Indonesia

If you are looking for beautiful beaches, green jungles, active volcanoes and fascinating temples, then Indonesia is the place for you! The Southeast Asian country consists of 1000 volcanic islands and is made up of 100 ethnic groups that all speak different languages. In addition, Indonesia's unique wildlife attracts tourists from all over the world with Komodo dragons, various species of monkeys, elephants and even tigers!

Reiseziele in Indonesien:

Bali

East Java

Overview

Capital

Indonesia's capital is Jakarta.

Language

The national language is Indonesian, although many different languages are spoken. Some also understand and speak English.

Currency

In Indonesia, payment is made in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1 EUR is roughly equivalent to 17.350 IDR and 1 USD is roughly equivalent to 16.000 IDR.

Entry & Visas

You will need your passport to enter Indonesia. This must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry and exit. Your national identity card is not sufficient for entry.

You require a visa for entry. However, it is possible to obtain a so-called “Visa on Arrival” on arrival at the airport. This requires your passport and a return or onward flight ticket to another country. The visa costs a fee of IDR 500K. The “Visa on Arrival” is valid for up to 30 days. A one-time extension for another 30 days is possible. Otherwise, please inform yourself about visa options here.

Please consult your doctor about advisable vaccinations before your trip.

Time

The time zones can vary within Indonesia. There are three time zones in total. UTC+7 (West Indonesian Time (WIT)) applies in Jakarta. There is also Central Indonesian Time (CIT) (Makassar, UTC+8) and East Indonesian Time (EIT) (Jayapura, UTC+9). CIT/ UTC+8 applies in Bali.

There is no distinction between summer time and winter time in Indonesia.

Credit cards & ATMs

There are ATMs almost everywhere in the tourist areas and you can also pay by card in many places. Outside of tourist areas and in smaller restaurants, however, you should carry cash with you.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit is the dry season, which lasts from around April/May to October/November. The months of May and June are particularly popular, as it is not quite as hot here. High season, however, is around July and August.

Driving

The regulations vary within the provinces, e.g. rental cars are only allowed in Bali. In other provinces, you therefore have to take a scooter or a driver. If you wanna drive on our own, you should better carry an international driver's license with you.

The development of the road network depends on where you are. For example, the roads on Bali are mostly well developed and in good condition, while there are (still) some very rough roads on Lombok. Some of the roads are damaged by undermining or erosion.

Some of the traffic signs and rules may differ from those in Central Europe. In particular, right-hand traffic applies in Indonesia. The right of way has the person who takes it. Honking is often a sign that you are being overtaken.

The speed limits are 100 km/h on highways, 70 km/h on rural roads and 30-40 km/h in built-up areas. There is no alcohol limit, as people drink very little alcohol anyway for religious reasons. However, an accident under the influence of alcohol can result in a prison sentence. In general, the penalties for traffic violations are relatively high.

Phone

If you use your home SIM card, you will have to expect high roaming charges. These vary from provider to provider. You should therefore get an Indonesian SIM card if the Wi-Fi in your accommodation, restaurants or public places is not enough for you. You can buy an Indonesian SIM card on arrival at the airport. Alternatively, you can install an international eSIM in advance — for example, from Airalo (affiliate link) — and you'll be online as soon as you land.