Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR, symbol Rp). Prices have lots of zeros — notes range up to Rp100,000, so amounts look large. Keep smaller notes for taxis, warungs and markets. Count your change and be careful not to confuse similar-looking notes.
- Currency
- Rupiah (Rp, IDR)
- Notes
- Up to Rp100,000
- Tip
- Keep small notes
- Lots of zeros — double-check notes and change
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Use authorised money changers (look for the Bank Indonesia licence) or banks, and count your money before leaving the counter. Avoid changers offering rates that look too good, as they may shortchange you. Bring clean, newer US dollar notes for the best rates. Airport rates are usually poorer.
- Where
- Authorised changers / banks
- Count
- Before leaving counter
- USD
- Clean, newer notes
- Rates that look too good often hide shortchanging
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards work in hotels, malls, chain restaurants and larger shops in tourist areas, but cash still rules for warungs, markets, small vendors and many drivers. Carry enough cash for daily needs. Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted; some places add a surcharge. Keep a backup card.
- Cards
- Hotels, malls, chains
- Cash
- Warungs, markets, small
- Brands
- Visa / Mastercard
- Some places add a card surcharge — carry daily cash
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas. Use machines attached to banks or inside malls to reduce skimming risk, and cover your PIN. Per-withdrawal limits and fees vary, and independent ATMs may charge more. Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) to be charged in rupiah, and take smaller notes where offered.
- Safety
- Use bank/mall ATMs
- Fees
- Vary; independents cost more
- DCC
- Choose to pay in rupiah
- Cover your PIN and prefer bank-branch ATMs
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Indonesia uses the QRIS national QR standard and apps like GoPay, OVO and DANA, but these usually need an Indonesian bank account or number, so they are hard for short-term visitors. Ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) let you pay in-app once set up. In practice, rely on cash plus a card.
- QRIS/wallets
- Need local account
- Rides
- Gojek/Grab in-app
- Rely on
- Cash + card
- Local e-wallets are hard for short-term visitors
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is modest and appreciated but not obligatory. Many hotels and upscale restaurants add a service charge (often around 10%) plus tax, so extra tipping is optional. Small tips for drivers, porters, guides and spa staff are common. Round up taxi fares and keep small notes handy.
- Expected?
- Modest, optional
- Service charge
- Often added (~10%)
- Staff
- Small tips common
- Check the bill for an included service charge
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Indonesia is generally affordable, with cheap local food (warungs) and inexpensive transport, though upscale resorts and imported goods cost more. Bargaining is expected in markets but not in fixed-price shops. Prices in tourist hotspots like Bali are higher than in less-visited areas.
- Overall
- Generally affordable
- Markets
- Bargaining expected
- Bali
- Higher than elsewhere
- Warungs are cheap; resorts and imports cost more
Indonesia has a VAT (PPN) refund scheme for tourists on goods bought at participating stores, subject to a minimum spend and claimed at the airport on departure. You need the tax invoice and the goods with you. Coverage is limited to registered shops, so ask before buying and check the current Customs (Bea Cukai) rules.
- Scheme
- VAT (PPN) refund
- Where
- Participating shops, airport
- Need
- Tax invoice + goods
- Only registered shops qualify — ask before buying