The Jakarta MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), opened in 2019, is the single best transit option for tourists exploring Jakarta. The 16-kilometer north-south line connects Lebak Bulus in deep South Jakarta to Bundaran HI in Central Jakarta in 30 minutes — bypassing all surface traffic. For tourists, only 6 of the 13 stations matter (the others serve residential and commercial commuters). This guide is the most comprehensive English-language Jakarta MRT guide, focused specifically on the stations and routes tourists actually use, with current 2026 fares, payment options, a first-time-rider walkthrough, and the current truth about Phase 2 (which most competitor guides get wrong).

For broader transit planning, see our pillar getting around Jakarta, the TransJakarta bus guide, the KRL commuter line, the airport transfer options, the Grab vs Gojek, the JakLingko card, the avoid Jakarta traffic, and the transportation costs guides.

Jakarta MRT at a Glance (2026)

Item	Details
Line length	16 km, 13 stations
Terminals	Lebak Bulus Grab (south) ↔ Bundaran HI (north)
Operating hours	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM daily
Frequency	5 min peak / 10 min off-peak
Fare range	IDR 3,000–14,000 (distance-based)
Payment	JakLingko, e-Money, Flazz, Brizzi, TapCash, single trip ticket
Average travel time	30 min end-to-end
Phase 2 (Bundaran HI → Kota)	Under construction; partial opening expected 2027

The 6 MRT Stations Tourists Actually Use

Most Jakarta MRT guides waste time on commuter stations like Cipete Raya, Haji Nawi, and Fatmawati. For tourists, only six stations actually matter. Here they are, north to south:

1. Bundaran HI (North Terminus) — Central Jakarta

The northern terminus and the single most useful tourist MRT station. Exits directly under the Selamat Datang Welcome Monument at Bundaran HI roundabout. Connects via underground walkway to Plaza Indonesia mall, Grand Indonesia mall, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, and Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. Walking distance: Sabang street food (10 min), Hotel Indonesia roundabout photography, MRT to Monas via Tugu Tani area (15 min walk).

2. Dukuh Atas BNI — KRL Interchange

The most important transfer station in Jakarta. Connects MRT to KRL Commuter Line (for Bogor, Tangerang, Cikarang day trips), BNI City Station (Airport Railink to Soekarno-Hatta), Sudirman KRL station, and TransJakarta Corridor 1. Critical for travelers planning Bogor day trips or airport transfers via train. See our KRL guide and airport transfer guide.

3. Setiabudi Astra — Sudirman Office District

Serves the Setiabudi business cluster, JS Luwansa Hotel, and connects to Sudirman office towers. Less essential for tourists but useful if your hotel is in this area.

4. Bendungan Hilir — Sudirman Mid-Point

Mid-Sudirman station. Connects to Capital Place mall (Four Seasons Jakarta), Pacific Place (5-min Grab away). Useful for visiting Four Seasons or Capital Place.

5. Istora Mandiri — GBK Stadium

Direct access to Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex, including the main stadium, jogging tracks, public sports facilities, and the Hutan Kota by Plataran urban forest. Essential for Persija football matches, concerts, or accessing the 279-hectare GBK green space.

6. Senayan — Premium Shopping District

Serves Plaza Senayan, Senayan City, and the premier shopping cluster. Walking distance: 25hours Hotel The Oddbird at ASHTA District 8, Fairmont Jakarta, multiple premium restaurants (Sate Khas Senayan flagship). The most useful South Jakarta MRT station for shopping- and dining-focused trips.

Other Stations (Less Essential for Tourists)

• ASEAN — serves residential South Jakarta
• Blok M BCA — serves Blok M nightlife and Blok M food court (occasional tourist value)
• Haji Nawi, Cipete Raya, Fatmawati, Lebak Bulus Grab — primarily residential commuter stations

Payment Options

Six payment options work at Jakarta MRT gates:

1. JakLingko card — Indonesia’s integrated transit card with IDR 10,000 fare cap across all transit modes within 3 hours. Available at Indomaret, Alfamart, station vending machines. Card cost: IDR 50,000 (IDR 15,000 balance + IDR 35,000 card).
2. e-Money (Mandiri) — most widely accepted alternative, top up at any Indomaret. Easiest for tourists.
3. Flazz (BCA) — second-most-popular bank card
4. Brizzi (BRI) — works on MRT and most transit
5. TapCash (BNI) — same as above
6. Single Trip Ticket (STT) — buy at station vending machine; valid for one ride only; deposit required

For most foreign tourists, the easiest option is Mandiri e-Money — available at any Indomaret convenience store for IDR 30,000 (card) plus desired top-up amount. Works on MRT, TransJakarta, KRL, JakLingko Mikrotrans, and toll roads. See our JakLingko card guide for full comparison.

Fare Table (2026)

Trip	Stations	Fare
1–2 stations	e.g., Bundaran HI → Dukuh Atas	IDR 3,000–4,000
3–4 stations	e.g., Bundaran HI → Bendungan Hilir	IDR 5,000–7,000
5–7 stations	e.g., Bundaran HI → Senayan	IDR 8,000–10,000
8+ stations	e.g., Bundaran HI → Lebak Bulus	IDR 11,000–14,000

Children under 90 cm ride free. Elderly (60+) and persons with disabilities ride at 50% discount with ID verification.

First-Time Rider Walkthrough

1. Enter the station — most stations are underground (Bundaran HI, Dukuh Atas, Setiabudi, Bendungan Hilir) or elevated (Senayan south)
2. Find the ticket area — look for “Tiket” signs; STT vending machines accept cash or card
3. Tap your card or STT at the entry gate; gate opens
4. Follow signs to the correct platform — north platform for Bundaran HI direction; south platform for Lebak Bulus direction
5. Stand behind the yellow line on the platform
6. Board the train — trains arrive every 5 minutes peak, 10 minutes off-peak
7. Exit the train at your destination station
8. Tap your card or STT at the exit gate; gate opens; fare is deducted based on distance

MRT vs. Other Transit Options

Mode	Best For	Cost	Speed vs MRT
MRT	North-south corridor, rush hour	IDR 3k–14k	Baseline
TransJakarta bus	East-west, places MRT doesn’t reach	IDR 3,500 flat	Slower than MRT
KRL Commuter	Bogor, Tangerang day trips	IDR 5,000+	Slower per km
Grab/Gojek car	Door-to-door, late night	IDR 25k–80k typ	Often slower in traffic
Gojek/Grab motorbike	Short trips, beat traffic	IDR 10k–25k typ	Often faster

When the MRT Beats a Grab

The MRT beats Grab car nearly every weekday morning between 7:00–10:00 AM and afternoon 4:00–8:00 PM. During these peak periods, surface traffic on Sudirman-Thamrin moves at 5–10 km/h while the MRT runs unaffected at full speed. A Bundaran HI → Senayan trip takes 8 minutes on MRT versus 30–60 minutes by Grab during rush hour.

Grab/Gojek beats MRT when: you have heavy bags, you’re traveling outside MRT corridors (Kemang, Kota Tua, Glodok, Ancol), you’re traveling late at night (after midnight), or you’re with 3+ people sharing a car. See our Grab vs Gojek guide.

Phase 2 (Bundaran HI → Kota) — Current Status

Most competitor MRT guides incorrectly state that the MRT runs to Kota Tua. It does not. Phase 2A (Bundaran HI → Harmoni → Sawah Besar → Mangga Besar → Glodok → Kota) is under construction as of 2026, with partial opening expected in 2027 and full opening in 2029. Until then, you must use Grab, TransJakarta Corridor 1, or KRL Jakarta Kota to reach Kota Tua from Bundaran HI.

MRT Etiquette

• Let passengers exit first before boarding
• Stand right, walk left on escalators
• No food or drink inside paid area (gates onwards)
• Give priority seats to elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers (clearly marked)
• Phone calls allowed but at conversational volume
• No smoking anywhere in stations or trains (fines apply)
• Photography permitted for personal use; flash discouraged on platforms

Useful MRT Apps

• MRT-J — official Jakarta MRT app with live train tracking, station info, ticket purchase
• JakLingko — integrated transit app showing MRT plus TransJakarta plus KRL routes
• Google Maps — accurate MRT routing for tourists; shows station names in English
• Moovit — international transit app with Jakarta MRT integration

Frequently Asked Questions About Jakarta MRT Guide

Does the Jakarta MRT go to Kota Tua?

Not yet. Phase 2A construction to Kota Tua is underway, with partial opening expected 2027. Currently the northern terminus is Bundaran HI; from there, use Grab, TransJakarta Corridor 1, or KRL Jakarta Kota to reach Kota Tua.

How much does the Jakarta MRT cost?

Fares are distance-based: IDR 3,000 minimum (1–2 stations) to IDR 14,000 maximum (end-to-end). Children under 90 cm ride free.

Can I use a credit card on Jakarta MRT?

Foreign credit cards cannot be tapped directly at gates. You need a JakLingko card, Mandiri e-Money, Flazz, Brizzi, TapCash, or a single trip ticket. Cards can be bought at any Indomaret or station vending machine; foreign credit cards work at the purchase point.

Does the MRT go to Soekarno-Hatta Airport?

No — the MRT doesn’t reach the airport. For airport access, use the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Railink train from BNI City Station (transfer at Dukuh Atas MRT). See our airport transfer guide.

Is the Jakarta MRT safe?

Yes — Jakarta MRT is very safe and clean, with security personnel at every station, CCTV throughout, and clear emergency procedures. Solo female travelers report no issues.

What hours does the Jakarta MRT operate?

Trains run 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily. Weekend service hours are the same. Last train from Bundaran HI heading south departs at 11:55 PM.

The Jakarta MRT is the fastest, cleanest transit option for tourists exploring Indonesia’s capital. To plan further, see our getting around Jakarta pillar, the TransJakarta bus guide, the KRL commuter line, the airport transfer, the Grab vs Gojek, the JakLingko card, the avoid Jakarta traffic, the transportation costs, the best attractions, and the tourist attractions map.

External Resources for Jakarta MRT

For official information, the official Jakarta MRT website publishes current schedules, fare changes, and Phase 2 construction updates. The Metro Line Hub Jakarta aggregates traveler reviews and station information.