Last updated Apr 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
🇦🇺Australia	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇨🇳China	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇮🇳India	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇰🇷Korea	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇬🇧UK	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇺🇸USA	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35
🇪🇺EU	Visa on arrival	30 days	$35

Visa rules change. Always confirm your requirements at the official Indonesia immigration site before you travel.

Have IDR 500,000 (~$35) 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.

Most passport can extend +30 additional days — If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you must extend before the first 30 days expire. Do this at the nearest immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi). The extension costs IDR 500,000 and gives you another 30 days.

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 — up to 10 days

AiraloBest value

7 days · 3GB · Indosat / Three network

~$10Get it →

HolaflyUnlimited data

7 days · Unlimited · Telkomsel, XL network

$27.30Get it →

Speed may reduce after heavy daily use

Long stay — 10 to 30 days

AiraloBest value

30 days · 5GB · Indosat / Three network

~$15Get it →

HolaflyUnlimited data

30 days · Unlimited · Telkomsel, XL network

$74.90Get it →

Speed may reduce after heavy daily use

More plan lengths and data sizes available directly from:

Airalo →Holafly →

Physical Telkomsel SIMs are available at Ngurah Rai (DPS) airport for around IDR 100,000–200,000 ($6–13) with data included. Requires passport registration at the counter.

Purchase and install your eSIM 1-2 days before your departure, and activate it once you land — Most eSIMs validity period start when it connects to a supported network.

Airport Transport

CGK – Soekarno-Hatta International

Indonesia's main gateway — two international terminals (T2, T3)

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
Airport RailinkFastest to city Free shuttle bus connects terminals to Manggarai/Sudirman stations	55–70 min	IDR 70,000–100,000 (~$4.50–6.50)	Central Jakarta (Sudirman/Manggarai) — avoid traffic entirely
Grab Pick-up at designated zones outside T2 and T3 arrivals	60–120 min	IDR 150,000–300,000 ($10–20)	Door-to-door if destination isn't near a train station
Bluebird metered taxi	60–120 min	IDR 200,000–400,000 ($13–26)	When Grab surge pricing is high

Watch out

Jakarta traffic is notoriously bad. The Airport Railink train is the fastest way into the city during peak hours and costs a fraction of a taxi. Avoid arriving during morning (7–9am) or evening (5–8pm) rush hour if you must take a car.

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 (called 'ATM' or 'mesin ATM') are widely available in cities and tourist areas. BCA and Mandiri ATMs have the highest withdrawal limits (up to IDR 2,500,000 per transaction). Most charge foreign fees of IDR 25,000–50,000 ($1.50–3) per transaction. Money changers in Bali (Kuta, Seminyak) often offer better rates than airport banks — 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 50,000–100,000 for guides or drivers per day. Spa and massage workers appreciate tips of IDR 20,000–50,000. In small local eateries (Warungs) tipping is not expected, but leaving small change is a nice gesture.

Withdraw a larger sum at your first ATM to minimise fees — IDR 2,000,000 ($130) is a reasonable starting amount for a week. BCA and Mandiri machines are the most reliable.

Essential Apps

🟢

Gojek

Indonesia's super-app — 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 — 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 — 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 — signal can be weak in parts of Ubud, the rice terraces, and rural Lombok.

Stay up to date on Indonesia

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