Buy Indonesian Rupiah Online

Card payments are widely accepted in tourist and urban areas of Indonesia, but you should make sure you take cash Travel Money on your trip. Many destinations visited by tourists are in remote areas, where cards are less likely to be accepted, so be prepared with a range of ways to pay. And remember, overseas card payments tend to incur fees, charges, and unfavourable exchange rates. 

Because of the scale and diversity of Indonesia, prices can vary enormously between the popular tourist areas and those hidden spots off the beaten track. Generally speaking, Indonesia is an affordable destination and you can expect to pay less than you would in the UK for food, drinks and transport.

As an example, in Bali you might expect to pay:

• 4100.65Rp for a bottle of water.
• 29449.20Rp for a coffee.
• 165,000Rp for a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant.

The official currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah, so you should travel with Rupiah. In some larger tourist destinations or bigger hotels you may be able to pay in US dollars, but you shouldn’t rely on this.

Yes, you’ll need a visa to visit Indonesia for a holiday - a 30-day VOA (Visa on Arrival), costing 500,000Rp. The visa will allow you to stay for up to 30 days, and can be extended once for a further 30 days if needed. You might be asked to show proof of your onward travel to immigration officials, so make sure you have this booked before attempting to enter the country. 

You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.

Tipping is normal in Indonesia, and you can expect to add on around 10-15% of your bill if you’re happy with the service for meals or drinks. For higher-end hotels or luxury resorts, you might also want to tip a range of staff, including housekeeping, porters, spa attendants or concierges.

Tips are usually made in cash in Indonesia, so make sure you have cash Rupiahs to hand. 

The official language of Indonesia is Indonesian. However, there are around 700 different languages spoken throughout the various islands and regions of the country altogether.

The two main secondary regional languages spoken are Javanese and Sundanese, spoken by around 98 million and 48 million native speakers.

When you’re planning a trip, it’s always a good idea to check online for the latest government travel advisory. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides advice on risks involved with travel to an area.

In Indonesia things can change quite quickly, especially with warnings around volcanic activity.

It’s also worth checking the details of your travel insurance policy to make sure you’re covered in case anything goes wrong before or during your trip.

Bali is a popular holiday destination, and once you get there, your money can go further than you might think. Of course, the cost of a holiday to Bali depends entirely on what type of trip you’re looking for, but a budget backpacking break - staying in hostels and sampling the local street food - will set you back far less than a luxury spa resort.

You could expect to pay around 150,000Rp for a bed in a hostel. A private villa might start from around 757,000Rp, while pushing the boat out for a 5-star hotel could be upwards of 2 millionRp (around £100).

Don’t forget to factor in extras like day trips, guided tours and travel costs to fully make the most of your time, whether it's surfing in Sumatra or hiking volcanoes in Java.

July and August tend to be the busiest times of year in Bali and Lombok, when you can expect a lively nightlife scene and busier beaches. The same is true over the Christmas period too, when escaping the gloom of winter makes the warmer temperatures of Indonesia so appealing.

The tropical climate means Indonesia has a rainy season, so if you’re planning on visiting from December to March, you’ll probably experience tropical downpours.

If you’re ready to hit the beaches of Bali, order your Indonesian currency online using our Travel Money click and collect service.