Moving to a new, foreign country is a daunting task which many expats find very overwhelming. At Asia Expat Guides, we understand your concerns and your specific needs as an expat. We routinely share articles and expat tips about moving to Asia at http://asiaexpatguides.com/expat-tips/. In this particular slide, we share some insider's tricks to deal with traffic jams in Jakarta, Indonesia, one of the cities with the worst traffic jam.

1. Secret Tips to Deal with
Traffic Jam in Jakarta
A Guide for Expats in Jakarta, Indonesia
By: Asia Expat Guides

2. • Jakarta, Indonesia, has been infamous among its Southeast
Asian neighbors for the terrible traffic jams and gridlocks.
The locals even have a saying that they “get old on the
road”, since they spend so much time traveling in the city
and the outer city areas. The word “macet”, which means
“jammed” in Bahasa Indonesia, is one of the few Indonesian
words that expats in Jakarta will quickly learn.
• Traffic in Jakarta is a complex problem that the government
still has troubles to handle, and there‟s nothing the residents
can do besides moaning and finding creative ways to make
traveling in Jakarta more bearable.
• If you are visiting Jakarta or relocating to this vibrant city
soon, here are some insider‟s tricks to deal with traffic jam
in Jakarta!

3. The normal working hours in Jakarta is 08.00-17.00,
so the worst traffic jams usually happen before
and after that, around 06.30-08.30 and 17.3020.00. To minimize the time you have to spend in
the traffic, choose the best time to go out. For
example, many office workers choose to have an
early start (leave home at 06.00) or go home late
(leave office after 20.00). If you need to have
meetings outside the office, schedule your
appointments wisely, if possible.

4. One key to avoiding traffic is to have a
knowledgeable driver. There are unlimited
short cuts and „secret‟ alley ways in Jakarta
as alternatives for the crowded main roads.
If your driver knows such secrets, you will
be able to save a lot of time stuck in traffic.
Also, encourage your driver to talk to other
drivers about which routes and shortcuts
they take to avoid traffic.

5. Consider the time you spend caught in traffic
as an opportunity to make some phone calls
from your mobile phone or even do some
work on your laptop or tablet. Be
aware, however, that mobile phone theft
from cars stopped at traffic lights does
occur, so it's best to only use your phone
while the car is moving.

6. Make your car as comfortable as you can with
extra cushions, a light blanket or a reading
light in the back seat. Keep some CDs of
your favorite music in the car, books,
magazines, newspapers, anything you like!
You may even be able to watch a DVD in
your car. Having a supply of drinks and
snacks in your car may also be handy.

7. In case of emergency, such as when you‟re running late
for an important meeting, you can always ride an
“ojek” or motorbike taxi which is widely available in
Jakarta. As trains and other „traffic-free‟ modes of
transport in Jakarta are not so convenient and fast,
such ojeks become a favorite alternative to beat the
traffic in Jakarta. Just prepare to hold on tight and
beware of the pollution as your driver moves closely
between other vehicles and often take tiny alley
ways as shortcuts.

8. For more information about
being an expat in Asia, visit
http://asiaexpatguides.com