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Indonesia is one of those countries that gets under your skin. I’ve spent months island-hopping across this massive archipelago, and I’m still discovering new corners of it. With over 17,000 islands (yes, really), Indonesia offers everything from world-class surf breaks and ancient temples to active volcanoes and some of the best diving on the planet.

This isn’t your typical generic travel guide. I’ve lived and travelled across Indonesia multiple times, and I’m giving you the real information you actually need: honest costs, practical transport advice, where to stay, what to eat (including vegan options), and how to avoid the common tourist traps.

Why Visit Indonesia?

Indonesia is genuinely one of the best backpacking destinations in Southeast Asia. The diversity is insane – you can surf in Bali, trek through Sumatran rainforests, dive with manta rays in Komodo, explore ancient temples in Java, and experience traditional cultures in Papua, all in one trip.

The backpacker infrastructure is excellent, especially on the main tourist routes. You’ll find hostels, cheap local food, and other travellers everywhere from Bali to Lombok to Flores. But venture off the beaten path, and you’ll discover Indonesia that most tourists never see.

Getting to Indonesia

Most backpackers fly into Jakarta (CGK) or Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). I usually fly into Bali because it’s more convenient for starting an island-hopping route, but Jakarta can be cheaper if you’re coming from certain regions.

Finding Cheap Flights

I use Trip.com for booking flights to Indonesia – I’ve consistently found it cheaper than other booking sites, especially for Asian airlines. Set up price alerts if you’re flexible with dates.

From Australia, expect to pay $200-400 AUD return to Bali during sales, $300-600 normally. From Europe, you’re looking at $600-1000 AUD return if you catch a good deal. From the US, budget $800-1400 AUD return.

Budget airlines like AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar regularly have sales. I’ve snagged Perth to Bali returns for under $200 AUD multiple times. Just watch the baggage allowances – they’ll sting you with fees if you’re not careful.

Visa Requirements 2026

Most nationalities get a free 30-day visa on arrival, which can be extended once for another 30 days (costs around 500,000 IDR / $50 AUD). If you want to stay longer or have more flexibility, get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for 500,000 IDR at the airport – this one’s extendable.

The free visa is NOT extendable, so if there’s any chance you’ll want to stay longer than 30 days, pay for the VOA. I learned this the hard way and had to do a visa run to Singapore.

Getting Around Indonesia

Transport in Indonesia is an adventure in itself. The country is massive, and getting between islands requires some planning. Here’s how to navigate it all without losing your mind or your budget.

Domestic Flights

For longer distances, flying is often the most practical option. Domestic flights are surprisingly cheap – I’ve paid as little as 300,000 IDR ($30 AUD) for flights between islands.

The main budget carriers are Lion Air, Citilink, and Wings Air. Garuda Indonesia is the national carrier and more reliable, but pricier. I use Trip.com to compare prices across all airlines.

Ferries and Boats

Ferries connect most of the major islands. The Bali to Lombok fast boat costs around 250,000-350,000 IDR ($25-35 AUD) and takes 2-3 hours. The Bali to Java ferry from Gilimanuk is dirt cheap (around 10,000 IDR / $1 AUD) but slow.

For longer ferry routes, I book through 12Go Asia – they have all the ferry schedules and you can book in advance, which is essential during peak season.

Buses and Minivans

Buses are the cheapest way to get around within islands. Overnight buses are common for longer routes – they’re not comfortable, but they save you a night’s accommodation. A 10-hour overnight bus might cost 150,000-250,000 IDR ($15-25 AUD).

Tourist minivans (often called “tourist shuttles”) are more expensive but more convenient. They’ll pick you up from your accommodation and drop you at your next hostel. Worth it for routes like Ubud to Canggu or Yogyakarta to Solo.

Motorbike Rental

Renting a scooter is the best way to explore most Indonesian islands. Daily rental costs 50,000-75,000 IDR ($5-7.50 AUD) for a basic scooter. You’ll need an international driving permit technically, but enforcement is inconsistent.

Petrol is cheap – around 10,000 IDR per litre. A full tank costs about 30,000 IDR ($3 AUD) and will last you days of exploring.

Grab and Gojek

These ride-hailing apps are everywhere in Indonesian cities. Gojek is usually cheaper than Grab. A 5km ride typically costs 15,000-25,000 IDR ($1.50-2.50 AUD). Both apps also do food delivery and package delivery.

Where to Stay in Indonesia

Indonesia has excellent backpacker accommodation, especially in tourist areas. From $5 dorm beds to $50 private bungalows, there’s something for every budget.

Hostels

Hostels in Indonesia are brilliant. I’m talking swimming pools, beach locations, social atmospheres, and organised activities. Dorm beds cost 80,000-150,000 IDR ($8-15 AUD) in most places, sometimes more in Bali’s trendy areas.

I book most of my hostels through Hostelworld – the reviews are reliable and you can see which hostels have the best social vibe. Some of my favourite hostels in Indonesia:

• The Farm Hostel (Canggu, Bali): Pool, rice field views, great community
• Gili Backpackers (Gili Trawangan): Right on the beach, party atmosphere
• Beehive (Yogyakarta): Perfect location, rooftop bar, cultural activities
• Kosta Hostel (Labuan Bajo): Best base for Komodo trips, rooftop views

Guesthouses and Homestays

Local guesthouses (called “losmen”) are everywhere and usually cheaper than hostels. A basic private room costs 100,000-200,000 IDR ($10-20 AUD). They’re not always on booking sites – just walk around and look for signs.

Homestays are brilliant for cultural immersion. You’ll stay with a local family, eat home-cooked meals, and learn about Indonesian life. Expect to pay 150,000-300,000 IDR ($15-30 AUD) per night including breakfast.

Budget Hotels

Budget hotels start around 200,000 IDR ($20 AUD) for a private room with air-con and bathroom. Not much more than a hostel private room, and you get more space and privacy.

Money and Costs in Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia for backpackers. You can live comfortably on $25-35 AUD per day if you’re budget-conscious, or splash out on $50-70 AUD per day for more comfort.

Daily Budget Breakdown

ATMs and Cash

Indonesia is largely a cash economy, especially outside Bali. Always carry rupiah. ATMs are everywhere in cities and tourist areas, but can be scarce in rural areas – withdraw enough before heading somewhere remote.

Most ATMs charge a withdrawal fee of 25,000-50,000 IDR. To minimise fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently. I use a Wise card for international transactions – the exchange rates are far better than using your home bank card, and fees are minimal.

Bargaining

Bargaining is expected at markets and with transport that doesn’t have a meter. Don’t bargain at warungs or shops with fixed prices – it’s considered rude. A reasonable opening offer is about 50-60% of the asking price, then meet somewhere in the middle. Keep it light and friendly – if it stops being fun for either party, walk away.

Food and Drink in Indonesia

Indonesian food is spectacular and incredibly cheap. This is honestly one of the best food countries I’ve visited – the flavours are complex, portions are huge, and you can eat like a king on $6-10 AUD a day.

Must-Try Indonesian Dishes

• Nasi Goreng: The national dish – fried rice with egg, kecap manis, and whatever protein you want. Available literally everywhere, at any hour.
• Mie Goreng: Same concept, fried noodles instead of rice. Just as good.
• Rendang: Slow-cooked dry beef curry from West Sumatra. Voted one of the world’s best dishes for good reason.
• Gado-Gado: Vegetable salad with peanut sauce. One of the best vegetarian options.
• Sate: Grilled skewers with peanut sauce. Eat them from street carts for 2,000-3,000 IDR per skewer.
• Bakso: Meatball soup with noodles – Indonesian street food at its finest. Look for the carts with gas lanterns at night.
• Nasi Padang: A Minangkabau spread where you pick from 10-15 dishes served with rice. Pay for what you eat.
• Tempeh: Indonesia is the home of tempeh. Eat it fresh here – it bears no resemblance to the rubbery stuff sold in Western supermarkets.

Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Indonesia

Indonesia is actually quite good for plant-based eating, though you need to know what to look for. The country has a strong tradition of tofu and tempeh dishes, and most warungs will accommodate requests to hold the meat.

The main challenge is that many dishes use shrimp paste (terasi) or fish sauce as a base, even when they look vegetarian. Always ask – “tidak pakai daging, ikan, atau udang?” means “without meat, fish, or shrimp?” Most cooks will help you out.

Bali is the easiest place for vegans – Canggu and Ubud have hundreds of vegan and raw food cafes. You’ll pay tourist prices (50,000-100,000 IDR for a meal), but the food is genuinely excellent. Outside Bali, look for Buddhist Chinese-Indonesian restaurants, which are almost always fully vegetarian.

Where to Eat

Warungs are small family-run restaurants and the backbone of Indonesian eating. A full meal costs 20,000-40,000 IDR ($2-4 AUD). These are where locals eat and where you’ll find the best food. If a warung is busy with locals, it’s good.

Night markets (pasar malam) are brilliant for cheap, varied food in the evening. A wander through a night market for 50,000-80,000 IDR ($5-8 AUD) will leave you absolutely stuffed.

Kaki lima are street food carts – the cheapest and often tastiest option. Sate, bakso, martabak (stuffed pancakes), and corn on the cob are common offerings.

Drinks

Tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia. Always buy bottled water or use a filtered bottle. A 1.5 litre bottle costs 3,000-5,000 IDR ($0.30-0.50 AUD) from a warung.

Bintang is the local beer – light, cold, and perfect after a day of exploring. A bottle at a warung runs 25,000-35,000 IDR ($2.50-3.50 AUD). At tourist bars, expect to pay double.

Kopi Indonesia (Indonesian coffee) is world-class. The local style is kopi tubruk – coarsely ground coffee brewed directly in the cup. Order it “kopi hitam” (black) or “kopi susu” (with sweet condensed milk). Costs 5,000-15,000 IDR ($0.50-1.50 AUD) from a local café.

SIM Cards and Staying Connected

Getting a local SIM card in Indonesia is easy and cheap. Pick one up at the airport or any convenience store. The main providers are Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat.

Telkomsel has the best coverage across the archipelago, especially outside Java and Bali. A starter pack with data costs around 50,000-100,000 IDR ($5-10 AUD) and you can top up data cheaply as you go.

If you want to test coverage before you land or you’re only passing through briefly, an eSIM is a good option. I use Saily for eSIMs – you can activate it before you land and switch between data plans without swapping physical cards. Handy when you’re island-hopping across multiple countries in a single trip.

WiFi in hostels and cafés is generally decent in Bali and Java. In more remote areas, rely on your mobile data – even on islands like Flores or the Gili Islands, 4G coverage is usually solid enough for working remotely.

Safety in Indonesia

Indonesia is generally safe for backpackers. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are petty theft, scams, traffic accidents, and natural hazards – all very manageable with some awareness.

Petty Theft

Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in crowded tourist areas, particularly in Bali and Jakarta. Keep your phone out of sight in crowded areas. Don’t leave valuables on the beach. Use the locker in your hostel.

Scams

The most common scam is taxi drivers refusing to use the meter or inflating prices for tourists. Always use Grab or Gojek when possible – the price is fixed upfront. If you must use a taxi, agree on a price before getting in.

Another common one: “friendly locals” who invite you somewhere and then present you with an inflated bill. If someone’s being unusually generous, be politely sceptical about where it’s heading.

Natural Hazards

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has over 130 active volcanoes. It also gets earthquakes and tsunamis. This sounds scary but for most travellers it’s not a major concern – just be aware of your surroundings and know the evacuation procedures if you’re in a coastal area or near an active volcano.

Ocean currents around Indonesia can be dangerously strong. Don’t swim at unmarked beaches without checking conditions first. The surf breaks near Uluwatu and Padang Padang are spectacular but genuinely dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.

Health

Food safety is the main health concern. Stick to cooked food from busy warungs, avoid salads washed in tap water, and don’t eat anything that’s been sitting out in the heat for hours. Bali belly is common – most travellers experience some digestive issues at some point. Pack rehydration sachets.

Dengue fever is present across Indonesia – wear insect repellent, especially around dawn and dusk. Malaria risk is low in Bali and Java but higher in Papua and parts of Nusa Tenggara. Check with a travel doctor before your trip.

Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance – full stop. Medical costs in Indonesia without insurance can be significant, and evacuation to Singapore or Australia for serious treatment is expensive. I use SafetyWing – it’s affordable and covers most of what backpackers need, including emergency medical, trip interruption, and some adventure activities.

Best Destinations in Indonesia

With 17,000 islands, deciding where to go is overwhelming. Here’s where most backpackers spend their time and why – plus a few hidden gems worth the effort.

Bali

Bali is the obvious starting point and for good reason. It’s incredibly well-developed for tourism while still being genuinely beautiful. The south has the beach clubs, surf, and nightlife; Ubud has the culture, rice terraces, and yoga retreats; Uluwatu has the best surf and clifftop temples.

Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, parts of Canggu feel more like Bondi Beach than Southeast Asia. But Bali is still spectacular and the infrastructure makes it the easiest place to find your feet in Indonesia. Budget 5-10 days minimum.

Lombok and the Gili Islands

Just a short boat ride from Bali, Lombok is bigger, less developed, and has Mount Rinjani (3,726m) – one of the best multi-day treks in Southeast Asia. The Gili Islands (Trawangan, Meno, and Air) are car-free, beach-paradise islands that each have their own vibe: Trawangan for parties, Meno for couples, Air for snorkelling.

Yogyakarta (Jogja)

The cultural capital of Java. Yogyakarta is home to Borobudur (the world’s largest Buddhist temple) and Prambanan (a stunning Hindu temple complex). The city itself is a great base for day trips to Mount Merapi, batik workshops, and the kraton (royal palace). Budget backpacker-friendly and a great place to slow down for a week.

Komodo National Park

Home to Komodo dragons – the world’s largest lizards – and some of the best diving in the world. You fly into Labuan Bajo and join a liveaboard or day boat tour. It’s not cheap (a good liveaboard runs 1,500,000-3,000,000 IDR / $150-300 AUD per day), but Komodo is genuinely one of the most spectacular places on earth.

Raja Ampat (West Papua)

The best diving in the world, full stop. Raja Ampat has more marine species than anywhere else on earth. It’s remote, expensive to get to, and not a budget destination – but if diving is your thing, it belongs on your bucket list. Budget $100-200 AUD per day for a liveaboard.

Off the Beaten Path: Sumatra

Sumatra is massive and undervisited. The highlights are Lake Toba (the world’s largest volcanic lake, with a culture-rich island in the middle), the orangutan rehabilitation centres near Bukit Lawang, and the surf breaks of the Mentawai Islands. It takes more effort to get around than Bali, but the rewards are a more authentic Indonesia.

Sample Itineraries

2 Weeks: Classic Indonesia

• Days 1-5: Bali (Ubud + Canggu/Seminyak)
• Days 6-8: Gili Islands (Trawangan or Meno)
• Days 9-10: Lombok (Kuta Lombok or Senggigi)
• Days 11-14: Yogyakarta (Borobudur day trip, Prambanan, Mount Merapi)

3-4 Weeks: Island Hopper

• Days 1-5: Bali
• Days 6-8: Gili Islands
• Days 9-12: Lombok (including Rinjani trek if you’re fit)
• Days 13-16: Flores (Labuan Bajo + Komodo)
• Days 17-20: Yogyakarta
• Days 21-28: Wild card – Sumatra, Raja Ampat, or Sulawesi

Best Time to Visit Indonesia

Indonesia is a year-round destination, but timing matters depending on where you’re going.

The dry season runs roughly May to September. This is the best time for most of Indonesia – Bali, Lombok, Flores, and Java are all at their best. It’s also peak season, so accommodation books out and prices rise, especially in Bali during July-August.

The wet season (November to March) brings heavy afternoon rains, particularly in Java and Bali. Travel is still possible – prices drop significantly and crowds thin out. Some outdoor activities become less reliable, but the landscape turns incredibly green and lush.

What to Pack for Indonesia

Pack light. Seriously. You can buy almost everything you need cheaply in Indonesia, and you’ll want space for souvenirs. Here’s what actually matters:

• Lightweight clothing: It’s hot and humid. Light, breathable fabrics only. A sarong is essential for temple visits.
• Rain jacket: A packable rain jacket is worth its weight in gold during the wet season.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: Protect the coral reefs. Also, sunscreen in Indonesia is expensive and often has whitening agents added – bring your own.
• Insect repellent: DEET or picaridin-based. Essential.
• Dry bag: For boat trips and days at the beach.
• Padlock: For hostel lockers.
• Reusable water bottle with filter: Reduces plastic waste and saves money on bottled water.
• Power bank: Essential for long travel days and areas with inconsistent power.
• Good sandals: You’ll wear them 90% of the time.
• Basic first aid: Rehydration sachets, antihistamines, blister plasters, and something for stomach issues.

Cultural Tips for Indonesia

Indonesia is a culturally diverse country with a Muslim majority (about 87% of the population), though Bali is predominantly Hindu. Respecting local customs will make your trip better and earn you genuine warmth from locals.

• Dress modestly outside tourist areas. Cover your shoulders and knees in towns, villages, and when entering religious sites. Carry a sarong.
• Use your right hand for giving, receiving, and eating. The left hand is considered unclean.
• Take your shoes off before entering homes and many religious sites. Follow what locals do.
• Don’t touch people’s heads – the head is considered sacred in Indonesian culture.
• Respect prayer times. In Muslim areas, be quiet and respectful during the call to prayer (adzan). Five times a day.
• Ask before photographing people, especially in rural areas and at religious ceremonies.
• Bargain respectfully. Aggressive bargaining is considered rude. Keep it friendly.

Useful Bahasa Indonesia Phrases

Indonesians absolutely love it when you try even a few words of Bahasa Indonesia. It’s genuinely one of the easier Asian languages to pick up – phonetically consistent, no tones, and a simple grammar structure.

Final Thoughts

Indonesia is one of the most rewarding destinations in the world for backpackers. The combination of diversity – in landscape, culture, food, and people – is unmatched anywhere I’ve travelled. Yes, the logistics can be complex when you’re hopping between remote islands. Yes, you’ll probably spend at least one day trying to negotiate a ferry schedule or waiting out a flight delay. It’s part of the experience.

What you’ll get in return is a country that keeps revealing new layers the longer you stay. Sunrises over Borobudur. Diving with manta rays in the current at Komodo. A $2 bowl of nasi goreng eaten on a plastic chair at 11pm at a night market. That moment when a local family waves you in from the street to share a meal, just because.

That’s Indonesia. Go there.