Rupiah (IDR): Indonesia's currency explained

The rupiah, written IDR or Rp, is Indonesia’s currency, issued by Bank Indonesia. Transactions have to be in rupiah, and hotels, large restaurants and large shops accept credit cards ^[1]. Malaysians notice it first as the long strings of zeros on menus and price tags.

For the full cost picture, start with the budgets and package decisions hub, then use the trip cost calculator to turn it into ringgit.

Why do the numbers look so big?

One ringgit buys a large number of rupiah, so ordinary prices carry long numbers. Check the live rate on your banking app, divide the rupiah price by it, and keep a rough ringgit figure in your head. The rate moves, so recheck it each morning.

Banknotes from Rp1,000 up to Rp100,000 are in regular use, and the small coins are in frequent use ^[3]. The highest note is the one you will hold every day, which makes change a daily matter.

Where do cards and cash work?

Cards work at hotels, large restaurants and large stores ^[1]. Warungs, markets, drivers and small ticket counters want cash, and some places add a card fee.

The cards, QRIS and ATMs guide explains how to mix them. QRIS lets you scan to pay from a Malaysian app in places that accept it.

How should you get cash?

ATMs give out IDR 50,000 or 100,000 notes, and these can be hard to break in rural areas ^[2]. Withdraw in a major city before heading somewhere remote. Money changers exist in major cities and tourist resorts, and an official page suggests exchanging before you go to remote places.

Keep small notes for parking, tips, toilets and snacks. The cash-for-day-trips guide helps you plan this, and the ATM safety guide for Bali lists habits that protect your card.

What else changes the bill?

Restaurant and hotel bills can add a service charge and local tax on top of the menu price, which is why the total looks higher than the number you saw. Read the service charge and pajak entry before you order, and ask your agency which of these are already inside a package price.