Currency in Bali
The official currency in Bali (and all of Indonesia) is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). In this article, we've put together everything you need to know about the the Indonesian Rupiah and share some tips on how to get the best deal on your conversion from NZD to IDR.
Before you head to Bali, learn about:
- What Indonesian notes and coins look like
- Can you use New Zealand Dollars in Bali?
- How to buy Indonesian Rupiah before your trip
- How to buy currency when you get to Bali
What Indonesian notes and coins look like
Notes
Indonesian Rupiah notes are very different to our currency in New Zealand. They are made up of:
Rp2,000, Rp5,000, Rp10,000, Rp20,000, Rp50,000, Rp100,000.
Coins
There are quite a few coins in Indonesian currency. The coins in circulation in Indonesia are:
Rp50, Rp 100, Rp200, Rp500, Rp1,000.
Can you use New Zealand Dollars in Bali?
No, you can't.
While we travel to Bali and Indonesia very frequently, you cannot use New Zealand dollars in Bali. Just like you can't use Indonesian Rupiah here! The rest of this article has some information about how you can convert currency for your holiday.
You can find out the exchange rate between the NZD and IDR with our currency converter, here.
Is it Cheaper to Convert Currency in New Zealand or Bali?
Because exchange rates change so frequently, and every provider offers different rates it's hard to say the cheapest way and place to exchange currency.
Having said that, because Bali sees so many New Zealand tourists every year it is one instance where it is often better to exchange your currency when you get to Bali. The rates for IDR are notoriously bad in New Zealand, no matter where you go. And in popular areas in Bali like Ubud, Seminyak, and Kuta you will probably find they're much better.
Both in New Zealand and in Bali, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. On both ends, the rates will be much worse than in the city centres.
To find the best place to buy IDR, you can read our guide here.
How to buy Indonesian Rupiah before your trip
Online
This is a convenient way to buy currency but you need some time. You can choose where to pick the order up from, and in some instances can get home delivery. When you order with Travelex, you can choose to order cash, a prepaid Travelex Money Card or both!
Use code CURRENCYSHOP to get a better IDR rate with Travelex.
Money Changers
This is the best way to get currency quickly. You will find them in major shopping centres and towns. Our tip, is that the exchange rates are better in your city than what you'd find further out. So it can be worth going there if you're exchanging more than $2,000.
Find the best currency exchange in your states CBD here.
Bank
Most banks do exchange currency. The issue is that they often have high fees, and don't offer very good rates. It's always better to compare rates elsewhere before deciding, but as a standard rule it's best to avoid your bank. Especially for a popular currency like IDR.
Airport
Yes, you can buy currency at the airport. But that doesn't mean you should. While it's convenient, it's also very expensive. If you have run out of time before your trip, it's definitely better to buy currency when you get to Bali, or use your Kiwi debit card instead.
How to buy Indonesian Rupiah in Bali
If you decide to buy your currency when you get to Bali, the first thing you'll need to do is make sure you have New Zealand dollars in cash. This way you can exchange it when you get there.
Similar to in doing it in New Zealand, it's best to avoid buying currency at the airport and the bank, and better to do it in one of the major city centres.
There are many money exchange booths you will find in the streets of popular areas. Just make sure you carefully count what they give you.
