Asia
Indonesia
Volcano sunrises, rice terraces and island-hopping across 17,000 islands.
Most backpackers start on Bali, and for good reason: Ubud’s rice terraces, cheap surf lessons and fast boats to the Gili Islands make it an easy first stop. Go further and you get the temples and volcanoes of Java and the Komodo dragons of Flores.
Warungs serve nasi campur for a couple of dollars, and a scooter gets you almost anywhere. Distances are big, so budget for a few domestic flights and ferries if you want to see more than one island.
Good to know
- Time zone
- GMT+7 in Java and Sumatra, GMT+8 in Bali, Lombok and Flores
- Plugs
- Types C and F, 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112 general, 110 police, 118 ambulance
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered
- Traffic drives on the
- Left
- Tipping
- Not expected at warungs, but rounding up for drivers and guides is appreciated, and many restaurants add a service charge.
- SIM cards
- Telkomsel and XL tourist SIMs with 25–50GB of data cost around 150,000–250,000 rupiah at the airport.
When to go to Indonesia
Best months to go: May to September. Pick a month to see what it’s like.
Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.
SeptemberBest time to go
Still dry, with the summer crowds thinning out. A great month for Flores.
- Daytime high
- 31°C
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
- Crowds
- Busy
| Month | Daytime high | Rainfall | Crowds | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C | 345 mm | Busy | No |
| February | 31°C | 275 mm | Quiet | No |
| March | 31°C | 235 mm | Quiet | No |
| April | 32°C | 90 mm | Quiet | No |
| May | 31°C | 90 mm | Busy | Yes |
| June | 30°C | 55 mm | Busy | Yes |
| July | 30°C | 55 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| August | 30°C | 25 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| September | 31°C | 45 mm | Busy | Yes |
| October | 32°C | 90 mm | Quiet | No |
| November | 32°C | 180 mm | Quiet | No |
| December | 31°C | 285 mm | Peak season | No |
What Indonesia costs
Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.
$420for 14 days, about $30 a day (Rp 6,850,000 in total)
| Cost | Per day | For the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $8 | $112 | |
| Food and drink | $8 | $112 | |
| Getting around | $6 | $84 | |
| Things to do | $5 | $70 | |
| Everything else | $3 | $42 |
Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.
What things cost
- Nasi goreng at a warungRp 25,000, about $1.53
- Plate of nasi campurRp 30,000, about $1.84
- Large Bintang in a barRp 45,000, about $2.76
- Hostel dorm bed in BaliRp 150,000, about $9.20
- Scooter hire for a dayRp 80,000, about $4.91
- Fast boat, Bali to the Gili IslandsRp 350,000, about $21
- Short Gojek or Grab motorbike rideRp 20,000, about $1.23
Routes through Indonesia
Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.
14 nights, 5 stops
Bali and the Gili Islands at an easy pace, with rice terraces, snorkelling and surf.
Ubud
4 nights
Rice terraces, temples and a sunrise hike up Mount Batur.
Sidemen
2 nights
A quiet valley of rice fields with views of Mount Agung.
Gili Air
3 nights
No cars, just bikes, beach bars and turtles off the shore.
Nusa Lembongan
2 nights
Snorkel with manta rays and day trip to Nusa Penida’s cliffs.
Uluwatu
3 nights
Clifftop temples, surf breaks and sunset at Single Fin.
Getting around
Ferry
$3–25 per crossing
Slow public ferries are cheap; fast boats link Bali, the Gilis and Lombok in a couple of hours. Avoid them in rough seas.
Motorbike
$4–7 a day to hire
The easiest way around Bali and Lombok. You need an international licence with a motorbike category for police checks and insurance.
Flight
$30–80 one way
The only sensible way to cover long distances, such as Bali to Labuan Bajo or Java to Sumatra.
Train
$10–30 for a long trip
Java’s trains are clean, punctual and cheap. Book through the KAI Access app.
Private car
$35–50 a day with a driver
Split a car and driver with friends for day trips around Bali. Gojek and Grab work for short rides.
What to eat and drink
Nasi goreng
Fried rice with sweet soy, chilli and a fried egg on top. Breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Rp 25,000, about $1.53
Nasi campur
Rice with a choice of small dishes from the counter. Point at what you want.
Rp 30,000, about $1.84
Babi guling
Balinese spit-roast pork with crackling and spiced sides.
Rp 50,000, about $3.07
Rendang
Beef slow-cooked in coconut and spices, found at every nasi Padang canteen.
Rp 30,000, about $1.84
Sate ayam
Chicken skewers grilled over charcoal and covered in peanut sauce.
Rp 25,000, about $1.53
Es kelapa muda
A young coconut, chilled, with a straw. Best on the beach.
Rp 20,000, about $1.23
Say it like a local
A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.
Good morning
Selamat pagi
Say it like: suh-lah-mat pah-gee
Thank you
Terima kasih
Say it like: tuh-ree-mah kah-see
How much?
Berapa?
Say it like: buh-rah-pah
Too expensive
Terlalu mahal
Say it like: tur-lah-loo mah-hal
Not spicy, please
Tidak pedas
Say it like: tee-dah puh-das
Delicious
Enak
Say it like: eh-nak
No problem
Tidak apa-apa
Say it like: tee-dah ah-pah ah-pah
Places to go in Indonesia
Nusa Penida
A rugged island south-east of Bali: sea cliffs, empty beaches and some of Indonesia’s best dive sites.
Mid-range
Ubud
Bali’s cultural heart, in the hills among rice terraces, temples and craft villages.
Mid-range
Questions travellers ask
Is Bali too touristy?
Parts of the south are busy, but you only need to go a short way to escape it. Sidemen, the north coast and the islands feel very different from Canggu and Kuta.
What should I wear to temples?
Cover your shoulders and wear a sarong and sash, which most temples lend or rent for a small fee.
Do I need cash?
Yes, for warungs, scooter hire and small guesthouses. Use bank ATMs rather than standalone machines, and check the notes as you count them.
Are the fast boats safe?
Most crossings are fine, but accidents do happen. Pick an established operator, check there are life jackets, and do not travel when the sea is rough.
Can I climb the volcanoes on my own?
Bromo, yes. Mount Batur and Ijen require a local guide, which your hostel can arrange with transport included.