Jakarta Travel Money Guide

Jakarta is a sprawling megacity where the malls run on cards and e-wallets and the streets run on cash — and where everything runs around the traffic. Get an app-ride habit and a cash float and you're set.

How much cash to bring to Jakarta

A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:

• Food — Rp120,000–350,000/day (kaki lima street stalls are cheap; mall dining costs more)
• Getting around — Rp50,000–150,000/day on Grab/Gojek, the MRT and TransJakarta
• Sights & nightlife — Rp100,000–300,000/day (museums, rooftop bars, Kota Tua)

Paying your way around Jakarta

• Grab and Gojek beat the traffic — bikes for speed, cars for comfort; both are cheap and cashless in-app and save you from Jakarta's legendary jams.
• The MRT and TransJakarta are cheap — handy along their routes; tap a transit card or pay a small fare.
• Malls take cards — Jakarta's mall culture is huge, and chains, cafés and restaurants there are card- and e-wallet-friendly.
• Cash for the street — kaki lima carts, warungs, markets and parking are cash.

Neighbourhood cash notes

• Sudirman / SCBD — gleaming malls and offices; cards and e-wallets everywhere.
• Kota Tua (Old Town) — street snacks, becak and buskers are cash.
• Glodok / markets — traditional markets are firmly cash.
• Blok M & street food — the famous food streets run on rupiah.

One Jakarta habit

• Ride the apps, carry cash for the street — let Grab and Gojek handle the traffic, keep small notes for kaki lima and markets, and a little tip is appreciated.