

• Taxis will stop when you wave your hand (if they don't have another customer yet).
• Most malls and hotels have a taxi queue near the lobby (or near several lobbies). You can ask for the Blue Bird taxi queue at the information counter or ask a security guy.

You can also order a Blue Bird taxi by phone (24 hours call center):
Jakarta Blue Bird / Pusaka Regular Taxi: (021) 7917 1234 / (021) 794 1234
Jakarta Silver Bird Executive Taxi: (021) 798 1234
Scroll down for list of other cities and contact info

Some More Tips for Newbies 

Tip 1: Try to find a taxi from a well-known, reliable taxi company. A few companies from most to less reliable: Blue Bird (incl. Pusaka, blue), Express (white), TransCab (yellow), Taxiku (yellow) and Gamya (green). For more information about different taxi companies, Click here.

Tip 2: Do not only look at the color of the taxi. Not all blue taxis are Blue Bird and not all white taxis are Express! There are some very dodgy taxis with almost the same blue color as Bluebird, so be careful.

Some Blue Taxis are Blue Bird, but not all of them!

Tip 3: Most taxi drivers do not speak English (yes, even not a few words). So, if you stay in Indonesia for a long time or if you visit Indonesia often, it might be useful to learn bahasa Indonesia. If not, just try to remember  the following words:

ke mana? = to where?  (your answer: 'ke [destination]') 
kiri = left
kanan = right
lurus = straight
terima kasih = thank you

Tip 4: If you (accidentally) stepped into a 'Tarif Bawah' taxi and you feel unsafe or feel like there is something wrong with the meter (or the driver's driving skills), tell the driver to stop immediately or as soon as possible and find yourself another taxi (Blue Bird or Express).

Mobile Reservation

Video about Blue Bird Mobile Reservation:

BLUE BIRD GROUP TAXI - OUTSIDE JAKARTA (24 hours call center)

Bandung Blue Bird
Phone Number: (022) 756 1234

Bali - Bali Taksi
Phone Number: (0361) 701 111

Cilegon - Pusaka Banten Taksi
Phone Number: (0254) 393 123

Lombok - Lombok Taksi
Phone Number: (0370) 627 000

Manado - Blue Bird
Phone Number: (0431) 86 1234

Medan - Blue Bird
Phone Number: (061) 846 1234

Palembang - Blue Bird
Phone Number: (0711) 361111

Semarang - Lombok Taksi
Phone Number: (024) 670 1234

Surabaya - Surabaya Taksi / Pusaka Sentra / Pusaka Nuri
Phone Number: (031) 372 1234

Surabaya - Silver Bird
Phone Number: (031) 372 1234


Click here for my other (newer) post about taking a taxi in Jakarta