Getting Indonesian Rupiah
Indonesia - particularly Bali - is one of the world's top tourist destinations, and understanding the money situation is essential for a smooth trip. The Indonesian Rupiah (Rp or IDR) comes in large denominations, with notes up to 100,000 Rp common in circulation.
The Rupiah cannot easily be purchased outside Indonesia, so don't worry about getting it before you leave. Your best options are ATMs and authorised money changers once you arrive. Be aware that Indonesia (especially Bali) has a reputation for money exchange scams, so knowing where to exchange safely is important. Budget for arrival costs too: UK visitors pay IDR 500,000 for a visa on arrival (cash or card), overstaying costs IDR 1 million a day, and Bali charges each foreign visitor a one-off IDR 150,000 levy that must be paid by card or other cashless means, online on Love Bali or at airport counters. The All Indonesia arrival form is free and is completed online within 72 hours before you land.
Key insight for 2026: Indonesia has improved its digital payment infrastructure with QRIS (Quick Response Indonesian Standard), and apps from a few countries, such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, can now pay QRIS codes across borders, though European apps cannot yet. UK visitors should therefore rely on ATMs, authorised money changers, and cards at tourist establishments.
Best Ways to Get Rupiah
- ATMs with fee-free cards - Use a card with no foreign-use fees at a machine on bank premises. Some machines charge foreign cards, so read the screen before you confirm.
- Authorised money changers - A licensed changer shows Bank Indonesia's logo, its licence certificate and an authorised money changer sign, appears on the central bank's published list, and is not allowed to charge you a fee on top of the rate.
- Bank exchanges - BCA, Mandiri, BRI offer fair rates. Slower but very safe.
- Airport ATMs - Fine for arrival cash. ATMs in arrivals at Ngurah Rai (Bali) and Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta).
- Hotel exchange - Convenient, but compare the rate with a bank or licensed changer first.
- Unlicensed money changers (AVOID) - The "too good to be true" rates usually come with tricks. Avoid.
ATMs in Indonesia
ATMs are widely available throughout Indonesia, especially in tourist areas. Some machines charge foreign cards, so check the screen before confirming; your own bank may charge too.
Best ATMs
- BCA: Reliable, widespread
- Mandiri: Large network, good for foreign cards
- BNI: State bank, reliable
ATM Tips
- Withdrawal limits: These vary by bank and machine, so bigger sums may need several withdrawals.
- Decline DCC: When asked to convert, always choose Indonesian Rupiah.
- Skimming risk: Choose a machine inside a bank branch rather than a private, minimart or mall one, and skip any with a bulky or loose card slot.
- Cover your PIN: ATM skimming exists in tourist areas. Be vigilant.
Money Changer Scams in Bali
Bali unfortunately has a history of money exchange scams. Here's how to stay safe:
Red Flags to Watch For
- "No commission" with amazing rates: If the rate seems too good, it's a trap
- Fast counting: Scammers palm notes during counting
- Calculator tricks: They may manipulate the calculator display
- Distraction techniques: Someone interrupts, then money disappears
- Folded notes: They fold small notes to look like large ones
How to Exchange Safely
- Use only authorised changers: Check for Bank Indonesia's logo and licence certificate, or look the business up on its published list
- Count your money: Count it yourself, twice, before leaving
- Use ATMs: Safest option overall
- Bank exchanges: Slower but zero scam risk
Using Cards in Indonesia
Where Cards Work
- Hotels and resorts: All accept cards
- Upscale restaurants: In tourist areas like Seminyak, Ubud, Sanur
- Shopping malls: Yes, in Kuta, Jakarta, Surabaya
- Supermarkets: Carrefour, Hypermart, Pepito accept cards
- Tourist activities: Dive centres, surf schools, spas often accept cards (sometimes with fee)
Where You Need Cash
- Warungs: Local restaurants are cash-only
- Markets: Art markets, local markets - all cash
- Transport: Taxis, ojeks (motorbike taxis), ferries - cash
- Small shops: Most local shops are cash-only
- Temple donations: Cash only
How Much Does Indonesia Cost?
- Budget: 300,000-600,000 Rp/day (£15-30) - hostels, warungs, local transport
- Mid-range: 800,000-1,500,000 Rp/day (£40-75) - nice hotels, restaurants, activities
- Luxury: 3,000,000+ Rp/day (£150+) - resorts, fine dining, private tours
Typical Prices (Bali)
- Nasi goreng (fried rice): 25,000-50,000 Rp (£1.25-2.50)
- Bintang beer (large): 35,000-60,000 Rp (£1.75-3)
- Scooter rental (day): 70,000-100,000 Rp (£3.50-5)
- Balinese massage (1hr): 100,000-200,000 Rp (£5-10)
- Grab car (short): 20,000-40,000 Rp (£1-2)
Best Exchange Options for IDR
Top providers by category:
Licensed Money Changers
Look for Bank Indonesia's logo and licence; no extra fee is allowed.
BCA Bank
Largest private bank. Reliable ATMs, good rates.
Mandiri Bank
State bank with wide ATM network across Indonesia.
Ngurah Rai Airport
Get small amount for taxi, exchange more in town.
Street Money Changers
Scams common. Stick to authorised changers only.
Compare IDR Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait until you arrive, as Rupiah is hard to buy outside Indonesia. Take a card that charges nothing for foreign use to an ATM on bank premises, checking the screen for any machine charge first, or exchange cash at an authorised money changer showing Bank Indonesia's logo and licence. Bank counters at BCA, Mandiri or BRI are slower but very safe.
No. Rupiah is not easy to buy outside Indonesia, so plan to get it after landing from an ATM or authorised changer. Budget for arrival costs: a visa on arrival costs UK visitors IDR 500,000, payable by cash or card, and Bali's one-off IDR 150,000 visitor levy must be paid cashlessly, online via Love Bali or at airport counters.
Use only authorised changers, which display Bank Indonesia's logo and licence certificate plus an authorised money changer sign, are on the central bank's published list and cannot add a fee to the rate. Treat "no commission" offers with amazing rates as a trap, watch for fast counting and calculator tricks, and count your money yourself, twice, before leaving.
In tourist areas, yes: hotels and resorts, upscale restaurants in Seminyak, Ubud and Sanur, shopping malls, supermarket chains and many dive centres, surf schools and spas take cards, sometimes with a fee. Warungs, markets, taxis, ojeks, ferries, most small shops and temple donations are cash only, so always carry some Rupiah.
Take a small amount for the taxi from an airport ATM at Ngurah Rai or Soekarno-Hatta and get the rest in town. As a guide, budget travellers spend around 300,000-600,000 Rp a day (£15-30), mid-range 800,000-1,500,000 Rp (£40-75) and luxury 3,000,000 Rp or more (£150+). Notes run up to 100,000 Rp, so sums look large.
Some do, so read the screen before you confirm, and remember your own bank may charge as well. BCA, Mandiri and BNI machines are reliable and widespread, though limits vary by bank and machine, so a large sum may take several withdrawals. Choose a machine inside a bank branch, skip one whose card slot looks bulky or loose, and pick Rupiah if asked to convert.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Malaysia
Singapore
Australia
Philippines