Is Indonesia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Indonesia is cheap by European, Australian or North American standards, although Bali's tourist areas cost more than the rest of the country. A budget traveller can manage on about Rp 600,000 (roughly €34) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about Rp 1,500,000 and comfort about Rp 4,000,000. Food, ride-hailing and guesthouses are inexpensive; temple tickets for foreigners, drivers and villas push costs up.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Gudeg (jackfruit stew) in Yogyakarta | about Rp 25,000-40,000 |
| Grab or Gojek ride in town | Rp 15,000-40,000 |
| Borobudur ticket with guided climb (foreigners) | about Rp 450,000-500,000 |
| Prambanan (foreigners) | about Rp 400,000 |
| Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud | about Rp 100,000 |
| Bali tourist levy | Rp 150,000 per person |
| Car with driver in Bali, 10 hours | about Rp 600,000-900,000 |
| Flight Yogyakarta to Denpasar | Rp 700,000-1,500,000 |
| Homestay double with breakfast | Rp 250,000-500,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation choices make the biggest difference: homestays cost Rp 250,000-500,000, while villas over the rice fields or cliff-top resorts run to millions of rupiah a night. Foreign-visitor tickets at Borobudur and Prambanan are high compared with local prices, and private drivers are the usual way to see Bali. Local food, warungs and app rides are cheap, but western cafés and beach clubs in Bali cost as much as in Europe.
When it is cheaper
The wet season, roughly November to March (outside Christmas and New Year), is cheaper, with Bali hotel rates often roughly 20-40% lower. July, August and late December are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Eat at warungs and night markets instead of western-style cafés.
- Use Grab and Gojek rather than street taxis, but note app pick-ups are banned in some tourist spots in Bali.
- Share a driver for Borobudur and Prambanan or Bali day trips; the price is per car.
- Stay in family homestays in Ubud or Prawirotaman, often with breakfast and a pool.
- Buy the visa on arrival online as an e-VOA to avoid queues, and pay the Bali levy officially.
- Book domestic flights a few weeks ahead for lower fares.
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Common questions
Is Indonesia expensive?
No. A budget traveller spends about Rp 600,000 (roughly €34) a day and mid-range about Rp 1,500,000. Bali's tourist zones cost more than Java.
How much is Borobudur for foreigners?
About Rp 450,000-500,000 for a ticket including the guided climb; daily climbing places are limited, so book online.
How much does a driver in Bali cost?
About Rp 600,000-900,000 for 10 hours per car, which can be shared.