Airport Tax Guide
Last updated: October 16, 2014
A guide to Indonesia’s infamous and confusing passenger service charge.
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NEWSFLASHStarting 1 October 2014, Garuda Indonesia has stopped including airport tax in its ticketed price. Garuda says this is a temporary thing while other airlines (and airports) prepare to implement a new national system of including airport tax in prices. Fingers crossed… In the meantime, Garuda’s budget airline, Citilink, is now the only airline that includes airport tax in the ticket price. Source: Liputan 6 On 1 January 2015, domestic airport tax will increase at Medan Airport to Rp75 000 per person and at Tanjung Pinang to Rp40 000 per person. |
Indonesia is one of the few countries where airport fees are NOT included in the price of the ticket. Visitors to Indonesia often call it “departure tax”, but that is not correct because domestic passengers also pay it. Its official name is PJP2U (Indonesian for passenger service charge), but its working title is airport tax.
How Much Is Airport Tax?
Airport tax is up to Rp40 000 Rp75 000 ($7 €5 £4) per person for domestic flights, and up to Rp150 000 Rp200 000 ($18 €13 £11) per person for international flights. As a general guide, smaller and more remote airports have cheaper airport tax.
When/Where/How to Pay Airport Tax?
At most airports, passengers at a special booth after checking in, on the way to the departure gate (right). At a few airports – e.g. Surabaya – passengers can pay at the check-in desk.
Passengers then receive a sticker on their boarding pass as a receipt/proof of payment, which is scanned at the security checkpoint near the departure gate. Some airports try harder than others with the presentation of the airport tax sticker:
Airport Tax Across Indonesia
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Airport tax must be paid in Rupiah cash. It is recommended that visitors prepare the required amount of money in advance, and save it for later. If you are arriving in Indonesia and then transiting/connecting to a domestic flight, you will need to get some Rupiah from an ATM or moneychanger before checking in for the second flight.
What Happens If I’m Transiting?
Transiting passengers on domestic flights do not have to pay airport tax twice. If you are flying from e.g. Medan to Denpasar (Bali) via Jakarta using the one airline and the one ticket/booking code, you only pay airport tax in Medan. The exception is budget airlines (e.g. AirAsia) that do not allow passengers to transit and do not check bags through to their final destination. If you are flying e.g. AirAsia from Medan to Denpasar (Bali) via Bandung, you will pay airport tax twice.
Similarly, passengers taking a domestic flight then an international flight do pay airport tax twice; 1 x domestic airport tax, 1 x international airport tax. For example, if you are flying from Surabaya to Perth via Denpasar on Garuda Indonesia, you will pay domestic airport tax in Surabaya, then international airport tax in Denpasar (even though your bags are checked through to Perth).
Airport Tax To “Disappear”?
According to reports, the Indonesian airport operator is going to commence incorporating airport tax into the price of domestic flights. The schedule is:
- September 2012: Garuda Indonesia domestic flights from Jakarta
- End 2013: All domestic flights from Jakarta
- 2014: Domestic flights at other airports
It seems international airport tax will remain a cash payment.
Questions about airport tax or updates for a specific airport are welcome; please write it below in a comment.
185 Comments on “Airport Tax Guide”
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Thomas says:
Dear officer in charge,
I am going to fly from Hong Kong to Surabaya transit at Jakarta via Garuda airlines. Please advise whether I will need to pay airport tax at Surabaya. If yes, how much. Thanks a lot.
EDIT
Sorry, I meant Jakarta airport. Thanks -
Hi Thomas,
I recently did the same thing myself (Surabaya to an international destination via Jakarta on Garuda).
For Garuda Indonesia only, you don’t have to pay airport tax in Surabaya, same like for all domestic flights.
For all airlines, you have to pay airport tax of Rp150 000 per person in Jakarta, regardless of whether you are transiting or not. You pay it in Rupiah cash when you check in.
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gs says:
how much do we need to pay airport tax from balikpapan to malaysia?
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International airport tax in Balikpapan is Rp100 000 per person. It’s the same amount for all international destinations.
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Huib Senff says:
In october 2013 I wil travel from Bankok to Surabaya and back with Air Asia.
What is the airporttax in Surabaya by arrival and by depart?
Can I pay with US dollars or Euro? -
Hi Huib Senff,
Airport tax is paid on departure only, not arrival.
For all international flights departing Surabaya, airport tax is Rp150 000 per person; it does not change with the destination.
It is paid in Rupiah cash when you check in; you cannot pay in other currencies or with a credit card.
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Kiu Seik Moi says:
I will visit bandung in February 2014, do i need to pay the airport tax during departure and return to Malaysia?
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Yes, you will pay international airport tax in Bandung for the flight back to Malaysia. Please see previous comments for the details.
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Kasia says:
Hi Chris,
Can I ask how much is an international departure tax for Padang airport, West Sumatra? I heard that last year it was 100,000 Rp. but not sure whether it’s stiill the same. Thank you in advance. -
faiz says:
Hi chris, I’m travelling to bandung this afternoon. Just wondering whether my one year old daughter will have to pay the 75,000 rupiah or exempted. Please advice. Tqvm.
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Hi Faiz,
All passengers – including children and infants – have to pay airport tax when departing Indonesia. It is the same rate, regardless of age.
No one pays airport tax when arriving in Indonesia, only visa fees (where applicable).
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Nurul Amelia says:
We are travelling to Bandung this coming December with 9 family members includ children. There are 6 adults & 3 children aging 11yrs, 10yrs & 3yrs. For adults Airport tax is RP75,000 per person, am I correct? How about children? Are they also paying same airport tax as adult?
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Hi Nurul Amelia,
International airport tax is Rp75 000 per person. Children and infants also pay airport tax, the same amount as adults.
By the way, you only pay airport tax when you depart, not when you arrive.
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Nora says:
Good morning, Chris.
Our flight back from Bandung to Singapore is at 7am on 4th Dec with Air Asia.
1) What time do we need to check in the airport?
2) Would the counter to pay the airport tax be open early in the morning or can I check if we can pay for airport tax upon arrival in Bandung for our departure?
Thank you and have a nice day ahead!
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Hi Nora,
You asked:
1) What time do we need to check in the airport?
This should be written on your ticket. For international flights, it is usually a mininmum of 90 or 120 minutes before departure. Therefore, before 05:30 or 05:00
2) Would the counter to pay the airport tax be open early in the morning or can I check if we can pay for airport tax upon arrival in Bandung for our departure?
Usually, the biggest issue with an early morning departure is a queue at the unopened immigration counter, not at the airport tax counter.
You can’t pre-pay airport tax, because the sticker that certfies you have paid goes on your boarding pass.
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Justine says:
Hi Chris
Please advise how much is the international airport tax from Yogyakarta to Malaysia per person?
And any driver you can recommend for us?
Many thanks
Justine
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Hi Justine,
Please advise how much is the international airport tax from Yogyakarta to Malaysia per person?
In Yogyakarta, airport tax is Rp100 000 per person for all international flights; it doesn’t vary by destination.
And any driver you can recommend for us?
We have a tour operator we recommend in Yogyakarta for tours to e.g. Borobudur, but for short distances/around town taxis are adequate.
Where do you want to go?
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sophie says:
I left Jakarta Saturday Morning and did not have the 150 rupees so was given bank details which a have signed to say that I will pay.
I have attampted to pay but they have given me an area code instead of sort code to the bank account. I have called various numbers and when I finally got through to the correct office the gentleman still could not give me the account sort code.
Is there an email address I could use to try to contact the airport in writing?
Or any ideas as to what I should do as I am concerned about any repercussions of not paying.Thanks
Sophie -
Hi Sophie,
To make a telegraphic transfer to Indonesia, there should be the following items:
1. SWIFT code
2. Bank Name & Branch Address
3. Account Name & Address
4. Account NumberMany countries also have a IBAN code, but Indonesian banks don’t.
There isn’t an official Jakarta Airport website, but the airport operator’s website is http://www.angkasapura2.co.id/
Maybe you could also ask your local Indonesian embassy or consulate for assistance.
To answer your question, I don’t think Jakarta Airport can do anything unless you return to Indonesia. Usually, passengers have some foreign currency, an ATM card or credit card they can use in an emergency, or they can borrow some money from a friend. I’m surprised airport staff let you go without paying, because there is no way to reclaim the money later.
By the way, rupees is the currency of India; Indonesia’s currency is Rupiah.
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Thank you thats a great help I will go into my bank and see what they can do and if no joy i’ll check out the web link!
We had cards but ATM machines were down I did advise they have card machines at check in and offered my card details but we had a struggle with the language barrier.I want to get this paid just incase it causes trouble when I want to re enter Indonesia.
Thanks for your help.
Sophie -
Hi Chris
Thank you for your reply on Nov 27.
We would like to go Borobudur, Prambanan, Merapi Volcano and etc. It will be great if you can recommend any tour operator in Yogyakarta.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Justine
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Hi Justine,
We do these things via email, not via our website. Please send an enquiry, via the contact link on the FAQ page.
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Airport tax at Jakarta’s second airport, Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP), will increase to Rp40 000 on 10 January 2014.
The airport tax map of Indonesia has been updated to reflect this.
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Rizza Tashima says:
Hello, gud day! I just want to know if i should pay tax for the time of my arrival in Bali? If so, how much it will cost with my 1yr and a half year old son. We’re travelling from MANILA PHILIPPINES-BALI DENPASAR, And return from JAKARTA to MANILA. This is my 1st time to visit indonesia so i dont know what are the rules in terms of taxes ro pay.. Hope you could help, thanks in advance:))
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If you are Filipino, you don’t pay for visa on arrival because citizens of ASEAN countries get free entry.
When you depart Jakarta, you need to pay international airport tax of Rp150 000 per person, including child.
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Rochelle says:
We are flying from Singapore to bali and returning to Singapore, do we still pay arrival and departure tax??
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Hi Rochelle,
On arrival, you pay $US25 per person for visa on arrival, unless you are a citizen of an ASEAN country.
On departure, you pay Rp150 000 per person for international airport tax until 31 July 2014; starting 1 August 2014, it increases to Rp200 000.
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