Our Review of Jakarta Airport (CGK)

Table of contents: Our Review of Jakarta Airport (CGK) Pros and Cons of Jakarta Airport (CGK) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Jakarta Airport (CGK)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other reviews

The following summary is based on recent traveler reviews from Google Reviews and detailed assessments from Skytrax, two of the most reputable sources for airport evaluations worldwide. Skytrax ratings are internationally recognized and based on surveys of millions of passengers, while Google Reviews reflect real-time traveler feedback and experiences.

Positive Highlights:

Global Recognition: In 2025, CGK achieved a 4-Star Airport Rating from Skytrax and climbed to 25th place in the World’s Top 100 Airports, its best ranking to date. The airport is praised for its significant improvements in facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverage, and especially staff service and immigration, ranking in the top 10 globally for staff and immigration experience.
Terminal 3: Travelers consistently highlight Terminal 3 for its modern design, extensive shopping and dining options, improved air conditioning, and digital displays. The terminal is spacious, clean, and offers a good range of amenities, including lounges and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Staff Service: Both Skytrax and user reviews emphasize the friendliness and helpfulness of airport staff, contributing to a positive passenger experience.

Negative Highlights:

Crowding and Waiting Times: Despite improvements, many travelers complain about long queues at check-in, security, and especially baggage claim, where waits of 15–45 minutes are common. Some report slow processes even for those who checked in online.
Signage and Wayfinding: While signage has improved, some passengers still find it confusing to navigate, especially when transferring between domestic and international sections or searching for check-in counters.
Facilities in Older Terminals: Terminals 1 and 2 are seen as less modern, with fewer amenities and less comfort compared to Terminal 3. Some reviews mention issues with air conditioning and non-functioning travelators.
Lounge Access: Limited options for Priority Pass holders in the international section, and some lounges are described as basic or crowded.
Ground Transport: While official taxis and ride-hailing are available, travelers note aggressive unofficial taxi drivers at arrivals.

Notable Improvements:

Major upgrades in 2024–2025 have led to better air conditioning, enhanced décor, and more digital information screens, particularly in Terminal 3.
The airport’s transformation program has been widely recognized and is credited for its rise in global rankings.

Final Score and Justification

Final Rating: 8/10

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport stands out for its modern Terminal 3, high service standards, and ongoing improvements, earning it a strong position among the world’s top airports. However, persistent issues with crowding, baggage claim delays, and navigation prevent a higher score. The airport’s commitment to transformation and positive traveler feedback, especially regarding staff and new facilities, make it a solid choice for international and domestic travelers.

Pros and Cons of Jakarta Airport (CGK)

Pros

Modern and spacious Terminal 3 with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and amenities.
Good connectivity: hub for Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Indonesia AirAsia, offering many domestic and international routes.
Efficient SkyTrain and shuttle bus system for easy terminal transfers.
24-hour facilities, including lounges, hotels nearby, and various transport options for late arrivals or long layovers.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty of charging points, especially in Terminal 3.

Cons

Can be very crowded during peak hours, leading to long queues at immigration and security.
Traffic congestion on roads to/from the airport can cause delays, especially during rush hour.
Some services (SIM cards, money exchange) are more expensive inside the airport than in the city.
Older terminals (1 and 2) are less modern and have fewer amenities compared to Terminal 3.
Baggage claim and customs processes can be slow, with occasional additional steps like mandatory online baggage registration before exit.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), often called Cengkareng Airport, is Indonesia’s main air gateway and one of Southeast Asia’s busiest hubs, serving over 60 million passengers annually. Located about 20 km northwest of central Jakarta, CGK connects the capital to Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe, and serves as the primary hub for Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Indonesia AirAsia.

Terminals and Layout

The airport features three main terminals, each with a distinct role and design:

Terminal 1: Handles most domestic flights and is divided into three wings (A, B, C). Its architecture reflects traditional Javanese joglo houses, with lush gardens and a tranquil atmosphere.
Terminal 2: Originally for international flights, now serves low-cost carriers and Hajj/Umrah flights. It also has three sections (D, E, F) and maintains the joglo-inspired design.
Terminal 3: The newest and most modern, opened in 2016, serves both international and domestic flights, especially for Garuda Indonesia and Citilink. Its eco-friendly, contemporary architecture includes wide open spaces, digital amenities, and a large selection of shops and restaurants.

Terminals are connected by a free SkyTrain and shuttle buses, making transfers between flights straightforward.

Facilities and Services

CGK offers a wide range of amenities for travelers:

Shopping & Dining: Terminal 3 boasts the largest variety, with duty-free shops, international brands, and both Indonesian and global cuisine.
Lounges: Multiple lounges are available, including for business and first-class travelers, with showers, Wi-Fi, and relaxation zones.
Wi-Fi: Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout all terminals.
Family & Accessibility: Nursery rooms, baby-changing facilities, and accessible services for reduced mobility passengers are provided, especially in Terminal 3.
Transport: The airport is well-connected to Jakarta and nearby cities via airport rail link, DAMRI buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek), and car rentals. Parking options include short-term, long-term, and premium areas.

Tips for Travelers

Arrive Early: Allow extra time for check-in and security, especially during peak hours.
Terminal Check: Confirm your terminal in advance, as airlines and flight types are distributed across all three terminals.
Transit: If connecting between international and domestic flights, be aware you may need to clear immigration and change terminals.
Local Culture: Enjoy the airport’s unique blend of modernity and Indonesian heritage, especially in the architecture and garden spaces.

Quick Facts

IATA Code: CGK
Distance from City: 20 km (12 miles) northwest of central Jakarta
Airlines: Hub for Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Indonesia AirAsia, Citilink, Batik Air
Annual Passengers: Over 60 million

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is a dynamic, modern gateway to Indonesia, offering excellent facilities, efficient connections, and a unique introduction to the country’s culture and hospitality.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation