A new change is coming for Aussies traveling to Bali, and it’s a big one. If you’re planning a trip soon, you may notice a major shift in how you pay for things.
A Cashless Bali: What’s Changing for Tourists?
If you’ve ever been to Bali, you’re probably familiar with the usual travel dilemmas—how much cash to bring, which ATMs are safe, and whether you’re getting a good exchange rate at the money changers. Well, things are about to get a lot simpler. Bank Indonesia has just rolled out a new digital payment system, aiming to make Bali a more cashless destination. They’ve introduced the “Indonesia Tourist Travel Pack,” which is a fancy way of saying, “Here’s a way to pay digitally for everything you need, from hotels to shopping.”
This initiative, which is a major step toward a more cashless society, is already being rolled out at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali’s main airport. Visitors will be able to pick up the travel pack and start using it right away. The pack comes with a QR code system, QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard), which can be used across different tourist destinations. Think of it like a universal key to making all your payments easier. You’ll also have the option to set up an Indonesian SIM card and an e-wallet with chip-based electronic money to simplify things even more.
How Will This Affect Your Bali Experience?
For many tourists, Bali has long been a place where cash is king—whether you’re paying for a ride, buying souvenirs, or grabbing a bite at a local café. However, this shift to digital payments is designed to make life easier and boost efficiency. The idea is to reduce the reliance on cash and streamline everything from hotel check-ins to buying coffee. It could make a huge difference in terms of convenience, especially when dealing with different currencies and exchange rates.
The move also comes at a time when Bali is working to enhance its image as a tourist-friendly destination. By introducing this cashless system, Bank Indonesia hopes to improve the tourist experience, giving travelers an easier way to handle transactions while also preparing Bali for a more digital future.
Currency Simplification: Goodbye to Zeroes?
On top of this digital leap, there’s another significant change in the works for Bali visitors: Indonesia is planning to simplify its currency. The government has announced plans to remove several zeros from the rupiah, making it easier for tourists to understand the exchange rate. For example, instead of calculating that 100,000Rp equals roughly $10 AUD, you’d just drop one zero, and 100,000Rp would be the equivalent of 100Rp in the new system.
This change should make budgeting and tipping a lot less confusing, something many travelers have struggled with in the past. While this bill is still being finalized and won’t be implemented until 2027, the simplification of currency is expected to bring about easier math for travelers. According to Matt Masson, CEO of CT Partners, this change will cut down on mistakes, make transactions smoother, and help tourists avoid overpaying by accident, reports Yahoo News.
What Does This Mean for Bali Tourists?
So, what does all this mean for you? If you’re heading to Bali, be prepared for a more tech-savvy, cashless experience. While cash will still be accepted in most places, the digital payment options will make life easier—especially for those who like the idea of paying on their phones or without needing to worry about local currency.
With these new initiatives, Bali is taking significant steps toward making tourism smoother and more efficient. And for tourists, that’s a win—less time spent worrying about exchange rates or finding the right ATM, and more time enjoying everything Bali has to offer.
