City Nomads’ Essential Travel Guide to Bandung in Indonesia

PUBLISHED April 15th, 2016 11:31 am | UPDATED February 6th, 2020 04:50 pm

A sprawling metropolis of 2.4 million inhabitants, Bandung is the capital of the West Java province in Indonesia, and the country’s third largest city by population. Surrounded by volcanic mountains and tea plantations, Bandung is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, drawing travellers from abroad or domestic tourists from neighbouring cities like Jakarta.

During colonial times, Bandung’s fashion boutiques, chic cafés, and lavish hotels earned the city its nickname of Parijs van Java (Paris of Java). Bandung is now the epicentre of learning and creativity in Indonesia, with top universities and a vibrant arts culture.

Climate of Bandung

Generally cooler than most cities in Indonesia – with an average temperature of 23.6ºc throughout the year – due to it being located 768 metres above sea level. The rainy season occurs from November to April. The dry season, however, sees sunny skies blanketed by thick clouds and humid air.

• November – April – This is the monsoon season, and there are downpours almost every day with minimal sun.
• May – Weather gets better for the month of May. A lot less rain and a lot more sunshine.
• June – September – The best time to visit Bandung. Clear skies and moderately cool temperatures.
• October – Start of the rainy season.

Getting there and away

Air: 

Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara International Airport is tiny and travellers have to alight from the plane on the tarmac. The airport is located 4.8 kilometres away from the city centre and 2.4 kilometres from Bandung Central Train Station.

Carriers that operate at the airport include AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Silkair, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Sriwijaya Air, Susi Air and Malaysia Airlines.

Train: 

A train ride will reveal the lush and spectacular beauty of Indonesia in the form of rolling hills, pretty tea plantations and terraced paddy fields. Train rides to Bandung start off from either the Gambir Train Station in Jakarta or the Surabaya Gubeng Train Station in Surabaya. More information on train fares and schedules can be found here.

Land:

Buses operated by transport company Primajasa can take you from the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta to Bandung. The cost for these rides are US$8.50/pax.

Getting to and from the Airport

Getting to your destination once you touch down in Bandung is fairly easy. There are scores of taxis waiting to pick up passengers at the airport. However, it is highly recommended that you board a metered taxi. Unmetered taxis are extremely unreliable, with some imposing an expensive minimum fee of 25000 IDR or 35000 IDR. To be safe, go for Bluebird – the most credible and well-known taxi company in Bandung.

You can also flag an Angkot – the cheapest transport available in Indonesia, and the country’s equivalent to a public bus service. The Angkot is a rugged, no-frills minivan that can sit around five to seven people at one go, depending on the size of the vehicle. There are no flat rates for journeys. Instead, the charge for a single trip is based on the distance you travel. Fares range from 2000 to 7000 IDR.

Getting Around Bandung

Taxi: 

Despite Bandung’s bad traffic, it is pretty easy to get a cab, even late at night. As mentioned, try to board metered taxis as often as you can.

Angkot:

Taking the Angkot is ideal for short trips, as it is relatively cheap and fuss-free. Angkot’s come in a variety of colours and passengers flag them as if they were a cab. If you’re unsure of fare rates (usually not more than 7000 IDR for a single trip) or transport routes, seek assistance from the locals. They will be more than happy to advise you.

Rentals: 

Cars and motorcycles can be rented at various locations in Bandung. A word of caution: the roads in Bandung are very small, and you’ll most likely be caught in a honking, smog-filled jam. Routes are also usually one-way only, and making a wrong turn is extremely inconvenient, not to mention, frustrating.

Where to stay in Bandung

From backpacker hostels to luxurious hotels, there’s no shortage of accommodation in Bandung. And unless you’re planning to stay near the volcanoes of Kawah Putih or Tangkuban Perahu, most of the hostels and hotels are conveniently located in or around the city centre. There’s also the option of getting an Airbnb space. Just look out for overlaps online, as some hostels will pose as an Airbnb rental and charge a higher price than what they normally would.

Budget Hotels/Hostels (Less than US$25 per night)

• Pinisi Backpacker (Dorm rates start from $10 USD per night) – Simple and fuss-free. Has both mixed and female-only dorms. Offers wifi, laundry services and air conditioning. Located at Jalan Pasirkaliki Belakang.

• Hunny Hostel Bandung (Dorm rates start from $8.50 USD per night) – Split into male and female dorms. Rooms are no-frills and toilets are clean. Provides wifi, air conditioning and a travel desk service. Located at Jalan Pasir Kaliki.

• Chezbon Hostel (Dorm rates start from $8 USD per night) Not a fabulous hostel by any means, but rooms and toilets are clean. Wifi, air conditioning, and laundry services are provided. Superb location at Jalan Braga.

Mid-range Hotels (US$25-100 per night)

• Ivory by Ayola Hotel ($38-75 USD per night) Simple yet classy, this contemporary hotel is ideal for young families, or business travellers. Located 2.7 kilometres away from the city centre at Bahureksa Street. 

• Grand Sovia Hotel ($26-73 USD per night) Rooms are cosy and spacious at this boutique establishment. There’s also an infinity pool that overlooks the gorgeous cityscape of Bandung. Great location near the city centre at Jalan Kebon Kawung.

• Harris Hotel and Conventions Ciumbuleuit ($40-52 USD per night) Plush beds and well-furnished rooms make this hotel a great value gem. There’s also a business centre, fitness area, kid’s play zone, spa service and an infinity pool. Decent location at Jalan Ciumbuleuit.

• Malaka Hotel ($25 USD per night) One of the most value-for-money hotels in Bandung. Rooms aren’t that spacious but beds are snug enough for a good night’s sleep. Convenient location at Jalan Halimun ensures it’s easy to travel to popular spots like Jalan Braga and Trans Studio

• Hilton Hotel ($67-115 USD per night) With its lavish rooms, excellent service and top notch facilities, this property easily lives up to the Hilton brand name. Located at H.O.S Tjokroaminoto Road.

• Hotel California Bandung ($50-64 USD per night) The rooms are generally quite spacious at this establishment, not to mention, comfortable and clean. Guests can de-stress at the in-house spa. Nice location at Wastukencana Street. 

Luxury Hotels (US$100+ per night)

• Intercontinental Bandung Dago Pakar ($100-120 USD per night) Spectacular. The luxurious rooms of this establishment have floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to stunning views of Bandung. Located at Cimenyan. 

• Trans Luxury Hotel ($167-470 USD per night) The name speaks for itself. Every thing about the Trans Luxury Hotel is simply lavish. There’s really nothing much to complain about here. Fantastic location right in the heart of the city centre at Jalan Gatot Subroto. 

There are plenty of exquisite villas and resorts in Bandung. These places are usually more expensive than a standard luxury hotel, but afford more privacy and exclusivity.

Places to visit in Bandung

Here are some of our must-see spots:

Jalan Braga

Jalan Braga may be small in size, but its history is monumental. Once a major shopping zone for Dutch aristocrats, this tiny street is what gave Bandung its nickname of Parijs Van Java. Now, it is home to a medley of chic cafés, snazzy jazz bars, upscale restaurants, and bakeries.

Music is a common fixture at Jalan Braga – expect to see buskers roaming about at every street corner, and bar musicians letting their vocals rip at classic rock songs. Various street stalls are also tucked behind some of the decrepit lanes. Do try the bubur ayam (chicken porridge), which is by far our favourite street food in Bandung.

Kawah Putih

Located 2400 metres above sea level, Kawah Putih is an ancient volcanic lake, and one of two craters that make up Mount Patuha. The lake’s acidic water gives off a whitish glow, something that is eerie yet breathtaking. To visit Kawah Putih, visitors have to get to a drop-off point five kilometres below the crater site, where tickets can be purchased.

We recommend hiring a private driver (not a taxi) to travel to the drop-off point. It’s easier and more cost-effective. From the drop-off point, visitors can either drive their own vehicles to the crater, or hop on minibuses that arrive every five minutes. It is recommended to take the minibus. The road to the site is precarious and full of sharp turns. Tourists might also want to bring along a face mask for this one – the crater belches out billowing clouds of sulphur gas.

Pasar Baru Trade Centre

To truly experience how locals in Bandung do their shopping, there’s no better place than Pasar Baru Trade Centre. Though run-down, this multi-storey textile complex is swarmed with throngs of merchants selling anything from Muslim prayer articles to traditional Indonesian clothing. Its surrounding streets are also filled with vendors who trade in imitation goods and factory outlet rejects. However, it can get annoying as there’ll be touters who incessantly shove their products in your face.

Tangkuban Perahu

Another of Bandung’s majestic mountains, Tangkuban Perahu is a towering volcano that sits 30 kilometres north of the city centre. While undeniably beautiful, Tangkuban Perahu is still a highly active volcano, erupting 16 times in the last 190 years. Its most recent eruption came in 2013.

Museum of The Asian-African Conference

If you’re a major history buff, you’ll appreciate visiting the Museum of The Asian-African Conference. This building held the first ever diplomatic meeting to take place between leaders of Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries, a milestone in human history. Exhibits include the actual site where the delegates assembled, and artefacts used during the conference.

Where to eat and drink

Home to over 300 different ethnic groups of people, Indonesia is a melting pot of culture and history. This diversity also manifests itself in typical Indonesian cuisine. Dishes differ from region to region, with some types of food having strong Hindu influences, and others more Islamic in nature.

In Bandung, the most populous ethnic group is the Urang Sunda or Sundanese. The Sundanese people pride their cuisine on fresh ingredients and clean-tasting food, as compared to the richness and spiciness of dishes found in the rest of the country. Street food stalls can be found at almost every roadside, alleyway or corner, while the city is also a hotbed for hipster cafés and small coffee shops. The restaurant and bar scene, while growing, is nowhere near the standard of countries like Singapore, Hong Kong or Thailand.

Nonetheless, there are still plenty of cool places to eat and drink, and here’s our top places to check out:

Local Delicacies

• Nasi Timbel – Steamed rice is wrapped in banana leaves and paired alongside meats like fried chicken, duck or pigeon for this local delicacy. It is topped up with condiments like tahu (tofu), tempeh (soy bean cake) and sambal (chili).

• Sayur Asem – A sour, tamarind-based soup. An extremely popular dish in Bandung.

• Soto Bandung – This dish is Bandung’s version of the soto – a traditional Indonesian soup that differs from region to region. The Soto Bandung consists of beef and sliced radish.

• Baso Tahu – Also known as Siomay Bandung, Baso Tahu is the Indonesian form of dim sum. Served alongside thick peanut sauce.

• Ikan Bakar – One of the most ubiquitous dishes in Indonesia, Ikan Bakar can be found almost anywhere in Bandung. For this dish, freshwater fish like carp or gourami are grilled and served with sweet soy sauce and chili.

Restaurants & Cafés

• The Valley Café – Boasts spectacular views of Bandung’s captivating cityscape and majestic mountains. Specialises in Western fine dining dishes that have Indonesian influences. Located at Jl. Lembah Pakar Timur.

• Purbasari – Diners can tuck into solid Sundanese food at this charming establishment. Add to the mix the quaint Indonesian huts and impressive landscape, and Purbasari is a real gem of a dining place. Located at Dusun Bambu Family Leisure Park.

• Café Burangrang – Café Burangrang is the largest eatery at Dusun Bambu Family Leisure Park and opens up to glorious panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Do try out their betutu grilled chicken.

• Café D’Pakar – Set amidst a beautiful backdrop of lush greenery and rolling hills, Café D’Pakar is the perfect place for diners to get in touch with nature. We recommend going for their sweet bread toast. Located at Jl. Dago Pakar Utara.

• Stone Café – With live music, an impressive view, and delicious servings of hearty Indonesian food, Stone Café’s offers the whole package for a great night out. Located at Jl. Rancakendal Luhur.

• Warung Daweung – Warung Deweung is the only restaurant located at Bukit Moko, and is extremely popular with locals. Not to mention, its relatively high up location means that it is an ideal place for catching the sunset.

• Rumah Miring Bar – Hemmed in by paddy fields, Rumah Miring Bar is quite possibly the classiest gastro-bar in Bandung. Diners can munch on pizza, sip on cocktails, and enjoy the dazzling panorama of Bandung’s city centre over here. Located at Jalan Dagogiri.

• Cocorico Café & Resto – The go-to place for huge chunks of waffles and Western comfort food. Cocorico Café has an awesome view to boot too. Located at Jalan Bukit Pakar Timur.

• The Peak – Definitely the most expensive restaurant on this list. Premium ingredients like kobe beef are the norm over here, which means that meals won’t come cheap at all. Located at L. Desa Karyawangi Ciwaruga.

• Kopi Ireng Café – One of the most popular eateries in Bandung, Kopi Ireng is an awesome spot for brunch lovers and coffee enthusiasts. Located at Jl. Bukit Pakar Timur Ciburial.

Bars

There isn’t much in the way of a drinking scene in Bandung. Jalan Braga has some decent places that offer great live music, but apart from that, most bars in the city are filled with seedy hostesses and unsavoury characters. We suggest checking out restaurants, cafés and the local street food stalls instead.

Shopping

Bandung is a major shopping mecca, with tons of department stores, factory outlets, second-hand stalls, shopping malls and chic design boutiques.

Most popular however, are the numerous factory outlets that are spread throughout the city. Whether it’s manufacturing rejects, surplus stock or imitation goods, you can find any brand from Zara to Hugo Boss at these mega stores. Hotspots for factory outlets include Rumah Mode at Jalan Setiabudi, Heritage at Jalan Riau, Grande in the Dago district, and Cihampelas, the oldest factory outlet in Bandung.

Essential Tips

Food and Drink

As with any other country, do look out for the cleanliness of the street stall you’re buying from. Street food in Bandung is generally quite safe. However, there have been cases where people have fallen ill after eating a meal that is less than sanitary. Steer clear of iced desserts and cold food at all costs. These type of dishes are more than likely to give you a bad case of the runs, and that’s if you’re lucky. To be safe, stick with food that is hot, and prepared in front of your eyes. Also, avoid drinking water directly from the tap.

Language

Locals in Bandung speak Bahasa Indonesia – an Austronesian language that has been in use for centuries. They do however, also speak Sundanese or Basa Sunda, the native dialect of the Sundanese people. English isn’t widely used around these parts, and most people only know a smattering of English words. Nevertheless, things like ordering food and asking directions to the toilet shouldn’t pose any problems for tourists.

Religion & Culture

As Muslims constitute approximately 96 percent of Bandung’s population, there are plenty of mosques in the city, most of them old and grand. The city of Bandung also practises an inclusive form of Islam, where there is mutual respect and tolerance for other religions. Religious minorities in Bandung include Christians and Buddhists.

Society

While rapid development has been great for Bandung over the past decade, a rising crime rate has manifested as one of the by-products of economic growth. Bribery and corruption represent the most common criminal offences in society, but there are also chances of getting mugged or pick-pocketed if you’re not careful. As always, it pays to be vigilant and to take care of your belongings.

With that said, Bandung is a very welcoming society, and there are hardly any racial hate crimes. Although it would be extremely unwise to disrespect the mosques or prayer areas. Anyhow, it is safe to explore the city during the day or night, and as long as you’re sensible and considerate, there’s really nothing much to worry about.

Recommended length of stay in Bandung: 3 – 4 days.

We hope you’ll enjoy Bandung and Indonesia as much as we did. Best of luck!