Indonesia is known to be a more budget-friendly holiday destination, even considering the cost of flying there. But how affordable is it when you stay longer than the customary one to two weeks and explore the country beyond Bali? We recently travelled around the islands of Indonesia for two months, trying different foods, learning about the country’s rich cultural tapestry, climbing mountains, and travelling by plane, train, bus, ferry, car and scooter. In this article, we share our actual travel cost and key learnings – to help you explore the country affordably and responsibly.
First of all: What currency is used in Indonesia?
For those of you who’ve never been to Indonesia: The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah. The official currency code is IDR, though you may also find it abbreviated to Rp. It was formally introduced as the national currency in 1950, a year after Indonesia gained independence.
During your travels, you might come across
- Coins in denominations of IDR50/100/200/500/1,000, though during our time in Indonesia, we only ever saw the 500 and 1,000 coins (perhaps unsurprisingly, because even IDR1,000 were only about USD0.065-USD0.066 when we visited).
- Bank notes in denominations of IDR1,000/2,000/5,000/10,000/20,000/50,000/100,000.
Since 2010, the federal government has been debating whether to redenominate and remove the last three 000s, but this idea/plan has not (yet) eventuated.
Ever wanted to be a billionaire? Come to Indonesia, where less than USD70 makes you one
Travel Cost Assumptions
When reading this article, please keep the following in mind:
- Our travel costs are based upon a couple travelling together.
- We are independent travellers, researching and organising our itineraries using our go-to travel planning tools.
- Our travel style is reasonably consistent wherever we go, which is great when you want to compare travel costs between countries:
- Accommodation: We usually stay in self-catered accommodation (homestays, locally owned guesthouses, hostels and short-term rentals) - in our room with (preferably) our bathroom, though the kitchen may be shared.
- Dining and Groceries: We eat at least two meals a day at home. We like to eat out once daily and every few days (and prefer locally owned restaurants and small eateries away from the tourist hotspots).
- Transportation: We walk a lot, and wherever possible, we travel by public transport. Only occasionally do we hire a vehicle.
- Experiences: Many of our activities are free of charge or cost very little. When we pay for attractions or activities, we are selective as our funds are limited (just like everyone else's).
- In addition to the above expense categories, we include in our total daily costs our mail scanning and forwarding service, mobile phone plans, and travel insurance—though only for the period we are in the country.
- We use a multi-currency personal account with Wise to manage our currencies and XE to transfer money as required.
- The costs for entry or exit transportation into/out of the country are not included.
How much did it cost us to explore Indonesia?
Considering the above assumptions, we spent on average IDR819,697/USD54.19 per person per day.
Below is the summary table of the Accommodation, Groceries and Dining, Transportation, Experiences and Miscellaneous expenses we incurred for the 59 full nights we stayed in Indonesia, exploring the main islands of Java, Lombok, Flores and Bali (and a few smaller ones).
| Category | IDR Cost Per Person Per Day | USD Cost Per Person Per Day | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 148,624 | 9.36 | 18% |
| Groceries and Dining | 144,337 | 9.09 | 18% |
| Transportation | 161,873 | 10.20 | 20% |
| Experiences | 177,872 | 11.21 | 22% |
| Travel Insurance | 146,503 | 9.23 | 18% |
| Miscellaneous | 40,488 | 2.55 | 4% |
| Total per person per day | IDR819,697 | USD54.19 |
Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport
Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries and transport terminals/stops mentioned in this article.
How much to budget for Accommodation in Indonesia?
During our two months in Indonesia, our accommodation costs averaged IDR262,905/USD16.56 per room per night. We stayed mostly in locally owned guesthouses and homestays, where we would have our own bedroom and bathroom.
The table lists ALL accommodations we stayed at, including places we wouldn’t choose to stay again. The accommodations all provided free Wi-Fi (some faster than others) and most provided air-conditioning. Where provided, breakfast is included in the below price.
| Name | Property Features | Location | Type | IDR Cost per night | Number of Nights | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asta House | Clean rooms Central yet quiet location Walking distance to airport | Kuta | Guesthouse | 229,500 | 2 | Book Now |
| Teras Alkid Homestay | Wetroom-style bathroom without basin Transactional hosts Opposite mosque | Yogyakarta | Homestay | 226,909 | 5 | Book Now |
| Griyo Jagalan | Close to Borobudur Temple Friendly hosts Offers bicycle rental and private tours Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Borobudur | Guesthouse | 225,387 | 2 | Book Now |
| Algira Homestay | Hosts don't live on-site Basic kitchen Not clean Basic bicycles available to use free of charge | Prambanan | Holiday house | 210,000 | 2 | Book Now |
| Delvia Bromo | Clean rooms with beautiful valley views Friendly hosts Close to National Park entrance Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Bromo | Guesthouse | 226,925 | 2 | Book Now |
| Griyo Sultan Agung Guest House | Close to Malang train station Small rooms Large courtyard | Malang | Guesthouse | 280,000 | 2 | Book Now |
| Dewi Sri Guesthouse | Outdoor swimming pool Walking distance from Immigration Office and Lombok's largest mosque Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Mataram | Guesthouse | 231,660 | 3 | Book Now |
| Green Rinjani Lodge | Clean rooms with beautiful views Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Senaru | Guesthouse | 235,536 | 1 | Book Now |
| Mysha Guest House | Friendly hosts On-site restaurant Offers private tours Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Tetebatu | Guesthouse | 169,894 | 3 | Book Now |
| Kristal Garden | Clean rooms Outdoor swimming pool On-site restaurant | Sekotong | Guesthouse | 382,199 | 4 | Book Now |
| Maja House Penida | Friendly hosts Clean rooms Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Penida | Guesthouse | 243,690 | 5 | Book Now |
| Nusa Garden Homestay | Clean rooms Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Nusa Lembongan | Homestay | 300,000 | 2 | Book Now |
| Golo Tango Homestay | Walking distance to airport | Labuan Bajo | Homestay | 293,084 | 1 | Book Now |
| Ragos Homestay | Airport transfer available Friendly hosts Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. | Moni | Homestay | 277,587 | 4 | Book Now |
| Dagalos Homestay | Friendly hosts Very basic room Shared bathroom Central location | Bajawa | Homestay | 200,000 | 3 | Book Now |
| Mamas Homestay | Friendly hosts Clean rooms Shared bathrooms | Rutang | Homestay | 300,000 | 3 | Book Now |
| Mehara Hotel | Clean rooms Central yet quiet location | Labuan Bajo | Hotel | 350,000 | 3 | Book Now |
| Nyoman Guesthouse Berawa Canggu | Central yet quiet location Outdoor swimming pool | Canggu | Guesthouse | 300,000 | 2 | Book Now |
| Gosela Homestay | Friendly hosts Clean rooms Vehicle required | Gobleg | Homestay | 242,002 | 3 | Book Now |
| Gerhana Sara | Friendly hosts Clean rooms Outdoor swimming pool Central yet quiet location | Ubud | Guesthouse | 292,501 | 2 | Book Now |
| Loka Amertha | Friendly hosts Clean rooms Vehicle required | Sideman | Homestay | 337,539 | 2 | Book Now |
| IDR262,905 |
Our most expensive accommodation was at Kristal Garden in Sekotong, Lombok – at IDR382,199/USD25.23 per night for a modern, clean, airconditioned, stand-alone bungalow, with (shared) swimming pool and breakfast, only 500 metres from Kemos Beach where the boats departed for the Secret Gillis.
Our most expensive accommodation was 500 metres from the beach (and a boat ride away from this tranquil spot) in the south-west of Lombok
At just IDR169,894/USD11.21 per night, our most affordable accommodation was a stay at Mysha Guest House in Tetebatu, Lombok – for a semi-detached bamboo bungalow without aircon (at 400 metres above sea level, a fan was more than sufficient) but including breakfast (and a lovely host family).
Our most affordable accommodation was a guesthouse on the southern slopes of Mt Rinjani, also in Lombok
Our accommodation cost bucket also includes the costs of utilities (including laundry, luggage storage and washroom use).
Laundry
Over the two months in Indonesia, we used laundromats/laundry services nine times, costing us an average of IDR62,389/USD4.12 per use:
- At IDR160,000/USD10.56, our most expensive laundry service was MaeMae Laundry [Google Maps location] in Ubud, Bali when we needed an express laundry service (in a very touristy area) before leaving the country that very same night.
- Our cheapest service was at M.Ricky Laundry [Google Maps location] in the non-touristy Kraton district of Yogyakarta, where we paid IDR19,000/USD1.25 (also for same-day service).
Luggage Storage and Washroom Use
Only once in Indonesia did we need to store our travel packs for any period (and pay for washroom use). Before boarding the Yogyakarta to Malang midnight train, we left our travel packs at Shower & Locker [Google Maps location] while we explored the downtown area of Yogyakarta. When we returned, we had a shower there as well. We paid
- IDR90,000/USD5.94 for a locker large enough to fit both our travel packs (up to 12 hours), and
- IDR80,000/USD5.28 for two super-clean bathrooms (which we could use for up to 45 minutes) – each equipped with a shower cubicle, wash basin and toilet.
We paid for the lockers in cash and the showers by credit card.
Shower & Locker offers the opportunity to explore Malioboro luggage-free and have a refreshing shower at the end of a hot and humid day
How much to budget for Dining and Groceries in Indonesia?
Unlike our recent trip to Japan, almost none of the accommodations we stayed in had kitchen facilities to allow us to cook a meal or even prepare a basic breakfast. We therefore ate out a lot more than we normally would. 85% of our dining and groceries expenses went towards dining out or having food prepared for us at our accommodation.
Our daily costs for Dining and Groceries in Indonesia averaged IDR144,337/USD9.53 per person, with our most expensive dining experience costing IDR328,949/USD21.71 per person for a delicious dinner (and drinks) at The Blaze [Google Maps location] in Canggu, Bali with my son Matt (who happened to holiday in the area). Our most affordable dining experience was a meal from a street food cart near the airport in Labuan Bajo, Flores for IDR7,500/USD0.50 per person.
Our dining costs ranged from USD0.50 for street food on Flores to USD22 for a restaurant meal (and drinks) in touristy Canggu, Bali
Below is a list of standard grocery items (averaged across several islands and grocery shop sizes).
| Item | Size | IDR Price |
|---|---|---|
| UHT Milk | 1 litre | 23,229 |
| White Rice | 1 kilogram | 14,728 |
| Chicken Fillet | 1 kilogram | 50,000 |
| Bananas | 1 kilogram | 20,000 |
| Fresh White Bread | 125 grams | 4,412 |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | 25,052 |
| Cheese | 1 kilogram | 121,750 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kilogram | 12,000 |
| Plain Biscuits | 300 grams | 5,000 |
| Dry Macaroni | 340 grams | 5,000 |
| Olive Oil | 1 litre | 130,000 |
| Oatmeal | 1 kilogram | 38,800 |
| Muesli | 1 kilogram | 128,000 |
| Juice | 1 litre | 23,000 |
| Water | 1.5 litres | 5,000 |
How much to budget for Transportation in Indonesia?
Air Travel
While 66% of all air travellers enter Indonesia via Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on the island of Java, New Zealand and Australian travellers tend to fly into I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali. The latter is serviced by a whopping 41 airlines – among them Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier (which ranked 30th in the World Airline Awards 2023 List) and its low-cost off-spring Citilink (in 94th position).
What We Did
Coming from Sydney, Australia, we flew into I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Denpasar (DPS) – on Jetstar with a flight time of 6 hours and 30 minutes. The price for the flight is not included in our Indonesia travel costs as everyone travels from different places.
Given Indonesia is an archipelago with some 18,000 islands spread further than the full width of the United States or Australia, it’s hard to avoid flying domestically (particularly if you want to see more than Bali and/or Java and have limited time). We took five internal flights, all requiring our (usual) carry-on travel packs to be checked in due to 7kg weight limitations for cabin baggage. All payments were made by credit card.
Before we book any flight (domestic or international), we always consider our carbon footprint and give preference to lower carbon alternatives where feasible.
| From | To | Airline | IDR Cost Per Person | Class / Fare Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denpasar, Bali | Yogyakarta, Java | Lion Air | 669,600 | Ticket Refund and Exchanges are permitted with payment of fee and fare difference (if any) and within a defined deadline / TOW |
| Surabaya, Java | Lombok | Lion Air | 632,580 | Ticket Refund and Exchanges are permitted with payment of fee and fare difference (if any) and within a defined deadline. / MOW |
| Denpasar, Bali | Labuan Bajo, Flores | Citilink | 669,600 | Ticket Refund and Exchanges are permitted with payment of fee and fare difference (if any) and within a defined deadline / TOW |
| Labuan Bajo, Flores | Ende, Flores | Lion Air | 1,119,000 | Y / YIWOW |
| Labuan Bajo, Flores | Denpasar, Bali | Batik Air | 1,043,900 | SIDOW |
Domestic flights and boats/ferries are your main transport options to travel between the many islands of Indonesia
Train Travel
When we started our research on Indonesia, we soon learned that the islands of Java and Sumatra had a (reasonably) reliable rail network, operated by Kereta Api Indonesia (or short KAI), the national carrier. The entire rail network spans just over 7,000km.
On Java, the network stretches the whole island – from Merak in Banten Province in the West (for the ferry to Sumatra) to Ketapang in East Java (for the ferry to Bali), linking all the major cities in between, including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo, Malang and Surabaya.
While the train operator’s website is www.kai.id, we weren’t able to purchase tickets there (nor on the KAI app) using our Australian credit cards. Instead, we either purchased tickets in person at the train station or through the Tiket website.
Wherever you buy your tickets: Be aware that train capacity in Indonesia is limited (based on the number of seats available). Thus, we recommend that you purchase your tickets (well) in advance (or risk being stranded – from a few hours to a few days). Another benefit: The further in advance you book the cheaper are the tickets.
What We Did
We travelled with KAI twice:
- First, we took the Malabar overnight train from Yogyakarta to Malang. We booked our tickets 23 days before departure via the Tiket website at a cost of IDR406,000/USD26.80 per person (including the booking fee).
- A few days later, we took the early morning Tumapel train from Malang to Waru (Surabaya) for IDR2,000/USD0.13 per person (purchased in person at Malang Station the day before), and then the DAMRI bus from Terminal Bungurasih (a 10-minute walk from Waru Station) to Juanda International Airport, Surabaya (SUB).
Bus Travel
And speaking of which: DAMRI is an Indonesian state-owned bus operator with set schedules, clean vehicles and friendly drivers. Finding the schedule and booking tickets though was a whole mission in itself – the (Indonesian-only) website directs passengers to the DAMRI app, which is not accessible to non-Indonesian mobile phone users (at least, it wasn’t when we travelled).
What We Did
We used DAMRI a total of six times (on Java and Lombok):
- Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) to the city centre – at a cost of IDR80,000/USD5.28 per person,
- Yogyakarta city centre to Borobudur (and back) – at IDR20,000/USD1.32 per person per trip,
- Wonokitri to Malang – at IDR35,000/USD2.31 per person,
- Terminal Bungurasih to Juanda International Airport, Surabaya (SUB) at a cost of IDR35,000/USD2.31 per person, and
- Lombok International Airport (LOP) to Mataram – at IDR35,000/USD2.31 per person.
Most of the time, we just turned up at the bus stop and were able to buy our tickets on the spot. However, in one instance (from Malang to Wonokitri), the minibus was booked out (and the next one was not scheduled for another 12 hours). Thus, to not miss out again on our return journey, we asked our host in Wonokitri to book the tickets for us via the DAMRI app.
Apart from DAMRI, we also used local buses in Yogyakarta – at a cost of IDR3,600/USD0.24 per person per trip.
Boat Travel
Being an archipelago, you are bound to use a boat at some point when travelling around Indonesia. Some islands are connected by large (multi-storey) ferries, others by regular speed boats and others again by water taxis.
What We Did
We took a boat a total of six times – twice on day excursions (on Lombok and Flores) and four times to cross from island to island:
- Private water taxi from Tembowong Harbour to Gili Gede Ferry Terminal – at IDR200,000/USD13.20 for both of us including luggage
- Speed boat from Gili Gede to Buyuk Harbour, Nusa Penida with Gili Getaway – at IDR900,000/USD59.40 per person
- Public ferry from Toya Pakeh Harbour, Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan – at IDR50,000/USD3.30 per person
- Speed boat from Mushroom Bay, Nusa Lembongan to Sanur, Bali with Dream Beach Express – at IDR160,000/USD10.56 per person.
Island crossings, especially between Lombok, the Nusas and Bali, and between Flores and the islands of the Komodo National Park are surprisingly bumpy (even on a calm day). So, if you get seasick easily, take tablets to make the ride more comfortable.
Being a country made up of islands, you are bound to use a boat at some point when travelling around Indonesia
Rideshares
Gojek and Grab are the Indonesian equivalents of Uber. Both rideshare apps are also among the few apps that work with a non-Indonesian mobile device. You can download the Grab app (available for Apple and Android phones), add your credit card details (don’t worry, we found it to be secure and easier than trying to pay in cash) and then proceed to book your ride (you can even order a take-out meal delivered to your doorsteps). Gojek works the same way, but we didn’t end up using them.
What We Did
We usually walk or use public transport. As you can see from the table below though, we used rideshares a few times in Indonesia:
| Service Name | From | To | Distance travelled | IDR Cost per ride | IDR Price per kilometre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grab Transport | Prambanan Accommodation | Prambanan Open Air Theatre | 3.5km | 50,000 (see below) | 14,286 |
| Grab Transport | Prambanan Open Air Theatre | Prambanan Accommodation | 2.5km | 24,000 | 9,600 |
| Grab Transport | Prambanan Accommodation | Prambanan Bus Stop | 2km | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| Malang Taxi | Malang Train Station | Delvia Bromo | 69km | 550,000 (shared with three other travellers) | 7,971 |
| Grab Transport | DAMRI Bus Terminal Mataram | Dewi Sri Guesthouse | 5.5km | 38,500 | 7,000 |
| Blue Bird Taxi | Mysha Guest house | Kristal Garden Guesthouse | 83km | 466,775 | 5,624 |
| Private Car | Kristal Garden Guesthouse | Tembowong Harbour | 10.5km | 60,000 | 5,714 |
| Grab Transport | Sanur | I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar | 16.5km | 136,000 | 8,242 |
| Private Transfer | H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport, Ende | Ragos Homestay | 52km | 450,000 | 8,654 |
| Private Car share | Ragos Homestay | Dagalos Homestay | 176km | 400,000 | 2,273 |
| Grab Transport | I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar | Nyoman Guest House Tibubeneng | 18km | 134,000 | 7,444 |
| Grab Transport | Nyoman Guest House Tibubeneng | I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar | 17km | 127,000 | 7,471 |
Our most expensive ride overall was a Bluebird Taxi from Tetebatu to Sekotong (though not on a per-kilometre basis). Travel between the two destinations would have required taking multiple (mini)buses (with no guarantee that we would arrive the same day). It was easy to install the Bluebird app on our Android mobile phones (there’s an Apple version too), and the ride was significantly cheaper than a private transfer (you are charged based on the taxi meter). Bluebird Taxis on Lombok only serve major towns/longer distances. So, if you booked a taxi via the app and didn’t hear from the driver before your ride, chances are you’ve got no ride (as happened to us once).
Our most expensive ride on a per kilometre basis was the 3.5km ride from our Prambanan accommodation to the Ramayana Ballet Prambanan. Though, that was our own fault: We hadn’t set up our credit card in the Grab app before we jumped in the car (and couldn’t add it during the ride when we realised we only had a 50,000 Rupiah note). Of course, the driver didn’t have change (one of the frequent scams in Indonesia and in fact, around the world).
Our cheapest ride (on a per kilometre basis) was sharing a car with two locals on the island of Flores (more on that below).
Rental Vehicles
Of course, you can also hire cars and scooters in Indonesia. To be able to do so, you are (officially) required to provide both your country’s driver’s licence AND an International Driving Permit (IDP). While many rental shops may not ask you for your licence/s, it will become an issue if you are pulled over by the police or are involved in a vehicle accident and need to claim against your travel insurance policy.
And speaking of insurance: Rental vehicles in Indonesia don’t usually have insurance, thus if you are involved in an accident, repair/replacement costs are all on you/your travel insurance.
Given the volume of traffic in the major cities and how Indonesians drive, hiring a car (without a driver) is not advisable unless you are an experienced driver (in predominately Asian countries). Likewise, if you plan to rent a scooter, you should be very confident in your abilities – tourists who don’t ride confidently are a risk to themselves and other road users.
What We Did
We rented a scooter five times – with Paul as the driver and Sandra as the passenger – at an average daily cost of IDR102,222/USD6.75.
| Company | Location | Number of Days | IDR Daily Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristal Gardens Guest House | Sekotong, Lombok | 3 | 25,000 |
| Nozy Penida | Ped, Nusa Penida | 4 | 60,000 |
| Ragos Homestay | Moni, Flores | 2 | 100,000 |
| Kopi Mane | Ruteng, Flores | 2 | 50,000 |
| Puru Bali Bike Rental | Canggu, Bali | 7 | 175,000 |
| Average Daily Rate | IDR102,222 | ||
Hire a scooter only if you are a confident rider (especially on busier islands like Bali or Java)
The scooters rarely came with much petrol in the tank, and you are generally not required to return them with much. In total, we paid IDR228,000/USD15.05 for petrol. Depending on whether we were in a bigger city/town or a small village, the price fluctuated – for reference: on Bali, we paid IDR11,234/USD0.74 per litre (IDR42,523/USD2.81 per US Gallon).
There were times when we needed to park our scooter and walk to where we needed to go. Parking at scooter parks with attendants present averaged out to cost IDR4,857/USD0.32 each time.
Twice we rented bicycles:
- Our accommodation at Griyo Jagalan in Borobudur, Java rented their bicycles for IDR25,000/USD1.65 per day, and
- Sandra hired a bike for IDR60,000/USD3.96 per day from Nusa Lembongan Cycle Hire.
If you're not a confident scooter rider, hiring a bicycle might be an alternative where public transport options are limited
How much to budget for Experiences in Indonesia?
While many overseas tourists never see more than the tourist hot spots in Bali, each Indonesian island is unique and worth visiting. From hiking/trekking and diving/snorkelling to a plethora of cultural and culinary experiences, there is a ton to do in Indonesia (for all budgets).
Many tourist attractions in Indonesia cost more for foreigners than for the country’s citizens (sometimes a lot more), and very few experiences accept payment by credit card.
What We Did
All our experiences added up to IDR21,569,216/USD1,423.57 for the two of us – on average, IDR250,805/USD15.77 per person per experience or IDR185,942/USD12.27 per person per day.
With so many experiences on offer, we only list those below that we would do again and/or are happy to recommend.
| Experience | Location | Type | Purpose | IDR Price per adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonobudoyo Museum | Yogyakarta, Java | Museum | Entry Fee | 10,000 |
| Yogyakarta Royal Palace | Yogyakarta, Java | Historical Landmark | Entry Fee | 12,500 |
| Sunrise experience with Griyo Jagalan | Borobudur, Java | Sightseeing | Guide/Transport Fee | 25,000 |
| Borobudur Temple | Borobudur, Java | Historical Landmark | Entry Fee (included guided tour) | 455,000 |
| Ramayana Open Air Theatre | Prambanan, Java | Cultural Performance | Class 1 Tickets | 201,800 |
| Prambanan Temple Complex | Prambanan, Java | Historical Landmark | Entry Fee | 375,000 |
| Blue and Rainbow Villages | Malang, Java | Sightseeing | Entry Fee (only charged by Kampung Warna Warni) | 5,000 |
| Anggrek Putih Cooking Class | Mataram, Lombok | Cooking Class | Including transfer, garden tour, staff wages, instructions, ingredients, beverages | 412,000 |
| Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls | Senaru, Lombok | Sightseeing | Entry Fee (included guided tour) | 10,000 |
| 3D/2N Private Trek with Green Rinjani | Mt Rinjani, Lombok | Hiking/ Trekking | Multi-day trek including accommodation, one guide, three porters, tips for guide/porters, food/beverages and National Park entry fees | 5,041,500 |
| Kelimutu National Park | Kelimutu, Flores | Sightseeing | National Park entry fee | 152,500 |
| Wologai Adat Traditional Village | Wologai, Flores | Sightseeing | Entry Fee (included guided tour) | 35,000 |
| Day Tour with Ryan Soi Radjo | Bajawa, Flores | Sightseeing | Day tour including two scooters, guide fees, donations (and lunch) at traditional villages, hot spring and look-out point entry fees | 475,000 |
| Day Tour of Komodo National Park with Red Whale Dive Centre | Labuan Bajo, Flores | Sightseeing | Day tour including speed boat, snorkelling equipment, guide fees, lunch/snacks, National Park entry fees and GoPro hire | 1,986,250 |
| Golden Valley Waterfalls, Red Coral Munduk Waterfall and Labuhan Kebo Waterfalls | Munduk/ Gobleg, Bali | Sightseeing | Entry Fee | 40,000 |
| Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets | Ubud, Bali | Museum | Entry Fee | 50,000 |
| Goa Gajah | Ubud, Bali | Historical Landmark | Entry Fee | 50,000 |
| Samsara Living Museum | Bebandem, Bali | Museum | Entry Fee (included guided tour) | 100,000 |
Mt Rinjani Trek
As expected, our most expensive experience (by far) was our private, multi-day Mt Rinjani Trek – at IDR5,041,500/USD332.74 per person. But boy, was it worth it. The memory will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Hiking Mt Rinjani over 3 days/2 nights was our most expensive but also one of our favourite experiences in Indonesia
Komodo Island One-Day Tour
While we booked our Mt Rinjani Trek months in advance, we arrived in Labuan Bajo – the entry point to the Komodo Island National Park [Google Maps location] – without booking an excursion to the famous park. We wanted to speak with tour operators on the ground and understand how sustainable their tours were before making a booking. Like most visitors to Labuan Bajo, we wanted to observe the amazing creatures of the park (from Komodo Dragons to turtles and manta rays) in their natural habitat, but we also wanted to do it with an operator whose values were aligned with ours.
After speaking to a few, we chose Red Whale Dive Centre [Official website, Google Maps location] and opted for a one-day tour rather than staying on a boat for multiple days to experience the same destinations at a slower pace. The one-day tour cost us IDR1,486,250/USD98.09 per person (plus National Park entry fees of IDR300,000/USD19.80 each). We also paid IDR400,000/USD26.40 to hire a GoPro for the day (which we wouldn’t do again).
You can read more about our Komodo Island experience with Red Whale Dive Centre in our in-depth review.
Komodo National Park is not only worthwhile visiting for the famous Dragons - it's also home to turtles, manta rays and other sea creatures
Private Day Tour in Flores
Another very worthwhile experience was enlisting a private guide for a day on the island of Flores.
We met local guide and musician Ryan Soi Radjo by chance (when looking for a ride to Bajawa in a bar in Moni). While his stories made our long, windy trip much more interesting, his music provided a beautiful soundtrack to our journey. So, enlisting Ryan for a full-day tour the next morning was a no-brainer.
Turning up as promised with two scooters (and a fellow guide friend on his day off), the four of us visited the traditional villages of Tololela [Google Maps location] and Bela [Google Maps location] (home to the Ngada people, including Ryan’s family), swam in the Malanage Hot Spring [Google Maps location] and watched the sunset in the presence of majestic Mt Inerie from the Wolobobo viewpoint [Google Maps location].
The full-day tour cost us IDR475,000/USD31.35 per person. Would we recommend it? Absolutely – another experience that will stay with us forever. We also knew the money we spent on guide fees, tips and food during the day would help support the local community.
If you want to hire Ryan for a private tour, contact him on WhatsApp.
Visiting traditional villages and learning more about the Ngada people from a local guide was one of many memorable experiences on the island of Flores
What other costs should you budget for when planning a trip to Indonesia?
Tourist Visa
We travelled to Indonesia on our New Zealand (Paul) and Australian passports (Sandra) and booked our 30-day electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) online via the official visa website. This also allowed us to process the 30-day extension online (saving us a trip and lengthy wait at a physical Immigration Office). The 30-day eVOA cost us IDR519,500/USD34.29 per person (and the same again for the extension).
Tourist Taxes and Levies
Since July 2019, tourists pay an Entrance Fee when visiting Nusa Penida – in our case, that was IDR25,000/USD1.65 per person. The entrance fee is charged whether you’re a day visitor or stay on the island for a few days and collected in cash upon arrival on the island as you get off the boat. Since July 2023, it is also mandatory to pay an additional Retribution Tax if you dive, snorkel or swim in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area.
In February 2024, Bali also introduced an International Tourist Levy, requiring foreign visitors to pay IDR150,000/USD9.90 per person per visit. We recommend you pay the Bali Tourist Levy via the official Bali Government website before arrival.
Tourists visiting Nusa Penida are charged an entrance fee (and a retribution fee if they swim, snorkel or dive in the Marine Protection Area)
Stay Connected Anywhere with Airalo eSIM
Sandra recently used an Airalo eSIM with her Samsung Galaxy S24 during trips to the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. In the UAE, activating the eSIM before arriving was essential for seamless connectivity. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, she activated it ahead of time, ensuring instant internet access upon landing. For a quick trip, it’s a smart, hassle-free way to stay online without worrying about local SIMs or roaming fees.
Though I (currently using a Samsung A54 without an eSIM slot) couldn’t try it, Sandra’s experience was smooth and convenient. If you’re looking for an affordable way to stay connected globally, Airalo is worth exploring. Have you tried Airalo? Share your real-life tips or feedback with us—we’d love to hear your stories!
Communication
As usual, Paul did all the research on data SIM cards for our phones. So, he knew there would be plenty of options when we landed at Denpasar Airport. We ended up paying IDR450,000/USD29.70 each for a physical SIM card from Telkomsel, including 51GB of data for 30 days. After installing the Telkomsel app, we could add IDR100,000/USD6.60 to the account and purchase additional data packs as needed/after the initial 30 days – which we did three times.
Using the Wi-Fi at our accommodation where sufficient and (tethering off) our mobile phones elsewhere, our communication costs during our 60 days in Indonesia averaged IDR10,345/USD0.68 per person per day. We paid for all the SIM card transactions by credit card.
If you want to buy a SIM card as a tourist (whether in Indonesia, Morocco or elsewhere), proof of ID is required (and a copy might be taken at the point of sale).
If you require mobile data in Indonesia, you can purchase a physical SIM card upon arrival at Denpasar Airport (as you walk out after collecting your luggage)
What We Did
For this trip, we went with a Cover-More Travel Insurance Single Trip Policy, covering two people for 60 days in Indonesia and costing us AUD1,683 – equating to IDR146,504/USD9.67 per person per day.
We never travel overseas without travel insurance - you just never know, and the cost of getting sick can add up quickly
What else is worth knowing?
Should I tip in Indonesia?
I am from New Zealand, and the custom of tipping for services is foreign to me. The service provided would have to be outstanding for me to warrant a tip. That said, I feel a stronger desire to tip in developing countries.
Tipping is not a MUST in Indonesia but is appreciated where staff may not be well rewarded, such as in restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and serviced apartments, spas and massage salons. We would also add a small tip to the Grab ride fee when we felt that the driver did a good job.
Restaurants/bars in touristy areas may automatically add a tip/service charge to your bill. So, always check the menu before you enter (or at least check your bill/invoice before you pay).
How much cash do you need in Indonesia?
In short: A lot. Almost 80% of all our transactions were cash (only 20% of the businesses we frequented accepted credit cards). We prefer to use our credit cards when paying for transactions, so it meant we had to withdraw money more often or take the risk of having greater amounts of cash on us when travelling.
And speaking of ATM withdrawals: ATMs in Indonesia dispense IDR50,000 or IDR100,000 notes (sometimes, there is a sticker on the machine to indicate which ones). Most ATMs allow a maximum withdrawal per transaction of IDR1,250,000 (IDR50,000 note machines) or IDR3,000,000 (IDR100,000 note machines), with a total maximum withdrawal amount of IDR6,000,000 per day. In Indonesia, we used Maybank, Bank Mandiri and CIMB ATMs – none of which charged ATM withdrawal fees using our Australian Bankwest debit card or Wise card.
Have you explored Indonesia recently?
Do you have any questions I haven’t answered about the cost to explore Indonesia? Please let me know. I’m happy to help.
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