# Indonesia

> 5 cities in Indonesia (Asia) with cost-of-living, internet and suitability scores for budget travelers and digital nomads. Costs in USD/day; scores and safety on a 0-10 scale.

## Is Indonesia Expensive?

Indonesia is genuinely inexpensive for travellers, but not uniformly so. The average backpacker spends $20/day ($600/month), which is impressive for an archipelago spanning 5,000 kilometers. That low number comes from local price levels: a plate of nasi goreng or mie goreng costs $1.50–2.50, a simple guesthouse bed runs $6–10, and a bottle of Bintang beer is $2.50. The costs that push you up are the moves between islands—flights, ferries and fast boats—and anything imported, from sunblock to western food.

Digital nomads budget $52/day ($1,560/month) because they need reliable Wi-Fi, a better room with air conditioning, and a cafe culture that charges western prices in areas like Bali's Canggu. At the top end, $216/day ($6,480/month) buys a private pool villa, in-home spa treatments and fine dining, a market that has grown fast around Ubud and Seminyak. Seasonality matters: July and August prices can double for accommodation, while November to March the rain thins the crowds and discounts return. The rupiah has been weak against the dollar, which helps your budget, but inflation in tourist zones has been running ahead of the national average, so expect the gap between local and tourist prices to widen.

## How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Indonesia?

Across the five destinations this site tracks, your daily spend varies by a factor of two when you are backpacking. Yogyakarta is the cheapest at $12/day: an entire city built around affordable student life, with massive street-food stalls, dorm rooms from $3–5 and cheap train links to central Java. Bandung, at $25/day, pulls the average up – it is a weekend getaway for Jakartans, so guesthouses price accordingly, and the city's cool climate makes air-conditioned hotels the norm rather than the luxury.

Bali and Lombok sit in between, around $20/day for backpackers, but the cost of getting between them – a fast boat runs $25–40, a flight $35–60 – is the single largest line item you will face. For a mid-range traveller, a realistic daily budget is $45–60: private rooms from $15–25, nicer warung meals, and the occasional tour or spa treatment. At comfort level, budget $80–120/day if you want a pool villa, air-conditioned car with driver and western-standard dining. The gap is driven by real estate: land is scarce in Bali and Lombok's coastline, so a room with a view commands triple the interior price. Yogyakarta has no beach premium, so it stays cheap year-round.

## Best Time to Visit Indonesia

Indonesia's two seasons are the key to your budget. The dry season runs roughly April to October, and July and August are the single most expensive months: schools are out, Australians flee winter, and hotel rates in Bali can double from a shoulder-season base. The wet season from November to March brings daily downpours but lowers most prices by 20–40% on the same rooms. The sweet spot is May, June and September – dry enough to enjoy the coast, with crowds and prices at a pleasant middle.

If you want to avoid the absolute peak, book around local holidays too. Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence) falls in March or April, when Bali shuts down completely – flights and ferries stop, and rooms pre-sell at premium rates. Ramadan and the Lebaran holiday shift accommodation demand across Java and Bali, so check the lunar calendar. The good news: the wet season rarely means all-day rain. A typical pattern is a bright morning, an afternoon thunderstorm, and a sunset that clears the air. Just be prepared for occasional flooding in Jakarta and slower ferry crossings in Lombok during December and January. For the best balance of weather and price, aim for mid-May or mid-September.

## Getting Around Indonesia

Getting between Indonesia's five destinations is genuinely cheap, but you have to commit to the mode. On Java, the train is excellent: Yogyakarta to Bandung runs $10–18 in economy, and the scenic four-hour trip is the best value in the country. Jakarta to Bandung is even easier – a two-hour express train costs $5–8, or about $15 by car with traffic that can turn it into four hours. Cross-island, flights are the default: Bali to Lombok is 25 minutes and $35–60, while Bali to Jakarta or Yogyakarta runs $35–80 depending on the airline and booking lead time. Lion Air and AirAsia dominate, and they charge for checked bags separately.

Ferries are the budget alternative: Bali to Lombok takes 2–3 hours by fast boat at $25–40, or 4–5 hours on the ocean ferry for $5–7, which is the cheapest way to cross but runs on unpredictable schedules. Renting a scooter is $4–6/day and the way locals move, but insurance is minimal and accidents are common. For the island hops beyond Bali and Lombok, overland is simply not practical. Unless you are on a strict budget, fly between the main islands and save the ferries for short links. A standard itinerary of Yogyakarta, Bandung, Jakarta then Bali by train and air costs roughly $110–140 in total transport.

## Visas, Money and Entry Rules for Indonesia

Most visitors from Western Europe, the US, Australia, Japan and the UK enter Indonesia visa-free for 30 days or can buy a Visa on Arrival at the major airports for $35, which allows a single 30-day stay. The visa-free entry is not extendable, while the Visa on Arrival can be extended once for another 30 days, but you must apply at a local immigration office before the first period expires. Some nationalities must apply for a tourist visa in advance, so check with the nearest Indonesian embassy before booking. One catch: some immigration officers ask for proof of onward travel and at least $1000 in cash or card; have a printed accommodation booking just in case.

Currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR), and the exchange rate is roughly 15,500 to the dollar. Cards are accepted at hotels, mid-range restaurants and most transport providers in cities, but cash is king in warungs, markets and village shops on Lombok and Bali. ATMs typically charge a Rp50,000–100,000 flat fee plus your bank's overseas charge, and daily withdrawal limits are often just Rp3,000,000 (about $190), so bring a backup card. Tipping is not expected but appreciated – round up a taxi fare or leave Rp10,000–20,000 for a full-day driver. Avoid money changers that advertise rates far above the official rate; they often use hidden commissions. Use bank ATMs or licensed moneychangers.

## Cities

| City | Backpacker | Nomad | Luxury | Nomad score | Safety | Pages |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bali | $20 | $60 | $200 | 8.1 | 7.5 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/bali) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/bali.md) |
| Bandung | $25 | $40 | $200 | 7.8 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/bandung) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/bandung.md) |
| Jakarta | $25 | $60 | $180 | 6.8 | 5 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/jakarta) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/jakarta.md) |
| Lombok | $20 | $60 | $250 | 7.5 | 7 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/lombok) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/lombok.md) |
| Yogyakarta | $12 | $40 | $250 | 7.2 | 8 | [page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/yogyakarta) · [md](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia/yogyakarta.md) |

## Links

- [Indonesia page](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/indonesia)
- [All destinations](https://www.cheaptraveldestination.com/destinations)