Indonesia is a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands, offering incredible diversity from ancient temples and volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Home to unique cultures, world-class diving, and lush rainforests, it's exceptional territory for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Local currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Indonesia.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $8-15
- Budget
- $20-40
- Midrange
- $60-120
- Luxury
- $200-500+
Food
- Street
- $1-3
- Local
- $4-8
- Midrange
- $15-25
- Fine
- $50-120+
Transport
- Bus
- $0.30-2
- Taxi
- $5-15
- Airport
- $15-30
- Daytrip
- $30-80
Activities
- Museum
- $1-5
- Sites
- $10-25
- Tour
- $30-60
- Excursion
- $60-150
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Indonesia costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$175-245/week
Midrange traveller
$420-700/week
Luxury traveller
$1400-3500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Stay in Bali's Canggu or Ubud rather than Seminyak — similar atmosphere at 30-50% lower accommodation costs
Use Gojek and Grab apps for all transport — they're cheaper than metered taxis and eliminate price negotiation entirely
Eat at local warungs and nasi campur stalls where a full meal costs $1-3 — avoid restaurants with English menus near tourist sites which charge 5-10x more
Visit Borobudur during weekday mornings — combined Borobudur and Prambanan tickets are cheaper than separate purchases
Book domestic flights 2-3 months in advance on Lion Air, Citilink, or AirAsia for $20-40 inter-island vs $80-120 last-minute prices
Rent a scooter in Bali ($5-8/day) rather than hiring private drivers — this gives complete flexibility and saves $20-40/day
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Tanah Lot Temple Sunset
Watch the famous Balinese sea temple at sunset from the surrounding rocks — the sunset view is free even if the temple approach has a small entry charge
Kuta Beach and Seminyak Beach
Bali's famous beaches are free to access; walk the famous sunset strip and watch surfers without spending a rupiah
Tirta Empul Holy Spring Bali
Free to observe the holy spring temple (small parking fee); dress respectfully and you can watch the purification ritual at this sacred Balinese Hindu site
Bogor Botanical Gardens
One of Asia's largest botanical gardens with over 15,000 plant species charges a minimal IDR 30,000 ($2) entry — essentially free for the experience offered
Kota Tua Walking Tour (Jakarta)
Jakarta's colonial Old Town district is free to explore on foot; the grand Fatahillah Square and Dutch architecture are spectacular at no cost
Tegallalang Rice Terrace Views
The iconic terraced rice fields north of Ubud are viewable from the roadside at no charge; small donation boxes at swing points are optional
Ubud Monkey Forest
A nominal IDR 80,000 ($5) gives access to the sacred forest temple with hundreds of free-roaming macaques — one of Bali's most memorable experiences
Malioboro Street Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta's famous shopping and cultural street is a free experience; evening street musicians and the colonial architecture of the former Dutch city are highlights
Keraton Yogyakarta Gamelan Performance
Free traditional gamelan orchestra performances in the Keraton (Sultan's Palace) courtyard every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning
Watching Prambanan Sunset
The outline of Prambanan temples at sunset is visible from the roadside approach free of charge — a spectacular image even without purchasing entrance tickets