Bali- Money Manual ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) :dollar:

  • :india: INR 1 = IDR 190
  • :indonesia: IDR 10,000 = INR 52
  • :us: USD 1 = IDR 16,000

:warning: IDR is a weak currency, but prices arenโ€™t necessarily lower than in India!

At the Airport :flight_departure:

Item Price Payment Method
Sim card From IDR 50k* :dollar: Cash
Visa fees IDR 500,000** :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash (IDR)
Airport to Ubud bus From IDR 10k :dollar: Cash (bus card)
Grab / Gojek / BlueBird Taxi Varies :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
  • Buy Telkomsel sim card in city for better rates
    ** Unless exempted as per latest rules. Donโ€™t pay in USD cash!

Money Forms in Bali :currency_exchange:

  1. IDR cash* :dollar:
  2. Zero forex card (primary) :credit_card:
  3. USD/EUR (spare cash) :dollar:
  4. Backup: More zero forex cards or international ATM cards :credit_card:
  • Spend before leaving Indonesia (no value outside the country)

Payment Acceptance :credit_card::dollar:

Location Cash Card
Minimarkets :white_check_mark: :x:
Hostels :white_check_mark: :x:
Small cafes :white_check_mark: :x:
Hotels :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Restaurants :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Supermarkets :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:

Activities & Transport :red_car::motor_scooter::bus:

Service Payment Method
Budget excursions :dollar: Cash
Premium excursions :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Scooter rental (from IDR 50k) :dollar: Cash
Car rental :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash
Public transport :dollar: Cash
Intercity buses & trains :credit_card: Card / :dollar: Cash

:warning: Merchants may charge 1-2% extra for card payments. Debit card fees are usually lower than credit card fees.

Important Tip :bangbang:

:white_check_mark: Always choose to pay in IDR when using a card
:x: Never choose the INR value on the screen (includes high conversion fees)

Using ATMs in Bali :atm:

  • Withdraw maximum allowed amount (~ IDR 3,000,000) to minimize fees
  • ATMs without Visa fees: BCA Bank and BNI Bank (subject to change)
  • Find local money changers in Kuta or Ubud for better rates
  • :hotel: Avoid changing money in hotels and hostels
  • :beach_umbrella: Avoid touristy areas for money exchange

Daily Budget Guide :moneybag:

Type of Spend Starting From
Stay Hostels: IDR 75k
Hotels: IDR 100k
Food Street food: IDR 30k
Transport Bus: IDR 5k
Motorbike taxis: IDR 20k
Sightseeing Free sights (temples, viewpoints)
Paid entry (waterfalls, volcanoes, swings)

:bulb: This is a @TheBackpacksters budget. Adjust upwards for more luxury!

:bulb: For more tips from fellow Indian travelers, check out the latest discussions here: Niyo travellers.

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