Flying from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) - Departures Guide

This is part of the Been There, Done That series, where our expert globetrotters travel the world to get the insights and information you need for a seamless travel experience.

Departing from the bustling Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, I reminisced about my whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia's seven main ports of entry.

Terminal 3 at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is the newest and most modern of the three terminals. | Source: iVisa

The journey, filled with vibrant experiences and unforgettable sights, had taken me through the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City, the efficiency of Singapore, the historical charm of Hanoi, and the tropical allure of Kuala Lumpur.

As I prepared to return to the United States, I felt a sense of nostalgia for my trip and gratitude for the smooth departure from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport's Terminal 3 to round out my journey.

Understanding the three terminals

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Soekarno–Hatta International Airport ) in Jakarta, Indonesia, serves over 60 million passengers annually. Flights operate from different terminals to manage this volume and distribute passenger traffic.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 primarily handles domestic flights within Indonesia. It is about one kilometer from Terminal 2 and approximately two kilometers from Terminal 3. The airport's sky train makes transferring between terminals convenient.

Airlines Servicing Domestic Flights at Terminal 1 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta:

• Batik Air

• Citilink

• Kalstar Aviation

• Nam Air

• Lion Air

• Trigana Air

• Business Air

• Xpress Air

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 mainly services international flights but also accommodates a few domestic flights. Always confirm your terminal on your ticket to avoid confusion.

For my trip, I arrived at Terminal 2 from Vietnam and departed from Terminal 3 to Tokyo. After checking luggage at Terminal 2, international and domestic passengers are separated.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3, the newest terminal at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, opened in 2016. It handles all Garuda Indonesia flights, both domestic and international.

Terminal 3 was built to alleviate passenger traffic at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and primarily services long-haul international flights. This is where I would be departing from on my flight to Tokyo.

Terminal 3 at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport services most long-haul international flights. | Source: iVisa

Transfers: Use the tram

If you are catching a connecting flight in Jakarta, domestic or international, or were dropped off at the wrong terminal, you can easily transfer between terminals using the sky train.

More in-depth information on using the sky train can be found here.

Getting to the airport

My flight to Tokyo was scheduled for an early departure at 6 am, which, as it turned out, was not even the earliest international flight departing that day.

One advantage of an early morning flight is avoiding Jakarta's notorious traffic. During my time in the city, it would often take more than an hour to travel a mere eight kilometers, or about five miles, sometimes longer if you leave during peak traffic times between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The airport is 27 kilometers, or approximately 17 miles, from Central Jakarta, where I was staying. I quickly discovered that any map app I used could not predict traffic patterns.

My estimated time of arrival was consistently different from my actual arrival time. It's advisable to allocate sufficient time for your journey.

Travelers wait to check a bag at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminal 3.| Source: iVisa

Checking in

Upon arriving at the airport, I was dropped off at the relatively new Terminal 3. Its size and cleanliness were impressive, making it one of the most pleasant departure halls I've experienced in Southeast Asia.

Despite arriving at 4 a.m., there was a considerable queue for my flight and for other early departures.

After checking my bags, I immediately noticed the availability of multiple open restaurants in the departure hall. This was unusual from my travel experiences, as it's rare to find restaurants open so early in the morning.

Travelers make their way to the single airport entry area at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminal 3. | Source: iVisa

Immigration: Fast with auto-gates

I proceeded to the security area, framed by a small garden leading to the security gate. There is only one security and exit immigration area. Although I passed through security quickly due to the early hour, I suspect it gets pretty busy later in the day.

Immigration was swift, thanks to the auto gate where I scanned my passport and was allowed through and into security and the departures area.

Remember, you must exit the country in the same manner as you entered. You can use the auto-gates with an eVisa on-arrival. If you spoke with an immigration officer upon entry, you must do so when you leave.

Travelers must pass through immigration and security checkpoints at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport airport.| Source: iVisa

Security: Don’t bring liquids on

I then proceeded to security, which was also relatively quick. However, security is quite strict on liquids.

They confiscated a few small cooking sauce packets I intended to bring back to the United States. Besides being bummed out that I lost a few souvenirs, the security process was quick and painless.

Departures Hall: Full of Shops and Restaurants

Once I am through security, I proceed down some escalators into the massive departures hall. Although it says there are only ten gates, the terminal is over a kilometer long from end to end.

Again, once inside the terminal, I noticed that all the duty-free shops and a handful of restaurants and coffee shops, including Burger King, were open at 4:30 a.m.

This is great. I love walking around before a long-haul flight to grab water and a snack for the plane. Most of the restaurants were on the mezzanine level of the terminal.

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport has multiple restaurants and shops within each terminal. | Source: iVisa

Departing: Be Prepared to Walk

My flight was scheduled to depart from Gate 2. The walk from security to Gate 2 was remarkably long, taking approximately 15-20 minutes to reach.

Pro tip: Be prepared for a lengthy trek because moving walkways are limited and several were out of service.

Most early morning flights appeared to depart from the first four gates, which are located on the opposite side of the airport.

En route to my gate, I passed by one lounge. It stood out as one of the most impressive lounges I've seen in Southeast Asia. It is accessible through first—or business-class tickets or by purchasing access for about US$40.

This price point makes it one of the more expensive lounges in Southeast Asia, but it's also among the nicest. There are additional business-class lounges on the terminal's mezzanine level.

Terminal 3 at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport airport lounge pass can be purchased. | Source: iVisa

Upon reaching my gate, I noticed a crowd, as is typical for long-haul international flights. Seating was limited outside the gate but more ample in the surrounding area.

Once boarding began, passengers formed a well-organized line, with ample space for everyone on the flight to queue.

Travelers line up to board an international flight at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. | Source: iVisa

After scanning my ticket, I embarked on another lengthy walk down a corridor to the airplane, which took an additional five minutes or so.

If you're departing from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminal 3, anticipate a significant amount of walking. Carrying a heavy backpack at the end of my trip made the experience somewhat challenging.

Passengers can view the tarmac from the Soekarno–Hatta International Airport terminal. | Source: iVisa

Once aboard the aircraft, I bid farewell to Southeast Asia and another memorable international trip before heading back to the US.