Land in Indonesia, and your wallet fills fast - not with value, but with zeros. That $50 you exchanged just became nearly 800,000 Rupiah, and it feels a little surreal. But Indonesian Rupiah is more than just foreign currency. It’s colourful, full of history, and often ends up as the one souvenir travellers keep without meaning to.
Here’s how to spend it smartly, appreciate what’s in your hand, and maybe even bring a few notes home with you.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is that it comes in big numbers. Really big. You’ll regularly see bills in the tens or hundreds of thousands, which can feel overwhelming at first.
But here’s the trick: move the decimal three places to the left. If a bottle of water costs 5,000 IDR, that’s roughly 30 - 35 cents in USD or EUR. A nice lunch? Around 50,000–70,000 IDR, or about $3 - 5.
Once you start converting in your head, it gets easier. And if you’re the kind of person who loves to mentally track budgets while travelling, the Rupiah quickly becomes part of the fun.
ATMs are everywhere in Indonesia, especially in cities and tourist areas like Bali, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta. They’re often the easiest way to get Rupiah at decent exchange rates. Just keep in mind that many ATMs dispense 100,000 IDR notes, which smaller shops or warungs (local eateries) may not be thrilled to accept.
Money changers are also common, but not all are created equal. Stick to well-reviewed places in central areas, and always count your money on the spot. Avoid changing large amounts at the airport unless it’s absolutely necessary - rates there are usually the worst.
Let’s Talk About All Those Zeros!
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is that it comes in big numbers. Really big. You’ll regularly see bills in the tens or hundreds of thousands, which can feel overwhelming at first.
But here’s the trick: move the decimal three places to the left. If a bottle of water costs 5,000 IDR, that’s roughly 30 - 35 cents in USD or EUR. A nice lunch? Around 50,000–70,000 IDR, or about $3 - 5.
Once you start converting in your head, it gets easier. And if you’re the kind of person who loves to mentally track budgets while travelling, the Rupiah quickly becomes part of the fun.
Where to Get It and How to Handle It
ATMs are everywhere in Indonesia, especially in cities and tourist areas like Bali, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta. They’re often the easiest way to get Rupiah at decent exchange rates. Just keep in mind that many ATMs dispense 100,000 IDR notes, which smaller shops or warungs (local eateries) may not be thrilled to accept.
Money changers are also common, but not all are created equal. Stick to well-reviewed places in central areas, and always count your money on the spot. Avoid changing large amounts at the airport unless it’s absolutely necessary - rates there are usually the worst.
Also, cash is still king in many parts of Indonesia. You can use cards in malls, hotels, and restaurants, but for taxis, markets, small cafes, or local transport, cash is essential.
Pro tip: Always keep a stash of smaller notes. Nothing’s more awkward than trying to pay for a 15,000 IDR coconut with a 100,000 note.
Indonesia is generally a budget-friendly destination, especially outside the ultra-touristy areas. You can eat well, move around easily, and enjoy great experiences without overspending. Here’s a rough idea of what your Rupiah can get you:
While some places hike up prices for tourists, especially in Bali, being polite, asking for the price upfront, and learning a few phrases in Bahasa Indonesia can help you avoid overpaying.
Now, let’s talk about what really makes the Indonesian Rupiah different: the design.
These aren’t your average bills with old presidents and watermarks. Each Rupiah note is a little piece of Indonesia’s identity. The latest 2022 series showcases national heroes on one side and vibrant cultural elements - like traditional dances and natural landscapes - on the other.Flip through a few bills, and you’ll find:
It’s the kind of currency that makes you pause before spending. Some travellers even end up examining their change like postcards from across the archipelago.
What’s cool about the Rupiah is how much you can learn from it without ever stepping into a museum. Just by handling money, you’re engaging with Indonesia’s history and diversity.
Pro tip: Always keep a stash of smaller notes. Nothing’s more awkward than trying to pay for a 15,000 IDR coconut with a 100,000 note.
What Things Cost (and How to Avoid Tourist Traps)
Indonesia is generally a budget-friendly destination, especially outside the ultra-touristy areas. You can eat well, move around easily, and enjoy great experiences without overspending. Here’s a rough idea of what your Rupiah can get you:
- Fresh street food meal: 20,000 - 30,000 IDR
- Iced coffee in a café: 25,000 - 40,000 IDR
- Local bus ride: 5,000 - 10,000 IDR
- Shared ride on a motorbike taxi (Gojek/Grab): 10,000 - 25,000 IDR
- Massage or spa treatment: 100,000 - 250,000 IDR
- Private room in a budget hotel: 300,000 - 700,000 IDR
While some places hike up prices for tourists, especially in Bali, being polite, asking for the price upfront, and learning a few phrases in Bahasa Indonesia can help you avoid overpaying.
Each Note Has a Story
Now, let’s talk about what really makes the Indonesian Rupiah different: the design.
These aren’t your average bills with old presidents and watermarks. Each Rupiah note is a little piece of Indonesia’s identity. The latest 2022 series showcases national heroes on one side and vibrant cultural elements - like traditional dances and natural landscapes - on the other.Flip through a few bills, and you’ll find:
- Traditional dancers from Bali, Sumatra, and Kalimantan
- Scenic views of iconic landmarks like Lake Toba
- Colourful outfits representing different ethnic groups
- National heroes who helped shape modern Indonesia
It’s the kind of currency that makes you pause before spending. Some travellers even end up examining their change like postcards from across the archipelago.
You’re Not Just Spending - You’re Learning
What’s cool about the Rupiah is how much you can learn from it without ever stepping into a museum. Just by handling money, you’re engaging with Indonesia’s history and diversity.
Take I Gusti Ngurah Rai, for example, who appears on the Rp 50,000 note. He was a Balinese hero who led the resistance against Dutch colonial forces. Or Mohammad Hatta, who appears alongside Sukarno on the Rp 100,000 note - they were the country’s first vice president and president, respectively.
Even the traditional dances and landscapes featured on newer notes are carefully chosen to represent different islands and cultures across the country.
So while you’re navigating daily expenses, you’re also absorbing snippets of history, culture, and geography. Not a bad way to learn, right?
If you’re lucky, you might come across a special edition note during your trip.
One of the most talked-about is the 75,000 Rupiah note released in 2020 for Indonesia’s 75th Independence Day. It features portraits of the country’s founding fathers, along with children in traditional dress and modern achievements like Jakarta’s MRT and national infrastructure.
It’s vibrant, beautifully printed, and genuinely feels like a collectible. Only 75 million were issued, and they’re legal tender - but many people save them as keepsakes.
There’s something about the Rupiah that sticks with travellers. Maybe it’s the colours. Maybe it’s the cultural pride in every design. Maybe it’s just the charm of carrying thousands of something in your wallet.
But whatever the reason, a lot of people leave Indonesia with a few notes tucked away - not for exchange, but for memory.
They end up taped into journals, framed back home, or rediscovered months later in coat pockets. And when you see one, it brings back that feeling of wandering through a night market in Ubud, or buying fruit on a hot day in Yogyakarta, or tipping the driver who helped you find your guesthouse in the rain.
It’s not just currency. It’s a reminder of the trip - colourful, warm, and unexpectedly meaningful.
Travelling through Indonesia is a sensory experience - sights, smells, sounds - and even the money becomes part of that. The Rupiah doesn’t just help you pay; it gives you a glimpse into the country’s past and present. It teaches you how to handle prices, spot tradition in design, and connect with history in unexpected ways. And in the end, it might just become the most personal souvenir of all.
Even the traditional dances and landscapes featured on newer notes are carefully chosen to represent different islands and cultures across the country.
So while you’re navigating daily expenses, you’re also absorbing snippets of history, culture, and geography. Not a bad way to learn, right?
Keep an Eye Out for Commemorative Notes
If you’re lucky, you might come across a special edition note during your trip.
One of the most talked-about is the 75,000 Rupiah note released in 2020 for Indonesia’s 75th Independence Day. It features portraits of the country’s founding fathers, along with children in traditional dress and modern achievements like Jakarta’s MRT and national infrastructure.
It’s vibrant, beautifully printed, and genuinely feels like a collectible. Only 75 million were issued, and they’re legal tender - but many people save them as keepsakes.
It’s the Souvenir You Didn’t Plan For
There’s something about the Rupiah that sticks with travellers. Maybe it’s the colours. Maybe it’s the cultural pride in every design. Maybe it’s just the charm of carrying thousands of something in your wallet.
But whatever the reason, a lot of people leave Indonesia with a few notes tucked away - not for exchange, but for memory.
They end up taped into journals, framed back home, or rediscovered months later in coat pockets. And when you see one, it brings back that feeling of wandering through a night market in Ubud, or buying fruit on a hot day in Yogyakarta, or tipping the driver who helped you find your guesthouse in the rain.
It’s not just currency. It’s a reminder of the trip - colourful, warm, and unexpectedly meaningful.
Spend It, Save It, Keep It!
Travelling through Indonesia is a sensory experience - sights, smells, sounds - and even the money becomes part of that. The Rupiah doesn’t just help you pay; it gives you a glimpse into the country’s past and present. It teaches you how to handle prices, spot tradition in design, and connect with history in unexpected ways. And in the end, it might just become the most personal souvenir of all.
Spend it, save it, or tuck a note into your passport - the Indonesian Rupiah is worth holding onto!
