Flying from the US
For US flights, you will fly through Singapore (SIN), then to Jakarta (CGK) & finally arrive in Padang (PDG). We recommend Singapore Airlines for all classes and cabins for their superior service. You will need to purchase your ticket through Garuda Indonesia Airlines from Jakarta to Padang (or all the way from Singapore to Padang with stop in Jakarta). Tickets can be purchased online or through your travel agent (see travel agent info packet).
Remember that you cross the dateline both ways so you gain a day (see sample itineraries below for clarification). Please try to arrive on the same flight as your group, and if this is not possible it is better to arrive early to not hold up the group!
Sample Itineraries
3:45PM Leave LAX Wednesday July 1 – SQ11
This flight / ticket includes a short layover in Narita Airport, Japan, you will disembark plane for 45 minute layover and re-board with same ticket
Airbus A380 including First Class Suites, in flight entertainment and meals in all classes
3:00AM Arrive Singapore Friday July 3 (extra day due to dateline)
- 4-6 Hour Layover in Singapore. See Singapore layover section below for recommendations.
7:40AM Leave Singapore Friday July 3 – SQ952
2 Hour flight
In flight entertainment and snacks provided
8:25AM Arrive Jakarta Friday July 3
- 3 Hour Layover (Enough time to clear customs and transfer board bags from International to Domestic)
11:25AM Depart Jakarta Friday July 3 – GA162
2 Hour Flight
In flight entertainment and snacks provided
1:15PM Arrive Padang Friday July 3
2:10PM Leave SFO Wednesday July 1 – SQ15
This flight / ticket includes a short layover in Seoul, you will disembark plane for 45 minute layover and re-board with same ticket
Airbus A380 including First Class Suites, in flight entertainment and meals in all classes
12:50AM Arrive Singapore Friday July 3 (extra day due to dateline)
- 4-6 Hour Layover in Singapore. See Singapore Airport Section above for recommendations.
7:40AM Leave Singapore Friday July 3 – SQ952
2 Hour flight
In flight entertainment and snacks provided
8:25AM Arrive Jakarta Friday July 3
- 3 Hour Layover (Enough time to clear customs and transfer board bags from International to Domestic)
11:25AM Depart Jakarta Friday July 3 – GA162
2 Hour Flight
In flight entertainment and snacks provided
1:15PM Arrive Padang Friday July 3
8:50AM Leave Padang Wednesday July 15 – GA163
2 Hour flight
Please do not book any earlier than 8:30AM, and try to coordinate times with your group.
If possible, try to check boards and bags to Singapore or even Los Angeles.
10:45AM Arrive Jakarta Wednesday July 15
- 2.5 Hour Layover. See Jakarta layover section below for recommendations.
2:10PM Leave Jakarta Wednesday July 15 – SQ959
2 Hour flight
Please make sure you have enough time in Jakarta to make your transfer. Less than an hour is cutting it close.
4:45PM Arrive Singapore Wednesday July 15
- 1 Night Layover. We recommend getting a hotel, see Singapore layover section below for more info.
9:25AM Depart Jakarta Thursday July 16 – SQ12
This flight / ticket includes a short layover in Tokyo Narita, you will disembark plane for 45 minute layover and re-board with same ticket
Airbus A380 including First Class Suites, in flight entertainment and meals in all classes
Total flight time 19 Hours
1:30PM Arrive Los Angeles Thursday July 16 (same day as departure due to dateline)
Airport Information
LAX or SFO – On way to Indo
Please arrive with plenty of time to check in, especially with large surfboard bags. Singapore Air generally does not charge baggage fees for surf bags, as long as you are within the weight limit. It is best if you can specify that the boards be checked through to Jakarta.
Singapore – On way to Indo
Singapore Changi Airport
On your way to Indo, you will have a 3-6 Hour layover in Singapore Changi Airport. It is a world class airport with tons of ammenities, executive clubs and even temporary hotels. The executive lounges (for use with Singapore First or Business Ticket) have showers, storage and food to make your layover comfortable. For economy class passengers, there are a number of paid lounges as well as even a Transit Hotel in the terminal with 6 Hour increments. Either option is a great to take a shower, get some food and reset before the final morning of travel.
There are plenty of Information booths with very helpful service who can point you to the right direction.
Getting from Terminal to Terminal is easy via the in airport shuttle.
Links
- SIA Silverkris Lounge – Terminal 2 & 3 (Singapore First & Business)
- Ambassador Transit Hotel – Terminals 1,2,3
- Rainforest Lounge – Terminal 1 (Pay per Use)
- Ambassador Transit Lounge – Terminal 2,3 (Pay per Use)
- Changi Terminal Map
Jakarta – On way to Indo
Jakarta Airport CGK
On your way to Indo, you will have a brief 3 Hour layover in Jakarta International Airport. Though not as nice as Changi Airport in Singapore, there are still a few amenities here such as some cafes and a few executive lounges. However, in Jakarta you will not have much time, as you must clear customs, pay an entry visa, and transfer your bags to the domestic terminal, and reenter the domestic terminal.
If you need to stay a long day or even night in Jakarta, we recommend the Sheraton Bandara Hotel for close access to the airport.
In Jakarta
- Exit Plane and get in line for entry Visa (Cost is $35 USD, US Currency is ok)
- Move on to customs and pass through a customs agent
- Pickup your board bags and luggage at the baggage terminal. Please have $2 Tip ready to give porters in brown suits who will help you carry your stuff. (A $5 is a huge tip, so only do it if they really help. If you don’t want to pay, don’t accept help.)
- Transfer your bags to the domestic checkin, this may be upstairs or may be on the same level. You will have to show the Garuda agent your ticket and will be provided a boarding pass as well as a baggage tag.
- Make your way towards the gate, and clear security
- Find the appropriate gate and wait for boarding. (Almost there!)
Jakarta – On way home
Jakarta
Headed home you will have a brief 2-3 hour layover in Jakarta. Generally you can check your bags through to Singapore from Padang, so the return flight is simple and Jakarta you will just have to proceed to your gate and wait for the layover. There are a few lounges in the airport as well as a Starbucks and WiFi.
If you need to stay a long day or even night in Jakarta, we recommend the Sheraton Bandara Hotel for close access to the airport.
Singapore – On way home
Singapore
Usually you will have a one night layover in Singapore on the way home. We recommend the Raffles Hotel for a 5 star experience. You can take a cab from the airport for around $35 USD. You will most likely want some Singapore Dollars for shopping, cabs, tipping, so visit an ATM or cash changer at the airport. Once in the hotel, you will have time to walk around and explore the city including malls, restaurants, and bars. There is public transit in Singapore as well, and everything is clearly marked in English for those who wish to explore more of the city including China Town, Little India and Orchard Mall.
In the morning, your flight will most likely leave early in the morning. Please arrange for a cab to bring you to the airport with enough time to check in, check bags if needed and clear security.
Links
Flying from Australia
From Australia you have a few choices to get to Padang:
via Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Your choice from Sydney, Perth or Brisbane to KUL
5-8 Hour flight
Please try to coordinate times with your group for arrival at Padang at same time.
Please keep in mind dateline when coordinating with USA travelers.
Arrive Kuala Lumpur Friday July 3
- Layover in Kuala Lumpur
1:25PM Leave KUL Friday July 3
1 Hour flight
Please make sure to coordinate arrival time with group. When in doubt, you don’t want to be the one holding everyone else up, so go early!
1:30PM Arrive Padang PDG Friday July 3
via Jakarta
Your choice from Sydney, Perth or Brisbane to Jakarta CGK
5-8 Hour flight via Garuda or Qantas
Please try to coordinate times with your group for arrival at Padang at same time.
Please keep in mind dateline when coordinating with USA travelers.
Arrive Jakarta Friday July 3
- Layover in Jakarta. See Airport Section Below. Please leave enough time in Jakarta to clear customs and change terminals.
- Can meet with US visitors for Jakarta Flight to Padang
11:25AM Depart Jakarta Friday July 3 – GA162
2 Hour Flight
Can be together with US visitors for this flight if linking up with other guests
In flight entertainment and snacks provided
Please make sure to coordinate arrival time with group. When in doubt, you don’t want to be the one holding everyone else up, so go early!
1:15PM Arrive Padang Friday July 3
Visa & Customs Information
All visitors need a passport with at least six months of validity left and one other form of identification.
Indies Trader requires that you send us your passport information including the number, date of issue, and place of issue prior to your departure so we can arrange the necessary harbor permits for your travel through the Mentawais. In case you misplace any vital documents you should also carry a back-up photocopy of your passport, ID, and airline ticket with you at all times. It doesn’t hurt to leave another copy at home as well.
Almost all countries are allowed to obtain a visa on arrival, without any prior paperwork etc, see below for details about Visa on arrival.
US Citizens, Australia & NZ
Visa on Arrival, no prior Visa needed.
When you are in Indonesia you will be issued an immigration form that you must keep until your departure. When you leave they will ask to see it to determine how long you were in Indonesia. Please take care of that form once they give it to you.
- Valid Passport with 6 Months extra validity- Check Expiration Date!
- Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
- No visa required for stay up to three months, will be issued a visa upon arrival
- Vaccinations – None required
- Exit fee of $15 US paid in Padang upon leaving
Always Remember
- Valid Passport – Check Expiration Date!
- Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
- No visa required for stay up to three months, 30 day visa will be issued upon arrival
- Vaccinations – None required
- Departure fee of $15 US
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel Insurance is recommended for your personal safety. A decent travel insurance package will provide coverage for the following: trip cancellation and interruption, baggage delay, baggage coverage, travel delay, emergency medical and dental, emergency, medical transport and evacuation, and travel accident insurance. Feel free to Contact us for recommendations.
Immigration Form
When you reach Jakarta or Padang you will be issued an immigration form that you must keep until your departure. When you leave they will ask to see it to determine how long you were in the Indonesia. Please take care of that form once they give it to you.
What happens when I arrive in the Padang?
You will be greeted by an Indies Trader staff member at the airport, where your boards will be loaded onto trucks, and the visitors put into air conditioned vans for the drive to the Indies Trader 3 or Ratu Motu. Time to sit back and relax, the hard part is over!
6 Month Validity?
This is extremely important! Your passport must be valid for a full 6 months after your expected departure date from Indonesia. Please double check this as soon as you can, so you can get a new passport expedited before you travel!