How much does a holiday in Indonesia cost?

Indonesia is a very cheap country to travel, especially if you go beyond Bali . Along the way, you will meet many travelers who spend months exploring Indonesia because it is so affordable.

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Cost of living

Even if you are on a budget, you can still stay in guest houses most of the time.

A luxury villa with a pool in Ubud can cost $60-70 per night, and that's still a bargain compared to what you'd pay somewhere in the US.

But today's travelers are looking for more than just tourist attractions. They want to experience local life in the countries they visit.

You can travel without money. You can house-sit for someone for free while the owner is away, or look after their pets. However, if you are not tied to specific dates, this is a great way to reduce travel costs, enjoy the comforts of home, and live like a local for a while. Another option is to volunteer for projects or work on a family farm.

The most budget-friendly option is hostels, guest houses, public transport.

The most expensive region of the trip was Bali . Although it was far from Western European prices. Also, Bali is a fairly large island, so once you leave places like Canggu, prices for everything drop.

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Hostels

Hostels are not as common in Indonesia as they are in other Southeast Asian countries. Yes, they are in all the tourist spots, but hostels can become scarce once you start to go off the beaten track. Surprisingly, hostels are often more expensive than guesthouses . This can be found in Canggu and Ubud , for example .

Staying in a hostel in Indonesia is cheaper than staying in a mid-range hotel and will help you cut down on your expenses. Dorms typically range from $6 to $13 per night, while private rooms range from $16 to $20. Private apartments are a great option if you are traveling with someone.

A bed in an 8-person dorm costs $7 per person, while a budget double room costs just $16 per night.

In Yogyakarta, single beds in a dorm cost $6 per person, while a private double room with a garden view costs only $20.

In Canggu, a bed in a hostel costs $13, with breakfast included in the booking price.

Apartment for two

• Yogyakarta : Palem Homestay Kipas - $27 per night for a double room with balcony.
• Ubud : Sabana Ubud - $58 per night for a superior room with a double bed and balcony.
• Canggu : $52 for a double room with private bathroom.
• Gili Trawangan : $38 for a standard one-bedroom bungalow.

So the average cost of staying in a mid-range hotel or homestay per night is $27 per night.

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Transportation in Indonesia

Indonesia is a huge country with a fairly well-developed public transportation system. Getting around the city is generally easy, but sometimes you may need help from locals. That's when you should ask your hosts or hotel staff for help, as they will know the best way to get to your destination.

Java has an excellent train line that runs through many of the major cities. Local buses are readily available and can take you anywhere. If you can ride a moped, it is easy to rent one, giving you more options for getting to places of interest .

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Flight in Indonesia

Low cost airlines help you see all corners of Indonesia. Indonesian Air Asia , Lion Air and Citilink are great for those on a tight schedule who want to see as much as possible. A one-way flight from Jakarta to Denpasar in Bali can cost as little as $50-$60, saving you from a 26-hour bus ride.

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Buses

Buses in Indonesia are the cheapest way to travel. They run 24/7, so you can always go where you need to go. There is a wide range of bus companies, from budget ones to more comfortable ones for travelers. For example, they are equipped with power outlets and a multimedia system.

Here is a list of some popular routes in Indonesia:

• From Jakarta to Yogyakarta with Agra Mas - $17.54
• Yogyakarta - Bandung with Daltrans Travel - $19.86
• Yogyakarta to Malang with Malang Indah - $13.24
• From Jakarta to Bali Denpasar with Kramat Jati Jakarta - $38.39
• From Malang to Bali Denpasar with Mtrans - $19.47

Some of these journeys are quite long, for example the journey from Jakarta to Denpasar takes more than 24 hours.

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Trains in Indonesia

Java has a functional railway line operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia. It passes through the main destinations of the island, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta , Bandung and Malang . If you want to get to Bali from Java by train, the last stop you can get off at is Ketapang . From there, you will have to take a 45-minute ferry to the island.

Compare the cost of train and bus travel before you travel:

• From Jakarta to Yogyakarta - $21.50
• Yogyakarta - Bandung - $21.50
• Yogyakarta - Malang - $15.22

If you've been to Southeast Asia before, you know that tuk-tuks are a convenient way to get around. Tuk-tuks are motorized versions of rickshaws that compete with taxi drivers for your hard-earned cash.

If you ever use a tuk-tuk, agree on a price with the driver before you leave so he doesn't try to rip you off.

Avoid using taxis in Indonesia; instead, use local apps like Uber . All you have to do is say where you want to go and a driver will be there in minutes. Rides are very affordable, and if you decide to go by motorbike (there is an option too), they are half the price – a great way to save money.

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Travel between islands

You can take ferries or boats. It is important to note that boat safety in Indonesia is a controversial topic. Safety standards are not the same as in the Western world and accidents are common. Read reviews of companies before booking a trip with them.

For example, a speedboat may be close to capsizing in high waves.

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Food in Indonesia

Having tried my first nasi goreng , you'll never be able to eat fried rice in another country again: Indonesian food is delicious. The country's cuisine varies from region to region, and even if you find a dish you like in, say, Yogyakarta , it may taste different in Indonesian Borneo. Indonesian cuisine is a mix of influences from around the world, including East Asia and the Middle East. And because the country is so big, the cuisine is very diverse.

Street food is inexpensive. A serving of fried rice ( nasi goreng ) and chicken satay will only cost you $1.50, or a little over Ayama , a broth-based soup, costs just $1.20.

Breakfast in Indonesia is quite high in calories. It usually consists of rice and meat, chicken, and costs on average from 1 to 3 dollars. In big cities you can find European food for breakfast, but not in the provinces.

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Standard Indonesian breakfasts:

• Gudeg ( unripe) jackfruit cooked in coconut milk) – from 1 to 2 dollars.
• Kupat tahu (rice cake and tofu in peanut sauce) – from $1.50 to $3.
• Nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) – from $0.8 to $2.

In Indonesia, meat is present in almost everything.

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Standard Indonesian meals:

• Bakso (meatball and noodle soup) – $2.
• Rawson (beef nut stew) - $2 to $3.
• Fried chicken - $1.50 to $3.00.

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Standard Indonesian dinners:

• Our eller (boiled rice cooked in coconut milk) – $2 to $3.
• Ayam Taliwang (fried chicken) – from 3 to 4 dollars.
• Mie (spicy curry noodles) - $2 to $3.

Alcohol is not as popular in Indonesia as it is in other Southeast Asian countries. Yes, you can still buy it, but a significant portion of Indonesians do not drink alcohol at all because Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country.

Expect to pay $3 for a large bottle of Bintang , Indonesia's famous beer. Local wine is cheap but not very tasty. A glass will set you back $3, while imported wine of higher quality will cost between $5 and $10 depending on the location (more expensive in Bali).

Cooking your own food can be more expensive than buying local food from stalls. Food in supermarkets, especially imported food, is not cheap and it is better to choose a local market. When shopping for one person, it is better to eat at street food stalls because they are affordable. When cooking your own food, the daily expenses will be about 10 euros.

World-class restaurants are everywhere in Indonesia. You won't go hungry. Food will cost you $20 to $25 per day.

So, if you don't drink alcohol and don't mind street food, you'll spend only $5-6 per day. Or, if you dine in international restaurants without beer in the evenings, $15-20 will be enough. It will be more expensive with alcohol.

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Excursions in Indonesia

• Enjoy exciting hikes to active volcanoes, boat trips to islands with Komodo dragons and treks in search of wild orangutans.
• Climb Mount Ijen , an active volcano known for its turquoise-blue acid lake and blue flames. You'll have to wear a gas mask if you want to experience the extreme. This tour from Bali costs about $150, including everything from entrance fees to transportation. But, for example, this tour from Malang is already $80.
• Take a four-day boat trip to see an Indonesian island inhabited by Komodo dragons . Travel through forests and tour around breathtaking islands. The trip costs $865 for a four-day all-inclusive tour.
• Want to get up close and personal with orangutans? Take a day trip to Mount Leuser National Park in Sumatra, home to Indonesia’s famous Orangutan Care Center. A local ranger will take you on an adventure through the rainforests of Sumatra to see the great apes first-hand. The full-day tour costs $140 and includes transportation, site permits, and lunch.
• Swimming with manta rays on a day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida is incredible. There are many tours with different itineraries, one of the most colorful is $70.
• If you want to see real Indonesian temples, visit Borobudur in Yogyakarta . This tour costs $40, including return transportation and a local guide. But you need to pay an extra $25 for entrance fees. You can go on your own if you can drive a moped in busy Yogyakarta .
• The average cost of events per day is $25.

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Total Cost of Vacation in Indonesia

• Minimum stay - $6 (budget travelers) or about $30 (mid-range travelers) per night. Hundreds of dollars for 5-star and up hotels.
• Transport - $15 per day.
• Food - $6 per day (budget traveler) or $15-20 (intermediate traveler).
• Excursions - $25 per day.
• Total cost per day: from $52 (budget traveler) or $85 (mid-range traveler).

Indonesia has its own currency, the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cash is widely used throughout the country, so always carry some. Cards are accepted more often in Bali than on other islands.

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And remember that you can catch the best prices in the off-season. The weather in Indonesia is changeable. From April to October is the best time to visit Indonesia, as the rainy season has already passed. Of course, prices for everything go up, because there are many more tourists, and the availability of buses and ferries can worsen. But shortly before the end and beginning of the tourist season, there is every chance to catch both good weather and pleasant prices. Book your holiday option in advance!