How to plan a trip to Indonesia

Comprising 17,000+ islands, Indonesia is a dream destination for many kinds of travelers, with its extraordinary landscapes encompassing majestic mountains, tropical rainforests and out-of-this-world-beautiful beaches. Add to that a bounty of ancient temples, incredible food, and opportunities for adventure, and it’s clear why organizing trips to this magical nation can take some effort, which is where this guide to how to plan a trip to Indonesia will come in handy.

How to plan a trip to Indonesia: Step 1 — set parameters

When’s the best time to visit Indonesia? 

When deciding when to go to Indonesia, on balance, the best time to visit is in May, June and September. 

And the reasons? These are shoulder-season months of the dry season, which means minimal rainfall and smaller crowds than you’ll see in the peak tourist season that falls between June and August.

You’ll find the smallest crowds and lowest costs through the October-May wet season, with rain at its heaviest in December and January. As a result, this is not a good time to visit if you plan to explore rainforests and mountains.

Come the May to October dry season, the weather is hot, sunny and (unsurprisingly!) dry. While these conditions are ideal for beach breaks, hiking and cultural exploration alike, come prepared for hiked costs and bigger crowds in tourist hot-spots.

How many days are enough in Indonesia?

Truthfully? However long you’ve got, it won’t feel like enough. With over 17,000 islands and everything from volcano hikes and reef dives to temple visits and jungle treks, Indonesia is vast — and varied.

That said, with smart planning, a 10–14 day trip can still deliver a solid taste of the best places to visit in Indonesia. Stick to 2–3 regions to avoid burning time on long transfers. For example, you could spend 10 days combining Bali, Java, and Komodo National Park — a good balance of culture, nature, and adventure.

Focus is key. It’s tempting to do it all, but Indonesia rewards travelers who take their time.

How much does a trip to Indonesia cost? 

Budget: staying in hostels with dorm beds, eating street food and dining at warungs (local eateries), using public transport and opting for self-guided tours and free attractions will csot around $800 for two weeks. 

Mid-range: staying in mid-range hotels or private guesthouses, dining in a mix of local restaurants and occasional upscale venues, mixing public transport with occasional private transfers, and taking a few guided tours will cost $1500–$2500 for two weeks. 

Luxury: staying in high-end hotels or resorts, dining in upscale restaurants, using private drivers and enjoying the likes of exclusive tours and spa treatments will cost $2500+ for two weeks.

Do I need a visa?

In short, yes. You can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) on entry. This permits a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days. There’s a fee of IDR 500,000 (approximately $35).

Alternatively, an Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) can be applied for online prior to travel, facilitating a smoother entry process. 

Also check your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Indonesia, and immigration officials may require evidence of a return or onward ticket.

Also note that all international travelers must complete an electronic self-declaration form called SATUSEHAT Health Pass prior to departure to avoid delays upon arrival. 

Step 2: Make your wish-list

Factors to consider while creating your wish-list:

• Best overall islands in Indonesia
• Best places for nature and wildlife
• Best places for adventure
• Best places to dive in Indonesia
• What are the top cultural attractions in Indonesia?

Best overall islands in Indonesia

Handily, we have a whole feature devoted to defining the best Indonesian islands for different types of experiences. 

Here we present an overview of some of the best all-round-special islands to set you off on your wish-list journey.

Bali

Boasting beautiful beaches and mountains, vibrant nightlife, and tonnes of temples and festivals, it’s clear why Bali has long been rated so highly by tourists and travelers. It's also a fabulous place for cultural attractions — more on that later. 

Also packed with alternative things to do, and ways to get off the tourist-trail, Bali is also a wonderful place to travel with kids for an unforgettable family vacation.

Lombok

Gili Islands, Lombok

The trio of tiny Gili Islands epitomise tropical paradise vibes — idyllic beaches, azure waters, magnificent marine-life, and laidback island life.

As revealed in our feature on which Gili Island is the best, they also have their differences, with Gili Meno offering the ultimate away-from-it-all experience. 

Best places for nature and wildlife

If wildlife’s your passion, you’ll want to check out these incredible Indonesian destinations — they variously offer opportunities to see kimono dragons, orangutans, Sumatran elephants, tigers and rhinos.

Komodo National Park, Flores

Komodo is of course, famous for its iconic Komodo dragons.

 If that wasn’t reason enough to visit, Komodo National Park — which lies in the strait between Sumbawa and Flores — it also boasts pretty pink sand beaches, and its waters play host to manta rays, turtles and sharks aplenty.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan

Located in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s share of Borneo, Tanjung Puting National Park is among the best places to see orangutans in Borneo, and the whole world, for that matter.

Jungle river cruises also offer opportunities to see proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and gibbons.

Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra

Home to critically endangered Sumatran rhinos and elephants, Sumatra’s Way Kambas National Park serves exhilerating safari-style adventures and jungle treks.

Ujung Kulon National Park, Java

The last refuge of the Javan rhino — one of the rarest mammals on Earth — Ujung Kulon National Park covers an epic landscape of thick tropical forest, volcanic terrain and incredible beaches.

Best places for adventure in Indonesia

Indonesia is a veritable playground for thrill-seeking travelers. Here are some of the best places to get your adventure on in Indonesia. 

Spoiler alert: Java ranks very high on the adventure front.

• Mount Bromo, Java: enjoy a sunrise trek to the crater with otherworldly landscapes and take jeep safaris through the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
• Ijen Crater, Java: go on a night hike to see bright blue flames of Ijen’s sulfur mines.
• Green Canyon, West Java: canyoning, body rafting, jungle trekking, and river tubing.
• Mount Rinjani, Lombok: go on a challenging multi-day trek to one of Indonesia’s highest peaks.
• Lake Toba, Sumatra: hike the world’s largest volcanic lake and kayaking.
• Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, Bali: cliff jump, snorkel with manta rays and enjoy epic treks.

Best places to dive in Indonesia

Here are a few of the best places that showcase Indonesia’s underwater wonders.

• Raja Ampat, West Papua: put simply, this is one of the best diving destinations in the world.
• Bunaken, Sulawesi: this marine park showcases with spectacular coral walls.
• Wakatobi, Sulawesi: a remote diving paradise with world-class reefs.
• Nusa Penida, Bali: famous for its manta ray residents.

What are the top cultural attractions in Indonesia?

With its history, heritage and contemporary culture woven from multiple ethnic groups, Indonesia offers visitors a richness of cultural attractions and experiences. Here are some highlights. 

Ubud, Bali

Known as Bali's cultural heart, Ubud is a handsome hub for traditional crafts, dance and music, with its Ubud Palace a top attraction.

Beyond Ubud — and beyond its beaches  — Bali as a whole is steeped in culture, and Hindu traditions. So, keep an eye out for festivals and traditional dance performances wherever you are on the islands, with temples like Tanah Lot and Uluwatu hosting daily ceremonies. 

Yogyakarta, Central Java

Indonesia's most populous island, Java’s rich history is evident all over the island, with Yogyakarta held in regard as its cultural capital.

A center for classical Javanese fine arts and culture, the city is home to the Sultan's Palace (Kraton) and many traditional batik workshops.

It also serves as a gateway to Borobudur Temple (the world's largest Buddhist temple) and Prambanan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of towering spires and reliefs depicting tales from the Ramayana epic. 

Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Renowned for its unique funeral rites and traditional houses with boat-shaped roofs (tongkonan), Tana Toraja invites visitors to experience indigenous Indonesian culture. 

How to get to Indonesia

Several airlines operate routes from the U.S. to Indonesia, often with layovers in their respective hubs. 

For example, Qatar Airways flights involve a layover in Doha, Turkish Airlines flights involve a layover in Istanbul, and Etihad Airways flights layover in Abu Dhabi.

While total travel time will vary, depending on your departure city and layover duration, it usually ends up being 20-30 hours.

Common arrival points are Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta and Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali.

From the UK, flights primarily depart from London Heathrow and London Gatwick (LGW), with layovers similar to those outlined for flights from the US.

From the UK, you’re looking at a travel time of 17-20 hours.

How to get to your chosen Indonesian island after arriving

After landing at a major international airport such as Jakarta or Bali, you can reach islands using domestic flights, ferries, speedboats or land transport, in some cases.

Domestic flights

Many of Indonesia’s most popular islands have airports, making domestic flights the quickest and most convenient way to travel. Here’s an overview of key domestic flights:

• Jakarta (CGK) → Bali (DPS) – 1h 50m
• Jakarta (CGK) → Lombok (LOP) – 2h 10m
• Jakarta (CGK) → Komodo/Flores (LBJ) – 2h 30m
• Bali (DPS) → Labuan Bajo (LBJ, Komodo) – 1h
• Bali (DPS) → Lombok (LOP) – 30m
• Surabaya (SUB) → Banjarmasin (Borneo, BDJ) – 1h 15m

These should be booked early, especially if you’re traveling June-August.

Ferries and speedboats 

Indonesia has an extensive ferry network connecting major islands, with speedboats often used for shorter trips to smaller islands.

Here are examples of some notable routes

Public ferries — slow but cheap

Jakarta → Bangka / Belitung – 24 hours

Surabaya → Makassar (Sulawesi) – 24 hours

Bali (Padang Bai) → Lombok (Lembar) – 4-5 hours

Speedboats and fast ferries

Bali (Sanur) → Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan – 30-45 min

Bali (Padang Bai) → Gili Islands/Lombok – 1.5-2 hours

Lombok → Gili Islands – 15-30 min

Labuan Bajo → Komodo National Park – 1.5-2 hours

Private boats and liveaboards

For remote or adventure-focused travel, you could charter a private boat, or join a liveaboard.

By land

For islands connected by bridges, or close by, road travel combined with short ferry rides is a practical possibility.

Jakarta → Sumatra: buses take ferries across the Sunda Strait.
Bali → Lombok: travel by bus and ferry via Padang Bai.
Java → Bali: use overland bus plus ferry.

Where to stay in Indonesia

When it comes to accommodation in Indonesia, you can take your pick from countless affordable options, no matter which islands you decide to visit, though expect costs to be higher from mid-June through August, and in December and January. 

Accommodation in the best Gili Islands hotels also tend to be pricier than other destinations, though if you start looking — and booking — early they don’t have to break the bank.

To get you started, browse the best accommodation on Gili Trawangan, the most developed of the three Gilis.

Heading to Bali? Wise up with our guide to where to stay in Bali. If you want to be close to epic surf and an epic temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), look to stay in Uluwatu.

Coming to Bali for culture? You’ll want to check out accommodation in Central Ubud.

Meanwhile, accommodation in Lombok covers everything from private villas and very affordable, beautiful resorts, to homestays.

Diving: pre-book liveaboard cruises and dives in areas like Komodo, Raja Ampat, Bali and Lombok

Hiking and trekking: pre-arrange guided treks to Mount Rinjani (Lombok) and Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater (Java).

Wildlife tours: pre-book orangutan tours in Kalimantan and Sumatra, and seeing Komodo dragons on Komodo Island.

Should I bring cash?

In a word — yes. Cash remains the dominant payment method in Indonesia, especially in rural areas, local markets and with street vendors. It's also advisable to carry Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) in small denominations.

While ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, be aware of potential withdrawal fees and limits.

When it comes to cards, while credit and debit cards are commonly accepted in larger hotels in urban centers and popular tourist destinations (American Express less so), note that many businesses apply a surcharge, often around 3%, for card transactions. 

You’ll also need sun protection gear — a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen to protect against strong UV rays. Insect repellent is also advised, especially in forested or rural areas.

Note that Indonesia uses Type C and F sockets, so bring a universal adapter to ensure compatibility.