In Reply to: Travel Jakarta to Kuta posted by adam on Wednesday, 9. January 2008 at 09:53 Bali Time:
Is it safe, easy and worth it?
Short Answer: Yes, sort of and Yes.
Longer Answer: I have done this trip many times. My usual method is to take an air conditioned train (Eksekutif) from Stasiun Gambir fairly early in the morning to Yogjakarta. This way you can see the countryside of Java in comfort and avoid the infamous Jakarta traffic jams (macets). After staying at least one night in Yogjakarta, I buy a ticket at the Stasiun Bis and take an overnight air conditioned bus to Denpasar. This part of the trip is the least comfortable but travelling overnight avoids the macets. The bus ticket includes a drink and snack on the bus and an Indonesian meal at a roadhouse near Malang. On the ferry from Java to Bali, you can get off the bus and chat to the Indonesian passengers. From the Stasiun Bis in Denpasar, I catch a taxi to my hotel and have a swim.
All the VIP or First Class bus companies are the same. Just make sure that the bus is air conditioned and it does not go via Surabaya.