Currency in Indonesia: what to use and how to exchange

The rupiah is written Rp and quoted as IDR. Prices run into the thousands and tens of thousands, so the practical skill is counting zeros: Rp100,000 is about US$6, Rp1,000,000 about US$60 (2026 estimate, check the rate before you fly). Many menus drop the last three zeros and write "25" for Rp25,000 — ask if you are unsure.

Cash is still the default outside hotels, malls and chain cafés. Warungs, market stalls, small guesthouses, scooter rentals and boat tickets usually want rupiah, and change is often short. Carry a mix: a few Rp100,000 notes for bigger payments and a stack of Rp10,000–20,000 for food, parking and entry fees.

For cash, exchange at an authorised money changer — look for a posted rate board, a receipt and a counter you can see, or use a bank branch. Rates at airports and hotel desks are the worst; a bank or licensed changer in a city or tourist area is usually 2–5% better. Street kiosks advertising rates above the market are the classic short-change setup: they count your money slowly, fold notes, or add a commission after the fact. Count your rupiah before you leave the counter.

ATMs are widespread in cities, Bali and Java, thinner in Maluku, Papua and rural Nusa Tenggara. Use machines at a bank branch or inside a mall, cover the keypad, and take the card before the cash. Withdrawal limits are commonly Rp2,500,000–3,000,000 per transaction, and your home bank will add a foreign transaction fee plus a possible ATM operator fee. Decline the machine's own conversion offer and let your bank convert — it is usually cheaper.

Cards work for hotels, mid-range and up restaurants, malls, chain stores and online bookings. Small businesses may add a 2–3% surcharge or refuse cards under a minimum spend. Contactless is common in Bali and Jakarta, less so elsewhere. Carry a backup card and some cash in case a machine is down or a terminal is offline.