Cash and ATMs in Indonesia: Fees, Limits and Which Banks to Use

Do you still need cash in Indonesia?

Yes, but less than you might think. Hotels, malls, chain cafés, airlines and most restaurants in Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta take Visa and Mastercard. Ride-hailing apps take cards in-app. Cash still runs the rest: warungs, markets, small shops, parking attendants, temple donations, boat-harbour porters, tips and most things outside the big cities.

A sensible split for a first week in Bali or Java:

Carry Rp500,000–1,000,000 on you and keep a mix of Rp10,000, Rp20,000 and Rp50,000 notes. Rp100,000 notes are hard to break at a roadside stall in the morning.

Prices must be paid in rupiah. Bank Indonesia restated in June 2026 that tourism businesses in Indonesia may not take payment in US dollars or euros, even in Bali. A tour quoted in USD is still paid in IDR.

What Indonesian ATMs charge foreign cards

Indonesian banks may add their own fee on top of whatever your bank charges. The only bank that publishes a clear figure for foreign cards is Mandiri:

At Rp100,000, a Mandiri withdrawal of Rp1,000,000 costs you 10% before your own bank’s fee. That is now the single most expensive mistake you can make at an Indonesian ATM. If the screen shows the access fee, cancel and walk to the next bank.

How much cash comes out per withdrawal

Indonesian ATMs dispense either Rp50,000 or Rp100,000 notes, and the machine type caps the amount. Banks do not publish limits for foreign cards; these are the typical amounts travellers report:

• Machines with Rp50,000 notes usually stop at about Rp1.25 million per withdrawal.
• Machines with Rp100,000 notes usually allow Rp2.5–3 million.
• Your own card’s daily limit applies on top.

The note size is often written on the machine (pecahan Rp100.000). If you pay a fixed fee per withdrawal, the Rp100,000 machines save you money.

Say no to “convert to your currency”

Many ATMs and card terminals offer to charge you in euros, dollars or pounds instead of rupiah. This is dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is set by the machine operator, not your bank. BCA describes it openly as an option to “accept conversion”. Decline it. Choose IDR or without conversion and let your own card network convert.

The same applies at restaurant card terminals: if the waiter asks “rupiah or euro?”, say rupiah.

Where to withdraw safely

Skimming devices and hidden cameras exist, mostly on standalone machines in busy tourist strips. The Australian government advises using ATMs at bank branches, shops or shopping centres.

• Prefer an ATM inside a bank branch, mall or minimarket, during the day.
• Cover the keypad with your hand.
• Ignore any phone number stuck on the machine. The UK Foreign Office warns that fake “helpline” stickers are used to collect card details. Only call the number on the back of your own card.
• If the machine keeps your card, call your bank and block it straight away. Recovering a foreign card from an Indonesian bank branch is not guaranteed.

Carry two cards from different banks, kept in different places. Card networks are reliable here, but one blocked card on day two of a trip is common enough.

Changing money instead

Bring a few clean, recent banknotes in a major currency as a backup. Change only at licensed money changers. According to the UK Foreign Office, licensed changers display the Bank Indonesia logo and a QR code you can scan to check the business name and licence. Count the notes yourself before you leave the counter, and walk away from rates that look much better than everyone else’s.

Bringing cash into Indonesia

You must declare cash or payment instruments worth Rp100,000,000 or more to customs when you enter or leave. Below that, there is nothing to declare.

Questions travellers ask

Which ATMs in Bali have no fees?

None is guaranteed. BCA’s own guide for foreign Visa and Mastercard lists no fee, but travellers report fees on some machines; Mandiri openly charges foreign Visa and Mastercard cards Rp100,000 per withdrawal from 6 November 2026. Read the final screen and cancel if a fee appears.

How do I withdraw money from an ATM in Indonesia?

Use a machine inside a bank or mall, choose English, select withdrawal, pick the largest amount the machine allows, and when asked about conversion choose rupiah (IDR).