Indonesia travel FAQ: 25 common questions answered

Many nationalities get 30 days visa-free or a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once for another 30 days. Some passports need a visa in advance. Check your own passport's rules and make sure it has six months' validity.

April to October is the dry season for Java, Bali, Lombok and most of Sulawesi, and the most reliable window. Raja Ampat and Maluku are best October to April. Expect short afternoon downpours and lower prices in the wet season.

Budget travellers manage on roughly US$30–50 a day, mid-range travellers US$80–150, and villas and boats push higher. Bali and Jakarta cost more than Java's interior or Sumatra. Carry rupiah in cash for warungs, drivers and small islands.

Yes for most travellers. The real risks are scooter crashes, rip currents and volcanoes, not crime. Wear a helmet, get an international driving permit, follow local advisories and keep your embassy contact saved.

For 7–10 nights, pick Bali or Java, not both. Bali gives beaches, Ubud and easy logistics; Java gives Borobudur, Prambanan and Yogyakarta. Add Lombok, the Gilis or Flores only with more time.

No. Drink sealed bottled water or filtered refill water, which is widely available. Ice in tourist areas is usually factory-made and considered safe. Use bottled water for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.

Domestic flights and ferries do the heavy lifting. Flights link Jakarta, Denpasar, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and Labuan Bajo; fast boats link Bali, Lombok, the Gilis and the Nusa islands. Allow a full day for most island transfers.

Light clothes for heat and humidity, a rain shell, reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a sarong for temples, and a type C or F plug adapter. Bring a helmet if you plan to ride, and a copy of your passport and insurance.

Yes, and make sure it covers scooter riding and water sports, which many basic policies exclude. Medical evacuation from remote islands such as Raja Ampat or Flores is expensive. Check the policy wording before you ride or dive.

Yes. Bali villas, Ubud's rice terraces, the Gili islands and Komodo boat trips are the usual picks. Book villas and boats months ahead for July, August and December, when prices peak.

The rupiah (IDR, Rp), roughly Rp16,000–17,000 per US$ — check. Cards work in Bali, Jakarta and big hotels, but carry cash for warungs, drivers, markets and small islands.

Tipping is not expected. Round up the bill, and tip drivers, guides and porters a modest amount in rupiah. Some restaurants and hotels already add a service charge, so check the bill first.

Yes. You need a motorcycle licence from home plus an international driving permit, and police do check. Many travel insurance policies are void without one. If you are not licensed, hire a driver instead.

In Bali and Ubud, yes — there are dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Elsewhere, ask, because fish sauce and shrimp paste appear in sambal and many dishes. Gado-gado and tempeh dishes are usually safe choices.

112 for general emergencies, 110 police, 118 or 119 ambulance, and 113 fire. Coverage and English vary outside cities. Save your embassy's number and your insurance hotline before you travel.

Seven to ten nights covers Bali or Java properly. Two weeks lets you add Lombok or the Gilis. Three weeks or more is needed for Flores, Komodo, Sulawesi or Raja Ampat without rushing.

Ramadan moves each year; check the dates. In Muslim-majority areas some restaurants close in daylight and schedules shift, while Bali is largely unaffected. It is a good time for night markets and lower hotel prices.

Yes, usually once, for another 30 days, applied online or at an immigration office inside Indonesia. Do it before your original stay expires. Overstaying is fined per day and can lead to a ban.

Types C and F plugs at 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring a universal adapter if you are coming from the US, UK or Australia. Power cuts are rare in tourist areas but happen on remote islands.

Bali is easier: beaches, Ubud, villas and direct flights. Java is richer in culture and monuments — Borobudur, Prambanan and Yogyakarta — but needs more moving around. Pick one for a week, both only with two weeks or more.

Choose your island and dates against the dry season, book flights and the first two nights, then build day trips around one or two bases. Leave room for weather and transfers, and keep a buffer day before your flight home.

Yes, and solo travel is common in Bali, Yogyakarta and the Gilis. Use ride-hailing at night, keep valuables in a safe, and share your plans. Women travellers report occasional attention; dressing modestly outside Bali helps.

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the national language, written in Latin script, plus hundreds of regional languages. English is widely spoken in tourist areas; learning a few phrases goes a long way outside them.

Volcanoes are active, and eruptions can close airports, including Bali's. Follow official advisories, keep a buffer day before international flights, and check your airline's policy. Bromo and Ijen trips can be cancelled at short notice.

Indonesia has three zones: UTC+7 for Java and Sumatra, UTC+8 for Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi, and UTC+9 for Maluku and Papua. That means Bali is 12 hours ahead of New York in summer and 8 ahead of London.