Indonesia with bike?

#1 27 Jul 2005

Does anyone know if it is possible to island hop through Indonesia with a bike? We've heard it's more trouble than it's worth....?!

Has anyone out there tried it or know of anyone who has?

jim & lisa

**mauro** · #2 27 Jul 2005

Hi Jim and Lisa, this is mauro i am now in lao tomorrow will be in cambodia and in some 20 days back to thailand , where r u now ??
Maybe u can check with david of GT riders whom is based up in chang mai , u can get to him thru his website www.gt-riders.com
cheers
mauro

Quote:

Originally posted by jim'n'lisa:
Does anyone know if it is possible to island hop through Indonesia with a bike? We've heard it's more trouble than it's worth....?!

Has anyone out there tried it or know of anyone who has?

jim & lisa

**lost1** · #3 28 Jul 2005

Do it.
My girlfriend and I did the Indonesian island hopping from East Timor to Malaysia. It was definetly well worth it. Actually it was one of the highlights of our RTW. Hassles, what hassles? No problems finding boats as they are regular scheduled vehicle ferries between the islands. No bother with police and officials. We even did it without a carnet (not recommended however). If you want to get off the beaten track, this is your ticket to adventure...

**tomforde** · #4 28 Jul 2005

Hi Guys,
I road from Mudan in Sumatra to East Timor,island hopping all the way. Give yourself at least 60 days, you can only get 30 at the border, it is not enough. The traffic in parts of Jave is horrendous.
But you will find some great places out of the tourist tracks. You can read my diary in H.U. travellers stories.
Best of luck.
Tom Forde

**parkie** · #5 29 Jul 2005

Indonesian embassy in Penang or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) will give you a 60 day visa - still not long enough to do the country justice. You can ship the bike across to Sumatra from Penang or Malacca - check out the info on the shipping pages. Check out our blog on Indonesia, we loved the place.

------------------
Richard Parkinson
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...richardandlisa

**strikingviking** · #6 17 Sep 2005

Indonesia has made it difficult to obtain 60 visas but nothing an explanation with the Consulate General can't solve. After producing a carnet, passport with lots of other countrie's stamps and some nice photos, embassy staff was delighted to issue a 60 visa that is even renewable. Onward ticket evidence was also waived.

Since so many riders pass from Malaysia to Sumatra hassling with onion boats and separate passenger ferries, it might be worth a special front page bulletin advising that as of last month, the Indonesian government now operates a roll on/roll off ferry. It departs, Penang, Malaysia Tuesday evenings at eight but because of the tides, vehicles must load in the morning. It's a twelve hour sail costing 250 ringgit (About 65USD)

I'll be onboard Tuesday but not sure if there will be Internet where I'm heading so I thought to send this now. Names and addresses follow when time permits.

This world ride thing is getting better all the time.

**parkie** · #7 20 Sep 2005

The RORO ferry sounds like the biz.

Please post the details on the shipping pages to make life easy for all.

**Em and Hame** · #8 28 Sep 2005

SV,

After 10 years living in Malaysia, we'll be leaving April next year via Sumatra, therefore Penang RO-RO ferry sounds like the way to go. Any contact details would be gratefully received.

If you're up in Aceh, try to make it over to Palau Weh; spent a week there some years ago snorkelling with Manta Rays - superb.

**strikingviking** · #9 1 Oct 2005

Sorry no time to do a full report but here is some info:

This vessel capacity can carry about 1000 passengers and 70 motor vehicles. Vessel will depart from Penang every Tuesday 2000 hrs.
Expecting to arrive Belawan the next morning at 0800 (Wednesday) and the same evening departs from Belawan to Penang and arrives
Penang on every Thursday morning 0800 hrs. Vessel is running once a week and expecting to have two sailings if the demand is good.

You can contact Belawan office :

Tel : 62-61-7743 7060
Fax: 62-61-451 4043
For Penang office:
Tel: 60-4-356 9111
Fax: 60-4-356 9112
Or call my mobile: 6-012-438 3916.
Web-site : www.ferry-asdp.co.id
Best regards.
Alan Ban.

From Penang you must be at the port around 2:00pm and wait for an hour or so for the ferry. You load and then go back to Penang to take on passengers and then depart at eight for a twelve hour sail to Belewan. Food is bad so bring that and bottled water.
At Belawan you must wait four hours for high tide to offload so bring a book. Customs was easy with a required carnet. If you have further questions, please email direct.
Thanks
Glen (and Banda Aceh was as sad as fascinating.

**Em and Hame** · #10 4 Oct 2005

Thanks for the info Glen. Called Alan yesterday, who was very helpful and confirms I don't need a carnet for Indonesia as our bike is Malaysian registered. Just trying to establish if I need a carnet for East Timor or not, before entering Australia with Temporary Import Permit.

Have read some of your posts on the Adventure Rider site, looks an interesting trip!

Thanks once again, Hamish

[This message has been edited by Em & Hame (edited 04 October 2005).]

**beddhist** · #11 10 Oct 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Em & Hame:
If you're up in Aceh, try to make it over to Palau Weh; spent a week there some years ago snorkelling with Manta Rays - superb.

So, Aceh is now open! Yeah, things are looking up.

**strikingviking** · #12 11 Oct 2005

Here is the full story on Banda Aceh with lots of photos. It's worth a look.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...page=137&pp=15

**beddhist** · #13 10 Sep 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by strikingviking

This vessel capacity can carry about 1000 passengers and 70 motor vehicles. Vessel will depart from Penang every Tuesday 2000 hrs.
Expecting to arrive Belawan the next morning at 0800 (Wednesday) and the same evening departs from Belawan to Penang and arrives
Penang on every Thursday morning 0800 hrs. Vessel is running once a week and expecting to have two sailings if the demand is good.

Web-site : www.ferry-asdp.co.id

This web site doesn't work. Is the ferry still running?

**davidmc** · #14 11 Sep 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beddhist

This web site doesn't work. Is the ferry still running?

yes and no, see this thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ro-ferry-21274

Mr. Lim's operation is straightforward, as long as you have a carnet.

**Casalinda** · #15 26 Sep 2006

Hello,
I'm just about to go to Melaka to get the daily ferry, I've been told about from there to Dumai. Got a 60 day visa from KL no prob without a return ticket. Just showed them my carnet which they didn't seem to understand there. although the Penang mob said they needed to see it.

Will let you know what happens

Would like to meet up with anyone over there if they are around somewhere.

safe riding
Linda