Jakarta airport which is known as the Sukarno Hatta International Airport is located at Cengkareng on the west of the city. It was built during President Suharto’s time and was opened in the mid 1980s.

All the international flights are currently been served in Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is used primarily for domestic flights. As most countries in the world are relentlessly upgrading their airports, the reverse is true for Sukarno Hatta airport. There is no major change or upgrade since it was opened.

So if you had been in this airport many years ago and coming back again right now, you will straight
away be able to revive the old fond memories of this airport. It is as though time had stood still for this airport. Everything seems old and unassuming. If you are looking towards traveling back in time in Jakarta, this is the place.

Despite its outdated image, the clearance of customs and luggages are surprisingly efficient. You will also find that the airport itself is able to cater to most of your needs. There are many food outlets that you can choose if you are hungry. If you need to change your home currency into rupiah, there are money exchange outlets and banks. Need a cab? No worries, cabs and limousine are plentiful. If you are on a shoe string budget, just hop into the air conditioned buses that ply from the airport to the city.
Every time when I landed at this airport. I will take my time to soak into the slow and relaxed atmosphere. My favourite spot is the Macdonald restuarant on the arrival hall. It is an open space, so it is not air conditioned. But who needs air conditioned when the place itself is breezy. Seated at this restaurant, you can see people walking past, the numerous taxi stands, buses moving slowing on the road; and people just sitting at the stone bench doing nothing. I would normally sit for an hour before strolling to the Silver Bird taxi counter and booked a limousine cab to go to my hotel.

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