Looking for comments, input or criticism of solo trip to Indonesia Nov 2026
Interested in hearing peoples’ thoughts on below. Please do let me know what you think.
Indonesia Nov 8 to Nov 22 - Flight is booked and i wont change, just tinker with itinerary
Option 1 (I am leaning towards)
Land in Jakarta Sunday Nov 8
plan to rent car for full time Nov 6 to 21 - $775 CAD cheaper to rent for two weeks.
Won’t probably drive much in city, maybe in mornings. Otherwise grab, taxi etc as I want to have some drinks
Wednesday Nov 11 leave city early and drive to Yogyakarta -$150 CAD tolls and fuel
Wednesday and Thursday night - Stay Yogyakarta
Friday - Fly to Bali - $300 CAD flight leave rental car at Yogyakarta airport. $100 parking
Friday to Monday stay in Bali - rent scooter or driver for farther locations and snorkel
Monday Nov 16 - fly back to Yogyakarta, grab rental drive to Bandung - $150 CAD tolls and fuel etc
Monday and Tuesday night Stay in Bandung and area
Wednesday Nov 18 - back to Jakarta $50 tolls and fuel
Options
Hybrid trip above combines some road trip and flights, with 18 hrs (not too much driving). Good balance of days in Jakarta and rest of country for me. cost of ~$1,850
One way car rental from Jakarta to Bali $2,200 (car, fuel, tolls and flight back to Jakarta) (25 hours driving) this also spreads out over more days and probably less days in Jakarta.
All flights/trains - day trip to Bandung, flight to Yogyakarta, flight to Bali, flight Jakarta ~ $500. Really same as option 1 for days in Jakarta but most flexible to change on fly. This option also leaves me without car at each location or going through hassle of going to rental agency in each location.
I am leaning toward option 1 or 2. The flying is way more flexible and efficient but I think I would miss a lot of the country. The hotel, food etc at each location is a wash as I am going to spend it no matter what. It’s more about time and what I get to see. I like road trips and hate airports and public transport. I can and have driven extended distances and in places like Lima, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires etc.
50 year old male travelling solo. Budget is pretty high and no option impacts it. I only outline as I am an accountant and like crunching the numbers. Like good food, cigar lounges, bars (but past the age of late night clubs), sports, street food and just talking to people and seeing their day to day. Fine though with zero contact and no conversations for days.
Enjoy scenic views and looking at nature but it’s not a priority, same for volcanoes, temples, or any tourist attraction at all; enjoy travelling for the day to day perspective. If I see some tourist attractions great but can’t be bothered to stand in lines or crowds to see them. I literally get more enjoyment sitting on a bench watching the world go by or having a coffee and reading. Have a lot of interest in Jakarta as there are really nice hotels and restaurants and I like big cities; I have read and understand people’s concerns about Jakarta but not worried about it.
Any input is appreciated.