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Visiting South East Asia- specifically, Indonesia?
What are travel apps?
Travel apps are mobile phone application that assist your travel experience to be as easy and as convenient as possible!
As an Indonesian native, this is my ultimate guide to the travel apps recommendations tourists have to download! Visiting Jakarta, Bali, or Surabaya soon? Save some research time and pre-download these handy apps to make your travel as seamless as possible.
Honest to goodness, I cannot live without the daily convenience of the first two apps now. It’s just too easy, everything is now available with just a few taps on your screen!
Table of contents
What to Prepare Before Downloading
These are requirements you need to have to access all the features of these must-have apps! Since these are local apps, there are things first time visitors need to note.
- Internet connection
- Local phone number: You can get an eSIM or buy a physical SIM card at local outlets
- Ability to receive text messages / WhatsApp messages: Necessary for confirmation codes!
Transportation Travel App 🚅:
1. Gojek
Gojek is a local unicorn startup company that offers ride-hailing, deliveries, and digital payment services.
GoTo, its parent company, coins Go-jek app as a Super App. With this ride-hailing app, you can order transportation services (cars and motorcycles), have your food delivered, and use its digital wallet (Gopay) to pay for your purchases in most physical stores. Scan any payment QR code in store, and you are ready to pay with your e-wallet balance or linked debit cards.
Good news, you can use your international credit card with this app! Simply register it as a payment method, much like Uber, and you are all set.Gojek’s User Interface. The starred icons are the most important ones! Book your rides with Goride and the leftmost is the interface for Gofood, its food delivery service.
For solo travellers- you can book the motorcycle ride option to zigzag your way around the city!
The interface is in English, and they will automatically translate your chats when you interact with the drivers.
You can also book public transportation through Gojek; namely, trains! In Jakarta, these would be the KRL and LRT (commuter line) that connects various stations within and outside of the city. If you book through this useful app, you’ll get a QR code that you can scan at the gate.
The Gojek app is also available to use in Singapore and Vietnam, so definitely have this in your phone if you are heading to those countries as well.
2. Grab
What can I do with this travel app?
Grab is a multinational company that offers much of the same services Gojek does (ride-hailing, deliveries, and digital payment services)
Branding itself as a Super App, the decacorn app Grab originally hails from Singapore. It is available in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. You can book both car and motorcycle rides and food deliveries all within one app.
They also have a digital wallet / payment service as well, but you have to download another app for that (Ovo). Similar to Gojek, you can register your International credit card to pay for your purchases in Indonesia.
3. My Bluebird
What can I do with this app?
Book a Bluebird taxi for your transportation needs (especially to the airport!)
Although local transportation is heavily dominated by the above two options, taxis are still quite thriving. I especially prefer Bluebird, because it has a long history of safety and reliability. All Bluebird drivers I have met are polite, drives pretty ok (with the traffic here, it can be a real concern), and reliable. In contrast, Gojek and Grab drivers can be a little hit-or-miss. This can be a little problematic if you are pressed for time, as you can encounter many cancellations depending on the traffic conditions.
For long rides, transportation after dark, and early-morning airport runs, I prefer booking this taxi. You can also schedule a pick-up at your desired time. If you want a more luxurious experience, you can order Silver Bird and Golden Bird in the same app, as well. Silver Bird is equipped with choices ranging from Toyota Alphard, Mercedes Benz, and Tesla. On the other hand, Golden Bird provides limousine services with an emphasis on the premium.
I would say that Bluebird is the safest transportation option in big cities. Yes, safer than Gojek or Grab! You can also chat with your Bluebird driver in-app. For an extra layer of safety, note down the driver ID number just in case you leave any of your stuff in the car. You might need it when calling customer service later.
You can use your international credit card in this app as well! Simply add it as a payment method as shown in the screenshot above and you are all set. Digital wallets such as Gopay, ShopeePay, and DANA are also available- though not as accessible for tourists.
Communication App 🤳:
1. WhatsApp
What can I do with this travel app?
Get in touch with anyone you meet in Indonesia!
Almost all Indonesians use WhatsApp, and it is the best way to stay in touch! You’ll find that delivery drivers will also contact you through WhatsApp if you place an order through Indonesia’s many e-commerce platforms. Use your mobil number from anywhere in the world and simply register for a WhatsApp account. Only one-time activation is required and you are ready to chat with your new Indonesian friends.
Travel App for Flights and Stays 🛏️:
1. Traveloka
What can I do with this travel app?
Book domestic flights, booking hotels, tickets for local attractions, train tickets, and bus tickets.
Yet another Super App, Traveloka is a great app for flight and hotel bookings. Search for hotel stays in local cities, and book them right on the app. Most local airlines’ tickets are offered in Traveloka as well, and the boarding pass will be available within the app once you finish the booking process. They do have promos, but most are restricted by a certain purchase time range.
Also find tickets to tourist attractions, tour guides, and transportation to points of interest. Having Traveloka at the tip of your finger will ensure the smoothest travel experience!
2. Airbnb
What can I do with this travel app?
For unique stays and group travel accommodations.
Airbnb is widely used in Indonesia as well. This is especially handy to find off the beaten track villas (quite literally in remote areas, some of the time) and unique accommodations with local hosts.
Find rental apartments in big cities and that pool villa from your dreams in Bali (complete with flower baths!). My experience has been good so far, although the road to said accommodations are not always in the best conditions. Keep in touch with your host!
3. Tiket.com
What can I do with this travel app?
Book local flights, hotels, activities, train, and bus rides.
An alternative to Traveloka and owned by the e-commerce app Blibli, Tiket.com is a one-stop-shop for all your travel needs.
Food App / Deliveries 🍝:
1. Gofood and Grab Food (part of Gojek and Grab, respectively)
What can I do with this travel app?
Too tired to go out? Simply order food deliveries within the Gojek and Grab apps!
I admittedly use this way too often. It’s just like Uber Eats, but with way cheaper fees! The app I mostly use is Grab for their Grab Food, just because it has the most promos and discounts right now. Service wise, they are pretty comparable and both automatically translates English to Indonesian. Customer service is usually pretty decent as well, especially with Grab. They refund any mistaken/unreceived items readily.
2. Google Maps
What can I do with this travel app?
Navigate and view restaurant reviews from locals and tourists alike!
Google Maps is still the most decent way to view restaurant reviews. Another app, Zomato, used to be a local go-to; but they have since ceased operations in Indonesia. I find that they have a lot of active users, and legendary restaurants usually have plenty of reviews.
3. Chope
What can I do with this travel app?
Find out about current promos and discounts, reserve restaurants!
Originating from Singapore, Chope shows the current promos available in many restaurants. It is especially useful to seek discounted dining experiences in the bigger cities. If you are backpacking through smaller towns, though, just go with the flow and see what’s available on the road. In case you’re worried about Bali Belly or food poisoning, stick to larger chains such as Bakmi GM, Solaria, or international chains. On the downside, you might be missing out on the authentic Indonesian experience!
Activities Travel App 🏛️:
1. Instagram
What can I do with this travel app?
Seek novel and popular tours and experiences, find restaurant/cafe reviews and recommendations.
In my experience, Get Your Guide is not as widely used as it is in Europe or in the US. You are honestly better off searching for activities on Instagram. Look for tour companies local to the area, or use “City Name/Area Name” + Tour as keywords. This might sound strange to tourists, but I have found some great experiences this way!
2. Traveloka
What can I do with this travel app?
Book experiences, tours, classes, and find places to stay!
The Airbnb Experiences section is more widely used than Get Your Guide for Indonesia. Most activities are centered around tourist-heavy areas, so this might not be the ultimate way to discover all Indonesia has to offer.
3. Klook
What can I do with this travel app?
Find and book experiences, tours, car rentals, and other activities!
I find that Klook is much more widely used in Asia compared to Get Your Guide. There are way more reviews and users in this app compared to the latter. You can search and find new experiences in Indonesia in this app, just look up the cities you are planning on visiting! Some of the experiences I was able to find was tickets to the Balinese Kecak Dance in Uluwatu Temple, and car rentals in Nusa Penida.
Finally, I hope this guide for travel apps is helpful to you! Enjoy your trip and have plenty of fun 💕
P.S. = For other travel app recommendations, check out the best ones to use when visiting Italy and France!
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