What payment instruments should I use when travelling to Indonesia?

introductory

As Indonesia becomes a popular destination for an increasing number of Chinese travellers, choosing the right payment method becomes especially important. The payment environment in Indonesia is different from that of China, with the use of cash, credit cards and e-wallets varying. In this article, we will introduce the most useful payment tools when travelling in Indonesia, helping you to plan your trip easily and avoid unnecessary hassles.

1. Cash remains the mainstay

Despite the global popularity of electronic payments, cash is still the main form of transaction in many parts of Indonesia (especially in small towns and villages). Therefore, travellers are advised to carry a certain amount of Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) with them.

Recommendations for currency exchange

• Early exchange at domestic banks: The exchange rate is favourable, safe and secure.
• Exchange at the airport or city exchange point: There are many formal exchange points (e.g. Money Changer) in popular tourist destinations such as Jakarta and Bali, but be aware of exchange rate differences and fees.
• ATM cash withdrawal: ATMs that support UnionPay cards are more common in major cities, but some banks charge a fee for cross-border withdrawals (around 10,000 - 20,000 IDR per withdrawal). ATMs from banks such as BCA and Mandiri are recommended.

⚠️ caveat: Avoid exchanging money at vendors or through informal channels to prevent counterfeit notes or fraud!

2. Use of credit versus debit cards

Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted international credit card brands in Indonesia, while UnionPay cards can also be used at certain merchants (especially in areas with a large Chinese population). Below are the specific scenarios that apply:

✅ Places to swipe your credit card

• High-end hotels, chain restaurants
• Shopping malls and duty free shops
• Grab taxi and some online booking platforms (e.g. Klook)

❌ Places not suitable for credit cards

• Street food stalls, traditional markets
• Small B&Bs or family-run hotels

3. E-Wallet: Recommended Local Mobile Payments in Indonesia

In recent years, e-payments in Indonesia have grown rapidly, with many merchants beginning to support popular local digital wallets. For tourists, using these tools can avoid carrying large amounts of cash while enjoying a convenient swipe-and-pay experience. Below are a few e-wallets that are widely used in Indonesia:

(1) GoPay (under Gojek)

✅ Applicable Scenarios::

• Gojek Taxi, Takeaway (similar to China's DDT + Meituan)
• Convenience stores, supermarkets and some restaurants to scan the code for payment

📌 Registration Method: Local mobile phone numbers or bank cards need to be bound (some features are restricted for foreign visitors).

(2) OVO (Grab Co-payment)

✅ Applicable Scenarios::

• Grab taxi, online shopping (e.g. Tokopedia e-commerce platform)
• Shopping malls and chain shops cashback offers

📌 Registration Method: An OVO account can be directly associated with a Grab account.

(3) DANA & LinkAja (common local wallets)

These two apps are more popular among small and medium-sized merchants, but are less supported for foreign travellers and usually require an Indonesian bank account for full use. Short-term travellers are advised to prioritise GoPay or OVO.

⚠️ point of attention:

• Most e-wallets require real-name authentication + local bank card binding; for short-term trips only, try to top up with cash or get a friend to pay on your behalf;
• Some apps may not support non-Android/Apple overseas version mobile phone downloads!

4. Are common cross-border payment tools available in China?

The commonly used domestic Alipay (Alipay) and WeChat Pay (WeChat Pay) are now available in thepartAvailable in Chinese shopping areas and large duty free shops - e.g. some shops in the Kuta area of Bali display "Welcome to Alipay" signs; but overall coverage is much lower than in Malaysia/Thailand, for example. Can't rely entirely on!

💡Tip: Before you go, open Alipay's "Overseas Travel" zone to check the list of partner merchants (enter "Indonesia" in the search bar); if you see a supported shop, you will prefer to pay by scanning the code in order to enjoy exchange rate discounts~.

5. Other useful tips

✔️ Keep extra change - many drivers/vendors are unable to change large notes (e.g. 100,000 IDR is about 50 RMB);
✔️ Anti-skimming - Choose a chip card over a magnetic stripe card when you swipe your card, and enable SMS transaction alerts;
✔️ Dual Currency Card Backup - Visa/Mastercard is more widely accepted than UnionPay alone.
✖️ Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) - When the POS machine asks "Do you settle in RMB", you must choose NO!

# Summary Form | How to pay the most convenient way to Indonesia?

→ Comprehensive recommendations:
①Exchange around 2000k IDR (≈1000RMB) in advance.
②Bring a Visa/Mastercard for backup.
Install Grab and bind your credit card (without the hassle of charging GoPay).
④If you find a shop that accepts Alipay, use it!

We hope this guide will help you enjoy the Land of a Thousand Islands! If you have any more questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section 😊