Vaccinations

Several people have asked me about what vaccinations they would need to have before travelling to Indonesia from the UK. I would suggest asking your GP, because it may depend on what other vaccinations you've had previously, for other trips abroad or just in general.

There are various websites with relevant information for example:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/asia/indonesia.shtml

I had vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid before I travelled to Indonesia in August 2008, both of which are available free on the NHS. So it really is worth going to your GP who can book you in for these. If you don't have a GP you can pay for these and other travel vaccinations at a travel clinic.

You do not need to take anti-malarials if you are travelling to Solo and other cities in central Java. If you are planning to go to other areas of Indonesia or South East Asia during your trip you might need anti-malarials for that period only.

Flights Examples

Here are some examples of flights for one week in Solo from 21st - 28th October.

All times are in local time. Prices are for one adult.

www.kayak.com
or http://www.opodo.co.uk/opodo/shoppingbasket/airv2RenderTravellers?method=render

Kuwait Airways £454, 8 seats left on outward leg
Depart London Heathrow 10:30 Thu 21st
Arrive Kuwait 18:35 Thu
Depart Kuwait 23:50 Thu
Arrive Jakarta 15:10 Fri

Depart Jakarta 23:05 Thu 28th
Arrive Kuwait 06:35 Fri
Depart Kuwait 12:30 Fri
Arrive London 17:00 Fri

This is has longish stopovers in Kuwait (5hrs 15mins and 5hrs 55mins) but departs and arrives at good times. You would be able to fly straight from Jakarta to Solo on 22nd, and then on 28th you could also leave Solo earlier that day, so no overnight stay in Jakarta. This is very reasonably priced. I would probably buy it if I was flying.

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www.kayak.com
or www.expedia.co.uk
Emirates £528
Depart London Heathrow 17:00 Thu 21st
Arrive Dubai 02:50 Fri 22nd
Depart Dubai 04:15 Fri
Arrive Jakarta 15:55 Fri

Depart Jakarta 00:40 Thu 28th
Arrive Dubai 05:30 Thu
Depart Dubai 14:15 Thu
Arrive London Heathrow 18:40 Thu

This has a really long stopover (from 05:30 until 14:15 stuck in Dubai airport) on the way back and you would have to leave Solo on on 27th in order to be at Jakarta at 00.40am on 28th. It's also more expensive than my previous suggestion. I wouldn't do this because of the long stopover.

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www.AirAsia.com
£558 London - Kuala Lumpur

Depart London Stansted 21:00 Thu 21st
Arrive Kuala Lumpur 17:00 Fri 22nd

Depart Kuala Lumpur 12:30 Thu 28th
Arrive London Stansted 19:30 Thu

Not particularly cheap for a budget airline. You won't get any free food, drink, entertainment, blanket etc with AirAsia. It's a single flight lasting about 13 hours to KL, then you can fly on to Solo, also with AirAsia. The advantage is you don't have to transit in the Middle East, but on the way to Solo you will have to stay overnight in KL - there's a cheap but nice hotel within walking distance of the airport terminal. On your return journey you can do it all in one day leaving Solo in the morning. I wouldn't choose this at the current price - it's not budget enough for what you get.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this website advertised... you would probably think this was an April fool if it was 1st April...but oh no it is serious!!

http://www.weddingraincloak.com/

Would anyone actually wear this thing?! I can't believe it...

Flight Durations

A number of people have asked me about how long it takes to get to Solo from the UK, so here's a rough guide to flight durations:

London - Kuala Lumpur (single flight with AirAsia) = 13-14 hours

London - Dubai/Doha/Abu Dhabi for transit = 6 - 7 hours

Dubai/Doha/Abu Dhabi transit - Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur = 7 - 8 hours

Jakarta - Solo/Yogya = 1 hour

Kuala Lumpur/Singapore - Solo/Yogya = 2 hours

The time difference is 6 hours (Indonesia is ahead) if British Summertime, and 7 hours over winter. This means that your London-Solo journey will feel like 2 days, and your Solo-London leg can be compressed into one very long day with certain flights.

And then to get from the airport to your hotel:
Solo airport - town centre = 30 mins by taxi
Yogya airport - Solo town centre = 1.5 hours by taxi