Money in Bali, from Cash and Cards to ATMs
Updated: 3 days ago
Bali runs on the Indonesian rupiah, and by law every payment on the island must be made in it. At current rates Rp100,000, the largest note, is worth about A$8, US$5.50 or £4.20, so prices with five or six digits are normal. Use bank ATMs for cash, carry small notes for warungs, and change money only at licensed money changers.
Rupiah only, and Rp100,000 is about A$8
By law, payments in Indonesia must be made in rupiah, not US dollars.
Rp100,000, the largest note, is about A$8, US$5.50 or £4.20.
For Australian dollars, drop four zeros and multiply by 0.8: Rp50,000 is about A$4.
Withdraw from ATMs attached to a bank branch, and always choose to be charged in rupiah.
Change cash only at licensed money changers showing the KUPVA BB logo with a QR code.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why the Rupiah's Zeros Trip Up First Timers
A coffee priced at Rp45,000 looks alarming until you work out that it is about A$3.60, or US$2.50. The rupiah's low unit value means everyday prices carry five or six digits, and the easiest expensive mistake is misreading how many zeros are on a note or a bill. Rp10,000 and Rp100,000 differ by a single zero and are easy to mix up in a hurry.
How Much Is a Rupiah Worth?
Bank Indonesia's current paper notes run from Rp1,000 to Rp100,000. The table shows common amounts at mid-market rates in October 2026: A$1 to about Rp12,500, US$1 to about Rp18,100 and £1 to about Rp24,000. Your bank or card will apply its own rate and fees.
Rupiah | Australian dollars | US dollars | British pounds |
Rp10,000 | A$0.80 | US$0.55 | £0.42 |
Rp20,000 | A$1.60 | US$1.10 | £0.83 |
Rp50,000 | A$4 | US$2.76 | £2.08 |
Rp100,000 | A$8 | US$5.52 | £4.17 |
Rp500,000 | A$40 | US$28 | £21 |
Rp1,000,000 | A$80 | US$55 | £42 |
A quick way to convert: drop the last four zeros, then multiply by 0.8 for Australian dollars, 0.55 for US dollars or 0.42 for British pounds. Rp250,000 becomes 25, which is about A$20, US$14 or £10.
What to Get Right Before You Spend
Withdraw rupiah from a bank-branded ATM rather than a standalone tourist ATM, since standalone machines charge higher fees and worse rates.
Decline dynamic currency conversion at the ATM or card terminal, and always choose to be charged in Indonesian rupiah, not your home currency.
Carry small denomination notes for warungs, markets and scooter parking, since many small vendors cannot break a large note.
Change cash only at a licensed money changer showing the KUPVA BB logo with a QR code, and count your rupiah before you leave the counter.
Notify your bank of your travel dates before you fly, so a card is not blocked for unusual overseas activity.
How to Actually Handle Money in Bali
Prices in Bali are quoted in rupiah almost everywhere outside hotel booking pages, and the rate against your home currency moves daily, so check it before you fly and again before any large payment.
Cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and most shops in tourist areas, while smaller warungs, markets and drivers often take cash only. Some businesses add a surcharge for card payments, so ask before you pay. Carrying a mix of cash and card means you are not caught out either way.
ATMs are usually the simplest way to get rupiah. Use machines attached to a bank branch, such as BCA, Mandiri or BNI, read the fee shown on screen before you confirm, and decline the offer to be charged in your home currency, which converts at the machine's own rate.
Can You Pay in US Dollars in Bali?
Not legally. Indonesia's Currency Law, Law No. 7 of 2011, requires rupiah for payments made in the country, with narrow exceptions such as international trade and state budget transactions. Article 21(1) reads, in our translation:
Rupiah must be used in every transaction that has the purpose of payment, in the settlement of other obligations that must be fulfilled with money, and in other financial transactions carried out in the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Article 33 sets a penalty of up to one year of detention and a fine of up to Rp200 million for not using rupiah in those transactions. Some hotels and tour operators still quote prices in dollars, but the payment itself should be in rupiah.
How Do You Spot a Licensed Money Changer?
Bank Indonesia's Bali office counted 601 licensed money changer offices on the island in 2025, most of them in Badung, Gianyar and Denpasar, and unlicensed ones still operate. A licensed changer holds an official Bank Indonesia certificate, trades under a clear company name registered with Bank Indonesia, and displays the licensed KUPVA BB logo with a QR code. If you cannot see those, walk on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency is used in Bali?
The Indonesian rupiah (IDR). By law it is the currency for payments throughout Indonesia, including Bali, even where a hotel or tour quotes a price in dollars.
Can I pay in US dollars in Bali?
Not legally. Law No. 7 of 2011 requires payments in Indonesia to be made in rupiah. Some hotels and tour operators quote in dollars, but you should pay in rupiah.
Are ATMs safe to use in Bali?
Bank-branded ATMs attached to a branch are generally safe and offer a fair rate. Standalone tourist ATMs in high-traffic areas are more likely to charge inflated fees.
Should I exchange money before I arrive in Bali?
It is rarely necessary. ATMs at the airport and across Bali dispense rupiah, so a card that works overseas is enough to get started.
What is dynamic currency conversion and why should I avoid it?
It is the option to be charged in your home currency instead of rupiah at an ATM or card terminal. It usually applies a worse exchange rate than declining it.
Sort the Rest of the Money Side of Your Trip
With cash and cards sorted, the next practical step is where you are staying and how you are getting around, both easier to budget for once you know what things actually cost in rupiah.
Where To Stay?
Budget sorted, now lock in your stay. Compare hotels and villas across Bali and confirm your first night before the rupiah maths gets confusing later.
Things To Do
Know what things cost before you book them. Browse tours, temple visits and day trips across Bali so your budget matches the plans you make.
Rent A Car
Getting around costs add up fast in rupiah. Compare car hire across Bali, check licence rules, and budget transport before you land at the airport.
Sources: Law No. 7 of 2011 on Currency | Bank Indonesia, rupiah banknotes | Licensed money changers in Bali, BI Bali, reported March 2026 | Xe (mid-market rates, October 2026).
Last verified: 24 October 2026
