It's even more awesome if you have some connections (family friend works there) and be able to blow right through immigration and customs. I just walk right on through the diplomatic/crew door on the far right side of the immigration desks and get waved for that last screening prior to exit.
I am not so sure whether this still exists. I remember that Hotel Dharmawangsa offers a pick-up service all the way from the air bridge for their hotel guests.
What has happened to McDonald's that used to be in the D concourse years ago? Is is still there? Silly me but the last 4 times I was at CGK, I went directly to the Esplanade lounge.
As of March 2006, Dutch nationalities will be able to enjoy the VOA facilities. VOA is now applicable for 36 countries and 1 special territory with the addition of The Netherlands
The nationalities from the following 11 countries and territories will be able to enter Indonesia without any visa:
How to get through Immigration quicker?
Run like there’s no tomorrow upon disembarking the aircraft.
Okay, walk fast if you can’t run.
It could be the difference between 1 minutes wait and 31 minutes wait.
It's even more awesome if you have some connections (family friend works there) and be able to blow right through immigration and customs. I just walk right on through the diplomatic/crew door on the far right side of the immigration desks and get waved for that last screening prior to exit.
Luggage reclaim : Do priority tags work? Is it quick or slow?
Priority tags (at least on SQ and CX) are useful as the ground handling agent do take care that check-in bags are loaded on carousel according to their priority. Usually VIPs (triangular golden paper tagged) and Solitaire bags are loaded first, then First Class, then Raffles Class/Star Gold. Sometimes not necessarily in this order as Customs pre-screen bags before they arrive on carousel. This affects the loading order.
But yes, overall priority tags work here in CGK.
Also, when getting your bags off the carousel, take a look around your bag and see if they have a white or yellow chalk mark on it. That means that the customs officers will open up your bag when you get there. Usually this happens when you have golf clubs - they want to make sure you're not bringing new clubs. Basically they just want to see if they can find something that they can tax you on - they've tried to tax me for a jigsaw puzzle.
SOLUTION: Be very discreet. Use your saliva (or a wet wipe), and quickly erase it.
Transport to Town tips – what’s the best way?
Taxis – Blue Bird group is most reputable around.
Agreed. There are two reliable taxis into town: Blue Bird (they may have different names on the sides of their cars) and Silver Bird (the latter being a bigger and more luxurious car and runs a faster meter). Silver Bird has their own special queue (usually 3 are in line at any one time). Shouldn't be too hard to miss - the black cars are fairly noticeable and there is a good sign for it. However, if you want the regular Blue Bird, once you exit customs, turn right to get through the welcome area and make a first left out of the terminal. Then wade past all those people offering illegal taxis to get to the Blue Bird queue (usually there is only one car) at the very end of the line - should be right next to the crosswalk. Before you get in, just walk up to the front of the car and take a look at the windshield. There should be a sign saying that it is part of the Blue Bird Group. There are too many new taxi companies that copy Blue Bird's colors and try to trick people thinking it is a Blue Bird. Can't be too careful nowadays.
Last edited by globetrekker84; 11 January 2007, 04:31 PM.
Reason: Added taxi positions.
Perhaps add some info for those whose stay in Indonesia will be a matter of hours, i.e. if you already have your BP, go up the escalator after the transfer counter (passing through the security check, if present), straight into the Esplanade lounge and then pay the departure tax at the gate (S$ will do nicely but no change given).
Do I need to fill out any forms?
There are two types of immigration forms: one for visitors and one for Indonesian passport holders.
Visa On Arrival (VOA)
Nationals of the following 35 (thirty-five) countries and 1 (one) territory can apply for their tourist visa upon arrival at CGK airport for a maximum visit of 30 (thirty) days:
1. South Africa
2. United States of America
3. Argentina
4. Australia
5. Austria
6. Belgium
7. Brasilia
8. Denmark
9. United Arab Emirates
10. Finland
11. Hungary
12. India
13. UK
14. Ireland
15. Italia
16. Japan
17. Germany
18. Canada
19. South Korea
20. Kuwait
21. Luxemburg
22. Maldives
23. Egypt
24. Norway
25. Oman
26. France
27. Poland
28. Portugal
29. Qatar
30. People's Republic of China
31. Russia
32. Swiss
33. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
34. New Zealand
35. Spain
36. Taiwan
Entry Requirements For Visa On Arrival (VOA)
1. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months as from the date of entry into Indonesia
2. Onward or return tickets are compulsory
3. No compulsory vaccinations
A fee of US$ 10.00 is charged for a 7-day stay Visit Visa (single entry) or US$ 25.00 for a 30-day stay Visit Visa (single entry).
Additional information from UMD:
Your passport must have at least one blank page as the visa sticker takes up one full page.
As of March 2006, Dutch nationalities will be able to enjoy the VOA facilities. VOA is now applicable for 36 countries and 1 special territory with the addition of The Netherlands
The nationalities from the following 11 countries and territories will be able to enter Indonesia without any visa:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- Hongkong
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Morrocco
- Peru
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
How to get through Immigration quicker?
Run like there’s no tomorrow upon disembarking the aircraft.
Okay, walk fast if you can’t run.
It can be the difference between 1 minute wait and 30 minutes wait.
Luggage reclaim : Do priority tags work? Is it quick or slow?
Priority tags (at least on SQ and CX) are useful as the ground handling agent do take care that check-in bags are loaded on carousel according to their priority. Usually VIPs (triangular golden paper tagged) and Solitaire bags are loaded first, then First Class, then Raffles Class/Star Gold. Sometimes not necessarily in this order as Customs pre-screen bags before they arrive on carousel. This affects the loading order.
But yes, overall priority tags work here in CGK.
Originally posted by globetrekker84
Also, when getting your bags off the carousel, take a look around your bag and see if they have a white or yellow chalk mark on it. That means that the customs officers will open up your bag when you get there. Usually this happens when you have golf clubs - they want to make sure you're not bringing new clubs. Basically they just want to see if they can find something that they can tax you on - they've tried to tax me for a jigsaw puzzle.
SOLUTION: Be very discreet. Use your saliva (or a wet wipe), and quickly erase it.
Transport to Town tips – what’s the best way?
Taxis – Blue Bird group (www.bluebirdgroup.com) is the most reputable around. They offer regular taxis, executive taxis, and chartered cars (from Mercedes-Benz sedans to Toyota Innova/Alphard if you need more space for people or luggage).
Originally posted by globetrekker84
Agreed. There are two reliable taxis into town: Blue Bird (they may have different names on the sides of their cars) and Silver Bird (the latter being a bigger and more luxurious car and runs a faster meter). Silver Bird has their own special queue (usually 3 are in line at any one time). Shouldn't be too hard to miss - the black cars are fairly noticeable and there is a good sign for it. However, if you want the regular Blue Bird, once you exit customs, turn right to get through the welcome area and make a first left out of the terminal. Then wade past all those people offering illegal taxis to get to the Blue Bird queue (usually there is only one car) at the very end of the line - should be right next to the crosswalk. Before you get in, just walk up to the front of the car and take a look at the windshield. There should be a sign saying that it is part of the Blue Bird Group. There are too many new taxi companies that copy Blue Bird's colors and try to trick people thinking it is a Blue Bird. Can't be too careful nowadays.
Are there airport hotels? Are they airside? Are they within the compound?
Quality Hotel is located in terminal 2. Sheraton Bandara is located in the airport complex but off terminal.
Things to avoid: The pitfalls of this place
Illegal taxis.
Departing:
INTERNATIONAL - T2
Who has lounges here, and which one can I use?
There are eight lounges airside: three near D gates (Esplanade, Premier, Pura Indah and five near E gates (Mutiara, Citibank, Emerald Sky, Garuda Indonesia International Lounge, and HSBC Premier)
SQ First Class, Raffles Class, and PPS passengers use the Esplanade Lounge. The lounge is a joint-venture between SQ and the ground handling agent PT. JAS, thus there is some “SKL” feel to this lounge. The lounge is nice with large windows, and offers decent selections of food and beverage. Free wireless internet & some internet terminals.
SQ Elite Gold & Star Gold passengers are given an invitation to either Premier Lounge or Pura Indah Lounge.
I’ve got access to more than one lounge, which one’s the best? Premier Lounge and Pura Indah are pretty decent after their latest renovations. However Esplanade is still the best in my opinion - it is exclusively for SQ F/J/PPS only, while the others allows passengers from other airlines + certain banks' cardholders which makes them quite crowded at times.
What sort of food is available in the concourse areas?
There is a Starbucks Coffee outlet and some other snack counters
Any immigration forms on departure?
The departure form is attached to the arrival form.
Any airport tax to be paid on departure?
IDR 150,000 (up from IDR 100,000 since 2009) - approximately USD 14 - and this is never included in your ticket price.
Is there free internet around somewhere?
In the lounges.
How strict are they with hand luggage here?
It depends on the airline you are traveling on. SQ is quite relaxed in general – as long as you are not planning to carry a kitchen sink onboard you should be fine.
Security – Laptops out? Shoes off? Tips? Any No-Liquid restrictions?
They don’t require laptops to be taken out of hand luggage. No need to take off your shoes for x-ray. Liquid And Gel (LAG) restriction (max 100ml containers in 1 liter clear zip-lock plastic bag) is in effect.
Can I smoke in this airport? Where?
There are smoking rooms in the lounges and smoking areas in the terminal (airside).
Connecting through here:
Are the international terminals and domestic terminals in the same building?
Some domestic flights depart from T2, some from T1. International is at T2.
T3 started operations in April 2009 for RI and QZ domestic flights.
Will I need to clear CIQ before going on to my next international or domestic flight?
Yes, if you are connecting to a domestic flight.
To transfer to another flight (or to return to SIN on the same aircraft ):
If you already have your onward boarding pass, go up the escalator after the transfer counter (passing through the security check, if present), straight into the Esplanade lounge and then pay the departure tax at the gate (S$ will do nicely but no change given). [Source: jhm]
If you don't already have your BP, get it at the transfer counter before going up the escalator to departure area.
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