Express roads supposedly connect Jakarta with most of the other main cities on the island of Java, but in reality conditions can be poor and congestion is a serious problem. There is a ring road around the city, which is currently being upgraded. Toll roads already operate out to the airport and also connect Jakarta with Bandung.

Jakarta has four principal bus terminals. Kalideres is 15km (9 miles) north of Merdeka Square and serves the likes of Merak and Labuan. Kampung Rambutan is 15km (9 miles) south of the city centre and offers buses to Bogor and Bandung. Pulo Gadung is 10km (6 miles) east of the centre with services to the likes of Padang and Bukittinggi. Ladek Bulus is 15km (9 miles) south of Jakarta's centre with handy services for tourists to Yogyakarta and Bali.

Myriad bus companies operate to and from Jakarta.  Two of the most popular are Safari Dharma Raya (tel: (021) 548 5644; website: www.safaridharmaraya.com) and Kramat Djati (tel: (022) 420 0858; website: www.kramatdjatigroup.com).

Breakdown emergency services:
Tel: 0800 140 1287.