Time Difference
Indonesia is a sprawling nation, spanning over three time zones with the Western zone seven hours ahead of GMT; Central zone eight hours ahead and Eastern zone nine hours ahead. As Indonesia doesn't follow daylight saving, this means that in the summertime, the difference of hours between them and GMT decreases - for example, when it's 12pm in the UK, it is 7pm in the Java zone in the winter, but only 6pm in the summer.
Money in Indonesia
The national currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah (Rp), with notes available in denominations of 2000Rp, 5000Rp, 10,000Rp, 20,000Rp, 50,000Rp and 100,000Rp. There are also coins of 50Rp, 100Rp, 200Rp, 500Rp and 1000Rp in circulation. US dollars and sterling are widely accepted, particularly in touristy areas such as Bali and Jakarta. That said, for smaller transactions it's best to have smaller bills under the value of 20,000Rp in Indonesian currency to make it easier to get the correct amount of change back. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in middling to higher end hotels, restaurants and shops - although, some may impose a 3% surcharge for payment with a card. We would recommend informing your bank of your travel plans, as the first time that your card is used in Indonesia, your bank may presume that it is fraud. More information can be found on the website of your bank. ATMs are widely accessible, however they are less common in remote or rural areas.
Electricity
The voltage widely used in the EU is 220 volts, and the two-pin plug types C and F are the norm. As a result, you will need an adapter if you want to use British appliances.
Local Amenities
Shops are usually open until 7pm, but malls can remain open until 10pm every day apart from Fridays when many shops will close early. Street markets spring into action around 7pm and keep running until after midnight. Banks are open from 8am to 3pm from Monday to Friday. During Ramadan, store opening hours may differ based on the location; you can always get the most up-to-date Indonesia travel advice from our advice team depending on when you plan to arrive.
Water
It's best to steer clear of tap water for drinking, brushing your teeth, washing food and making ice cubes for drinks. To be on the safe side, stick to bottled water.
Media
The Jakarta Post, an English-language daily newspaper, is easily accessible in Jakarta and Bali, where The Bali Post can also be found. Unfortunately, heightened tensions in West Papua mean that a multitude of broadcasting restrictions are in place. Despite this, television remains the most popular medium in Indonesia and remains competitive between major national commercial networks and TRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia). Radio, too, is widely popular, with a selection of channels available in many locations.
Post
Indonesia's postal service is trustworthy and quick. You can find stamps in any post office (open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm) and expect your mail to get to its European destination in ten days or less.
Phone
Calling Indonesia from the UK? Just dial 00 62 and the relevant area code. To get in touch with someone in the UK from Indonesia, simply enter 00 44 followed by the recipient's nine-digit number (minus the first 0). Be aware that roaming charges may apply when using a mobile phone in Indonesia - these can be expensive. Our advice is to buy a local SIM card as soon as you arrive. And if you ever need the emergency services in Bali, it's easy - just dial 112 (similar to 999 in the UK). Alternatively, for the police or local authorities, call 110.
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
