Time difference Indonesia
Jakarta is 5 or 6 hours behind Europe. The country spans 3 time zones. When it's 6 a.m. in Sumatra and Java, it's 7 a.m. in Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara, and 8 a.m. in the Moluccas and Irian Jaya. For example, when it's midday in France, it's 6pm in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan. Similarly, when it's midday in France, it's 7pm in Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Flores and Sulawesi, and 8pm in Papua Indonesia and the Moluccas. It's always advisable to check the exact time difference at the time of your trip, as it can vary according to region and changes linked to daylight saving time in France.
Opening hours Indonesia
To see / To do Indonesia
Tourist attractions, whether beaches, temples or natural sites, can have varying opening hours. Most are open every day, but their hours can change according to the season and weather conditions. Museums in Indonesia are generally open from 9am to 5pm or 8am to 4pm. Most are open every day of the week, except on certain national holidays. In the case of national parks, opening hours are often specific, generally from 7am to 6pm.
Public and religious holidays are calculated according to the different religious calendars (Muslim, Chinese, Hindu, Gregorian). The dates are therefore not fixed from one year to the next.
january 1st. New Year's Day.
january 29, 2025, February 17, 2026. Chinese New Year (Imlek).
february 18. Isra and Mi'raj, commemoration of a night journey by the Prophet Muhammad.
march 29, 2025, March 19, 2026. Hindu Day of Silence (Nyepi). In Bali, on the day of "Nyepi" ("to be alone"), everything is closed. It's a Hindu holiday (New Year) when no one works. There's no electricity and you can't leave your house. It's a day of prayer. The Indonesian word for New Year is "Tahun Baru".
april 7th. Good Friday.
march 30, 2025, March 19, 2026. Eid al-Fitr, fast-breaking holiday celebrated by Muslims.
may 1st. Labor Day.
may 29, 2025, May 14, 2026. Ascension Day.
june 1st. Anniversary of the proclamation of the Pancasila. Official events, ceremonies, speeches and community activities are organized.
may 12, 2025, May 1, 2026. Buddha Awakening Day (Waisak).
For Ramadan, dates are flexible. Lebaran or Idul Fitri is celebrated at the end of Ramadan for two days. These are days of great transhumance, so take care on the roads. Idul Adha commemorates the day when Abraham sacrificed a goat rather than his son Isaac. On this day, you'll see goats frolicking around many of the archipelago's towns.
june 6, 2025, May 26, 2026. Eid al-Adha, one of the main Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world, commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) according to Islamic tradition.
july 19. Islamic New Year.
august 17. Independence Day (Hari Merdeka).
september 28. Prophet Mohammed's birthday.
december 25. Christmas Day.
Cultural and artistic events are countless and often magnificent. For the exact dates of local events, get hold of the Calendar of Events, available from all tourist offices and the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, or consult the Jakarta Post, Jakarta Kini or Hello Bali. The Ramadan period is a little trickier for tourists on the islands of Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Many restaurants are closed during the day and fully booked in the evening. Public transport is even more crowded at dusk, and some government offices are slow... The further east you go in the archipelago, the less this will be the case. Make your own arrangements, but don't let this discourage you in the least. Ramadan is also a time for sharing, and you may be lucky enough to be invited to break your fast and enjoy the kindness of Indonesian families.
Enjoying yourself Indonesia
Navigating the schedules of restaurants and warungs in Indonesia can be confusing, with time slots that seem to follow their own calendar. Closing days can be a real headache. Add to this the fluctuating crowds, which can turn a quiet dinner into a lively evening, or vice versa. Mealtimes generally follow a routine, with breakfast between 6am and 8am, lunch around 11am to 1pm, an afternoon snack around 3pm to 5pm, and dinner between 6pm and 8pm.
During Ramadan, Muslims change their eating habits. They often have breakfast between 3.30am (or even 3am) and 5am, depending on location and time of morning prayer. Dinner is served between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., depending on the region and the time of evening prayer. It should be noted that at this time, many restaurants may be closed due to fasting practices.
Take a break Indonesia
These days, we're seeing a growing number of specialty cafés in tourist locations. These establishments, often open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., offer a relaxed, co-working environment. As for bars and breweries, a veritable beer culture is flourishing in the heart of major metropolises. Here, you can discover craft breweries offering unique and original beers. The famous "Beer gardens", meanwhile, unveil extensive alcohol menus, featuring a cutting-edge selection of spirits. These places can stay open late into the night, often past midnight, especially at weekends. On tourist islands, beach bars may also have late closing times, especially during the high tourist season.
(To) please yourself Indonesia
In Indonesia, store and market opening times can vary, but generally speaking, small traditional stores often open early in the morning, around 7am, and close in the early evening, around 7pm. Shopping centers in urban areas tend to have longer opening hours, from 10am to 10pm on weekdays, with extended hours at weekends. Traditional markets may open at dawn and close in the early afternoon. Supermarkets have more regular opening hours, generally from 8am to 9pm or later. It is advisable to check locally, as these times can be influenced by factors such as public holidays or local celebrations.
Get out Indonesia
Nightclubs are generally open from midnight to 4am, with a few exceptions. As in other cities around the world, clubs are busiest on Fridays and Saturdays. After the clubs close, you can keep the party going by renting a karaoke room. Jakarta's nightlife remains dynamic all year round, with the exception of a brief pause during Ramadan, while in Bali it peaks during the peak tourist season from June to September.
