Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Indonesia

Direct flight routes to Indonesia

Currently, there are no regular non-stop flights between Europe and Indonesia. Prior to the pandemic, there was only one route:

• Amsterdam (AMS) – Jakarta (CGK) by KLM, flight time 14h20m (discontinued in 2020)

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIN) – Main hub for Singapore Airlines. Efficient connections averaging 2-3 hours. Features world-class terminal facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates’ hub offering multiple daily connections to Jakarta and Denpasar. Standard connection times 3-4 hours. Extensive duty-free shopping and premium lounges.

Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways hub with modern facilities. Connection times typically 2-4 hours. Excellent business class lounge access and efficient transfer process.

Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines’ hub connecting multiple European cities to Jakarta. Average layover 4-5 hours. Competitive prices and free city tours for long layovers.

Time vs money

Flights with one stopover are generally 20-30% cheaper than historical direct flights. Middle Eastern carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Turkish) typically offer the most competitive rates.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layovers of at least 3 hours when traveling through large hubs like Dubai or Istanbul to account for potential delays.


• Singapore and Kuala Lumpur connections often offer better value when visiting eastern Indonesia (Bali, Sulawesi).


• Middle Eastern carriers typically provide better luggage allowance and complimentary stopover options.


• Flights with layovers in East Asia (Tokyo, Seoul) often have cheaper business class options.


• Book multi-city tickets with extended stopovers for nearly the same price as regular connection flights.

• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul offers some of Europe’s lowest fares to Jakarta and Bali, often 20-30% below market average. The airline’s generous 23kg x 2 baggage allowance in Economy and free Istanbul stopover program add significant value. Their modern A350 and B787 fleet features comfortable 31-32″ pitch in Economy with high-quality catering.
• Flying Singapore Airlines from secondary European cities (Barcelona, Manchester, Dusseldorf) often yields better prices than from major hubs, with fares around €650-750 return in low season. Their extensive Indonesian network covers 8 destinations, allowing convenient onwards connections. The airline’s economy product consistently ranks among the best, with 32″ pitch and 18.5″ width on A350s.
• Consider Etihad Airways’ morning departures from Europe, which align perfectly with next-day early morning arrivals in Jakarta or Bali, minimizing jetlag impact. Their Abu Dhabi hub offers efficient 2-3 hour connections and their Economy Space seats provide extra legroom at reasonable upgrade fees. Currently, their Amsterdam and Frankfurt routes show particularly competitive pricing.
• Qatar Airways has introduced additional Indonesian frequencies for 2024, serving Jakarta 21x weekly and Bali 14x weekly, creating more flexible connection options via Doha. Their extensive European network includes 45 cities, with particularly good value found from Scandinavian departure points. Economy Class on their A350s offers generous 18″ width seats with 32″ pitch.
• For travel during high season (July-August), KLM’s direct Amsterdam-Bali route provides excellent value despite higher base fares, as connecting carriers significantly increase prices during this period. The 787-10 service operates daily with comfortable 31″ pitch Economy seats. This route often shows good availability for Flying Blue award tickets, requiring from 42,500 miles one-way.

1. Fixating on direct flights only Many travelers overlook efficient one-stop routes through major hubs like Singapore, Dubai, or Doha, which can be cheaper and offer better airline choices than limited direct options to Indonesia.
2. Booking for high season without planning ahead Since Indonesia’s peak tourist season (June-September) coincides with European summer holidays, last-minute bookings can cost twice as much as those made 4-6 months in advance.
3. Choosing Jakarta as the only entry point Travelers often default to Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport when Denpasar (Bali) or Surabaya might offer better connections and more convenient access to their final destination.
4. Ignoring overnight layover options By refusing to consider longer layovers, travelers miss out on opportunities to break up long-haul journeys and explore stopover cities with airline-provided hotel accommodations.
5. Not checking terminal transfers at connection airports At major Asian hubs like Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, travelers sometimes book tight connections without realizing they need to change terminals and clear security again, leading to missed flights.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Most extensive European network with connections to Indonesia through Doha.

Serves 35 European airports to Indonesia (biggest: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt). Features award-winning service with spacious 3-3-3 Economy configuration on Boeing 777s. Efficient layovers in Doha average 2-3 hours. Economy passengers enjoy complimentary amenity kits, high-quality meals with multiple choices, and one of the best in-flight entertainment systems. Consistently rated above 4/5 by passengers for Economy Class experience.

Emirates

Best for: Superior inflight entertainment and meal service in Economy Class.

Operates from 28 European cities to Indonesia (biggest: London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich). Economy Class offers generous 32-34 inch seat pitch and high-quality entertainment with 4,500+ channels. Dubai stopover typically ranges from 2-4 hours. Multi-course meals include regional specialties and special dietary options. Passengers rate their Economy experience 4.2/5 on average.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Most comfortable Economy Class seats and highest service standards.

Connects from 12 European cities to Indonesia (biggest: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris CDG). Features wider Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and calf-rest support. Singapore Changi Airport layovers are efficient and pleasant, typically 2-3 hours. Outstanding meal service includes ‘Book the Cook’ pre-order option even for Economy. Consistently receives 4.5/5 passenger ratings for Economy Class.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most affordable fares with quality service and generous baggage allowance.

Services 25 European cities to Indonesia (biggest: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Amsterdam). Offers competitive fares while maintaining quality service, including renowned catering by ‘Flying Chefs’. Economy seats provide 31-inch pitch with adjustable headrest. Istanbul layovers average 3-4 hours. Free Istanbul tour available for longer layovers. Passengers rate Economy experience 4/5 on average.

Regional airlines strategy for Europe to Indonesia routes

Savvy travelers can save significantly on Europe-Indonesia flights by leveraging regional Asian carriers instead of booking direct with major airlines. This strategy requires breaking down the journey into segments.

1. Book major carrier to regional hub – Fly from Europe to Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur using traditional carriers like KLM, Turkish Airlines, or Emirates
2. Switch to budget carriers – Connect to Indonesia using regional airlines like:
   
   • AirAsia (main hub in Kuala Lumpur)
   • Lion Air (based in Jakarta)
   • Scoot (operates from Singapore)

This approach often yields savings of 30-40% compared to single-ticket bookings. The key is allowing sufficient connection time between flights – minimum 4 hours recommended – and booking separate tickets during promotional periods.

Best booking windows are typically 3-4 months ahead for major carriers and 6-8 weeks for regional flights. Consider using price tracking tools to monitor fare drops on both segments. Remember to factor in baggage fees, as regional carriers often charge separately for checked luggage.