Top 10 Budget-Friendly Adventures in Indonesia

With one million rupiah currently equivalent to approximately US$65, you may feel like a millionaire upon your arrival in Indonesia.

Opting for a laid-back beach lifestyle, you should anticipate a weekly budget of around one million rupiah. Conversely, you may indulge in luxurious five-star accommodations at remarkably low seasonal prices, significantly more affordable than in many other locations.

This guide provides insights into daily expenses and strategies to economize during your stay in Indonesia.

Daily Costs

• Local coffee from a streetside warung (stall): $1

• Cappuccino in an upscale café: $2.50

• A generous portion of fried rice or noodles: $1

• The same meal at a tourist establishment: $4

• Cocktail during happy hour at a beach bar: $5

• Beer at a hotel bar: $3

• Glass of house wine at a resort: $6 (prices may reach up to $25)

• 1.5L (50oz) bottle of water: $0.25

• Surfboard rental: $3.50 per session

• 90-minute yoga class: $10 (discounts available for package purchases)

1. Choose from Thousands of Islands

Bali tends to be significantly pricier than its neighboring islands like Java, which is marginally more expensive than Sumatra. Nonetheless, the level of competition for tourist expenditures allows for affordable accommodations. For example, two travelers could manage a daily expenditure of about $20 in Bali, which would include a private room, meals, and scooter rentals.

Generally, as you venture toward lesser-visited islands, the cost of living is reduced. However, it is important to be aware that in the more remote regions of Indonesia, such as the Alor archipelago or the distant Maluku Islands, prices may be elevated due to transportation expenses related to delivering goods, vehicles, and fuel.

2. Select the Best Time to Travel

The period from October to April marks the rainy season in Bali and central Indonesia, which is also the most economical season for travel. Unless your plans involve venturing far from established tourist paths—such as jungle trekking or volcano climbing—this period may provide pleasant weather. Rain showers typically occur quickly and are interspersed with delightful sunny days (do avoid travel during Christmas school holidays and the New Year period).

3. Locate Affordable Flights

For timely notifications regarding economical flights to Jakarta or Bali, consider joining Jack’s Flight Club. Within Indonesia, the national carrier Garuda Indonesia, Air Asia, and Lion Air offer connectivity among the major islands. For instance, a one-way ticket from Jakarta to Bali starts around $40, while travel from Bali to Labuan Bajo (gateway to Komodo) can be found for approximately $36.

4. Best-Value Accommodations

While advance booking is feasible, if budget constraints are paramount, consider reserving only the initial night or two of your stay. Optimal deals—especially in hostel-rich areas like Kuta—are often discovered through inquiries on-site. Private rooms can start as low as $2 in various regions of Indonesia, making dormitories relatively uncommon.

It can often be more economical to lease a bungalow or villa for an extended period through rental platforms rather than paying nightly for hotels. A comfortable, air-conditioned double room in Bali may be available for $8 per night (including breakfast), while a self-catering bungalow in the central Ubud area with its own garden and kitchen could be found for around $6 per night if reserved for a full month.

5. Inexpensive Car and Scooter Rentals

Public transportation in Indonesia is economical yet unpredictable, so most travelers choose to rent vehicles. To minimize expenses, consider long-term rentals. Daily scooter rentals typically range from $2–3, particularly if engaged for a week or longer. However, for safety and security reasons, it may be prudent to opt for a car rental, which generally costs around $15 per day—especially advantageous when traveling with companions. Fuel costs are also relatively low, averaging less than $0.65 per liter ($0.17 per gallon).

Driving in Indonesia, particularly in Bali, which is crowded with motorbikes, may not be for everyone. If you prefer not to drive, you can hire a vehicle with a driver for approximately $30 per day.

6. Use Taxicab Apps for Local Rates

Bluebird Taxis maintain a fleet of 23,000 vehicles throughout Indonesia. While convenient, their fares can be about double that of Grab, a Singapore-based service that acquired Uber operations in Asia.

Prior to your trip, ensure you download the apps for Grab and Gojek, which claims to operate two million motorbike taxis across Southeast Asia. These applications allow you to pay local rates for transportation, eliminating the need for negotiating fares or employing complex multilingual dialogues for directions.

7. Cheapest Transportation Options

Ferries offer inter-island connections and are affordable but can be unreliable and time-consuming. For instance, a ferry journey from Labuan Bajo to Bali costs less than $20, yet the travel duration is approximately 33 hours compared to a one-hour flight.

In larger islands, long-distance buses connect major cities. However, rail options are limited to Java and certain regions of Sumatra. Generally, train fares range around $1.50 per hour of travel, with tickets available for purchase through Kareta Api Indonesia. Bus tickets are often slightly cheaper and typically quicker than train travel in Indonesia.

8. Local Cuisine for Budget Dining

While Indonesia may not boast the culinary diversity found in smaller countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, it consistently offers authentic local food at reasonable prices. Outside tourist hotspots, a simple meal—typically nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles)—can often be purchased for less than $1. As these dishes are prepared fresh, the ingredients tend to be both fresh and flavorful.

The West Sumatran city of Padang is known for its distinctive culinary heritage, and you’ll find Masakan Padang (Padang-style cooking) establishments almost everywhere throughout the nation. These typically buffet-style eateries allow diners to choose rice and various side dishes, often resulting in a satisfying meal for around $2. Opt for busy restaurants with a steady influx of customers for the best experience.

9. Avoid Alcohol for Savings

The most effective method to minimize costs in Indonesia is to refrain from purchasing alcoholic beverages. A bottle of Bintang, the local beer, is priced at about $2, while budget wines start at around $10, and imported spirits or whiskeys may exceed $30. Note that prices in bars can be significantly inflated. If you wish to socialize without hefty expenses, look for prevalent two-for-one sunset happy hour promotions.

10. Understanding Haggling Culture

In Indonesia, haggling is a cultural norm, particularly outside established, fixed-price shopping malls and supermarkets. Although some travelers may feel uncomfortable negotiating prices, you will discover that engaging with vendors using a smile, humor, and a few key phrases can enhance the experience, transforming a simple transaction into a meaningful interaction with local individuals. Haggling at its finest creates a platform for human connection rather than mere commerce.

“Bukan harga bule” (not foreigner price) often brings smiles, while “Saya sudah bankrupt” (I’m already bankrupt) ensures playful laughter.

However, keep in mind that your negotiations should aim to establish a fair price beneficial to both parties. Some travelers take pride in aggressive bargaining techniques, assuming vendors are always profitable. This is not universally accurate; many vendors would rather lose a sale than suffer the consequences of their families going without food for the night.

This article was first published Mar 30, 2022 and updated Dec 2, 2023.