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
🇦🇺Australia	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇨🇳China	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇮🇳India	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇰🇷Korea	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇬🇧UK	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇺🇸USA	Visa on arrival	30 days	~$28
🇪🇺EU	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 — have the QR code ready on your phone when you land.

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

$8.50Get it →

HolaflyUnlimited data

7 days · Unlimited · Telkomsel, XL network

$27.50Get it →

Speed may reduce after heavy daily use

Long stay — 10 to 30 days

AiraloBest value

30 days · 5GB · Indosat / Three network

$13.50Get it →

HolaflyUnlimited data

30 days · Unlimited · Telkomsel, XL network

$73.90Get 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 ($5.50–11) 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

LOP – Lombok International

Domestic and regional flights — limited international service

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
Grab Pick-up outside the arrivals exit — availability can be limited late at night	30–50 min	IDR 70,000–130,000 ($4–7)	Mataram, Senggigi, Kuta Lombok
DAMRI airport busBest value Ask at the DAMRI counter in arrivals — runs 07:00–17:00 daily	45–90 min	IDR 25,000–35,000 ($1.40–2)	Mataram, Ampenan or Senggigi on a budget — official published fares
Airport taxi (KSU Lombok Baru) Counter in domestic arrivals — zone or metered fare, 07:00–17:00 daily	30–50 min	IDR 150,000–250,000 ($8.50–14)	Official rank when Grab is unavailable
Pre-arranged hotel transfer	30–50 min	IDR 150,000–250,000 ($8.50–14)	Remote areas where Grab drivers are scarce

Watch out

The DAMRI bus and the official taxi counter both close at 17:00, and Grab availability at LOP thins out late at night. If you land after 17:00 — and especially after 21:00 — arrange a hotel pickup in advance. The Gili Islands need an onward boat transfer on top of the road journey.

Lombok International Airport

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 25,000–50,000 ($1.40–2.80) per withdrawal depending on the machine. Money changers in Bali (Kuta, Seminyak) often beat airport bank rates — 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 (~$110) is a reasonable starting amount for a week. BCA is the cheaper of the two big networks for foreign cards.

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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