Vehicles

1. Mobil

   Car

   Usage

   The everyday word for a car. Malaysian Malay uses "kereta" for a car, but in Indonesian "kereta" means a train — the meanings swap

2. Bus kota

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus. The spelling "bis" is just as common as "bus"

3. Bus antarkota

   Intercity coach

   Usage

   The intercity coach. Show it with your destination at the "terminal bus"

4. Kereta api

   Train

   Usage

   The backbone of travel across Java. "Kereta" alone already means the train here — but in Malaysia the same word means a car

5. KRL Commuter Line

   KRL commuter train

   Usage

   Greater Jakarta's commuter rail — the one way to skip the traffic entirely. Many of its carriages are second-hand Japanese trains

6. MRT Jakarta

   Jakarta MRT

   Usage

   Jakarta's metro, opened in 2019. Separate fares and gates from the KRL

7. TransJakarta

   TransJakarta busway

   Usage

   The bus rapid transit running in its own lane, also called the "busway". You board from raised stations and pay only by travel card

8. Angkot

   Angkot (shared minibus)

   Usage

   The shared minivan running a fixed route — the main local transport outside Jakarta. Wave to stop it and shout "kiri!" (left) to get off. Short for "angkutan kota"

9. Bajaj

   Bajaj (auto rickshaw)

   Usage

   Jakarta's three-wheeler, named after the Indian Bajaj brand. No meter — agree the fare before you get in

10. Becak

    Becak (cycle rickshaw)

    Usage

    A cycle rickshaw with the passenger seat in front, still working in old Yogyakarta and Solo. Long restricted in Jakarta

11. Ojek

    Ojek (motorbike taxi)

    Usage

    The fastest way over a short distance in traffic. With a street-corner "ojek pangkalan" you must negotiate the fare

12. Ojek online

    App-based motorbike taxi

    Usage

    A motorbike taxi booked through Gojek or Grab, shortened to "ojol". The app fixes the price, so there is nothing to haggle — the safest option for visitors

13. Taksi

    Taxi

    Usage

    Say "pakai argo" (use the meter) before setting off — "argo" is the meter

14. Sepeda motor

    Motorbike

    Usage

    Used when renting; "motor" alone is enough in conversation. Without an international licence and helmet you risk a fine

15. Sepeda

    Bicycle

    Usage

    For renting a bike in Yogyakarta or Ubud. Malaysian Malay uses an entirely different word, "basikal"

16. Pesawat

    Airplane

    Usage

    Domestic flights matter in an archipelago. Malaysian Malay says "kapal terbang"

17. Kapal

    Ship

    Usage

    Larger vessels in general, including the long Pelni state-line routes

18. Kapal feri

    Ferry

    Usage

    The vehicle ferries on Java–Bali (Gilimanuk) and Sumatra–Java (Merak)

19. Perahu

    Small boat

    Usage

    The small wooden boat used for island hops and river trips. Agree the return time when you charter one

20. Speedboat

    Usage

    The fast boat to the Gili Islands or around Labuan Bajo. The English word is what everyone uses

21. Ambulans

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show it to have one called. The nationwide emergency number is 112

22. Truk

    Truck

    Usage

    Used when describing an accident or road conditions. Malaysian Malay says "lori"

23. Rental mobil

    Rental car

    Usage

    In Indonesia a car usually comes with a driver; self-drive is "lepas kunci". Bring your international licence and passport

24. Delman

    Delman (horse cart)

    Usage

    A two-wheeled horse cart still working at tourist spots and rural markets. Yogyakarta favours the four-wheeled "andong"

25. Damri

    Damri airport bus

    Usage

    The state bus company, but the name is shorthand for the airport shuttle. Far cheaper than a taxi between airport and city

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