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As a solo female traveler, one of my main concerns is always safety and convenience, especially when it comes to transportation. This is where Grab comes in—a ride-sharing app that has become my travel companion in Indonesia.
Think of Grab as the Uber of Southeast Asia, providing a similar experience with additional features tailored to the region. I’ve been to Indonesia three times in the past year and have used Grab more times than I can count.
In this guide, I’ll share everything I know about using Grab in Indonesia. My goal is to make your travels through Indonesia less intimidating.
Table of Contents
Why Grab?
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of using Grab, let’s talk about why it’s a game-changer for travelers. Indonesia’s public transportation can be daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with the local language or routes.
Local taxi drivers are an option, but haggling over fares or worrying about being scammed can be stressful. Grab eliminates these concerns by offering transparent pricing, safety features, and a user-friendly interface, making it the go-to ride sharing app for many travelers, including me.
Find Grab in the app store.
Download and Setup
Before embarking on your Indonesian adventure, make sure you have the Grab app downloaded on your phone. You can find it on the App Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users. The installation is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.
Sign Up
Once downloaded, open the app and sign up using your phone number. You’ll receive a verification code via SMS, which you need to enter into the app to complete the registration.
Add Payment Method
To make your rides cashless, link your credit card or debit card. However, if you prefer to pay in cash, that’s perfectly fine too—you can choose your payment method when booking each ride.
Use the Account button at the bottom to set up your payment method and the Car button at the top to schedule your ride.
Using the App
The Grab app is intuitive and user-friendly. Here’s a quick rundown of the main features:
The home screen is where your journey begins. The top of the home screen displays icons for different services Grab offers—GrabBike, GrabCar, GrabFood, GrabMart, and more. Each service caters to different needs, ensuring all aspects of your travel are covered.
GrabCar
Best for comfortable and private travel, GrabCar is your go-to for pretty much all of your short, local rides through town.
GrabFood
When you’re craving a meal but don’t want to leave your accommodation, GrabFood delivers a wide range of restaurant options right to your door.
GrabBike
GrabBike allows you to ride on the back of a motor scooter. Although this is the cheapest option, I’ve not summoned up enough courage to use GrabBike yet. Have you seen the traffic in Jakarta and Bali!?!?
GrabMart
Use GrabMart for on-demand grocery and essentials delivery. Whether you need snacks, toiletries, or other household items, GrabMart brings them directly to you.
The Account Button
On the bottom bar of the app there are links to Home, Activity, Payment, Messages, and Account. They are all self-explanatory and really don’t need any further explanation. But I do want to talk more about the Account button.
This is where you will find all of your settings. You can enter in your payment method, add in up to three emergency contacts, change the language, and update your security settings. Make sure you visit all of those settings after you download the app.
Booking Your First Ride
Choose Your Ride
Start by tapping the ‘Car’ icon on the home screen. This will take you to the ride-hailing section where you can enter your destination in the ‘Where to?’ bar. In the image below, you can see that the app already knows that I’m in the Bali airport and is showing me how to get to the pick-up location.
Enter Your Destination
The app will suggest popular places and recent searches to make your selection easier. You can see that I had recently searched for Sama’s Cottages in Ubud, so I just clicked on that. If you don’t see where you want to go in the list, you can enter it into the “Where to?” box.
Enter in where you are going to.
Confirm Pickup Location
After entering your destination, the app will prompt you to enter your pickup location. By default, it suggests your current location, but you can click on the box and adjust it on the map if needed. Ensure this is accurate, or manually move the pin on the map. Once everything looks good, tap ‘Choose this pickup’ to proceed.
Choose your pick-up location.
Check the Fare and Confirm
Grab provides a fare for your ride, which helps avoid any surprises. If you’re satisfied with the price, tap ‘Book’ and wait for a driver to accept your ride. You’ll see their details, including name, photo, vehicle type, and license plate number—essential for ensuring you get into the right vehicle.
Double check pick up and drop off before booking the car.
Tracking Your Driver
After booking your Grab ride, you can track your driver’s location in real-time. This feature is incredibly useful, especially when you’re in a busy area. The app will provide an estimated arrival time, giving you an idea of how long you’ll need to wait. When your driver arrives, confirm your name and destination.
Confirm Your Vehicle
Before getting into the car, double-check that the vehicle and driver match the details provided in the app. Look at the vehicle type, color, and license plate number to ensure they match what’s shown on your screen. Also, confirm the driver’s name and photo to make sure you’re getting into the correct vehicle.
Grab drivers will follow the route on the app.
Enjoy the Ride
Now that you’re on your way, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the ride. Grab drivers are typically friendly and professional, and many speak basic English. This is a great opportunity to ask for local recommendations—drivers often have insider knowledge about the best places to eat, visit, and shop.
Payment and Rating
Upon reaching your destination, the fare will be automatically deducted from your linked payment method. If you chose to pay in cash, simply hand over the amount displayed on the app. Don’t forget to rate your driver and leave a review—this helps maintain the high standards of the Grab community and provides valuable feedback for both the driver and future passengers.
Paying Tolls with Grab
Toll costs are generally not included in the fare shown on the Grab app. Instead, they are typically added to the final fare at the end of the ride.
Here’s how it works:
During the ride, if your route involves toll roads, the driver will ask if you have cash to pay. This is a courtesy since some passengers prefer to pay for tolls as they come to them. I always tell the driver no and that I want them to pay.
The toll costs will be added to the total fare at the end of the trip, and this adjusted amount will be charged to your payment method or collected in cash if that’s your chosen payment method.
Is Using Grab in Indonesia Safe?
Safety is paramount, especially when traveling solo. Grab incorporates several features to ensure your safety throughout your journey.
Share Your Ride
One of the best features is the ability to share your ride details with friends or family. Tap the ‘Share My Ride’ button to send your trip information via SMS or social media. This allows your loved ones to track your journey in real-time.
Emergency Assistance
In case of any emergency, Grab has an in-app emergency button that connects you directly to local authorities. This feature provides an added layer of security, knowing help is just a tap away.
Driver Ratings and Reviews
Grab’s rating system ensures that drivers maintain high standards. Before booking a ride, you can view a driver’s rating and read reviews from other passengers. This transparency helps you make informed decisions and choose the best drivers.
6 Tips for Using Grab in Indonesia
- Download Before Arrival: Make sure to download and set up the Grab app before you arrive in Indonesia. This way, you can hit the ground running as soon as you land, especially if you need a ride from the airport to your accommodation.
- Landmarks as Pickup Points: When booking a ride, using well-known landmarks as your pickup location can help avoid confusion. If you’re staying at a large hotel or near a famous site, select that as your pickup point.
- Language Barrier: While many Grab drivers speak basic English, it’s useful to learn a few key phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. Simple greetings and directions can go a long way in making your ride more enjoyable.
- Tipping Your Driver: It’s most convenient to leave a tip through the app after your ride. However, you can also give the driver cash if you prefer. A suggested tip amount is around 10,000 to 20,000 IDR, depending on the length and quality of the ride.
- Messaging Your Driver: One handy feature of Grab is the in-app messaging system. You can message your driver directly to clarify any details or provide additional instructions. I always send a picture of myself and where I’m waiting to help avoid any confusion.
- Wrong Pickup Locations: Sometimes, your driver might need to pick you up across the street from your specified location due to traffic or road conditions. There were a couple of times in Jakarta that I had requested to be picked up at the Catholic Cathedral. Instead, because of the one-way road, the driver stopped across the street at the Istiqlal Mosque.
Grab vs Gojek
In Indonesia, Grab’s main competitor is Gojek, another popular ride sharing app. While both offer similar services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and package delivery, Gojek has a wider range of services such as GoClean (home cleaning) and GoMassage (on-demand massage). Pricing and coverage can vary, with Gojek sometimes offering better localized promotions and more extensive coverage in remote areas. Both apps provide multiple payment methods, safety features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Bluebird Taxi: Another Reliable Option
While Grab and Gojek dominate the ride-sharing scene, Bluebird Taxi remains a trusted traditional taxi service in Indonesia. Known for its reliability and professionalism, Bluebird offers metered fares, ensuring transparent pricing without the need for haggling. You can book a Bluebird Taxi through their app or by hailing one on the street. Bluebird is usually a more comfortable ride than either Grab or Gojek and is recommended for airport transfers and longer journeys.
Grab in South East Asia
Grab operates in several Southeast Asian countries beyond Indonesia. When using the Grab app, just click on the bottom bar to change between countries.
Thailand: In Thailand, Grab offers a unique feature for female travelers—you can choose a female driver for added comfort and security. I try to choose this option when I’m in Thailand. It just gives me a little more peace of mind and makes me feel more comfortable.
Malaysia: Grab is also popular in Malaysia, providing services in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The app functions similarly to how it does in Indonesia, offering ride-hailing, food delivery, and more.
Singapore: As one of Grab’s major markets, Singapore offers extensive Grab services, including GrabCar, GrabTaxi, and GrabHitch (a carpooling option). The efficiency and reliability of Grab in Singapore make it a preferred choice for both locals and tourists.
Vietnam: In Vietnam, Grab operates in cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. The app offers similar services, making it a convenient option for navigating the bustling streets and exploring the country’s cultural landmarks.
Philippines: Grab is available in major cities such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao. In the Philippines, Grab is often preferred over local taxis for its transparency in pricing and safety features.
