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Travel money guide: Indonesia
Traveling to Indonesia? Learn about the best way to take your money with you.
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When getting ready to head to Indonesia, you might’ve not thought about how you’ll be spending money. Where you go in Indonesia will determine the which option of travel money is best. You shouldn’t have a problem using a credit card in tourist hot spots, like Bali, but plastic is virtually useless in remote areas like Maluku and Papua.
Among your options, travel credit cards and debit cards will allow you to access and spend your funds conveniently in Indonesia.
What's in this guide?
What should I budget for my trip to Indonesia?
| Budget (Cheap) | Midrange | Luxury (High-end) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Simple room $15 |
Room with air-condition and Wi-Fi $30–$70 |
Ayana Bali resort $815–$1225 |
 |
Cheap street meals $1 |
Average full meal $2–$3 |
Western food $10 |
 |
Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park $7 |
Mt. Batur hike $30–$60 |
2-day all-inclusive orangutan trek in Bukit Lawang $80 |
*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.
Travel card, credit card or debit cards?
Whether you’re on a business trip or taking a holiday, it’s good to at least have a couple of ways to access money. Choose a versatile mix like a debit card for regular spending and a credit card for emergencies. Whatever you decide on, you want to have enough Indonesian currency in your pockets when traveling through Indonesia — even if it’s enough for the first couple of days.
Must read:
You’re going to need to pay for a visa when you arrive in Indonesia. In places such as Denpasar airport, you have to pay cash, so make sure you have sufficient funds.
A quick summary of travel money options for Indonesia
| Travel money option | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards for travel |
|
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| Prepaid travel money cards |
|
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| Credit cards for travel |
|
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| Traveler’s checks |
|
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| Cash |
|
|
This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.
Back to topHow the different travel money products work in Indonesia
Using debit cards
A debit card is a great travel companion if you can get your hands on one with no international ATM fees. You’ll have easy access to cash and only have to pay the ATM operator fee. When making purchase overseas, most debit cards will charge a 2% to 3% foreign transaction fee.
Using prepaid travel cards
There are no travel money cards that allow you to load and spend in Indonesian rupiah. These cards should only really be considered if Indonesia is the first leg of your international holiday. However, due to the lack of support for Indonesian rupiah, the fee structure and exchange rate margin when you load the card with funds makes this an expensive option.
Using credit cards
A credit card can be useful when traveling overseas if you plan on making a large purchase that you’ll want to pay off over a couple of months, or for a hotel check-in where a deposit normally is required. Credit cards also give you access to emergency cash and can provide you with benefits like complimentary travel insurance when you charge the cost of your travel ticket to your account.
However, credit cards can be expensive, especially when it comes withdrawing cash at an ATM. Interest is charged straight away and you’ll pay a cash advance fee.
Using traveler’s checks
Traveler’s checks have a some nice security touches to them, but unfortunately they’re dated. Traveler’s checks need ID to be cashed and they can be replaced in a few days if lost or stolen. But, there are fees for purchasing and cashing a check.
Using cash
Having cash in Indonesia will prove to be useful as there won’t always be stores and shops that are going to accept credit card payments. In addition to that, many street stands or local vendors will likely be operating a cash-only business. Don’t let yourself get stuck in a rut because you didn’t want to stop at an ATM machine.
Compare travel credit cards
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Case study: Stephanie's experience
Stephanie
Stephanie’s Bali Beach Holiday
What cards did you take with you?
- Capital One 360 debit card
- Simmons Visa®
Why did you take these cards with you?
She used the Capital One 360 debit card to get money from ATMs, without paying a currency conversion fees. The other great thing about her Capital One is that it doesn’t charge for withdrawals at international ATMs.
Stephanie had her Simmons Visa® as a backup and only used it a couple of times on her trip — she paid the remaining balance of her hotel bill and bought her friends dinner one night. She paid it off before the interest free period was up and didn’t incur any interest charges.
Did you withdraw from ATMs?
Stephanie says she withdrew from Indonesian ATMs around the Kuta area. Most ATMs charged a small fee for withdrawing, so she tried to withdraw the maximum each time.
Were there any places where you had trouble using any of your cards?
Stephanie said she mainly used cash in Bali. The only times she used her card were at a fancy dinner and major hotel chains.
What’s your recommendation for the best form of travel money to take to Indonesia?
Stephanie says that a debit card that waives the international ATM fee and currency conversion fee would be ideal, especially if there are no monthly charge to keep the account open.
What are your travel money tips for Bali?
She says do your shopping in the morning. The people who sell things at the markets in Bali will give you a better price in the morning compared to in the afternoon.
- Load your card with your choice of 6 available currencies: Euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, and Mexican pesos.
- Lock in your exchange rate.
- Use your card abroad at millions of locations.
A guide to Indonesian banknotes and coins
Indonesian currency is in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 denominations — each a different color. Familiarize yourself with the notes before heading there:
Card acceptance
You’ll see stores and shops with Mastercard and Visa logos throughout Bali and you should be able to use your ATM card there with no problem.
- Tip: Citibank customers can make free ATM withdrawals using Citibank ATMs in Indonesia.
Cash pickup services in Indonesia
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
Get travel insurance quotes for your holiday in Indonesia
Indonesia has proved to be a dangerous destination, from the dreaded Bali belly to contaminated alcohol, there are many risks lurking just below the surface. This is why travel insurance is so important. Travel insurance can cover:
- Cancellations
- Trip interruption
- Lost deposits
- Additional accommodation
- Personal liability
- Emergency dental and medical
Don’t let a hospital stay ruin your holiday. Compare travel insurance for Bali and find the right policy for you.
Find and compare travel insurance policies for Bali
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Indonesia is a hotspot when it comes to vacation destinations, so do your research and save on those unnecessary fees to your bank.
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