Indonesia is the kind of dream you’ve probably carried in your head for years – rice terraces, temples hidden in the jungle, surfers beneath the cliffs and warm sea you can jump straight into from your bungalow. But then comes the practical part: how much it all costs, when it’s actually worth flying out here, and whether to book a package or skip it and go it alone. The two of us have wrestled with these very questions too, so we know they’re exactly what decides whether you end up with the holiday of a lifetime or a needlessly overpriced headache.
This page is our hub, and you’ll find three things here: up-to-date package and flight prices that we refresh every morning, our tips drawn from our own trips and articles, written so you can use them right away, and a clear plan of when and what to book so you don’t overpay for nothing. Nothing more, nothing less – so your planning is quick and fluff-free. ☺️
What to see and do in Indonesia
Indonesia is huge (more than 17,000 islands), but for most of us it begins and ends on Bali. And that’s no accident: on one small stretch of the island you’ll find temples, volcanoes, rice terraces and the prettiest beaches. We’ve put together our complete overview in the article Indonesia, Bali: 57 tips on what to see, but here are the spots we wouldn’t skip.
- Ubud – the spiritual heart of Bali, with rice terraces, the Monkey Forest and temples. The ideal base for exploring the interior.
- Uluwatu in the south – dramatic cliffs, a temple perched above the sea and the best surf waves on the island.
- Canggu – cafés, beach clubs and a digital-nomad community; the liveliest part of Bali.
- Nusa Penida – a wild island with the Kelingking cliff, reached by boat trip for the most photogenic views in Indonesia.
- Volcanoes and sunrise – climbing a volcano and watching the panorama unfold above the clouds is one of those truly unforgettable experiences.
If you have 10 to 14 days for the trip, we’d suggest not staying put in one place and instead linking the north, south and interior. We spell out exactly how to do it in the article Bali road trip: the best 10–14 day itinerary.
When to visit Indonesia
Indonesia sits on the equator, so it’s warm all year round – what really matters is whether it rains. The dry season from April to October is the best time to travel: less rainfall, more pleasant humidity and ideal conditions for excursions and diving. The most settled weather tends to be in July and August, though that’s also peak season, with higher prices and busier beaches.
The rainy season runs roughly from November to March. That doesn’t mean you can’t go – the rain usually comes as short afternoon showers and the rest of the day is sunny. On top of that, everything is greener and cheaper. Just be ready for higher humidity and the occasional muddy track in the mountains.
Our tip: the best balance of weather, prices and peace and quiet comes in April to June and September to October – the shoulder months of the dry season. That’s when you get dry weather without the crowds, and often better flight prices too.
Indonesia is all about experiences you won’t forget. Here’s our pick of the things we’d recommend to everyone – from adrenaline to peace and quiet in the heart of nature.
- Climbing a volcano for sunrise – the early start is worth it; the panorama above the clouds is one of the highlights of the trip.
- A boat trip to Nusa Penida for the Kelingking cliff and snorkelling with manta rays.
- A walk through the rice terraces near Ubud and a visit to the jungle temples.
- Surfing or watching the surfers in Uluwatu at sunset by the clifftop temple.
- Cafés and beach clubs in Canggu – the perfect day to relax between excursions.
- A road trip around the island following our 10–14 day itinerary – the best of Bali in one go.
How to get to Indonesia
Flying from the Czech Republic to Indonesia always means a connection – there’s no direct route. The most common transfer is at one big hub (Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Singapore, for example) and the total journey time runs to around 16 to 20 hours, including the layover. You can fly from Prague, or from nearby airports such as Vienna or Munich, where fares are sometimes better.
The main gateway for tourists is the international airport on Bali (Denpasar, DPS), where most flights land. Travel between the islands is then by domestic flights or ferries – to reach Nusa Penida, for instance, you take a fast boat from Sanur harbour. Once you arrive, sort out your visa: most travellers use a Visa on Arrival, which you can arrange at the airport or online in advance.
Renting a car
On Bali, a regular car only pays off in special cases. For getting around towns and over shorter distances, the most practical choice is a scooter or a driver for the day (a taxi driver with a car works out surprisingly cheap and spares you the stress of the traffic). A car makes sense when you’re travelling in a bigger group or with kids and want to cross the island in comfort and air conditioning – typically on a road trip.
- Book ahead through a rental comparison site – it’s usually cheaper and more reliable than sorting out a car once you’re there.
- Watch the insurance and deposit – always check the cover and what’s included, so you’re not caught out by fees on the spot.
- They drive on the left and the traffic style is chaotic – if you’re not confident, it’s better to hire a driver.
- Factor in ferries between islands and limited parking at the attractions.
Where to stay in Indonesia
Accommodation is one of those things in Indonesia where you get incredible value for money – for the price of an ordinary hotel in Europe, you’ll stay in a villa with your own pool. Which area you choose depends on what you want from the trip. You’ll find our pick of specific places in the article 10 tips for the best hotels and resorts on Bali.
- Ubud – for peace, nature, yoga and romance amid the rice fields.
- Canggu – for younger travellers, nomads and lovers of cafés and nightlife.
- Uluwatu and the south – for surfers, luxury resorts and dramatic clifftops above the ocean.
- Seminyak and Sanur – the comfortable classics for families and anyone who wants to be close to the airport and the beaches.
Our practical tip: book your first 2–3 nights in advance (after a long flight you’ll appreciate the certainty) and sort out the rest as the mood takes you once you’re there, as long as you’re not travelling in peak season. In July and August, on the other hand, we’d recommend having everything booked ahead.
Package tour or independent travel?
A package pays off when:
- you’re flying this far for the first time and want flights, transfers and hotel sorted in one go;
- you don’t fancy spending hours planning and keeping track of bookings;
- you’re going for a shorter time and want the reassurance that everything will run smoothly;
- you’re travelling with parents or children and will appreciate assistance and support.
Go it alone when:
- you want to set your own pace and change plans on the fly;
- you enjoy hunting down accommodation and spots off the package-tour trail;
- you have more time (ideally 2 weeks or more) and want to cover more ground;
- you want to save money and put the trip together your own way.
For the two of us personally, Indonesia works best on our own – the infrastructure is great, you can get by in English and you can arrange everything from your phone. But if you’re flying out for the first time and want peace of mind, a package is perfectly fine and will save you the hassle. It mostly comes down to how much time you have and how much you enjoy planning.
Budget: daily costs in Indonesia
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 137 900 Rp–275 900 Rp | 103 400 Rp–206 900 Rp | 103 400 Rp–241 400 Rp | approx. 344 800 Rp–724 100 Rp |
| Standard | 482 800 Rp–1 034 500 Rp | 206 900 Rp–413 800 Rp | 206 900 Rp–482 800 Rp | approx. 896 600 Rp–1 931 000 Rp |
| Comfort | 1 724 100 Rp and up | 482 800 Rp–1 034 500 Rp | 551 700 Rp–1 379 300 Rp | approx. 2 758 600 Rp and up |
These prices are a rough guide, calculated per person per day excluding flights. Indonesia is generally a cheap destination — the biggest single cost tends to be the flight from Europe, while on the ground you’ll spend surprisingly little, as long as you don’t stick solely to Western restaurants and luxury resorts.
How to save when planning
- Buy your flights 2–4 months ahead. With long-haul flights the biggest savings come from booking early; last minute usually makes them more expensive here. “Search for flights in our finder.”
- Avoid July and August if you can – the shoulder months of the dry season (April–June, September–October) are cheaper and quieter.
- Handle accommodation smartly: book the first nights in advance and the rest as the mood takes you (outside peak season). Our accommodation tips will make the choice easier.
- Activities and excursions like the boat to Nusa Penida or the volcano climb are worth arranging ahead – popular slots fill up. Take a look at what to book early.
- If you’re weighing up a package deal, keep an eye on the current packages – sometimes it works out better than piecing the trip together yourself.
Practical information
- Language: the official language is Indonesian, but in tourist areas you’ll get by in English without any trouble.
- Payments: you can pay by card in hotels and larger establishments, but at markets, in warungs and for transport you’ll need cash (rupiah, IDR). Withdraw from ATMs, but watch out for fees.
- Connectivity: the easiest option is an eSIM, which you activate before departure so you have data the moment you land. Wi-Fi is standard in cafés and accommodation.
- Safety: Bali is calm and welcoming to tourists. The biggest risk, ironically, is scooters and traffic – ride carefully and always with a helmet.
- Health: drink bottled water, carry a basic first-aid kit and don’t underestimate travel insurance – medical treatment for tourists is usually paid for out of pocket.
