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Indonesia on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Indonesia is one of the best budget destinations in Asia, with cheap homestays, warung food and app rides. A realistic daily minimum is about Rp 600,000 (roughly €34) per person sharing a room, though temple tickets push some days higher.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Rp200,000 | Rp550,000 | Rp2,000,000 |
| Food & drink | Rp150,000 | Rp350,000 | Rp800,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 | Rp600,000 |
| Local transport | Rp100,000 | Rp300,000 | Rp600,000 |
| Per person, per day | Rp600,000 | Rp1,500,000 | Rp4,000,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Indonesia day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking Jalan Malioboro in Yogyakarta
- The Campuhan Ridge walk at sunset in Ubud
- Ubud Palace courtyard and the art market
- Sunrise and sunset on Bali's beaches, such as Sanur
- The batik lanes of Yogyakarta's old quarter around the Kraton
- Watching temple ceremonies from a respectful distance in Bali villages
Cheap eats
- Gudeg in Yogyakarta, about Rp 25,000-40,000
- Nasi campur at a warung, roughly Rp 25,000-50,000
- Mie goreng or nasi goreng from a street cart, roughly Rp 15,000-30,000
- Satay sticks from a night stall, roughly Rp 20,000-40,000 a plate
- Babi guling (roast pork) in Ubud, roughly Rp 50,000-80,000
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in homestays and family guesthouses in Prawirotaman (Yogyakarta) and Ubud, about Rp 250,000-500,000 for a double with breakfast, often with a small pool.
Getting around cheaply
Use Grab and Gojek motorbike taxis in cities for the lowest fares. From Yogyakarta International Airport, the airport train costs about Rp 20,000. In Bali, ride-hailing or a shared driver is cheapest, since public transport barely exists. Domestic flights connect the islands.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Kraton palace (about Rp 25,000-50,000) and Taman Sari
- Lunch: gudeg at a warung, about Rp 35,000
- Afternoon: batik workshops in the old quarter and a Gojek ride (about Rp 20,000)
- Evening: street food on Malioboro, about Rp 50,000
- Total: about Rp 600,000 including a shared homestay room
More ways to save
- Carry small notes; warungs and drivers often lack change.
- Refill water bottles at your homestay to cut costs and plastic.
- Visit Tegallalang early and pay the small farmer tolls rather than joining a tour.
- Wear a sarong you bring yourself for temple visits.
- Look for combination tickets for Borobudur and Prambanan if available.
- Travel in May, June or September for dry weather without peak prices.
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Common questions
Can you travel Indonesia on a budget?
Yes. Homestays, warung food and app rides keep costs to about Rp 600,000 per person a day.
What is the cheapest way around Bali?
Ride-hailing apps where allowed, or a shared driver for day trips; public transport is very limited.
Where should budget travellers stay?
Homestays in Ubud and Prawirotaman in Yogyakarta, about Rp 250,000-500,000 for a double with breakfast.