Every transaction you make requires a payment. That’s why you must understand the payment methods in Indonesia before embarking on the journey.
In general, conducting transactions in Indonesia is similar to similar activities done in any other country. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects of the payment method that make it uniquely Indonesian.
As a foreign visitor, it’s important to make sure that you learn how to convert your country’s currency to the Indonesian currency called the rupiah, usually symbolized by Rp.
When you understand the exchange value, you can calculate the budget for your personal expenses during your stay accurately.
To give you an idea about how payment methods in Indonesia work, let’s read the information below!
Introducing Payment Methods in Indonesia
The payment system in Indonesia may be foreign to a first-time visitor. From the different currency to the different cashless methods, foreign nationals need to understand all about it so that their trip in the country can go smoothly.
Cash remains one of the most popular payment methods in Indonesia. Everywhere you go, you can complete any transactions using cash.
However, after the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, the number of payment transactions using cash decreased significantly.
Most Indonesians opted to use mobile payment methods during the pandemic to minimize the COVID-19 spread.
Now that the world is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the payment methods in Indonesia are more flexible than before.
Payment Trends After Pandemic
After the pandemic, paying with cash is still the most popular method to complete transactions in Indonesia. You can pay cash in a big store to a small store that you find on the street.
Other than cash, almost every store in big cities accepts credit cards and mobile wallets. These are the two alternatives when you don’t carry around cash while traveling around the city.
It’s important to note that certain payment methods may vary depending on the area and the type of business or store you visit.
Hence, foreign visitors should be prepared to use a variety of methods to pay in Indonesia. Preparing to have some cash on hand in case of digital payments is a wise thing to do when you intend to explore several tourism sites all day long.
Note that the use of digital payments is also increasing, as Indonesia’s governments have continued to do as well.
The use of digital payment is one of the Indonesian government’s efforts to reduce the country’s reliance on cash.
Payment methods in Indonesia may be more diverse as new systems become available.
Read also: Indonesia Entry Requirements: Document and Health Protocols
Tips for Doing Transactions in Indonesia
Indonesia is a big country with a lot to offer. During your trip, you may find some beautiful souvenirs that you want to bring home to reminisce about your vacation in the future.
To save you the hassle, you must prepare for every type of payment method you need to know to get what you need in Indonesia.
Here are several tips for each payment method we have curated for you:
Cash
Whether you plan to go around big cities or small towns, make sure to bring cash along with you. It’s one of the payment methods in Indonesia that is widely accepted.
Before going on the trip, you can exchange the money you have into rupiah first. Once you get your rupiah cash, you need to count it and allocate your budget accordingly.
Remember that you can always ask and confirm the price of the items you want to buy with the cashier or the store manager.
Make sure to hold your bag tight and keep your cash safe when going to crowded tourism sites. Additionally, you should count your money so you can complete the transaction properly.
Credit Cards
The other popular payment method in Indonesia is credit cards. As a foreigner, you can still use certain credit cards to complete transactions.
Generally, using credit cards like Mastercard and American Express is acceptable in Indonesia.
Note that there will be additional charges when you pay with credit cards. Usually, the foreign currency translation fee will range from 1% to 1.5%.
Digital Wallets
The payment system in Indonesia has become more flexible with the advancement in technology today.
Digital wallets are introduced to reduce the use of cash in daily transactions. There are several types of digital wallets that foreign visitors can use as an exchange of payment with cash:
- QRIS (QR Code Indonesia)
- OVO
- GoPay
- DANA
- LinkAJA
The way to pay with digital wallets is considerably easier. It’s important to note that you must have an Indonesian SIM card in order to complete the registration process for more of the e-wallets.
To use this payment method, you should top up the wallets. Here are some of the top-up methods that apply to certain e-wallets:
- Mini Markets
- Mobile banking
- Internet banking
- ATM
So, that’s the short guide to payment methods in Indonesia. We hope that the information can help give you an idea of what the process is like when you arrive in the country.
Aside from completing transactions during your vacation, learning about this payment system can help you deal with the visa application process smoothly.
If you wish to learn more information about Indonesia visa applications, you can contact DoorToID to get all the answers you need quickly, professionally, and transparently.
Read also: Details about Flights to Indonesia for Foreign Nationals
