Heading to Indonesia? There is so much to think about when visiting any new country, especially one as big as Indonesia!
To help you focus on the excitement instead of the admin, our destination specialists have put their personal experience to use to make your trip as hassle-free as posssible. They’ve answered the most frequently asked questions from our travellers below.
Whilst we have done our best to cover as much as possible below, please feel free to get in touch if you find you’re still left looking for answers and we’ll gladly help!
Before departure
If you’re travelling to Indonesia on a British passport, make sure you’ve got at least 6 months validity left beyond your intended departure date. You’ll also need to keep your arrival card to present to immigration when you leave.
If you are a UK passport holder, you will need to buy a visa on arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000 – this can be paid in cash or by card.
This visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by making an application to an immigration office within Indonesia.
Yes, we would always recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance when travelling, especially overseas, that is suitable for your requirements and needs.
Indonesia has an incredibly diverse range of cultures and religions, so it’s important to be aware of what is appropriate in each location. In general, though, it’s best to err on the side of caution when planning your wardrobe—you don’t want to offend anyone!
The majority of the population is Muslim, so it is best to wear modest clothing as a sign of respect to their culture, covering your shoulders and knees. On the island of Bali, most of the population are Hindu, they are still very conservative in how they dress but you will find it is a bit more relaxed especially in beach areas but never walk around in swimwear away from the actual beach. When visiting any religious sites, it is essential to cover your shoulders/back, stomach and knees.
The weather is very hot and humid so it’s best to bring loose fitting clothes made from breathable materials. Long trousers and linen shirts are helpful to cover up from the heat of the sun too.
It is always best to get the advice of a GP or travel nurse before travelling overseas to check which vaccinations you might need or if any boosters are required. The Travel Health Pro website provides a comprehensive guide on all the vaccinations you should consider.
Departure
We know heading off on holiday is always a little bit stressful, especially on the day you leave, so we would advise doing these things before you depart:
- Check you have all your necessary documentation, including your passport!
- Take a photo of your documents and email it to yourself and travelling partners. Having a copy on your phone always comes in handy too.
- Ensure you have all your chargers and converters for any phones, cameras, tablets you are taking. A portable battery pack is a handy item to have in your hand luggage.
- Take snacks and a big bottle of water for your flight.
- Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, we advise arriving 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
- Pack a change of clothes in your hand luggage and take a photo of your checked bag in case it goes missing en route.
- Sit back and relax knowing we have your holiday sorted!
Arrival
They speak Bahasa Indonesian across Indonesia, here are a few key phrases to help you along the way:
Hello! / Goodbye! – Halo!/Selamat Tinggal!
Thank you! – Terima kasih
Ok – Baik
Yes – Ya/Ia
No – Tidak/Tiada
How are you? – Apa kabar?
My name is … – Nama saya..
How much is this? – Berapa banyak ini?
I don’t understand – Saya tidak mengerti
Chicken – Ayam
Beef – Sapi
Pork – Babi
Vegetables – Sayur
Fish – Ikan
Noodles – Mie
Rice – Nasi
Spicy – Pedas
The food scene in Indonesia is thriving and diverse. In Bali especially you will find more Western food as the diversification in certain areas has boomed in the past few years. There are many traditional dishes that are popular throughout the country, here are the top dishes you should try during your time in Indonesia:
- Mie Goreng – Fried noodle dish. This is a staple of Indonesian cuisine and can be found everywhere. It’s usually served with chicken, shrimp or tofu and comes with a spicy peanut sauce.
- Nasi Goreng – Fried rice dish that can be served with chicken, shrimp or tofu. It’s often topped with sambal (spicy chili paste).
- Chicken Sate – cubed chicken cooked on a kebab and served with rice and peanut sauce.
- Gado Gado- a delicious salad made with vegetables and peanut sauce dressing drizzled on top. You can also add meat or shrimp if you want to make it more filling!
- For dessert, try nastar manis—a sweet jelly made from pandanus leaves and sugar cane juice.
Indonesia is a very religious country so it is respectful to cover your shoulders and wear shorts/trousers or a skirt below the knee. On the beaches, you can wear swimwear, but do be mindful of how others might feel and always cover up when going into beachside restaurants and cafes.
In Bali and the Gili Islands, things are a bit more relaxed but it is still important to be respectful about how local people might feel.
Safety
Indonesia is consdiered a safe country to travel through, however, it’s important to be aware of street crime and pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas. Avoid having your valuables obviously on show and take just the essential items with you, taking good care of your passport and bank cards.
We are contactable in the UK during office hours and our local partners in destination are available 24/7 for any support or help you might need. They are in the best position as they will be on the same timezone, they should be your first contact in a case of emergency.
Tips and practical information
The Indonesian currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Debit and credit cards are also widely accepted and you can make most payments using them in the more built-up areas of Indonesia, especially Bali. We recommend keeping some cash on you for local Warung restaurants, off the beaten track locations and tips. It may also be a bit trickier on the smaller, less touristy islands like Flores, where the only cash machines are in Maumere and Labuhan Bajo. On the Gili Islands it is recommended to take cash with you as only a handful of restaurants take card. The cash points can be unreliable so have some emergency cash on you just in case.
On average we suggest that you tip your guides and drivers about £2 per person per day. Obviously, if you really enjoyed their service then offer them more, it would be greatly appreciated.
In restaurants, it’s not expected for you to tip after your meal but we suggest rounding the bill up which is fairly customary throughout Asia.