Payments and Banking as a Digital Nomad or Expat in Indonesia

When people think of Indonesia, they often imagine a cash-heavy society where every transaction involves pulling out a wad of rupiah notes. And while that used to be true, the reality today is very different. Indonesia has quickly become one of the most mobile and digital-first economies in Asia, and for digital nomads, this is great news.

Here’s what you need to know about managing payments, transfers, and banking as a nomad in Indonesia.

From Cash-First to QR-First

Although cash is still useful in rural or remote places, in cities like Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, or even small towns, almost everyone accepts QRIS (the national QR code payment system). You’ll see the little black-and-white QR code on warung counters, coffee carts, even parking attendants’ vests. And yes — it works just as smoothly in a hip café in Canggu as it does in a tiny roadside stall in Flores.

That means you don’t need to carry stacks of rupiah. Personally, I rarely carry more than 1,000,000 IDR in cash (about $65 USD) unless I know I’ll be heading into an area with spotty internet coverage. ATMs are everywhere if you need them, but in day-to-day life, you’ll probably pay with your phone.

Foreign Cards: Not Always Reliable

Here’s the catch: not all foreign bank cards work smoothly in Indonesia. Even big-name cards can sometimes be declined, depending on the merchant’s payment processor. That’s why it’s smart not to rely solely on your home-country debit card.

Credit cards — especially Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted in high-density or tourist areas. Hotels, malls, and big restaurants will almost always take them. But if you’re paying at a small coffee shop, a surf school, or a local food stall, don’t expect to swipe.

American Express: More Than Just a Credit Card

American Express (Amex) isn’t as widely accepted in small Indonesian shops as Visa or Mastercard, but if you’re a digital nomad who travels across Asia, it can be a game-changer.

Here’s why:

• Airport Lounge Access – With an Amex Gold or Platinum card, you can access lounges at Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Ngurah Rai (Bali), Changi (Singapore), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur), and hundreds more worldwide. That means free food, Wi-Fi, and a quiet place to work before your flight.
• Hotel Perks – Hotels in Indonesia and across Asia are already more affordable than in Europe or the US. Amex sweetens the deal with perks like free upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points when you book through their travel partners.
• Travel Rewards & Airline Miles – Every transaction earns you Membership Rewards points, and here’s where the real magic happens: you can transfer those points to major airline programs (Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, etc.). This allows you to book free upgrades or even full business/first-class tickets at a fraction of the cost. Many nomads save points throughout the year and then fly long-haul in style.
• Security & Support – Amex is known for excellent customer service. If your card gets skimmed at an ATM (yes, it happens in Bali), Amex usually resolves disputes faster than many traditional banks.

💡 Tip: If you travel a lot, the Amex Platinum pays for itself with lounge access, airline miles transfers, and hotel benefits. The Amex Gold is a solid option too if you want lower annual fees but still want generous rewards.

Modern Banking Beats Traditional Banking

If you’re coming from abroad, traditional bank transfers can be expensive, slow, and a headache. Instead, most digital nomads I know rely on Revolut or Wise. Both services make it easy to move money between currencies, and their exchange rates are often better than what you’ll get from a bank.

Even better: you can transfer money directly from your Revolut or Wise account into local wallets like GoPay or OVO. The transfers are usually instantaneous, so within seconds you can be ready to pay with QRIS just like a local.

Revolut: Banking Without Borders

Revolut is one of the best financial tools for digital nomads in Indonesia. It’s essentially a global banking app that lets you hold multiple currencies, exchange at real market rates, and spend internationally without crazy fees.

Why Revolut is great in Indonesia:

• Great Exchange Rates – Convert EUR, USD, GBP, or any other currency into IDR at near-market rates.
• Virtual Cards – Create single-use cards for online purchases to stay safe.
• Instant Top-Ups to GoPay/OVO – Easily move money into your local Indonesian wallet so you can pay via QRIS everywhere.
• Travel-Friendly – Works in over 150 countries, so you won’t need to change your setup when you leave Indonesia for Thailand or Vietnam.

💡 I use Revolut to manage my freelance income in EUR and USD, then top up GoPay with IDR when I’m in Indonesia. Transfers are instant and reliable.

Wise: The Nomad’s Best Friend

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is another essential tool for nomads — especially if you get paid from clients abroad or need to move money between different countries.

Here’s why it’s so useful in Indonesia:

• Low-Cost International Transfers – Way cheaper than traditional banks for sending money into Indonesia.
• Multi-Currency Account – Hold balances in IDR, EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, and more. Perfect if you’re getting paid in one currency and spending in another.
• Works Seamlessly With Local Wallets – Just like Revolut, you can fund your GoPay or OVO wallet directly from Wise.
• Debit Card Access – Their debit card works globally with fair fees, so you can use it as a backup in case your credit card doesn’t work.

💡 If you’re just starting out as a digital nomad, I recommend setting up both Wise and Revolut. Between them, you’ll always have a reliable way to move money, no matter where you’re working from.

Local Wallets: The Real Game Changer

If you’re planning on staying longer than a few weeks, setting up a local wallet is essential. The most popular options are:

• GoPay (by Gojek)
• OVO (linked to Grab and many retail chains)

Both are widely accepted, reliable, and integrate with QRIS. Whether you’re buying groceries, topping up your phone, ordering food delivery, or even paying for your visa service, these wallets cover almost everything.

Once topped up, they feel seamless. You’ll wonder why you ever fumbled with cash in the first place.

My Personal Setup

After a few years of traveling in and out of Indonesia, this is the system that works best for me:

1. Revolut & Wise for handling my income and converting currencies at fair rates.
2. GoPay as my main local wallet, topped up via Revolut or Wise.
3. Visa/Mastercard credit card as backup, especially in hotels or larger shops.
4. Amex Platinum for flights, lounge access, and hotel perks.

This mix has kept me covered in every situation — from paying for coffee in Jakarta to catching a fishing boat in Flores.

Final Tips

• Don’t over-carry cash. Mobile payments rule in Indonesia. I rarely carry cash when in I'm in the city, going to remote areas it's definitely advised to carry at least 2.5 million to 5 million IDR. ATMs are usually easy to find.
• Use QRIS whenever you can. It’s fast, secure, and universally accepteddors in remote areas.
• Invest in a modern banking solution like Wise or Revolut before you travel.
• Consider Amex if you’re serious about travel perks in Asia.

Living and working in Indonesia as a nomad has never been easier when it comes to payments. With the right setup, you’ll barely think about money at all — which leaves more headspace for beaches, volcano hikes, and sambal.