It seems like one of those internet myths to be able to travel in Indonesia on $10 a day. When I originally began organising a low-cost backpacking trip through Indonesia, I had the same question. In light of growing costs, popular tourist destinations like Bali, and everyday expenses, I honestly questioned if this figure was still achievable or only a backpacker’s fantasy.
In this guide, I will explain what $10 a day actually looks like in Indonesia, where it might be feasible and where it won’t, and whether it is worth trying to travel this cheaply for backpackers these days.
I traveled to Indonesia in June & July 2025 from Sri Lanka to Jakarta by Sri Lankan Airlines. The flight cost I got was around $200 for Colombo to Jakarta one-way. I chose “Asian Vegetarian Meal” that was very delicious & a window seat was pre-selected.
What “$10 a Day” Really Means in Indonesia
Table of Contents
- 1 What “$10 a Day” Really Means in Indonesia
- 2 Accommodation Under $5: Where You Can (and Can’t)
- 3 Eating Local: Daily Food Costs on a Tight Budget
- 4 Getting Around Indonesia for Almost Nothing
- 5 Cities vs Rural Areas: Where $10 a Day Works
- 6 Hidden Costs Backpackers Forget
- 7 More Realistic Daily Budgets ($15–$25)
- 8 Final Verdict: Should You Try Indonesia on $10 a Day?
IDR is a currency used in Indonesia, which stands for Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The rate is $1 is equal to 16,700 IDR ($1 = 16,700 IDR), and $10 means it ais round 160,000 – 170,000 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), depending on the exchange rate.
Backpackers can live in $10 per day in some of the Indonesian areas, not a bustling city like Jakarta or Bali. But a backpacker who travels on a tight budget can live on a $10 per day.
Accommodation Under $5: Where You Can (and Can’t)
Yes, you can find lodging in Indonesia for less than $5, mostly in low-cost hostels, homestays, or simple guest houses in backpacker hotspots like Kuta (Lombok), Senggigi, Yogyakarta, and Ubud (Bali). However, expect very basic amenities (shared baths, basic rooms); prices can be lowered by making reservations in advance or negotiating directly; nicer spots cost more than $10, especially on well-known islands like Bali, and are less common in major cities like Jakarta.
Eating Local: Daily Food Costs on a Tight Budget
In Indonesia, everything is fried; they usually eat more meat than vegetables. Usually, I make breakfast for myself in hotels, hostels, and homestays. I bring bread, eggs for omelette, and make tea or coffee with it.
In the evenings, I usually head to a local food street and grab fried rice from a small street cart. I always ask the vendor to customize it for me — just vegetables, no egg, no chicken — and the portion is surprisingly filling. It’s simple, cheap, freshly cooked, and enough to keep me going without breaking my daily budget. It usually costs me around 13,000 IDR, which fits perfectly into a tight daily budget. If you add egg or chicken, the price goes up to around 20,000 IDR, which is still affordable but makes a big difference when you’re trying to stick to $10 a day.
Getting Around Indonesia for Almost Nothing
For those on a very tight budget, buses and trains in Indonesia can seem pricey for long-distance travel, and they can take a lot longer than anticipated. In particular, buses stop frequently in practically every town and city along the route, which significantly slows down traffic.
For instance, it took me about four hours to take the bus from Jakarta to Bandung, a distance of about 150 kilometres, and it cost me 100,000 IDR ($6). It does not always make sense to spend money and a full day on transportation when you are attempting to keep everyday expenses minimal. Because of this, relaxed travel—spending more time in one location rather than moving around a lot—becomes the most economical and stress-free choice.
To keep costs as low as possible, I hitchhiked most of the way from Jakarta to Bali, catching rides in pickups, trucks, and even trailers. People were surprisingly friendly, and getting a lift was easier than I expected. Hitchhiking helped me save a lot of money, but the only part I had to pay for was the ferry from Java to Bali, which cost me 10,000 IDR ($0.60). It’s a simple crossing that connects the two islands and makes hitchhiking across Java into Bali possible, even on a very tight budget.
Ferry runs every time & it costs 10,000 IDR ($0.60). It takes one hour travel time.
Cities vs Rural Areas: Where $10 a Day Works
I travel usually on a tight budget backpacking trip, so I always make sure my budget does not excced from $10 per day. In cities like Bali or Jakarta, even a cheap dorm bed and a few rides can wipe out most of your budget before lunch.
| Expenses | Major Cities (Bali, Jakarta) | Rural Areas & Small Towns |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $7–$12 (hostels / budget rooms) | $3–$6 (homestays/ guesthouses) |
| Food | $5–$8 (cafes, tourist areas) | $2–$4 (local warungs) |
| Transport | $2–$5 (rides, buses) | $0–$2 (walking, shared transport) |
| Attractions | $5–$15 (temples, tours) | $0–$3 (nature, villages) |
| Total per Day | $19–$40+ | $7–$12 |
Hidden Costs Backpackers Forget
Many backpackers overlook minor everyday expenses when attempting to tour Indonesia on a $10 per day budget, which rapidly raises overall expenses. These unforeseen costs can easily ruin an extremely tight budget and are frequently unavoidable.
- SIM card and mobile data packages
- Bottled drinking water (daily purchase)
- Laundry services for clothes
- Scooter fuel, parking, or helmet rental
- Entrance fees to temples, waterfalls, and beaches
- ATM withdrawal fees and poor exchange rates
- Occasional long-distance transport or boat crossings
- Tips, small donations, and tourist taxes
Even spending just $1–$3 extra per day on these items can push a $10 daily budget closer to $15, especially in tourist areas.
More Realistic Daily Budgets ($15–$25)
A daily budget of $15–$25 is significantly more practical and comfortable for the majority of backpackers in Indonesia than attempting to make ends meet on $10.
This budget enables tourists to pay for basic attractions, consume local cuisine without stress, utilise public transport or scooters on occasion, and stay in respectable hostels or homestays. Backpackers can explore Indonesia without continuously worrying about every expense while keeping prices low for $15 to $25 per day.
What a $15–$25 daily budget in Indonesia typically includes:
- $5–$10 for hostel dorms or budget homestays
- $4–$7 for local meals at warungs
- $2–$4 for transport and scooter fuel
- $2–$5 for attractions, water, and small extras
This budget works well in most Indonesian cities and tourist areas, including Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok, and parts of Java.
Final Verdict: Should You Try Indonesia on $10 a Day?
Traveling in Indonesia on $10/day is only possible with slow travel, shared dorms, local food, no tours, and rural areas. Bali & tourist hotspots need more.
If you stick to local cuisine (warungs), stay in inexpensive hostels or guesthouses ($3–$10/night), take local transportation (buses, trains, ferries), and avoid tourist traps, Indonesia is indeed affordable for budget backpackers on $10 per day. However, it is tight and requires discipline, especially in more expensive areas like Bali; more realistically, budget travellers typically spend $20–$35 per day for more comfort.
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