If I arrive in the middle of the night, will there be guesthouses open?
It depends what time you arrive and where you stay. In the budget accommodation in Jaksa, there appears to be people around until about 2am and then again from about 5am onwards. If you happen to arrive in this 3 hour window you can choose between trying different guest houses, waking up the owner of one of the home stays (who normally sleep in the reception areas) or alternatively going to the 24 hour bar and restaurant. The majority of the more expensive places to stay have 24 hour receptions.
Where is a good place to stay in Jakarta?
The main backpacker place to stay in Jakarta is Jalan Jaksa and the adjacent roads. In this area, there are a number of cheap guest houses of poor to average quality, several restaurants, internet cafes bars and shops. It is a fairly low key place, but is within walking distance of Gambir train station (also where the airport bus leaves from) so it is a useful transit stop. There is no need to book accommodation here; there are enough guest houses so that you will always be able to find one with space.
For more upmarket accommodation head slightly further to the Jalan Thamrin area, where there are a number of smarter options to stay. Again, booking is not necessary but you may be able to get a discount if you book in advance through a travel agent.
What is the accommodation like? Is it readily available?
Indonesia has a wealth of accommodation almost every where you visit. Budget accommodation is the most readily available; in some places it is the only sort of accommodation available. Java has mid-high range accommodation but these tend only to be in the larger cities. The more touristy Bali and Lombok offer the greatest availability of upmarket places to stay, as well as a wealth of budget home stays. Budget accommodation is generally of a reasonable standard; from as little as 25,000 Rp you can get a clean room with fan and attached mandi (primitive shower, using a bucket and running water).
What is the accommodation near the airport like?
Airport accommodation is in the mid-high price range. There isn't a lot of choice and the rooms are fairly functional. The cheapest option is Hotel Bandara Jakarta with rooms from $35.
What time is checkout in hotels in Indonesia?
Checkout time is generally at 12 noon. Most guest houses will charge a surcharge of up to 50% for checkouts between noon and 8pm. After this time, you will have to pay the full cost of the room for the night.
