Last updated Jul 2026
Indonesia
Everything you need before landing in Indonesia: visa on arrival info, best eSIM plans for Bali and Jakarta, airport transport, rupiah tips, and essential apps.
Visa
| Passport | Status | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฆ๐บAustralia | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐จ๐ณChina | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐ฎ๐ณIndia | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐ฐ๐ทKorea | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐ฌ๐งUK | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐บ๐ธUSA | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
| ๐ช๐บEU | Visa on arrival | 30 days | ~$28 |
Visa rules change. Always confirm your requirements at the official Indonesia immigration site before you travel.
Have IDR 500,000 (~$28) ready for the Visa on Arrival fee
Get your visa stamp before joining the main immigration queue. The counters accept foreign currency as well as card.
Arrival card required before you reach immigration
All travellers must complete the All Indonesia arrival card before arrival. It's free and takes a few minutes โ have the QR code ready on your phone when you land.
eSIM / SIM card
Airalo covers Indonesia via Indosat and Three networks, with solid connectivity across major cities and tourist areas. If you're heading to rural Lombok or remote islands, a physical Telkomsel SIM (available at the airport) will give you better reach.
Short stay โ up to 10 days
7 days ยท Unlimited ยท Telkomsel, XL network
Speed may reduce after heavy daily use
Long stay โ 10 to 30 days
30 days ยท Unlimited ยท Telkomsel, XL network
Speed may reduce after heavy daily use
More plan lengths and data sizes available directly from:
Airport Transport
DPS โ Ngurah Rai International
Main international hub for Bali โ most long-haul and Asian carriers
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab or GojekBest value Book in the app, or at the Grab/Gojek counter in the arrivals hall | 20โ40 min | IDR 80,000โ150,000 ($4.50โ8.50) | Seminyak, Kuta, Legian โ fixed price shown upfront |
| Official airport taxi Official taxi rank directly outside arrivals โ metered or fixed rate depending on operator | 20โ40 min | IDR 150,000โ250,000 ($8.50โ14) | Reliable fallback if the app can't find a driver |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | 20โ60 min | IDR 200,000โ400,000 ($11โ22) | Ubud or Canggu โ flat rate for longer distances |
Watch out
Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals, or book through Grab or Gojek โ both have staffed counters in the arrivals hall. Avoid taxi touts inside the terminal, who charge several times the going rate. Airport pickups carry a small fixed surcharge on top of the fare.
Cash & ATMs
Verdict
Indonesia is still very cash-heavy, especially outside Bali's tourist hubs. Warung food stalls, local transport, temples, and small shops are almost always cash-only. Always carry IDR. In Bali's touristy areas (Seminyak, Canggu) cards are more widely accepted.
ATMs
ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. BCA and Mandiri have the highest withdrawal limits (up to IDR 2,500,000 per transaction), but they no longer cost the same: Mandiri charges a flat IDR 50,000 access fee on foreign cards (introduced February 2026), while BCA publishes no equivalent surcharge. Expect roughly IDR 25,000โ50,000 ($1.40โ2.80) per withdrawal depending on the machine. Money changers in Bali (Kuta, Seminyak) often beat airport bank rates โ use a reputable authorised one to avoid short-change scams.
Tipping
Not traditional but increasingly common in tourist areas. Round up taxi fares to the nearest IDR 5,000 or 10,000. Tip IDR 50,000โ100,000 for guides or drivers per day. Spa and massage workers appreciate tips of IDR 20,000โ50,000. In small local eateries (Warungs) tipping is not expected, but leaving small change is a nice gesture.
Essential Apps
Gojek
Indonesia's super-app โ ride-hailing, food delivery, grocery, and more.
Grab
Ride-hailing and food delivery. Sometimes has better availability at airports. Save by buying their Travel Pass package.
Google Maps
Download offline maps for Bali, Jakarta, or Lombok before landing. Works well even in areas with poor signal.
Primary messaging platform in Indonesia. Accommodation, tour operators, and drivers all use WhatsApp.
Agoda
Best hotel deals for Indonesia โ particularly strong for Bali properties and last-minute bookings.
First Day Tips
- 1Activate your eSIM while on board the plane so you can open Grab or Gojek the moment you clear customs โ both apps are essential for getting a fair-priced ride from the airport.
- 2In Bali, the currency is rupiah (IDR) but prices at tourist spots are often quoted in USD or Australian dollars. Always confirm which currency before agreeing to a price.
- 3Download offline Google Maps for your area before leaving the airport Wi-Fi zone โ signal can be weak in parts of Ubud, the rice terraces, and rural Lombok.
Stay up to date on Indonesia
We'll email you if visa rules, transport costs or arrival tips change.