Flight advice Jakarta to Lembeh in November 2025

[Tim Clark Diving]

I am going to Lembeh in November for Alex Mustard's photo workshop and would like some flight advice. I am flying Guam - Manila - Jakarta - Manado. I plan on arriving in Jakarta on a Sunday at 12:20 AM. Garuda has a 2 AM flight from Jakarta to Manado. Is that enough time to clear customs and check back in? Unfortunately, they don't have any other flights on Sunday, so not making it would mean an overnight in Jakarta and make either the 2:00 AM or 9:20 AM flight the next day. If I have to overnight, is staying at the Anara Airport Hotel in Terminal 3 still a good option? Thanks for any advice!

 

[matts1w]

Unfortunately, that is probably way too tight—especially if you have to collect your bags—which I think you do—and walk them through customs for a possible but unlikely contents check. You then have to walk down to the domestic side of Terminal 3, get everything checked in, go through security, and get to the gate. Baggage claim is usually brutal, and there are many other potential landmines. Terminal three is huge, and even the walk from your arrival gate to immigration can take forever.

The Anara is for sure a good way to go, but surely there are other options to Manado that Sunday.

 

[cozcharlie]

You would need to take Scoot (low cost affiliate of Singapore airlines ), but some people get to Manado via Singapore. I have never taken Scoot because I always get nervous about stricter carry on limitation enforcement on discount airlines (stated rules aren’t necessarily different , likelihood of enforcement may just be higher). Photographer friends have taken Scoot from Singapore to Manado without problems while carrying on reasonable amounts of camera gear , but if something is going to go wrong it will happen to me.

Others may chime in.

 

[Darnold9999]

I would do the Batik flight at 8:00.

 

[CF L]

You would need to take Scoot (low cost affiliate of Singapore airlines ), but some people get to Manado via Singapore. I have never taken Scoot because I always get nervous about stricter carry on limitation enforcement on discount airlines (stated rules aren’t necessarily different , likelihood of enforcement may just be higher). Photographer friends have taken Scoot from Singapore to Manado without problems while carrying on reasonable amounts of camera gear , but if something is going to go wrong it will happen to me.

Others may chime in.

I have flown Scoot from Singapore to Manado and back several times over the last few years and have never had my carryon measured or weighed.

 

[cetacean]

@Tim Clark Diving

Guam-Manila-Singapore-Manado is an easier routing...

Scoot is not an issue. I've paid a little extra baggage fee (ahead of time) for our dive and camera gear and never had an issue. Also - Scoot is a surprisingly good (well run) discount airline.

We've combined a couple of trips diving east of Bali with Lembeh, and gotten to the point now we'll just fly back to Singapore to take the Scoot flight from there vs. connecting in Jakarta.

Someone mentioned the Batik flight... Batik is the "full service" offering from Lion Air... when they are on time it's fine, when they are delayed or cancelled, you end up in a world of hurt.

Scoot is the low cost carrier for Singapore Airlines... much (much) more reliable.

 

[chiggins]

I just did a similar connection arriving in Jakarta from Tokyo on a Saturday night at 2345 and connected to the Garuda flight at 0210 with time to spare. I was traveling with cary-on bags only (way way way more than 10kg, but bags fit in the overhead). There were other passengers with bags that were able to make the same connection, but that was a hussle.
Regardless of your connection, I strongly suggest applying for the evoa as you are able to use the automated customs gates which had no line. There was a long wait with many frustrated looking travelers to apply and pay for their visas at the airport. Also fill in the customs declaration ahead if you are able, if not, fill it out while you wait for bags using the kiosk and take a picture of the QR code for when you exit. Terminal 3. If you dont arrive at the same terminal the 2ish hour connection will not be possible. As others have said, the Anara hotel is clean and comfortable if you stay the night.
For your flight to Manado, I recommend sticking with Garuda. They are reliable and safe. I attempted to save over $100 on my return by booking Batik, but got the email 24 hours before that my flight had been rescheduled and I was unwilling to risk my international connection. There was no way to reach anyone for earlier rebooking options, and although there was a link to request a refund, it required WhatsApp which appears to be the only way Batik communicates. I ended up booking the Garuda flight at the last minute and all went smoothly from there. I'm now letting credit card's dispute process handle the refund from Batik.
Although I have never taken Scoot to Manado, I have had negative experiences with Scoot to/from the Philippines and they can be very strict with enforcing weight limits. They are either perfectly fine, or its a complete nightmare; there is no in between. I looked at Scoot as an option for my recent trip but the current schedule to Manado gets you there late in the afternoon, even later than previously, and connections returning to the US are very limited and may require a night in Singapore which is a great city if you have time to enjoy but not my choice for a 10 hour overnight connection between 8pm-6am.
Safe travels! I always enjoy reading trip reports. I'll be posting a report from mine very soon.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I am going to Lembeh in November for Alex Mustard's photo workshop and would like some flight advice. I am flying Guam - Manila - Jakarta - Manado. I plan on arriving in Jakarta on a Sunday at 12:20 AM. Garuda has a 2 AM flight from Jakarta to Manado. Is that enough time to clear customs and check back in? Unfortunately, they don't have any other flights on Sunday, so not making it would mean an overnight in Jakarta and make either the 2:00 AM or 9:20 AM flight the next day. If I have to overnight, is staying at the Anara Airport Hotel in Terminal 3 still a good option? Thanks for any advice!

Not enough time. Anara airport hotel in T3 is convenient and a little more expensive. FM7 is a popular one offsite and fine, but I find there are way too many mosquitos in the building and it makes for a not fun time for me since I'm highly allergic. I've been staying at the Jakarta 1o1 CBC the last few times and they also have free airport pickup and drop offs.

You would need to take Scoot (low cost affiliate of Singapore airlines ), but some people get to Manado via Singapore. I have never taken Scoot because I always get nervous about stricter carry on limitation enforcement on discount airlines (stated rules aren’t necessarily different , likelihood of enforcement may just be higher). Photographer friends have taken Scoot from Singapore to Manado without problems while carrying on reasonable amounts of camera gear , but if something is going to go wrong it will happen to me.

Others may chime in.

I have taken Scoot from Singapore to Manado. I have also carried on a 7kg backpack and 16kg carry on with camera gear after they weighed it, fully knowing what was inside. Budget carrier and small seats and the flight isn't painfully long, but you will have to pay for extra check in baggage so factor that into costs and schedule considerations.