In the jungle of air travel prices, it’s not always easy to find your way around, and the cheapest basic price is not always the most advantageous once you’ve added options. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips to help you choose the flight best suited to your needs.
Use a flight comparator such as Skyscanner ( http://www.skyscanner.fr/ ), Google travel flight ( Google Flights – Cheap flights and flight ticket comparator ), Kayak or Ulysse for example.
Enter the desired dates for your outward and return flights. If you don’t have any specific travel dates, select the ‘departure in the month of’ option and the site will offer you the cheapest prices for the selected month of departure.
Compare the offers.
Of course, price is an important criterion, but bear in mind that going to Indonesia is a long journey that can be tiring.
When choosing your flight, take the following factors into account, depending on your priorities:
There are no direct flights from Europe to Indonesia. You will need to plan at least one stopover in the best case, often two, sometimes three or more. The more stopovers you have, the cheaper your ticket will generally be. These stopovers can be of varying lengths: from less than an hour to several hours. Allow plenty of time between two flights: you will often have to change lounges or even terminals, and depending on the airport, this can take time. Your flight may be delayed, and you could miss the next flight. If you travel on different airlines that are not partners, or if you buy flights separately, you will have to recheck your baggage.
Multiplying long stopovers means spending more time in airports and less at your destination, which is more tiring.
If you can’t do otherwise, it’s best to choose an airport that offers a wide range of activities, such as Singapore (quality infrastructure with a wide range of activities: cinema, restaurants, hotel, opportunities to walk through a reconstructed canopy, spectacular waterfall, etc.). Your stopover will be more pleasant, and your time will pass more quickly.
Choose airlines that offer quality service: seat comfort, seat spacing, quality of meals, in-flight entertainment… This is important when you’re spending ten hours or so on board.
Choose airlines that offer quality after-sales service: this is important in the event of delays, flight cancellations or lost baggage, for example.
Once you’ve decided on a flight, I strongly advise you to buy your flight directly from the airline, without going through intermediaries such as trip.com, gotogate, mytrip, etc. You’ll sometimes pay a little more for your flight than you would for other airlines. Sometimes you’ll pay a bit more (and it’s not always the case!) but you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble in the event of a refund claim following flight cancellations or changes, for example.
Once you’ve decided on a flight, I strongly advise you to buy your flight directly from the airline without going through intermediaries such as trip.com, gotogate, mytrip, etc. You’ll sometimes pay a little more (although this isn’t always the case!) but you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble if you have to claim a refund following cancellations or flight changes, for example. Sometimes you’ll pay a bit more (and even then it’s not always the case!) but you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble if you have to claim a refund following flight cancellations or changes, for example.
Also compare the baggage allowance included in your fare. This can quickly add up to the
price of your ticket.
In conclusion, travelling can be seen as an unavoidable chore or as a celebration, because it’s an integral part of your trip. There are ways of travelling with peace of mind and in good conditions so that you can arrive at your holiday destination in good shape and enjoy it straight away.
The criteria to bear in mind when making your choice will depend on your priorities and your travel profile (comfort, roots, with children, etc.):
AIRLINE TICKET
With the exception of holders of certain specific visas, you must be in possession of a return ticket. You must be able to prove the date of your departure from the country before the 30-day stay authorised by your visa. The return ticket may be required as soon as you check in at the airport in Europe before you can board your flight. A single ticket is not permitted. If you wish to extend your trip beyond 30 days, there are solutions available, and we are here to advise you. To help you choose your ticket, see our special section on buying a plane ticket.
PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ARRIVAL. It must be in good condition and have at least 2 consecutive blank pages for affixing the visa.
VISA
A visa, known as a VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA), is required for stays of less than 30 days for travellers from 92 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.
It costs IDR 500,000 (around €30).
You can obtain it directly on arrival at the airport (payable in cash in euros or Indonesian rupiahs, or by card).
You can also obtain it and pay for it online before you arrive in Indonesia on the website:
The Official eVisa website for Indonesia
To enter Indonesia, you will need to complete a number of administrative formalities.
You can complete them directly on arrival at the airport, or you can complete them online 48 hours before departure.
Wherever possible, we advise you to complete these formalities before you leave, as this will make your arrival formalities easier and shorter. After long hours on the road, you’ll appreciate being able to get to your accommodation quickly!
ELECTRONIC ARRIVAL CARD
Since September 1, 2025, an electronic arrival card “All Indonesia” has been implemented. This arrival card must be obtained in addition to the visa (e-VoA, e-Visa, or visa on arrival, depending on the case). It combines the health declaration and the customs declaration. The application is free of charge and can be submitted online up to 3 days before entering Indonesia via the official website allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or through the dedicated mobile application “All Indonesia”, available on the App Store and Google Play Store. We recommend downloading the application, as the website is often unavailable. Upon arrival, you will need to present the QR Code generated by the application.
You must complete one declaration per person. If traveling as a family, the application allows you to add several travelers in the same document and obtain a single QR Code.
Tip:
Accompanied baggage = carry-on luggage.
Unaccompanied baggage = checked luggage.
CUSTOMS
Indonesian law authorizes the import of 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 100 g of tobacco, and a “reasonable” amount of perfume. If your cameras or computers are new, carry their invoices to avoid issues upon your return to Europe.
TOURIST TAX
Since 14 February 2024, the Indonesian government has required tourists to pay a tourist tax of IDR 150,000 (less than €10).
This tax applies to all travellers arriving in Bali from abroad and from other Indonesian islands (ports and airports).
It is used to fund initiatives to protect the environment and preserve Balinese culture.
You can pay directly at the airport or via the LOVE Bali website. You will receive a QR code
to present on arrival in Bali.
It is rarely requested at the moment because the government is counting on your
involvement. We recommend that you pay it even if it is not systematically requested.
INSURANCE
To travel with peace of mind and enjoy your trip to the full, it is very important to be properly insured. First of all, check with your bank what the insurance linked to your
international credit card covers. This is rarely comprehensive, and healthcare in Indonesia is expensive, so we advise you to take out specific travel insurance with
CHAPKA: https://www.chapkadirect.fr/
You can choose the most appropriate cover for your situation at a modest cost.
HEALTH
The Institut Pasteur recommends the following vaccinations for travel to Indonesia:
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Typhoid. Before you leave, ask your doctor for advice on the most appropriate vaccine for your destination and activities.
If you are only staying in Bali, it is not necessary to take anti-malaria medication. However, we strongly advise you to use effective anti-mosquito products.
On Bali, pharmacies will provide you with all the basic products you may need (paracetamol, for example). On the other islands, this may be harder to find.
We advise you to put together a kit of basic medicines for your trip (doliprane, antidiarrhoea, etc.). Again, ask your doctor for advice.
If you are taking any medication with you, you will need your prescription, including the INN (International Non-proprietary Name).
CAUTION: If you are carrying medicines containing opium or its derivatives (e.g. Lamaline codoliprane), syringes or needles, you will need to present a medical certificate to customs and airport security.
Tourista: common among travellers, this manifests itself as intestinal problems of varying severity (diarrhoea, abdominal pain). It can be caused by changes in climate and diet. Sometimes it can be linked to a food-related infection.
An antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic medication are all you need to get things back to normal. If the symptoms persist, or in the event of fever or blood in the stools, you should consult a doctor. Drink plenty of water, tea and soup. You can also eat salted white rice and bananas.
Since June 2023, there have been no restrictions on Covid in Indonesia.
WATER
Tap water is not drinkable. You should drink only mineral water. Remember to hydrate regularly, as it’s hot and you sweat easily here. For travellers with sensitive digestive systems, we recommend that you avoid ice cubes in your drinks and avoid eating raw vegetables.
During your stay, you’ll notice an impressive amount of plastic waste here and there, which is why we’ll give you a reusable bottle to limit the production of plastic waste,
thereby preserving the island.
MOSQUITO REPELLENTS
Along with sun cream, mosquito repellent is the other essential product to pack. You’ll be the object of their desire as soon as night falls, but also at sunrise. You can ask your pharmacist for advice or wait until you get there, as Indonesian products are effective and economical.
WEATHER
Indonesia is crossed by the equator, so it’s hot and humid all the time. Rainfall varies from region to region. In Sulawesi and Sumatra, for example, the climate is constant, while in Bali and Java the weather is punctuated by the rainy season from November to April.
Rainfall can be very heavy, depending on where you are, but generally does not last long.
It tends to fall at the end of the day and at night. This allows you to make the most of your day. The dry season runs from April to October. Global climate change also has an impact on the weather in Bali, and the seasons tend to shift. Temperatures are fairly stable throughout the year, averaging 30 degrees during the day and 25 degrees at night.
The best time to come to Indonesia is during the dry season, in May, June, September or October, to avoid the busy months of July and August. However, no period is too late: you can discover Indonesia all year round.
MONEY
The Indonesian currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). One euro is equivalent to approximately 16,000 rupiahs.
There are notes of Rp 1,000, Rp 2,000, Rp 5,000, Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000, Rp 50,000 and Rp100,000.
You can bring euros with you and exchange them at one of the many bureaux de change around the island. Be careful, though, and count your notes again at the counter BEFORE you leave the office, as there are some unscrupulous agents who might swipe a few notes without you realising.
Most shops accept bankcards, but you will be charged 3% of the amount of the bill
Outside towns and tourist areas, credit cards may not be accepted, so you should always carry cash with you.
ATMs are available almost everywhere. To avoid unpleasant surprises (card theft), we advise you to choose those backed by a bank (BNI, Mandara, Permata, for example) rather than those in supermarkets. You can withdraw up to 2,500,000 RP at a time.
Check with your bank before you leave to find out the charges for your transactions abroad. If necessary, activate the traveller option on your card to minimise these charges.
Don’t forget to tell your bank about your trip abroad, as they may block your withdrawals and payments thinking that your card has been stolen or hacked.
TIME DIFFERENCE
Indonesia spans 3 time zones from west to east. When it’s midday in France (summer time), it’s 5pm in Java and 6pm in Bali, Flores or Sulawesi.
TELEPHONY
There are several ways to keep in touch with your loved ones. The telephone network is of good quality in most parts of Bali.
Before you leave, contact your operator to find out about the options available in Indonesia. FREE, for example, has recently extended its packages to Indonesia.
If the packages offered are not advantageous, you can buy a SIM card on arrival, at the airport or in one of the countless phone shops that exist just about everywhere.
You will need to show your passport to activate your SIM card.
You can also buy a dematerialised SIM card (E-SIM) online before you leave. Before you buy, check that your phone is compatible with E-SIMs, as not all phones are eligible for this type of card.
You can also opt for the ‘all WIFI’ option, which allows you to make calls only when connected to Wi-Fi and using networks such as WhatsApp, Skype, Google Meet, Teams, etc. This should cost you nothing, provided you do not make or answer calls or send text messages via your operator
card outside the above-mentioned networks.
ELECTRICITY
The electrical sockets and voltage are identical to those used in France, so you won’t need to bring an adaptor. Remember to take a torch if you don’t want to use your mobile phone’s torch. It will be useful when travelling at night, as not all streets are well lit.
CLOTHES
Except at altitude and at the top of volcanoes, where you may need to cover up because it can be cool in the morning and evening, everywhere else you will be hot, even very hot. So pack a jumper or fleece and light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably in cotton or linen. A waterproof windbreaker may also be useful.
Outside Bali, avoid wearing clothes that are too short, tight-fitting or see-through. Don’t forget your cap or hat, sunglasses and sun protection, as the sun here is generous, very generous, and you really need to protect yourself. Preferably use products that respect the marine environment.
Depending on your activities, pack light hiking boots, shoes to protect you from the coral reefs or to walk in the rivers and rice fields. You’ll soon realise that you’ll have to take your shoes off and put them on again very frequently throughout the day. Think about taking flip-flops or other shoes that are easy to put on and take off…
LAUNDRY
Don’t pack too many clothes in your suitcases and leave plenty of room for souvenirs. Here you’ll find laundries everywhere that will wash, dry and iron your clothes in 24 hours (sometimes less) for a ridiculously low price. You pay either per item of clothing or per kilo.
EVERYDAY USES
You’ll soon realise some of the customs that punctuate Balinese daily life:
Take off your shoes before entering a house, shop or mosque.
Wear a sarong when entering a Hindu temple.
Do not speak loudly or get angry in public
Do not touch a child’s head
Avoid putting your hands on your hips when you are standing still or having a conversation
Do not point your finger at anyone
Women are not allowed to enter temples while menstruating.
RELIGION
Indonesia is a remarkably diverse and tolerant archipelago. 5 religions are officially recognised: Islam, which is in the majority in Indonesia with the exception of Bali, Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Hinduism and Buddhism. In Bali, Hinduism and animism predominate, so you’ll soon realise that ceremonies and processions are almost a daily occurrence.
Daily prayers and blessings punctuate the lives of the Balinese, and offerings add colour and fragrance to the streets.
DRIVING
We advise against hiring a car. It is very practical to hire a driver for your journeys. If you wish to hire a scooter, you must have a 125 CC motorbike licence and an international licence. Even if most hire companies don’t ask for it, if you have an accident, you won’t be covered by your insurance. Don’t imitate the locals; wear a helmet, it’s safer and will save you from being fined during police checks.
Driving in Indonesia is nothing like driving in Europe. Be careful, the highway code does not apply here, and the many stray animals and the poor state of the roads are the source of many accidents.
To refuel, there are numerous petrol stations and small retailers all over the island.
ALCOHOL
If you fancy a taste of the local alcohol (ARAK), choose a restaurant or bar with a good reputation, as this inexpensive alcohol is sometimes adulterated and its consumption can cause serious and irreversible damage to your liver.
THEFT
Very rare (Indonesians believe in Karma for the most part) but not non-existent, the most common form of theft is snatching. Be careful with your bags and your phone…but this is common sense advice that applies all over the world.
DRUGS
We’re not kidding around here! Zero tolerance, you risk prison or even the death penalty if you take drugs. Be aware that traps are sometimes set for travellers; it would be a shame to end your Indonesian adventure behind bars!
A FEW WORDS in Indonesian
Use a few basic words in your dealings with Indonesians. It’s easy and you’ll see your interlocutors’ faces light up, so why deprive yourself…
Morning: Selamat Pagi
Morning from 11am: Selamat Siang
Good morning in the afternoon between 2pm and 7pm: Selamat Sore
Good evening : Selamat malam
How are you? Apa Kabar
Yes/No : Ya /Tidak
Thank you: Terima Kasih
It’s good! Itu Baïk
