Where can I Get the Best Exchange Rates in Bali? Bali Currency Guide
If you plan a trip to Bali, you must sort out your travel wallet before you step off the plane. Whether you are wondering how much physical Bali travel cash to carry, looking for the best exchange rates, or trying to avoid common street scams, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Sydney to Bali
Brisbane to Bali
Melbourne to Bali
See all flights
What is the AUD to Bali Currency?
green rice field Via Unsplash (by Niklas Weiss)
The local currency used in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
The current mid-market exchange rate is approximately 1 AUD = 12,573 IDR.
Here is a quick conversion cheat sheet to help you gauge pricing for your trip:
AUD to IDR Quick Reference Table
Australian Dollar (AUD) | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) | Rough Local Value Equivalence |
$1 AUD | ~12,500 IDR | A small bottle of water or local snack. |
$5 AUD | ~63,000 IDR | A fresh coconut or a standard Bintang beer at a local warung. |
$10 AUD | ~125,500 IDR | A casual local meal (Nasi Goreng) with a drink. |
$20 AUD | ~251,500 IDR | A short massage at a local spa or a mid-range cafe lunch. |
$50 AUD | ~628,500 IDR | A nice dinner for two or a day-use scooter rental for a week. |
$100 AUD | ~1,257,000 IDR | A private day-driver tour or a night in a boutique hotel. |
Where can I Get the Best Exchange Rates in Bali?
island under white sky Via Unsplash (by Alfiano Sutianto)
When it comes to getting the most Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for your foreign currency, you have two primary options: withdrawing from local ATMs or visiting a physical money changer.
Best Place to Exchange Currency for Bali
Real-world traveler tests show that local ATMs generally offer the most competitive exchange rates in Bali, even after factoring in international transaction fees.
- ATM Case Study: Withdrawing 1,500,000 IDR from a BCA ATM using an international Visa card incurred a minor fee of roughly $1.96 AUD, yielding an optimal exchange rate of 1:2270.
- In contrast, the maximum rate available at top-tier physical authorized money changers during the same period capped out at 1:2200.
Tips for Using Physical Money Changers
If you prefer carrying physical cash to convert upon arrival, look for reputable, authorized currency exchange booths (such as BMC or Central Kuta).
- Target Rate: Look for authorized booths offering a rate higher than 1:2100.
- Red Flag: If the advertised rate is significantly lower or seems suspiciously high, walk away and compare other options.
See all attractions
141349 booked
How Much Cash Do You Really Need for a Bali Vacation?
black building on gray rock hill Via Unsplash (by Harry Kessell)
How much cash you need to bring to Bali depends entirely on your travel style and how much you have already pre-booked online (like your accommodation, flights, or major tours).
Because Bali is a cash-heavy destination for everyday transactions, having a solid cash strategy is essential. Here is a realistic budget breakdown, covering both mandatory arrival costs and daily spending tiers.
Mandatory Entry Costs (Paid at the Airport)
Before you even leave Denpasar Airport (DPS), there are two mandatory official fees you need to account for. You can pay these in cash or by card, but it is highly recommended to handle them online (e-VoA and the official Love Bali portal) before you fly to save time.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): 500,000 IDR (approx. $42 AUD) per person, valid for 30 days.
- Bali Tourist Levy: 150,000 IDR (approx. $13 AUD) per person.
- Total Entry Cost: 650,000 IDR (~$55 AUD) per person.
Daily Cash Spending Tiers
If your flights and hotels are already taken care of, your daily cash will mostly go toward meals, transport (Gojek/Grab), massage treatments, and shopping.
🟢 The Budget Backpacker: $30 to $55 AUD per day
- Who it’s for: Travelers staying in social hostels or fan-cooled guesthouses, renting a standard 110cc scooter, and eating primarily at local warungs (local family-run diners).
- Typical Costs: Local meals like Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng cost around 20,000 to 40,000 IDR ($2–$4 AUD). A daily scooter rental is roughly 80,000 IDR ($6.50 AUD).
🟡 The Mid-Range Traveler: $80 to $160 AUD per day
- Who it’s for: Couples and solo travelers staying in AC boutique hotels, eating smoothie bowls at Western-style cafés for breakfast, hitting a mix of local and casual international restaurants, and booking a few paid activities (like surf lessons or yoga classes).
- Typical Costs: Café meals or acai bowls cost 70,000 to 100,000 IDR ($6–$9 AUD), a 2-hour private surf lesson runs around $30–$40 AUD, and short Gojek car or motorbike rides cost $2–$5 AUD.
🔵 The Luxury Splurge: $250+ AUD per day
- Who it’s for: Travelers booking private pool villas or 5-star beachfront resorts, spending days at high-end beach clubs (like Potato Head or Savaya) with minimum spend requirements, indulging in premium spa rituals, and hiring private drivers.
- Typical Costs: A full-day private driver for hassle-free sightseeing runs about 600,000 to 800,000 IDR ($50–$65 AUD). A premium 2-to-3-hour resort spa package costs $70 to $150 AUD.
Bali Attractions Review
Nusa Lembongan
4.6/5
182 reviewsVery nice island.Recommend to visit manta Bay and manta point,it’s was interesting experience to see manta and turtles in the sea.
Ayung River Rafting Bali
4.5/5
117 reviewsIt's a fun activity, not too extreme, and I think it's even suitable for children aged 8-10. There's a stop along the way where you can have a beer or juice, and there's also a tame otter. :) The descent to the boats is okay, but your legs are a bit shaky afterwards. The climb up is less steep, so it's easy. After rafting, the food is delicious, and there's a lovely view of the rice fields and palm trees. Lockers are safe for storing things, even your phone, but you can also bring it and give it to the guide, who will put it in a dry bag. There's also a stop along the way with a small waterfall, where you can take photos. I recommend it; it's a lot of fun.
How to Avoid Money Changer Scams in Bali
Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table Via Unsplash (by Markus Winkler)
The Indonesian Rupiah carries a large number of zeros, which can easily confuse tourists during transactions. Protect your wallet by staying alert to these common pitfalls:
- Double-Check Your Change: It is not uncommon for cashiers to accidentally (or intentionally) hand back a 2,000 IDR note instead of a 20,000 IDR note.
- Count Cash Before Leaving the Desk: Some unauthorized money changers use "sleight of hand" tricks to secretly drop bills behind the counter during the counting process.
What Is the Currency Used in Bali?
The official currency used in Bali—and throughout the rest of Indonesia—is the Indonesian Rupiah.
- Currency Code: IDR
- Currency Symbol: Rp
Indonesian currency comes in a mix of colorful paper banknotes and metallic coins. Because the numbers on the bills are quite large, it takes a little getting used to for international travelers.
Banknotes in Circulation
Paper bills are the most common form of currency you will use daily. They come in the following denominations:
- Rp 1,000 (Yellow/Green)
- Rp 2,000 (Gray)
- Rp 5,000 (Tan/Brown)
- Rp 10,000 (Purple)
- Rp 20,000 (Green)
- Rp 50,000 (Blue)
- Rp 100,000 (Red)
Coins in Circulation
Coins are generally used for minor change at local convenience stores (like Indomaret or Alfa Mart) or for small parking fees. You will see them in:
- Rp 100, Rp 200, Rp 500, and Rp 1,000
How to Pay in Bali? Cash vs. Card vs. QRIS
person holding black and white electronic device Via Unsplash (by Towfiqu barbhuiya)
When traveling to Bali, using a combination of physical cash (Indonesian Rupiah) and a zero-foreign-fee debit/credit card is the absolute best payment strategy.
While Bali is rapidly modernizing its digital payment options, it remains a cash-heavy society for daily activities. Here is a breakdown of the best payment methods to use and when to use them.
Payment Method | Acceptance Level | Best Used For | Pros | Cons / Traps to Avoid |
Cash (Indonesian Rupiah - IDR) | Universal (100% required daily) | Local warungs (diners), street food, traditional markets, beach vendors, surf lessons, tips, temple entry fees, and parking. | Accepted everywhere; avoids credit card minimums and transaction surcharges. | Large number of zeros makes it easy to miscount; risk of street money-changer scams or physical theft. |
Travel Debit / Credit Card (Visa / Mastercard) | High (Main tourist hubs) | Beach clubs, Western-style cafés, high-end restaurants, hotels, dive shops, and supermarkets (Coco Mart / Bintang). | Secure; easy to track expenses; great for large transactions without carrying thick wads of cash. | Small shops often charge a 2%–3% processing surcharge or enforce a minimum spend threshold (e.g., 100k IDR). |
Ride-Hailing Apps (Gojek / Grab) | Very High (Island-wide transport/delivery) | Motorbike taxis (ojek), ride-hailing cars, and holiday food delivery straight to your villa. | Completely cashless; automatic fare billing; eliminates the hassle of drivers not having exact change. | Requires internet data; you must link your international card inside the app before booking. |
QRIS (Local Indonesian QR Code) | Ubiquitous (On almost every shop counter) | Boutique stores, trendier local stalls, and independent cafes. | Incredibly fast and convenient; zero physical contact or loose coins required. | Usually requires a local Indonesian digital wallet (like OVO or Dana), though some international digital banks are starting to support it. |
[10%OFF] Bali Hotel Recommendations
Bali Hotels
5 star
Very Good203 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|12.86km from downtown
The hotel is well-located. Since it’s an international hotel, I don’t have much comments on the overall welfare.
I stayed at the ocean suite and I can clearly see the sea view. The room is simple and clean. I give 3 stars to the service as I have experienced very nice service at other stays. I expected to experience better service as this is a 5-star hotel, so this is something that can be improved.
Other than that, all good!FromIDR 1,252,006
Great465 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|16.74km from downtown
This hotel is a true value king under the Marriott brand, offering consistent quality at a highly competitive price compared to other hotels. While it's not directly beachfront, the hotel provides a shuttle service to its private beach, complete with dedicated beach service.
It's conveniently located within walking distance of Nusa Dua's largest shopping mall, and just outside the hotel, you'll find a street filled with dining options, making meals incredibly easy.FromIDR 1,907,437
Great851 Reviews
Kuta Bali|9.2km from downtown
We booked a family room with one bed through Trip, and it was cheaper than the identical room with two beds, even though both room types were the same price on the hotel's website. I messaged the hotel support on WhatsApp asking to change the room type, and they changed it without any issues. Before check-in, they sent an email about the option for online check-in, allowing us to upload passport scans beforehand to avoid waiting at the reception. The check-in process was quick. Upon arrival, we immediately received our room cards and a complimentary welcome drink for everyone. The pool area is fantastic; the kids loved the slides, and we all participated in the contests organized by the animators. The location is perfect, situated between Beachwalk shopping mall and Waterbom Waterpark, with the beach just across the road. The breakfasts were good, with plenty of fruits and sweets. They even had milk porridge every other day, which my son happily ate. Housekeeping cleaned daily and replaced towels. The only downsides were the very narrow balconies, only suitable for drying clothes, and the difficulty in finding sun loungers, especially four together for the whole family. It felt like tourists from Korea and Australia would reserve loungers with their towels and belongings before breakfast and then not show up until after 11 AM.FromIDR 3,130,016
Great826 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|18.83km from downtown
The cliffside rooms offer great views. They're very spacious, clean, and feature a wet/dry bathroom separation, with each room having its own balcony. The hotel's toiletries are excellent, and they provide unlimited filtered drinking water daily. The hotel also organizes daily activities that guests can choose to join.
Facilities: There are many swimming pools with clean water. There's also a beach pool, a favorite for kids, and a small private beach – not ideal for swimming, but perfect for a quick dip.
Breakfast: It's decent, enough to fill you up.
Surroundings: There's a construction site nearby, but it's not noisy, just a slight obstruction to the view.
Transportation: It's quite far from the city center, so you'll need a taxi to get around. There are no convenience stores nearby.FromIDR 2,001,070
Great129 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|14.42km from downtown
On the very first day of our stay, my husband got severe food poisoning after breakfast. We couldn't pinpoint the exact food, but it might have been the eggs (omelet). The sea doesn't match the photos on the hotel's page; in reality, you can't really swim in it. In the bay, the water only reaches an adult's waist at most, even up to the buoys, and there's a lot of seaweed in the water. Anyone who dislikes algae at the bottom and in the water will be very uncomfortable. If you want to swim, you'll need to go to other beaches towards the southern part of the island. Otherwise, the hotel's infrastructure and staff are excellent, 5/5.FromIDR 1,704,120
Business travel
Good411 Reviews
Seminyak Bali|6.6km from downtown
The hotel is located in a quiet area with convenience stores nearby, which was very convenient. Room size was comfortable and cleanliness was acceptable. The only downside was the weak water pressure in the bathroom. Staff service was great and friendly throughout the stay. The swimming pool was definitely one of the highlights.FromIDR 205,993
Great422 Reviews
Sanur Bali|7.01km from downtown
The hotel is very conveniently located – close to the beach and a promenade. It's quite busy, but no one bothers anyone. In 5 minutes, you're in the city, with shops, a pharmacy, and currency exchange nearby. There are plenty of cafes to suit all tastes. The breakfast at the hotel is good enough. The hotel is no longer new, and they try to maintain it, BUT some of the power outlets didn't work, and some were broken. The room cleanliness upon check-in was about a 4 out of 5. The shower had no issues with water, the air conditioning worked, and the bed and mattress were fine. The room had good soundproofing. In the evenings, there were always some programs or performances. I didn't particularly enjoy the 'Balinese dinner' – everything was very spicy. I understand it's Asia, but they should consider guests' taste preferences. On the other hand, everything at breakfast was fine. Overall, despite some minor issues, I would recommend the hotel.FromIDR 1,158,373
Very Good349 Reviews
Kuta Bali|10.42km from downtown
Really nice hotel, excellent value. I was only there for 1 night, but wish it was longer. Great location nearby the airport and plenty around the local area.
Room was very spacious and well equipped.
The stand out was the food from the room service, which was very inexpensive, and was exceptional (pictured), would highly recommend.
Staff all polite and friendly.FromIDR 254,147
Very Good754 Reviews
Kuta Bali|9.39km from downtown
This hotel boasts a spacious property, and from the moment you step in, you're enveloped in a holiday atmosphere. It features a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and is surrounded by lush, vibrant greenery.
The room facilities are simple but complete, and the hygiene is excellent. Our room thoughtfully included an extra bed for the child, which was surprisingly comfortable. The hotel is relatively close to the airport, taking about 28 minutes during busy times. Overall, it offers great value for money in the Kuta area.FromIDR 671,482
Very Good449 Reviews
Seminyak Bali|6.77km from downtown
The staff were very friendly, helpful, and genuinely service-minded. They were also happy to recommend places and things to do around the area, which we really appreciated.
Unfortunately, there were several issues that significantly affected our stay. During the daytime, there was some burning happening around the nearby rice field, and the smell came directly into our room. It became uncomfortable enough that we had to leave the hotel for a few hours and only came back in the evening.
The biggest problem, however, was the air conditioning. In the middle of the night, the room became extremely cold even though we had not intended to make it that cold. We were surprised to find the air conditioner running at 17°C with the fan at maximum speed. We had to wake up several times to adjust the temperature, and because of this we could not sleep properly until early morning.
The Wi-Fi was also very poor. Once our phones connected to the hotel Wi-Fi, the internet was practically unusable, so we eventually had to disconnect and use our own roaming mobile data instead.
Overall, the staff and service were good, but the air conditioning and internet problems seriously affected the comfort of our stay. If these two issues were fixed, the experience would be much better.FromIDR 374,532
Breakfast
Great573 Reviews
Uluwatu Bali|19.37km from downtown
Pros: This hotel truly values its members, I was directly upgraded to an Executive Suite. Two butlers escorted me to my room, and they even remembered my name. The welcome fruit was also incredibly generous – you deserve all the success! I witnessed a breathtaking sunset that I'll remember for a lifetime. I highly recommend the pancakes and pork chop rice at the Clay Craft restaurant; they were absolutely delicious.
Cons: The water quality was poor; I used three filter cartridges in two nights. My hair became tangled after washing, and I had to pay for a treatment when I got home. Bottled water was sold for 40 (while it's only 3 at convenience stores outside) – that's highway robbery!FromIDR 3,009,631
Very Good390 Reviews
Ubud Bali|21.48km from downtown
This hotel is very beautiful. Hidden in the tropical rainforest surrounded by rice paddies. It’s a little bit further out from central Ubud but I rented a motorbike and parked i at the hotel.
The bath was great. The pool and restaurant was fantastic. The onsite Indian restaurant was phenomenal.FromIDR 1,409,845
Very Good592 Reviews
Jimbaran Bali|14.1km from downtown
The view from the pool is very beautiful. Overall, the hotel's location is good, but you have to leave the hotel either through a narrow street or some overgrown paths, which doesn't seem very safe. There's a large supermarket and a currency exchange about 10 minutes away. There are many warungs, but we're not big fans of them. The breakfast is so-so, but maybe we're just picky; for the price, it's quite good. The room is spacious, but there's a noise like a refrigerator motor running. Again, for the price of 3.5k per night with breakfast, it's a very spacious room with a comfortable bed, though the pillows aren't great.FromIDR 559,123
Amazing1194 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|19.15km from downtown
Fantastic! The ambiance, service, and food were all superb! Excellent value for money, 👍🏻 I'll definitely be back to experience it again. Much better value than Ayana, hahahaha 😂FromIDR 5,238,095
Very Good182 Reviews
Nusa Dua Bali|14km from downtown
A fantastic hotel on the eastern part of the island.
It is more suitable for a quiet family vacation and for those who prefer beach relaxation over surfing and parties. It is located quite far from the center of the island's main activity. The hotel has excellent infrastructure. The room was large, spacious, clean, and had everything needed. The breakfasts were excellent and very varied. The hotel staff is wonderful and very friendly. I would especially like to highlight the bartender Dede, who was very courteous and helped me repeatedly in planning my activities in Bali. The hotel has a private beach and various pools to suit any taste. I definitely recommend this wonderful hotel.FromIDR 1,800,428
FAQs about Bali Currency
-
How much is $100 AUD in Bali currency (IDR)?
-
What is the best currency to use in Bali?
-
How much is $1 AUD in Bali?
-
How far does $1 AUD go in Bali?
-
What is the Bali currency symbol?
-
Is it better to get Bali currency in Australia or in Bali?
Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
Trending Searches
-
Top Flight Routes
-
Latest Flight Deals
-
eSIM/SIM card