Indonesia travel money tips
Heading to Indonesia? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, Rp).
Tipping
Not expected but appreciated. 10,000–20,000 IDR for porters, round up taxi fares, 10% in tourist restaurants if no service charge.
Cards vs cash
Cash everywhere outside of Bali resorts and malls. Most warungs, drivers, and small shops are cash-only.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
BCA, Mandiri, and BNI ATMs are reliable. Most have a 2.5–3 million IDR withdrawal cap; the 'red' machines give 100k notes, the 'blue' give 50k.
Heads-up
- Always ask the price before getting on a Bemo or scooter rental — and check the scooter for damage with photos.
- Use Grab or Gojek instead of street taxis to avoid 'broken meter' scams.
About the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, symbol Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia. Knowing the live IDR rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.