How expensive is Indonesia? How much money do I need for Indonesia?
How much does a trip to Indonesia cost? Is Indonesia expensive? The average Indonesia trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Indonesia prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Accommodation Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price for one person for accommodation in Indonesia is Rp137,320. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Indonesia is Rp274,640.
Looking for a hotel in Indonesia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Typical prices for Accommodation in Indonesia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Accommodation prices in Indonesia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Transportation Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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The cost of a taxi ride in Indonesia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent Rp32,019 per person, per day, on local transportation in Indonesia.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Rp32,019
Typical prices for Transportation in Indonesia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Transportation prices in Indonesia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Taxi to Station
Rp17,500
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Motorbike Rental
Rp50,000
Intercity Transportation Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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Transportation between cities and towns in Indonesia costs an average of Rp107,960. Naturally, prices vary by the length of the route, the type of transportation used, and the date.
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Intercity Transportation1
Travel between cities
Rp107,960
How much does it cost to go to Indonesia? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Indonesia will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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While meal prices in Indonesia can vary, the average cost of food in Indonesia is Rp75,231 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Indonesia should cost around Rp30,092 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Indonesia is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food2
Meals for one day
Rp75,231
Typical prices for Food in Indonesia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Indonesia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Dinner
Rp12,000
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Dinner
Rp44,000
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Lunch for 2
Rp144,000
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Dinner for 2
Rp158,000
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Lunch for Two
Rp130,000
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Coffee
Rp20,000
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Lunch for Two
Rp219,450
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Bali Cafe for Two
Rp433,000
Entertainment Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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Entertainment and activities in Indonesia typically cost an average of Rp45,535 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Rp45,535
Typical prices for Entertainment in Indonesia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Indonesia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Cooking School
Rp450,000
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Snorkelling Trip
Rp200,000
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Spa for Two
Rp870,000
Tips and Handouts Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average price for Tips and Handouts in Indonesia is Rp17,760 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Indonesia is 5% - 15%.
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Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
Rp17,760
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Indonesia is Rp31,875.
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Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
Rp31,875
Alcohol Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about Rp25,610 on alcoholic beverages in Indonesia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
Rp25,610
Water Budget in Indonesia
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, people spend Rp6,110 on bottled water in Indonesia per day. The public water in Indonesia is not usually considered safe to drink.
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Water2
Bottled water for one day
Rp6,110
Typical prices for Water in Indonesia are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Water prices in Indonesia, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Last Updated: Nov 28, 2022
Indonesia On a Budget
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Indonesia is a popular island country in Southeast Asia. The country has over 18,000 islands, about one third of which are inhabited. It's also the fourth most populated country in the world, and has the largest Muslim population. The country is intersected by the Equator and sits in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The fastest way to travel around Indonesia is by plane. Unfortunately this is also the most expensive. Your best airline options are domestic airlines such as Garuda and Lion Air. There are also a handful of discount airlines which offer cheap flights. Ferries are another popular way to travel around Indonesia. The main ferry company is PELNI and you can often choose between slow and fast boat options. Each boat also has several classes of tickets so you can select your price and comfort level.
Tourists come to Indonesia for a relaxing and beautiful island vacation which includes stunning beaches and exotic rainforests. The country's most popular destination is Bali, but there is so much more to Indonesia. The tropical forests are the second largest in the world, and unfortunately they are disappearing rapidly. The largest ethnic group in Indonesia is the Javanese and the most prevalent religion is Islam. The people are quite friendly and welcoming of both tourists and the tourist dollar. You may have to negotiate your prices down quite a bit.
Despite its popularity with travelers, Indonesia remains a budget travel destination. Destinations on the beach are often slightly more expensive than inland options. Transportation is likely to be your greatest expense, particularly if you plan on traveling around a lot. If you're looking for a more comfortable, luxury hotel, there are also plenty of options available to you, and many are more reasonably priced than their western counterparts. Whatever you goal in visiting Indonesia, you are likely to be impressed and thrilled with the experience you have there.
At A Glance
- Most people take at least one flight while they're in Indonesia. Be prepared for scheduling delays as there are many. The safety records of some airlines are sub par so it is best to stick with companies such as Garuda and Air Asia, which are run within international standards. Adam Air, Lion Air and Mandala have all experienced fatal crashes in the last few years. Still, flying is more comfortable and safer than driving in most of Indonesia.
- If you choose to travel by ferry you will have five different classes which you can choose from. First class offers cabins with two beds each, second class has four beds per cabin, third class has six beds and fourth class is dormitory style. Both first and second classes have shared washrooms. Ekonomi class is also an option but it is recommended you bring a mat and arrive early. Also watch out for pickpockets.
- Scuba diving in Indonesia is excellent. Some of the best places to go for diving include Bunaken in Northern Sulawesi, Wakatobi in South East Sulawesi and Raja Ampat in Papua. There are plenty of diving opportunities in Bali, but these are generally mediocre at best. If you're an avid scuba diving you will do better to head elsewhere.
- Many people enjoy going to spas in Indonesia. There really are options for every budget. The most low cost options are generally housed in small huts and are simple facilities. If you're looking for the most extravagant spas then head for the five star hotels, although these are anything but cheap.
- ATMs are very prevalent in most touristy areas and all major cities. Do plan ahead however as many ATMs have incredibly low withdrawal limits (about US$55 per day). It's also trickier to find ATMs if you're traveling into more rural areas that aren't popular with tourists. In these cases it is best to carry money with you.
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Top Tourist Attractions
Borobudur: This is a beautiful Buddhist Temple that dates back to the 9th century. It is a common destination for many pilgramages and its Gupta style architecture highlights the Indian influence in the area.
Bali: With its beautiful beaches, thriving nightlife, and great opportunities to see flora and fauna, Bali is the most popular destination in Indonesia. Many travelers choose to visit Bali exclusively, as it is a diverse and impressive island.
Lake Toba: On Sumatra, this beautiful lake is the largest volcanic lake in the world and offers some breathtaking views. The lake is an impressive one hundred kilometers long and thirty kilometers wide and at its deepest point it is 505 meters deep.
Popular Foods
Because Indonesia is made up of so many different islands you will find great regional variation in the cuisine. Some of the common flavors used throughout the islands include peanuts, sugar, and chilies. It's easy to fall into the rut of eating fried rice with every meal as this is often the easiest and cheapest food to find, but remember to be adventurous and seek out other options because there are plenty available.
Nasi Goreng: Nasi Goreng is literally translated into "fried rice." This dish is a traditional Indonesian fried rice that is common all over the country. It's made with precooked rice, sweetened soy sauce, shallots, garlic, chilies, and tamarind and often topped with eggs, chicken or prawns. There is also a slightly different version which is made with salted, dried fish, and has a subtly different flavor.
Bakmi: This is a thin egg noodle dish that is boiled and served with a meat or vegetable topping. It's a wheat based noodle that is Chinese in its origin. It is most often prepared with diced chicken and soy sauce, but it is not unusual for other meats to be used. You can find this dish almost anywhere in Indonesia, in restaurants or street stalls alike.
Perkedel: These deep fried potato patties are often served with meat or vegetables. They're made from mashed potatoes that are flavored with shallots, spices and garlic. They're then dipped in egg and deep fried and are often served alongside a coconut and chicken based soup.