Is Indonesia Cheap to Travel?
In some ways, Indonesia is cheaper than backpacking other countries in Southeast Asia, yet some things cost a little more. For example accommodation, food, and sightseeing are extremely cheap when compared to countries like Thailand.
But on the other hand, you’ll spend more money flying between the different islands than you would busing around other nearby countries.
For example, on my last trip to Indonesia (which lasted about a month) I took over ten flights, between different islands. However, if you are on a super tight budget your best bet is to stick to the main islands like Java, Bali, and Sumatra.
This will help lower your budget by limiting the number of flights.
You can easily sightsee around these islands by motorbike, bus, or tour.
Personally, I would suggest budgeting a little extra to give myself wiggle room to wander from the tourist track. The way I see it is that the cheaper price on all the other travel essentials helps balance out the cost of the flights
Recommended Budget for Travelers
Ok, so to answer the question “Is Indonesia cheap to travel?”, we have to get into daily budget.
Indonesia has a lot of options and prices vary drastically.
You can stay in a hostel dorm for as little as 4-5 USD a night or rent a luxury villa on the beach that will set you back over $100.
I prefer saving money and staying in hostels rather than splurge at resorts and hotels are some of the cheapest in Southeast Asia.
Food is another area that is cheap! You can get awesome meals for as little as 3-5 USD.
Backpacking Indonesia Budget
STYLE | SLEEPING | EATING | GETTING AROUND | SIGHTSEEING | DAILY $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Backpacker | $5-$8 | $5 | $3-$6 | $12-$22 | $25-$41 |
Flashpacker | $8-$16 | $15 | $12 | $22-$33 | $49-$70 |
Living Large | $100+ | $35 | $25 | $33+ | $199+ |
Budget for Adventures
Indonesia is a land of fun and exciting adventures. From real life dragons to beautiful jungle hikes. From sweeping vistas to underwater worlds there are an countless adventures waiting for you in Indonesia.
108 thoughts on “Backpacking Indonesia: The BEST Guide On the Web (June 2020)”
I have a blogger friend from Indonesia and after reading about all of her adventures there, I have been itching to see it for myself. I especially want to go snorkeling in the clear waters and admire all of the amazing underwater critters. You have laid out a great travel plan for those wishing to backpack around Indonesia.
I would love to do a backpacking trip across Indonesia. I’ve always wanted to see the country. I never thought of backpacking it before though. I think it would be a great way to really get in touch with the vibe of the land.
It is! Indonesia is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia.
I have a blogger friend from Indonesia and after reading about all of her adventures there, I have been itching to see it for myself. I especially want to go snorkeling in the clear waters and admire all of the amazing underwater critters. You have laid out a great travel plan for those wishing to backpack around Indonesia.
Thanks for the comment. Sounds like your friend had a great time. Let me know if you have any questions when planning your trip!
I would love to do a backpacking trip across Indonesia. I’ve always wanted to see the country. I never thought of backpacking it before though. I think it would be a great way to really get in touch with the vibe of the land.
It is! Indonesia is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia.
It’s an awesome guide on Indonesia.Keeping it as a reference for my future trip.
I think backpacking across Indonesia would be awesome. I think it would be a great way to really connect with the locals.
It’s an awesome guide on Indonesia.Keeping it as a reference for my future trip.
I think backpacking across Indonesia would be awesome. I think it would be a great way to really connect with the locals.
The locals are warm and welcoming to travelers!
Excellent points when you travel to Indonesia. I would love to travel and think about nothing else for a week or 2.
Excellent points when you travel to Indonesia. I would love to travel and think about nothing else for a week or 2.
Haha do it!!
Indonesia is always so much fun. I am so tempted to visit again – this time to Wakatobi and Gili and maybe, Lombok. Have done the Komodo circuit and loved the whole adventure around Padar Island. I would not mind going there again. And yes, Indonesia is quite cheap.
Sign me up for the Komodo National Park! There’s so much I would soak in there; I’d love to see the dragons, but the pink beaches sound awesome as well!
Komodo rocks! It’s life stepping into Jurassic Park.
Indonesia is always so much fun. I am so tempted to visit again – this time to Wakatobi and Gili and maybe, Lombok. Have done the Komodo circuit and loved the whole adventure around Padar Island. I would not mind going there again. And yes, Indonesia is quite cheap.
Yes! Indo is awesome. I love Komodo but Wakatobi also holds something special!
I’ve never backpacked anywhere but I’d love too! Indonesia sounds like a great place to start!
Sign me up for the Komodo National Park! There’s so much I would soak in there; I’d love to see the dragons, but the pink beaches sound awesome as well!
Komodo rocks! It’s life stepping into Jurassic Park.
This is such an amazing guide! Thank you!!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading!
I’ve never backpacked anywhere but I’d love too! Indonesia sounds like a great place to start!
Do it! Backpacking is the best! And indo is a great country to start with! If it is you’re first time I would start in Bali as it is more tourist friendly.
This is such an amazing guide! Thank you!!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading!
I thought when I was younger that I wanted to go backpacking through a bunch of different countries, but now I’m not so sure I could do it.
Backpacking has no age limit! lol. However, Flashpacking is also a good choice.
I thought when I was younger that I wanted to go backpacking through a bunch of different countries, but now I’m not so sure I could do it.
Backpacking has no age limit! lol. However, Flashpacking is also a good choice.
Wow! This is such a great backpacking guide. I have been to Indonesia before. I love their food and culture.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading.
We are no longer backpacking. But there were still tips here for us to visit Indonesia. Although when I read 15,000 islands, it seems like a daunting task to choose where to visit. We were sorry we missed Gili T and Lombok on our visit to Bali. Wakitobi is on our list for scuba diving. Thanks for the tips about when to visit. I don’t want the rain or the crowds. So maybe April might be just fine. Thanks for the comprehensive guide and tips.
No problem! Glad you found it helpful. Indo has so much it would take a lifetime to explore. Wakatobi is great! I know you will love it Linda.
Wow! This is such a great backpacking guide. I have been to Indonesia before. I love their food and culture.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading.
This is a full-packed article about Indonesian travel. One thing really caught my eyes: living large is $199 a day. This is very interesting to me since at 70 I can no longer backpack. But I think it is too high; I am spending $75 a day doing that in Mexico.
We are no longer backpacking. But there were still tips here for us to visit Indonesia. Although when I read 15,000 islands, it seems like a daunting task to choose where to visit. We were sorry we missed Gili T and Lombok on our visit to Bali. Wakitobi is on our list for scuba diving. Thanks for the tips about when to visit. I don’t want the rain or the crowds. So maybe April might be just fine. Thanks for the comprehensive guide and tips.
No problem! Glad you found it helpful. Indo has so much it would take a lifetime to explore. Wakatobi is great! I know you will love it Linda.
This is a full-packed article about Indonesian travel. One thing really caught my eyes: living large is $199 a day. This is very interesting to me since at 70 I can no longer backpack. But I think it is too high; I am spending $75 a day doing that in Mexico.
Thanks for the comment Carol! On $75 a day in Indo you can live great! The $199 is mostly due to the price of luxury hotels.
Ubud again for me. The Komodo faces are worth a picture. Excellent picture of the beach with pink and blue.
Very well detailed info.
Ubud again for me. The Komodo faces are worth a picture. Excellent picture of the beach with pink and blue.
Very well detailed info.
Thanks! Ubud is pretty special!
Oh my goodness – YES! Backpacking through Bali would be my ultimate goal.
Oh my goodness – YES! Backpacking through Bali would be my ultimate goal.
Yes! Bali has so much going on!
And also, watching the sunrise at Mt. Batur! Sounds so beautiful!
I was telling my niece she should so backpacking in Europe because it sounds like a fun time!
I was telling my niece she should so backpacking in Europe because it sounds like a fun time!
17,000 islands, 300+ languages and hundreds of cultures…. Whoa! I would love to visit Bali but am deterred by the flight from California. Would have to stay 3 weeks at least. I really want a Komodo Dragon to wave at me!
17,000 islands, 300+ languages and hundreds of cultures…. Whoa! I would love to visit Bali but am deterred by the flight from California. Would have to stay 3 weeks at least. I really want a Komodo Dragon to wave at me!
haha yes…as long as he is waving from a distance.
I am not a backpacker. Still, I find this post super-useful with a lot of takeaways for a family blogger like me, too. I would love to visit Wakatobi for sure on my trip to Indonesia. Pinning this article for my future reference. Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive post 🙂
Glad you liked it!
Looks like Lombok is the best place for me to visit, Would be great hiking around the Lake Segara Anak and and the stunning views from the Mount Rinjani would be worth the hike!
Okay, you deserve patting yourself on the back… This is a great guide for anyone wanting to visit Indonesia even if they’re not backpacking. The Ionger itinerary is definitely more appropriate given everything there is to see and do. I like the sound of Wakatobi and Hoga Island.
I am not a backpacker. Still, I find this post super-useful with a lot of takeaways for a family blogger like me, too. I would love to visit Wakatobi for sure on my trip to Indonesia. Pinning this article for my future reference. Thanks for compiling such a comprehensive post 🙂
Glad you liked it!
Looks like Lombok is the best place for me to visit, Would be great hiking around the Lake Segara Anak and and the stunning views from the Mount Rinjani would be worth the hike!
Lombok is a great choice!
Okay, you deserve patting yourself on the back… This is a great guide for anyone wanting to visit Indonesia even if they’re not backpacking. The Ionger itinerary is definitely more appropriate given everything there is to see and do. I like the sound of Wakatobi and Hoga Island.
haha thanks Linda! That comment made my day.
I would love to visit Indonesia one day, though I wouldn’t be backpacking and that’s okay! What an intriguing destination, filled with amazing animals like orangutans and komodo dragons, which I’d want to see at a distance. Your itinerary is very helpful, as are the ways you’ve outlined to keep to a budget – I do like saving money while travelling! Thanks for all the great tips.
I would love to visit Indonesia one day, though I wouldn’t be backpacking and that’s okay! What an intriguing destination, filled with amazing animals like orangutans and komodo dragons, which I’d want to see at a distance. Your itinerary is very helpful, as are the ways you’ve outlined to keep to a budget – I do like saving money while travelling! Thanks for all the great tips.
Yep, it is a great country for other styles of travel as well.
I can’t believe that one country could have 17,000 islands and 300 languages! That’s incredible! I love your list of average price for accommodations in cities within Indonesia. This is one of the most comprehensive travel guides I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for the compliments 🙂 It is a beautiful diverse country…..
I can’t believe that one country could have 17,000 islands and 300 languages! That’s incredible! I love your list of average price for accommodations in cities within Indonesia. This is one of the most comprehensive travel guides I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for the compliments 🙂 It is a beautiful diverse country…..
Oh wow. This is one in-depth post. I can’t believe how much information you shared with us. if I ever get there, I’ll know exactly what to do!
Thanks Ben! I am glad you liked it!
I have no idea Indonesia has over 2,000 inhabited Island, and with so many different culture. Nice tip on avoiding tap water by the way.
Yep! So many islands to visit. It would take a lifetime.
A friend of mine is planning a trip to Indonesia. Must share this post with her as it covers everything from A to Z!
A friend of mine is planning a trip to Indonesia. Must share this post with her as it cover everything from A to Z!
Great. Thanks for sharing with them. Tell them to email me if they have other questions.
Wow what a great breakdown. I would love to go backpacking, like it is a bucket item thing to do.
It’s an awesome guide for Indonesia. Could not have been better. Saving for future.
Great!! I am glad you liked it. Let me know if you have any questions.
Oh wow. This is one in-depth post. I can’t believe how much information you shared with us. if I ever get there, I’ll know exactly what to do!
Thanks Ben! I am glad you liked it!
I have no idea Indonesia has over 2,000 inhabited Island, and with so many different culture. Nice tip on avoiding tap water by the way.
Yep! So many islands to visit. It would take a lifetime.
A friend of mine is planning a trip to Indonesia. Must share this post with her as it covers everything from A to Z!
A friend of mine is planning a trip to Indonesia. Must share this post with her as it cover everything from A to Z!
Great. Thanks for sharing with them. Tell them to email me if they have other questions.
Wow what a great breakdown. I would love to go backpacking, like it is a bucket item thing to do.
Definitely! Do it!
It’s an awesome guide for Indonesia. Could not have been better. Saving for future.
Great!! I am glad you liked it. Let me know if you have any questions.
I haven’t traveled here but you are making a strong case for me to go there! Your itineraries are always so detailed and helpful.
Haha it is a great country! You should visit, Thanks for the compliment.
I just learned so much reading this! I’ve never even considered visiting Indonesian but this actually just made me consider it! You actually have a a lot of info in one post!
I haven’t traveled here but you are making a strong case for me to go there! Your itineraries are always so detailed and helpful.
Haha it is a great country! You should visit, Thanks for the compliment.
Wow! I would love to visit Indonesia one day. It sounds awesome.
I just learned so much reading this! I’ve never even considered visiting Indonesian but this actually just made me consider it! You actually have a a lot of info in one post!
Wow, so much useful information! I am planning to visit Bali next month and I might just have to check out the other places as well. Thank you so much for this! And for the app recommendations, too!
17,000 islands! How can this be?! That’s so amazing!
17,000 islands! How can this be?! That’s so amazing!
Haha it is crazy when you think about it!
This is such a well researched post! You really provide all the necessary information for anyone even traveling to Indonesia, let alone backpacking. Very interesting!
i have a friend who is planning to go to bali soon so i need to share this with her!! thank you for being so informative!
This is just amazing. Thanks for such a detailed and practical guide. Bookmarking it for future reference. Indonesia is on my list since long time. Hopefully, will visit soon.