Bali's rice terraces and surf breaks, Java's Borobudur temple, Komodo dragons, and some of the best diving on Earth. Indonesia is 17,000 islands of extraordinary variety.
"Indonesia" for most UK travellers means Bali — a Hindu-majority island of 4 million people that punches far above its size. Rice terraces in Ubud, temples on clifftops, world-class surf in Uluwatu, yoga retreats, and beach clubs in Canggu and Seminyak.
But Indonesia is more than Bali. Java has Jakarta (vast, chaotic capital), Yogyakarta (cultural heart, Borobudur temple), Mount Bromo and Ijen volcanoes. Komodo National Park has the dragons and pink beaches. Sumatra has orangutans. Raja Ampat is arguably the best dive site on Earth.
Costs are low: Bali villas with pool from £50/night, nasi goreng for £2, massage for £8, a scooter for £4/day. Flights are the big expense — there are no direct flights from the UK to Bali, so expect 14–18 hours total with at least one stop.
No direct flights exist — all routes connect via a hub. Singapore, Dubai, Doha and Kuala Lumpur are the best options.
| Visa (UK passport) | Visa on arrival (VOA) required — IDR 500,000 (~£25) for 30 days, extendable once for another 30. Pay at airport in USD or IDR. Passport valid 6+ months from arrival. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, Rp). 1 GBP ≈ 20,000 IDR. Cash is king outside Bali's tourist areas. Use ATMs — Mandiri and BCA accept UK cards. |
| Time zone | WIB/WITA/WIT: Indonesia spans three time zones. Bali is WITA (UTC+8) — 7 hours ahead of UK (winter), 8 ahead (UK summer). |
| Language | Bahasa Indonesia. English widely spoken in Bali tourist areas. Very limited elsewhere. |
| Best months | May–September (dry season). Avoid December–February (monsoon, heavy afternoon rain). |
| Flight times from UK | Bali (DPS) 15–17h via 1 stop · Jakarta (CGK) 14–16h via 1 stop |
| Plug type | Type C/F (European two-pin). UK adaptor needed. |
| Bali tourism tax | Since 2024, foreign visitors pay IDR 150,000 (£8) one-off "Bali tourism levy" — pay online via the Love Bali app before arrival. |
May to September is Bali's dry season — perfect weather, manageable humidity. July–August is peak tourist season so prices spike. December–February is monsoon — still warm but expect afternoon downpours daily. April and October are shoulder: few crowds, mostly dry, great value.
Dry season. July–August highest prices.
Mostly dry, fewer tourists, better prices.
Heavy afternoon rain. Fewer tourists, cheaper.
Yes — visa on arrival (VOA). UK passport holders pay IDR 500,000 (~£25) on arrival for a 30-day stay, extendable once for another 30 days. Pay at the airport in USD cash or IDR. Your passport needs 6+ months validity.
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, Rp). 1 GBP ≈ 20,000 IDR, so expect large-denomination notes. Use ATMs from major banks (Mandiri, BCA, BNI) — they accept UK Visa/Mastercard. Cash is essential outside Bali's tourist zones.
May to September is the dry season — perfect beach weather, low humidity. July and August are peak (prices 30–50% higher). April, October and November are sweet spots — mostly dry, fewer crowds, best value.
15–17 hours total including a stop. There are no direct flights. The fastest routes are London–Singapore–Bali (about 15h 30m total) with Singapore Airlines, or London–Doha–Bali with Qatar Airways.
No required vaccines but NHS recommends Hep A, Typhoid and Tetanus. Rabies exists — avoid petting monkeys in Ubud (they bite). Bali belly is common — stick to bottled water and hot-cooked food for the first few days.
Bali is generally very safe for tourists — violent crime is rare. Main risks: scooter accidents (rent only with a valid motorcycle licence and helmet — your UK licence must have the "A" entitlement, or you're driving illegally and your insurance is void), petty theft from villas, and drug offences (penalties are severe, including death penalty for trafficking).