Okay, it’s story time. Up until this point, my wild review trip was actually pretty seamless, and there were no hiccups… and then I arrived at Jakarta Airport. I was in transit, having flown Singapore Airlines first class from Singapore, connecting to Garuda Indonesia business class to Jeddah.
On this portion of the trip I was joined by Toby (yes, that Toby), as he happened to be in Singapore at the same time, and he’s always down to take a flight. So he flew with me to Jakarta, and then took a separate flight from there.
I had a long four hour layover, and I was expecting this would go smoothly. I was arriving at and departing from the same terminal, and Jakarta is Garuda Indonesia’s hub, so what could go wrong? Well… that’s a great question.
In this post:
Has Jakarta Airport never seen a transit passenger before?!
For our separate flights beyond Jakarta, Toby managed to have a printed boarding pass for his connection, while I still needed my boarding pass. Fortunately I saw a Garuda Indonesia transfer desk upon entering the arrivals hall, so I figured they could print it there… though it wasn’t staffed.
So we both followed the signage toward transfers. The transfers security checkpoint was staffed with five people, even though there were seemingly no transfer passengers. The officers appeared caught off guard to have passengers going through security, and they looked at us as if we were from a different planet.
One of the security officers picked up his phone, and told us to wait. The transfer security checkpoint has a little sign that reads either “open” or “closed,” and once he picked up the phone, he switched it from “open” to “closed.” Lol.
We waited for around five minutes, and then eventually an airport handling agent showed up. He started taking pictures of our passports and itineraries. He explained that immigration hadn’t been informed that we were connecting, and that Singapore Airlines should have “sent a message.” Hmmm…
Let me just emphasize that everyone we interacted with was friendly, and they didn’t act as if we were doing anything wrong, or as if we were in trouble. They were just acting as if we were doing the most complicated thing they had ever dealt with.
The guy made several calls over the course of 10 minutes, and then eventually we were invited to go through transfer security, and the sign was moved back to “open.” He explained that he would help us, but it would be complicated, and we’d need permission from immigration.
At this point he asked us to have a seat in the Singapore Airlines gate area, right near the transfer security checkpoint. It wasn’t clear to me if that was just a recommendation, or an order. After five minutes, he told us that we should go to gate nine, and that the ladies seated there could at least help me get checked in.
So we went there. The ladies looked at my itinerary, but told me they wouldn’t be able to check me in. They said I’d have to report to “level two staff check-in.” Hmmm. So we went to level two, but then just found ourselves in the area where the immigration check lets out, with no sign of a “staff check-in” desk.
At this point I figured my best bet to get a boarding pass to go to the Garuda Indonesia Lounge, so I headed there. While I was admitted, they weren’t able to print my boarding pass. So at that point we headed back down to where we originally were. As we walked there, we crossed paths with two handling employees, including one of the people we had seen earlier.
At this point they took pictures of our itineraries, took pictures of our passports, and then took pictures of us holding up our passports. They explained that they needed to send these pictures to immigration.
We asked how long this would all take, and the woman said around 20-30 minutes. We asked if we could wait in the lounge. She said yes, so we headed over to the Plaza Premium Lounge. She was super nice, as she escorted us over there, so that she knew exactly where we were sitting. She said she’d eventually return with our immigration permission and my boarding pass.
“I am profiling you”
After around 30 minutes, the lady returned with my boarding pass, which was much appreciated. I thanked her profusely, and figured we were all set. Then she returned around five minutes later with another guy.
He didn’t speak much English, and said “I am profiling you.” Lol… that’s direct (in all honesty, I’m guessing he was just there to check my documents, or something). He then said “why are you Jeddah?” Okay, I figured he was asking why I was traveling to Jeddah, so I explained that I was in transit there, and continuing to Abu Dhabi. He was happy with that answer, and that was the extent of the discussion.
He then said “I need take picture with you for immigration.” That’s right, he needed a picture. Not, not of me, but with me. So I stood up, and then he stood next to me, he smiled, and he did a “thumbs up” motion. So I did a “thumbs up” too.
Toby snuck a picture of this interaction, and I think I’m going to hang the picture on my fridge. I have a very Ron DeSantis on the campaign trail disposition (though my shoes are flat).
Can anyone make sense of this?
I’ve been through a countless number of international airports, and have had some complicated transit situations. However, this was by far the strangest. I get that most people probably aren’t connecting in Jakarta on separate tickets, but it doesn’t seem like this should have been that complicated? I was flying Garuda Indonesia out of its hub, connecting between two other countries.
Let me again emphasize that everyone was super nice, and tried to be as helpful as they could. I’m not describing this as some nightmare transit, but rather just as a strange and kind of funny one.
I guess my main question is why this was so complicated? Does immigration really need to know in advance if you’re on separate tickets, and if so, how are you supposed to inform them? I showed the Singapore Airlines transit desk agent in Singapore my onward connection, so they knew I was connecting at the airport.
This didn’t seem to be a matter of needing a boarding pass, because Toby had the same issues, even though he had his connecting boarding pass.
Actually, my biggest question is why the guy who was “profiling” me needed to take a picture with me for immigration? In my millions of miles of flying, that was a first for me…
Bottom line
If you’re connecting at Jakarta Airport on separate tickets, be sure you leave lots of extra time, even if you’re connecting in the same terminal. For whatever reason, airport officials seem very confused by the concept of international connections, even if you’re arriving at and departing from the same terminal.
I’m not sure what to make of all this, but it sure was memorable. On the plus side, at least everyone was friendly and tried to be helpful, which can’t be said for some of my Cairo Airport transit purgatory experiences…
Can anyone shed some light on my Jakarta Airport transit experience?
Am I the only one noticing the photo of the plane with the words “brand logo 1969-1985” in words, rather than the image of said logo?
Haha he just wanted a photo with a famous “bule” (white man). It’s to show his friends
Ben I think I can best you there, had to transit BLR a few years back, EK to MH same terminal, ended up taking 2 hours and lots of ICAO paper forms, and then a 5 person escort through transit and security screening (opened specially for me) all because this wasn't planned so no Indian eVisa to be able to go the normal route (enter India and then go back in) - long story delayed...
Ben I think I can best you there, had to transit BLR a few years back, EK to MH same terminal, ended up taking 2 hours and lots of ICAO paper forms, and then a 5 person escort through transit and security screening (opened specially for me) all because this wasn't planned so no Indian eVisa to be able to go the normal route (enter India and then go back in) - long story delayed EK from MAN meant missing connection to KUL so only option to get me there in time for a meeting was to route DXB - BLR - KUL. Good news is I had 4 hours for my connection so made it in the end, just really tired at the end of it all, and the Satay on MH was much appreciated after all of that.
I've been thru this complicated process too. After much confusion I had to go thru Immigration n then check in at the airline counter.
I'm surprised that the airline staff and airport management and Immigration can't seem to sort this inconvenience out for the benefit of its passengers transiting thru this hub. LOL
No wonder Changi Airport is the best airport in the world.
This is so crazy...I stumbled upon this story--and I had the EXACT same run-around situation happen to me in Manilla!
It was all due to being a transit passenger in Manilla while transiting between two different airlines. They also took photos of me and my passport, etc--and were very helpful but were also very very stressed about finding a solution.
Ultimately--I realized it would just be easier to arrive through immigrations (despite the long line),...
This is so crazy...I stumbled upon this story--and I had the EXACT same run-around situation happen to me in Manilla!
It was all due to being a transit passenger in Manilla while transiting between two different airlines. They also took photos of me and my passport, etc--and were very helpful but were also very very stressed about finding a solution.
Ultimately--I realized it would just be easier to arrive through immigrations (despite the long line), enter the country, and then transfer via landside to get my boarding pass etc. So insane how complicated it was, even though this was all in the same terminal!
During my one trip through Jakarta on an INTL-INTL itinerary with different connecting airlines, I also had a very challenging time - they didn't seem to understand why I was connecting and why my connection time was lengthy. They ultimately made me leave through immigration and then checkin again closer to departure. It was an adventure ...
Were they expecting a Transit visa?
There are a number reasons for your strange experience.
They may have found it strange you flew a few hours south only to fly back up north-west. Also to Jeddah, where majorlity of their pilgrims fly to.
Then there's the dangerously serious drugs issue they encounter! Ending up in mules standing in front of a firing squad on the infamous Nusakambangan Island aka Execution Island. Yes, they have songs with titles like 'Eksekusi'.
There are a number reasons for your strange experience.
They may have found it strange you flew a few hours south only to fly back up north-west. Also to Jeddah, where majorlity of their pilgrims fly to.
Then there's the dangerously serious drugs issue they encounter! Ending up in mules standing in front of a firing squad on the infamous Nusakambangan Island aka Execution Island. Yes, they have songs with titles like 'Eksekusi'.
Jakarta hardly has transit passengers unless they're flying out of some other Indonesian airport like Bali to Jakarta and out north.
However, what I find strange is not once you mentioned being addressed as 'mister' or heard someone apologise with 'sorry mister'. Indonesians are ever so apologetic.
Mine and ex's seats to Singapore were actually sold to the highest bidder, can't even remember how many time I screamed the 'F' word, all I kept hearing was 'sorry mister'! Long story short, landed in Bangkok two days later with luggage missing, uttered the 'F' word at lost and found, door got slammed in my face lol!
They do like to take pictures with US folks. Happened to me in a souvenir shop. I bought some fabric and coffee and they wanted a picture - same thing, all smiles and thumbs up. I found the Indonesian people to be lovely, kind, and try to help if they can. They really like to talk and everything is a discussion. Jakarta is an interesting city.
i lived in indonesia for 22 years. this kind of thing is normal. think nothing of it. beautiful country. wonderful people. just a tradition of leaving one (or two) crucial link(s) disconnected or missing from every (consciously — or better, self-consciously) overcomplicated chain of procedural and practical inter-contingencies.
i think it may have something to do with trying to keep at least half of 250 million plus people employed.
Have any you done intl transfer through any US airport? I have. Once. After that I'd take flights that would extend my travel time by 100 hours.
I've always refused (after one time) to do any kind of intl transfer through the USA. I'd rather stick a lobster up my arse and dance naked through a random mall, then to do intl transit through the USA
It's well known that the U.S. doesn't have any international transit zones. There used to be (or maybe still is) a simplified transit area at LAX that was used by airlines like Air Tahiti on the ex CDG via LAX route but that's basically the same procedure, three immigration booths separate from the international arrivals hall.
Rocking up to a transfer desk without a boardingpass will not go down well on lots of airports, no surprise they had a ton of questions...
Huh? One of the main reason those transfer desks exist is to check in passengers and issue them boarding passes.
Not having a boarding pass is the ONLY reason to go to a transfer desk you genius.
I guess I am missing something but in every transit I have had I needed a boarding pass to go through security, otherwise I had to exit, go to the check in counter and get the boarding pass and then go through security. The only time I've ever been able to skip that nonsense is if a)I have a boarding pass or b) there is a transit desk or gate agent who can print my...
I guess I am missing something but in every transit I have had I needed a boarding pass to go through security, otherwise I had to exit, go to the check in counter and get the boarding pass and then go through security. The only time I've ever been able to skip that nonsense is if a)I have a boarding pass or b) there is a transit desk or gate agent who can print my boarding pass prior to security or there is not security when transiting. I've definitely had to exit and re-enter if on separate tickets and for whatever reason the boarding pass wasn't available. Maybe this is weird? But it's definitely happened to me too if that helps you feel better!
Loved to hear the part of the story about the airport worker taking a picture with you. After 10 years of traveling in Indonsia I am surprised this happened in Jakarta. Usually it doesn't happen until you get away from CGK or DPS. If you look western it happens all the time in places like Tarakan, Plankaraya and other places in Kalimantan. The picture taken of you and the airport worker was proudly shared amongst...
Loved to hear the part of the story about the airport worker taking a picture with you. After 10 years of traveling in Indonsia I am surprised this happened in Jakarta. Usually it doesn't happen until you get away from CGK or DPS. If you look western it happens all the time in places like Tarakan, Plankaraya and other places in Kalimantan. The picture taken of you and the airport worker was proudly shared amongst his friends and aqantices. Nice that you went along with it and gave a thumbs up.
So nice to have the newish terminal at CGK, the old one was really bad. Nice also last few years no VOA required for US passport holders. But the best improvement is the train connecting the terminals.
Great article.
Having lived in Jakarta for 15 years, basically they were trying to accommodate you through the transfer desk which exists but nobody uses it.
I think it is way easier to clear immigration, check in and clear immigration again, if you dont have a boarding pass yet. I am even surprise they were able to do it without.
To clear immigration you would have to pay for the e-visa on arrival (which is not simple to fill out and costs 33USD or more to process), right?
I have flown 4 or 5 times from Jeddah on SV to Jakarta and transferred on arrival to HKG or SIN. My experience was pretty much as your article described. I have found the GCK transfer desks are not manned, security seems to view a transferee as an alien species and eventually you get hit to buy a $20 entry visa. Several times I have been lucky though and palmed a $10 note to a...
I have flown 4 or 5 times from Jeddah on SV to Jakarta and transferred on arrival to HKG or SIN. My experience was pretty much as your article described. I have found the GCK transfer desks are not manned, security seems to view a transferee as an alien species and eventually you get hit to buy a $20 entry visa. Several times I have been lucky though and palmed a $10 note to a stray CGK employee and they went through customs to get my onward boarding pass and returned to me. Very third world operation.
I’m surprised you haven’t had trouble with this in the past. Connecting with two different tickets in Airport where you need clear immigration is often complicated. Sometimes you aren’t allowed to go to a transit desk, but must simply enter the country and then check in for your next flight as if you were not in transit. But maybe I didn’t really understand your particular situation.
welcome to jakarta, the immigration haven't change so much, too many nonsense regulation and rules.
I often prefer going through immigration x2 rather than doing a transfer at the lesser Asian hubs. Another great example of this is DEL where the transfer process is truly horrendous, not helped by the fact that by definition nobody transiting originated in or will end up in India and are therefore just a bunch of foreigners to be treated like sh*t. The staff could not care less about offering a speedy or convenient service....
I often prefer going through immigration x2 rather than doing a transfer at the lesser Asian hubs. Another great example of this is DEL where the transfer process is truly horrendous, not helped by the fact that by definition nobody transiting originated in or will end up in India and are therefore just a bunch of foreigners to be treated like sh*t. The staff could not care less about offering a speedy or convenient service. Compare that with the immigration in and out where Indian passengers will ensure you have a good service in both directions. It makes the $25 spent on an eVisa (application processed in 24 hours) well worth while. The only exceptions are places where their hub operation is vital to national economic development (the MEs) and culturally well adjusted places like HK & SG. Steer clear of transfers at under developed post colonial hubs - they hate whitey - especially the entitled complainy American types who expect better ;)
Jakarta is not really used to Intl-Intl transfers since very few travellers use CGK for transits as GA has reduced its international flights, and thus limited any form of transit flights. Intl-Domestic transits in CGK would be much easier and seamless.
Another point is you are transiting to a flight to Jeddah which is a Haj flight, and the security, onboard service would be different to meet Saudi Arabia's requirements as well as for...
Jakarta is not really used to Intl-Intl transfers since very few travellers use CGK for transits as GA has reduced its international flights, and thus limited any form of transit flights. Intl-Domestic transits in CGK would be much easier and seamless.
Another point is you are transiting to a flight to Jeddah which is a Haj flight, and the security, onboard service would be different to meet Saudi Arabia's requirements as well as for cost issues. Haj flights are usually sold on a lower price point for the millions of Indonesians to afford these flights.
Regardless of how kind/nice/friendly the people are, the stories like this of just unprofessional processes makes you not want to bother going through such countries. Taking a photo of your passport, even to legitimately text to immigration? Why would they have to have such an insecure system?
Even if it's not actually corrupt, every step sounds like it could be open to corruption, which feels like just an easy leap to fall victim to.
If you had a Ron DeSantis demeanor; you would have verbally crushed these people and shown the proof and evidence of how screwed up they were and exactly how incompetent. Maybe you were more Jean Pierre and fumbled around trying to look like you knew what was going on!!!!
Just forget about air side connections in Jakarta. I've always had to just pay the VOA fee and gone through immigration and back. Painful and expensive. But if booking ex-CGK and living in SIN it's worth it.
This exact things happened to us and we were forced to sit in that unmanned transfer desk under the escalators . We waiting for over 30 minutes with passports taken and were told the only way we. Could transit would be to enter the country, yes enter the country pay the Rp50,000 and then exit and check-in at our next carriers check in desk - all because they were not expecting us and we didn’t...
This exact things happened to us and we were forced to sit in that unmanned transfer desk under the escalators . We waiting for over 30 minutes with passports taken and were told the only way we. Could transit would be to enter the country, yes enter the country pay the Rp50,000 and then exit and check-in at our next carriers check in desk - all because they were not expecting us and we didn’t have printed boarding passes - we would NEVER again transfer through any Indonesian country
Not an issue for EU/US passport holders but many nationalities transiting through NZ require a transit visa, so potentially something similar in Indonesia?
I transited thru CGK (T3) more than once and no issues. Something is missing from your story. Same PNR for SQ & GA flights?? Doubt it. SQ is *A while GA is ST.
Im pretty sure they were separate tickets
Nothing is missing. Lucky said they were separate tickets.
Nothing is missing, you just can't read properly. :-)
I'm not surprised at all. The story sounds similar to what I've heard this morning from several DL agents at JFK when flying on a Swiss passport to Canada:
Agent 1 at checkin: Where is your visa for Canada? Me: No visa needed for Canada, just an ETA. Agent 1: What is an ETA? Me: Same like ESTA, but for Canada. Agent 1: Ah, then you are ready to go.
Agent 2 at the lounge:...
I'm not surprised at all. The story sounds similar to what I've heard this morning from several DL agents at JFK when flying on a Swiss passport to Canada:
Agent 1 at checkin: Where is your visa for Canada? Me: No visa needed for Canada, just an ETA. Agent 1: What is an ETA? Me: Same like ESTA, but for Canada. Agent 1: Ah, then you are ready to go.
Agent 2 at the lounge: I need to check something. Where is your visa for Canada? Me: No visa needed for Canada, just an ETA. Agent 2: But TIMATIC says no visa needed, just an ETA. Me: Err ... yes, that's also what I told you.
Agent 3 at the gate: Where is your visa for Canada? Me: No visa needed for Canada, just an ETA, as already both your colleagues at check-in and the lounge verified. Agent 3: Can I see your ETA or whatever it is called? Me: Sure, although its checked electronically. You don't get DOCS-OK on the BP if its missing. Agent 3 (after verfying my ETA and being very happy with it) making a Public Announcement: "All passengers to Toronto please present your ETA at the gate!"
Which is wrong, because Canadian and US citizens don't need an ETA. The good thing is that this interrupted the boarding process right behind me ...
Airline staff often don't get enough training about different nationalities visa requirements. This is also due to each country having different requirements for different passengers and different names. Some airlines have it where their staff don't work the same flights every day, so it can be confusing to them.
Training is very difficult as basically it’s a reliance on Timatic. Regulations can change ( more so during Covid) and sometimes they are unclear. If there is time the staff can call immigration at the arrival airport, however on most occasions you’re looking at 1-2 mins during boarding.
Not surprised... The US has always been the strangest and least comfortable border to cross... I studied a few years in Canada and sometimes transited through the US, and I was asked to fill an Esta and put a US address for a few hours layover, that was ridiculous. Besides, as my Canadian student visa was in French, I also had regularly to explain that they also speak French in Canada. I was also asked to spell Montreal...
Canada, the United States and Mexico technically do not allow sterile transfers between international destinations. I know it’s super confusing as a European to not understand that rules are different elsewhere but…here we are. :)
Prior to 9/11, the US allowed some stations to offer sterile transit but you were under the supervision of the airline and kept in a waiting room literally. Now there’s nothing. Canada implemented the semi-fast connection immigration at major ports....
Canada, the United States and Mexico technically do not allow sterile transfers between international destinations. I know it’s super confusing as a European to not understand that rules are different elsewhere but…here we are. :)
Prior to 9/11, the US allowed some stations to offer sterile transit but you were under the supervision of the airline and kept in a waiting room literally. Now there’s nothing. Canada implemented the semi-fast connection immigration at major ports.
It’s a North American thing.
I find transiting US-YVR-INTL to be extremely easy. Never a wait, document check is looking at your boarding pass and then dumped right out into the terminal. It’s great!
You need an ESTA or visa to travel via the US as there’s no transit. When you book flights it states so. The best solution is absolutely never to travel via the US if you don’t plan on staying there.
You don't need to provide an address for immediate transfers, at least not anymore. And all government documents in Canada are bilingual by law; pretty sure it was not issued in just French.
I love the stories when things go haywire. Smooth uneventful travel tales are kind of dull.
To anyone who can enter Indonesia visa-free, CGK is definitely one of those airports where going through immigration and checking back in is well worth your time. Transited many times through CGK on separate tickets, and in over 10 years, this review affirms that nothing has changed.
@MH
I concur. It's just easier to pass thru Indonesian immigration and then checking in again. Doing a transfer is problematic, but people still do it because they don't know any better.
Reminds me of finding the Pegasus transfer desk after a flight on Azerbaijani airlines. It was like you said, the most complicated thing they’ve ever seen. Lol
This sounds like a missed opportunity for a “processing fee” happened, unbeknownst to you!
I honestly think this is all about ££$$. My bet is, they don't want anyone to get away without paying the US$30 entry visa.
I was flying Colombo - Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur on two separate tickets. First leg Sri Lankan, second on Malaysian. I had no checked luggage. I figured that I would just check in on the MH app and go through transit at CGK. I really didn't want to pay the US$30...
I honestly think this is all about ££$$. My bet is, they don't want anyone to get away without paying the US$30 entry visa.
I was flying Colombo - Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur on two separate tickets. First leg Sri Lankan, second on Malaysian. I had no checked luggage. I figured that I would just check in on the MH app and go through transit at CGK. I really didn't want to pay the US$30 for an entry visa to then go up to departures and check in!
Was super miffed when the MH app allowed me to check in but wouldn't issue a boarding pass, instead a message 'must go to check in counter'. It DID however let me print out a 'confirmation of check in' which looked very much like a boarding pass. I printed this and just folded over the top part of the page which said in big bold letters 'THIS IS NOT A BOARDING PASS' and chanced my luck with the transit security. It worked.
Last experience on a MH/JAL SIN-KUL-CGK-NRT-ORD trip was I had to go through immigration in CGK. 6 hour layover they would not check me in for CGK-NRT until 4 hours before departure. I thought it was weird SIN could not print my boarding pass CGK onwards when I landed CGK they said no transit, had to clear immigration and check in.
They did the same for me and then at the 4 hour mark, two staff approached me and told me I had to go buy a visa, and check in upstairs. It was infuriating.
Never put a SE Asian in the position of needing to tell you “no”. They have the “loss of face” culture and will do anything to avoid this, even if it means leaving you for hours and only getting back to you when the pain of leaving you for longer exceeds the pain of actually telling you “no”. Understanding this will save you a lot of time.
Sorry, but I thought it was common knowledge that if you have separate tickets you can't use the transfer desk and need to actually immigrate in and back out? I as reading this thinking oh this is weird then at the end you drop the "oh duh" bomb.
Exactly. Americans acting shocked and surprised… and yet if you fly on two international flights via the USA.
I've done plenty of I to I transfers around the world, including through the United States. Whereas I am well-familiar -- i.e. fed up -- with how the U.S. goes to the beat of its own drum in this situation (and countless others), I don't agree with your Jakarta CGK deduction.
Garuda Indonesia used to have a much larger international presence at CGK (never huge, but certainly larger). Since Air Asia (Indonesia), Lion Air, and...
I've done plenty of I to I transfers around the world, including through the United States. Whereas I am well-familiar -- i.e. fed up -- with how the U.S. goes to the beat of its own drum in this situation (and countless others), I don't agree with your Jakarta CGK deduction.
Garuda Indonesia used to have a much larger international presence at CGK (never huge, but certainly larger). Since Air Asia (Indonesia), Lion Air, and their regional ilk have dramatically scaled, Garuda Indonesia has basically gutted or severely reduced its loss-making international services.
CGK has become more of an LCC pimp. By far its biggest two international destinations are SIN and KUL, and naturally its biggest domestic pairing is with Bali DPS. However, there's also a massive O&D demand for these three routes.
Consequently, I'm not convinced there's much I to I transfer traffic at CGK. Armchair CEO reflection.
It's not a common knowledge because it's not true. It only applies if you need to visit the check-in desk for whatever reason (usually to recheck your bag on separate tickets).
Issuing boarding pass and doing document check is something transfer desks are perfectly capable of handling. If that's all you need, you'll remain airside at 90+% of the airports in the world, because there's simply no reason for you to go landside. I've done...
It's not a common knowledge because it's not true. It only applies if you need to visit the check-in desk for whatever reason (usually to recheck your bag on separate tickets).
Issuing boarding pass and doing document check is something transfer desks are perfectly capable of handling. If that's all you need, you'll remain airside at 90+% of the airports in the world, because there's simply no reason for you to go landside. I've done that myself dozens of time. The process described by Ben is highly unusual.
Total nonsense. I'm doing such transfers multiple times a year for the past 2- years and never had a problem. I once even did a back-to-back on Cathay in Jakarta as well (2012) when they still required people to pay departure tax in cash, which they promptly collected at the gate. I was allowed to use the transfer desk though as I already had a proper boarding pass issued in TPE.
“I have a very Ron DeSantis on the campaign trail disposition (though my shoes are flat).”
HAH. I can see why your husband loves you ;)
Transiting in Indonesia is not a simple as it is. I attempted to do this 4 times, twice in Jakarta and twice in Bali. The first time I was flying JAL business connecting with Malaysia airlines and I had a tight 1 hour 40 minute connection. At Narita I went to the MH counters hoping to get a boarding pass, but they would not provide one. Then I went to the JAL first lounge counter...
Transiting in Indonesia is not a simple as it is. I attempted to do this 4 times, twice in Jakarta and twice in Bali. The first time I was flying JAL business connecting with Malaysia airlines and I had a tight 1 hour 40 minute connection. At Narita I went to the MH counters hoping to get a boarding pass, but they would not provide one. Then I went to the JAL first lounge counter (since I'm a Oneworld Emerald) and the lady really helped me out and checked me in on the MH sector and provided me with the boarding pass. I thought that was it, but to my surprise, upon landing, the flight attendant held everyone back and ask me to deplane first where I was met with the JAL Jakarta airport staff awaiting me at the aircraft door. She produced a letter written by JAL for Indonesian immigration and walked me up the jet bridge where they had arranged an Indonesian immigration official to await me holding a sign with my name on it. She handed me off to this official who walked me to the transfer desk, and similar to your experience, took pictures of me and my passport. However, with the letter it worked like magic and I was immediately whisked back upstairs and went through private security and out I went back at the departure gates. This official walked me all the way to the Plaza premium lounge as well. Everything was done under 20 minutes. The second time I landed in CGK terminal 2 and my departure was at terminal 3. Went to immigration and was told that there is no way to go to terminal 3 but to get a VOA. The 2 experiences in Bali were similar. While Bali only has one terminal, the transfer desk is unable to print boarding passes. If you do not have an onward boarding pass, you will be asked to enter the country and pay the VOA. If you can produce one, they will walk you back upstairs to the departure level. I experienced both.
Which is worse based on your experience, Manila or Jakarta?
Nobody transits in Manila except from international to domestic which are now all at separate terminals (no domestic at T3 now) with no airside connection requiring a landside taxi/bus. Therefore the transfer concept simply does not exist - MNL is the end of the line. Even for domestic xfer, book a hotel in the Resorts World area and walk over the Runway bridge. Way too stressful to get it all done same day not helped...
Nobody transits in Manila except from international to domestic which are now all at separate terminals (no domestic at T3 now) with no airside connection requiring a landside taxi/bus. Therefore the transfer concept simply does not exist - MNL is the end of the line. Even for domestic xfer, book a hotel in the Resorts World area and walk over the Runway bridge. Way too stressful to get it all done same day not helped by the domestic terminals having not much more than a Jollibee. Hopefully that will all change with the new airport they are building on reclaimed land in Bulacan …
No clue if correct, but the photo was proof of performance, in my view.
in any case, funny story (after the flight of course )
Reminds me of an experience we had in Bali many many many years ago!
They used not to have transit at DPS. Everyone had to clear immigration
It’s also the same in the USA and China depending on the airport.
I will be transiting with separate tickets(Etihad to Thai) through Delhi airport next month. Should I be worried or should I apply for an e-visa? Please help.
Apply for E Visa. Plenty of people have tried this and been denied boarding
Definitely e-visa.
There's a whole song and dance about transiting in DEL.
You go to this transfer lounge area and you have to wait for someone from the handling agent of the airline you are travelling onwards with to come and collect you.
If the handling agent isn't dealing with that airline at the time or has no staff to come get you, you can literally be left there for hours.
Definitely get an eVisa (even if on one ticket or interlined operators) - applications on official govt website processed in 24 hours and cost $25. Do not use the MANY scam websites - literally no agents are able to process eVisa applications whatever they tell you - India is the world leader in online scams. The one challenge is that you need to give a personal reference - fortunately I had the details of the...
Definitely get an eVisa (even if on one ticket or interlined operators) - applications on official govt website processed in 24 hours and cost $25. Do not use the MANY scam websites - literally no agents are able to process eVisa applications whatever they tell you - India is the world leader in online scams. The one challenge is that you need to give a personal reference - fortunately I had the details of the manager of the airport hotel from a previous layover. Be prepared for security requiring that every electrical item down to the cable level needs to be separately placed in the tray - gadget baggies must be emptied out. Being a big dose of patience.
You're saying you need a personal reference to get approved for an e-visa to enter India? That doesn't seem right...
Correct - there is a slot on the form for name address and contact number of a reference. It is likely they rarely bother checking with your nominated reference but the application instructions make it clear this cannot be left blank. It would help if they had a transit specific eVisa, but only dual entry tourist eVisa is available, and they assume you’ll at least have a hotel booked and the hotel will have a...
Correct - there is a slot on the form for name address and contact number of a reference. It is likely they rarely bother checking with your nominated reference but the application instructions make it clear this cannot be left blank. It would help if they had a transit specific eVisa, but only dual entry tourist eVisa is available, and they assume you’ll at least have a hotel booked and the hotel will have a manager, or you’ll have a yoga teacher (one of their examples). The system does not work for same day in/out transits. On mine under places to visit I literally put “DEL Arrivals and DEL Departures”. My unknowing reference was the manager of the airport hotel even though I had no booking. You could probably get away with “The Manager” and the hotel’s switch board number ! Never assume logic and always find work arounds. I seem to live my life as an “edge case” falling through the cracks everywhere. You often play that to advantage :)
The lede says "connecting to Garuda Indonesia business class to Jakarta" when you meant to write Jeddah.
Always a good idea to have someone proofread your stuff after a tiring trip.
@ Ross -- Fixed, thanks!
Connected two times in the past few weeks. Different airlines, QF to QR and Qr to SQ. Both times with boarding pases in my phone as well as printed. Was denied transfer security both times.
One of the times they took my passport, pictures, contacted SQ and ended telling me that I still needed to go thru immigration and customs -I hadn’t checked any bags. All in all everyone was very friendly throughout the...
Connected two times in the past few weeks. Different airlines, QF to QR and Qr to SQ. Both times with boarding pases in my phone as well as printed. Was denied transfer security both times.
One of the times they took my passport, pictures, contacted SQ and ended telling me that I still needed to go thru immigration and customs -I hadn’t checked any bags. All in all everyone was very friendly throughout the process and from their explanations it seemed that they only allowed transfers if you are flying Garuda, which makes no sense to me other than if the goal si to make transit pax pay for the voa? Btw did you pay for the voa?
@ Julian -- Interesting! I didn't have to pay the fee, so it sounds like I got lucky. Happy that I could at least warn other travelers about the CGK transit experience on separate tickets, since I couldn't find much about it online otherwise.
Hi Ben, transfer only happens for check-thru on the same alliance. Since SQ is star alliance and Garuda is skyteam, it is necessary to exit and check in at the airline counter. If you are connecting e.g. Thai airway then you will go through the transfer gate. Is this different elsewhere?
Separate tickets. Assume if your on a single ticket it’s not an issue or for example Garuda to KLM. Too many people assume what they can for example in Europe will be the same in other countries famous for red tape
I have had such bizzare things happen to me at IAD and ORD, during the same trip. Details are too long to post, but I think the culprit is booking airlines that aren't part of the same alliance but are seemingly allowed to be booked on the same ticket by FF programs (AC/UA/Etihad in my case). Be glad that you weren't traveling with two infants under 1 and an elementary school aged child. We had...
I have had such bizzare things happen to me at IAD and ORD, during the same trip. Details are too long to post, but I think the culprit is booking airlines that aren't part of the same alliance but are seemingly allowed to be booked on the same ticket by FF programs (AC/UA/Etihad in my case). Be glad that you weren't traveling with two infants under 1 and an elementary school aged child. We had purposefuly added 10+ hours of connection time for each flight so that we could spend time in lounge and avoid any kind of delay-related rerouting - go figure we didn't get to see the lounge at all.
The moral of the story is that if you purchase separate tickets you must allow plenty of time between flights and plan to clear immigration and customs. Therefore you must ensure you have the correct documentation to enter the country. If you want to transit it has to be a single ticket.
I’ve done the same at Hong Kong in the past. Completed a landing card, passed through immigration, collected my bag , customs...
The moral of the story is that if you purchase separate tickets you must allow plenty of time between flights and plan to clear immigration and customs. Therefore you must ensure you have the correct documentation to enter the country. If you want to transit it has to be a single ticket.
I’ve done the same at Hong Kong in the past. Completed a landing card, passed through immigration, collected my bag , customs gone upstairs to check in again and passed through passport control all within a few hours. Passport stamped and no questions asked.
That's complete nonsense. There is no such rule that requires a transit to be on a single PNR.
It’s true that you can get away with non-interlined transfers at HKG if you managed to get a boarding pass already and have no checked baggage. Booking self-transfer flights through Kiwi taught me that.
Transit is on a single ticket. If you had two sep tix the airline has no
obligation to check you through and in some cases cannot or has no interline agreement with the other airline. If you have baggage they shouldn’t.
Travel agents are the worst at this as they book customers on multiple flight and separate tickets claiming it’s ok. It’s not. The exception may be on alliance partners.
Not sure why you thought I was traveling on separate tickets? FWIW, my outboung was YYZ-IAD-AUH (stop over for a week) - BOM, all on single ticket; the inbound was BOM-AUH-ORD-YYZ, all on another single ticket with same PNR. The problem was AC couldn't get me boarding passes for EY; EY didn't have transfer desk post security at IAD (so was asked to exit airport and go to EY check-in counter); EY checkin counter was...
Not sure why you thought I was traveling on separate tickets? FWIW, my outboung was YYZ-IAD-AUH (stop over for a week) - BOM, all on single ticket; the inbound was BOM-AUH-ORD-YYZ, all on another single ticket with same PNR. The problem was AC couldn't get me boarding passes for EY; EY didn't have transfer desk post security at IAD (so was asked to exit airport and go to EY check-in counter); EY checkin counter was not staffed (this was T-10 hours for the flight and they had only one flight from IAD); EY office was closed - so no way for us to get boarding passes and hence no way to clear security! Similar sounding story at ORD with EY and UA, only this time UA didn't cooperate at all since the ticket was booked by AC/Aeroplan. We eventually took an AC flight out of ORD to go back to YYZ
The U.S. has no international transit, you always have to go through immigration without exception. This doesn't make any sense. Assuming you couldn't get all your boarding passes at your first point of check-in and then had to wait until the counter opened to check in with the next airline. That's not bizarre but totally normal.
Doesn't YYZ have pre-clearance? In that case OP wouldn't go through immigration at IAD.
I encountered a very similar issue a few weeks ago as well. You arrived on a star alliance flight and you are transiting to a sky team airline. You were quite lucky I arrived on ANA and was departing KLM to Singapore and they made me sit there for about 45 minutes and then told me that that I was not allowed to transit, and I had to pay the duty and enter the country...
I encountered a very similar issue a few weeks ago as well. You arrived on a star alliance flight and you are transiting to a sky team airline. You were quite lucky I arrived on ANA and was departing KLM to Singapore and they made me sit there for about 45 minutes and then told me that that I was not allowed to transit, and I had to pay the duty and enter the country and go upstairs. I had a boarding pass, I had everything I needed. They just ultimately decided that I needed to pay the tax to enter the country go upstairs and go through regular security and immigration. When I exited immigration they looked at me like I was crazy because I was literally in the country for about 15 minutes. With this new entry tax requirement, I am sure they want to get every dollar they can.
Typical for Indonesia. Incompetence and corruption wherever you look!
Returning from India on my first long-haul trip abroad in 2006, I had an itinerary BOM-DEL-LHR on AI with an overnight stopover in DEL. At DEL, my flight arrived late afternoon and I went to leave the airport and head to my hotel for the night. I was stopped, however, and told I could not leave airside because of my connecting flight the next day and that I had been technically stamped out of the...
Returning from India on my first long-haul trip abroad in 2006, I had an itinerary BOM-DEL-LHR on AI with an overnight stopover in DEL. At DEL, my flight arrived late afternoon and I went to leave the airport and head to my hotel for the night. I was stopped, however, and told I could not leave airside because of my connecting flight the next day and that I had been technically stamped out of the country at BOM. So I suggested just letting me go back through immigration. I had a valid multiple entry visa, but they would not budge on stamping me back into the country. I talked to maybe three supervisors and none would even hear me out. I asked why AI would sell me a ticket with an overnight stopover if it wasn't feasible but this was just ignored. They kept insisting that once I left BOM, I had technically left the country and could not re-enter. Really frustrating. Ended up having to spend the night in the DEL terminal which was freezing cold and hard concrete. Now that I know India better, I probably should have just offered a bribe and I'd have been on my way.
Who "stopped" you and where? There is no checkpoint of any kind for domestic flights from Mumbai to Delhi. Neither is there immigration in BOM to stamp your passport for a domestic flight.
Yes, agree completely having flown throughout India multiple times in the 17 years since. My memory is hazy so I can't remember the exact sequence of how this all went down. All I remember is when I went to leave the airside part of the terminal at DEL to reach baggage claim, that's where I was asked for my passport and the boarding pass for my inbound flight. At BOM, there were multiple security checks...
Yes, agree completely having flown throughout India multiple times in the 17 years since. My memory is hazy so I can't remember the exact sequence of how this all went down. All I remember is when I went to leave the airside part of the terminal at DEL to reach baggage claim, that's where I was asked for my passport and the boarding pass for my inbound flight. At BOM, there were multiple security checks from the curb to the check-in counter to security screening and at the gate. I'm guessing someone stamped my passport at some point but I have no idea why.
@Stefan - Actually prior to the merger of Air India with Indian Airlines in 2007, all Air India flights operated as "international", including the domestic flights. So you went through immigration and customs at your origination station and again at your arrival point. Only those traveling wholly domestically would then be allowed to exit (this was verified by photographs taken at check-in and carried physically on board by a customs officer with a briefcase -...
@Stefan - Actually prior to the merger of Air India with Indian Airlines in 2007, all Air India flights operated as "international", including the domestic flights. So you went through immigration and customs at your origination station and again at your arrival point. Only those traveling wholly domestically would then be allowed to exit (this was verified by photographs taken at check-in and carried physically on board by a customs officer with a briefcase - yes, I'm serious). These "international connection" flights still exist as tags of long-haul flights, but only a small number now compared to the past when all Air India domestic flights ran this way.
I had a feeling Sean M. would know the answer to why this happened. Mystery solved!
If your on split tickets and assume no checked bags it’s your own fault as you cannot expect a seamless transfer.
It would only be the case if it were a single ticket.
You should have cleared immigration ensuring you have valid documentation to enter the country, and checked in again.
You can’t really expect people in these countries to be empowered to make decisions. Bureaucracy is normal.
If you think this is "normal" then you really have issues.
Did you get into Jeddah?
@ Alvin | YTHK -- If you thought the Jakarta transit experience was something... stay tuned.
Can you get out of Jeddah?
Ben
It sounds like it was really a security issue. I’m sure flying in on one itinerary and connecting to a second unrelated one raised a red flag and that’s why you were “profiled”.
Scott
I'm very surprised because Jakarta is the origin of many a cheap ticket, I'd have thought they'd be used to many people doing turnarounds and separate ticket transits there
In hindsight I agree with Konrad & Willem , could have been worth arranging fast track services and getting them to figure out the best way to do it - in/out or they assist you. But I'd never have thought to do that at a...
I'm very surprised because Jakarta is the origin of many a cheap ticket, I'd have thought they'd be used to many people doing turnarounds and separate ticket transits there
In hindsight I agree with Konrad & Willem , could have been worth arranging fast track services and getting them to figure out the best way to do it - in/out or they assist you. But I'd never have thought to do that at a hub airport on two "full service" carriers, done it many times!
I was supposed to do it once actually at CGK to SIN but they cancelled LHR-CGK. So I got rebooked to LHR-SIN-CGK so just went HBO and skipped last leg. Rather amusingly they then reinstated LHR-CGK which our SQ flight followed out to the runway at Heathrow!
When I have tickets like these, I always just clear immigration and use the official check in counters without issue (yes even if this means having to clear immigration & security again to exit the country afterwards lol). Curious why you didn’t just do that (altho the $35 visa on arrival fee would be annoying)
@ Willem -- Because at literally every single airport I've visited in the region, something like this has never been an issue. I've done the same thing at so many airports in the region, and it was never like. In HKG, SIN, KUL, BKK, etc. I'd never clear immigration and then go back airside unless I really had to, when airside connections on separate tickets can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Etc. but not Jakarta. So you assumed.
Yea, that makes sense in terms of saving time, esp given that extra steps would cut into your working time! I've personally preferred to visit the counter (and a lot of my transits were during COVID so there was more red tape for transits esp at Asian airports and online check in denied over doc checks), just for that extra assurance that everything's fine (and the passport stamps, too!)
When you travel as much as Lucky (or other people) getting stamps—especially ones that take up a quarter of a page as the Indonesian one does—is not ideal. Plus, when your connecting flight is in less than 4 hours, no airport should have you going through immigration when you're flying on the countries national carrier. It's what transfer desks are for.
That's not totally accurate. There are some quirks in each country, be it carrier-related or immigration-related. Last week, I had a FD (Air Asia) to SIN and onward SQ ticket. Same as you, I assumed I could transfer at SIN from T4 to T3 to collect SQ boarding pass. But T4 airside transit bus attendant gave me hard time saying I had to clear immigration at SIN because arrived from a FD flight, I'm not...
That's not totally accurate. There are some quirks in each country, be it carrier-related or immigration-related. Last week, I had a FD (Air Asia) to SIN and onward SQ ticket. Same as you, I assumed I could transfer at SIN from T4 to T3 to collect SQ boarding pass. But T4 airside transit bus attendant gave me hard time saying I had to clear immigration at SIN because arrived from a FD flight, I'm not an eligible "transit" passenger. I pushed forth and went to T3 anyways, I'd figure if they push back again, I would just clear immigration at T3 since SQ check-in desks are there.
I went to T3 SQ transit desk (staffed by SATS employees). They gave me the same information, saying that I'm not eligible for transit and had to go to check-in desk to collect SQ boarding pass. However, the agent looked at my itinerary, I was flying Suites, no checked bags, so she made a courtesy and issued my boarding pass.
It made no logical sense besides the fact that FD or SQ or some immigration rule would prevent transiting.
As for CGK, my 3 experience in the last year included: 1) transit TG to SQ, same as you, agents took photos of my passport, etc. and was able to transit without clearing immigration, 2) transit SQ to TG, unsuccessful, agent said TG could only issue boarding pass at check-in desk, so had to pay VOA and clear immigration, though I got escorted the whole way, 3) transit TG to NH, didn't even bother transiting, I paid VOA and cleared immigration.
This is why you need to check the transfer regulations for every airport, usually posted on their website. Make no assumptions other than everywhere being different. I thought we all learned this traveling through Covid with the added complications that regulations were changing randomly on a daily basis !
I’ve done this at FRA. The border agents there are annoying and try to insist you work with the gate staff, but they will usually let you through to check in at the counter.
"Profiling" is the term used for document checks in many parts of the world. Definitely something lost in translation there! :)
Ben from now on please do Fast Track Jumpa in Jakarta it's like 30 dollars and they will print your connecting boarding pass before you have even landed, carry yours bags, and escort you around the airport, while skipping all the lines.
@ Konrad -- If I had known how complicated this would be, I would have done that. Now I know for next time... thanks!
What's the best way to book this service? The one I saw when googling was about USD60
My suspicion is that the $30 price quoted above is probably historic and with the significant inflationary trends we've seen globally, it is probably now $60 instead!
If this service costs 60USD, you might as well pay for the VoA for ~30USD (provided you've built in enough time between flights to clear immigration). I guess that other fast pass service would save you time and the headache of having to fill out the visa form.
The service is called Joumpa. On Nov 17th, Gapura, Joumpa’s parent company, sent a letter to itself ending access to the airport’s sterile areas. Disabling the service. Eventually, it’ll be enabled again. This is just how things are done. Convoluted, complex and with lots and lots of unnecessary photos. Welcome to Indonesia.