Student travel to Indonesia

[Deleted User]

My son plans to go travelling in Indonesia for 4 weeks. Can anyone advise me of what currency he will need , have read a few different things - eg Rupiah cash and dollars . I would like him to have a pre paid currency card where I can top up etc should he run out of money . He has previously used a fair fx card and I have a Caxton card. Should he take dollars with him also ? I think you need this in cash for the visa on entry anyway. Should he take a dollar prepaid card ? He plans to go to Jakarta and Bali to begin with.

Voyager2002

He will actually be spending money in Rupiah, but should not attempt to get them before arrival there. Changing US dollars would be easier than changing pounds, but I doubt whether the difference is enough to justify the cost and trouble of getting dollars before departure (apart from enough for any visa and airport fees that have to be paid in dollars).

Anyway, it should be him coming on here rather than you. My student son is going to Indonesia this summer, and my input has been limited to telling him that he needs to research this kind of thing.

[Deleted User]

He is at university in England, studying for his exams, and as I have little else to do most days- I thought I would take the pressure of him. I can organise most things for him from home here. His exams are running quite late until 25th June. At least when I do it- I know it's done !!!!!!

Bob_the_Saver

Take a £ Pre-paid card. No point changing the money twice.

[Deleted User]

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Take a £ Pre-paid card. No point changing the money twice.

Is that the fair fx card , would you get the anywhere one that you put Sterling on or the dollar one ? I'm not sure how to find out which one is best for Indonesia .
Thanks for your reply

Bob_the_Saver

Julie1964 wrote: »

Is that the fair fx card , would you get the anywhere one that you put Sterling on or the dollar one ? I'm not sure how to find out which one is best for Indonesia .
Thanks for your reply

The £ 'Anywhere Card', you can find links for free cards, don't pay for the card. (or other similar card)

This link should get you a free £ Fairfx Anywhere card
http://www.fairfx.com/wizard/start/card?justlanded=1

Don't pay to change into dollars then pay to change again into local currency.

Apart from at the airport forget about dollars, although a few stuffed down your sock as a back-up is always useful.

Others on this site support other cards which may or may not work out a fraction cheaper. Whatever card you use always take a back-up source of money.

[Deleted User]

Thank you so much - have just ordered it. As someone said - son should be doing all this but it's just so rushed after his exams- he's going with friends, and they have just finished exams !!!!
At least I can top it up from here if he goes short of money ( a loan ..... Off course ) lol lol

Bob_the_Saver

If he's flying in or out of Jakarta allow LOTS of time to get to/from the airport, the traffic can be incredible.
I'm sure they know all about Air Asia but if not
https://www.airasia.com

The trains are slow and not always that cheap. You sometimes have to pay for the full journey even if not going all the way.

Not suggesting for ONE SECOND but make sure he's read this,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2308676/Lindsay-Sandiford-Bali-death-row-Britons-plea-shoot-now.html