Backpacking Indonesia

Hello to all seasoned and aspiring backpackers!

Bali, with its abundance of outdoor activities and yoga classes, is the most famous island in Indonesia and has become one of the most popular destinations in recent years. On this Lesser Sunda island, there are loads of cultural and natural treasures to discover. Explore picturesque landscapes with dream beaches, rice fields, bays, waterfalls, and volcanoes.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your flight to the “Island of the Gods” and experience Bali’s magic. We’ve organized the route for you, so all you need to do is grab your backpack!

Important Basics

Official Language (Indonesian )
English Indonesian
Hello Halo
Goodbye Selamat tinggal
Thank you Terima kasih
Yes Iya
No Tidak
Capital city

Jakarta

Form of government

Presidential republic

Best Time to Visit

May to October

Fun Facts
  • There are 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia.
  • While the official language is Indonesian, there are more than 700 different languages and dialects being used everyday.
  • The majority of Indonesians are Sunni Muslims, but Bali’s official religion is Hinduism.
  • The Komodo dragon is native to Indonesia
  • The titan arum is endemic to Sumatra and is famous for its smell of rotting flesh.

Cities

Kuta

After arriving at the airport in Denpasar, you’ll head to Kuta, which is known as Bali’s party center.

In Kuta, you can join the party crowd and meet other backpackers quite easily. If you still have stamina after a night out, take a stroll through the small Poppies Lane I and Poppies Lane II, taste typical Balinese food in one of the countless warungs or take a trip to the Tanah Lot and Pura Uluwatu temples. Kuta Beach isn’t the most beautiful, but thanks to its long and gentle waves, it’s the perfect spot for surfing.

You can stay in one of the local hostels and get a bed in a 4-person dorm for €6.

Ubud

You can head to Ubud by bus for about €3.

Bali’s cultural center lies in the middle of lush green rice terraces and waterfalls. The best way to explore central Bali’s picturesque landscape is on a guided day tour.

Hike through rice terraces, discover Mount Batur volcano, and learn about Balinese handicrafts. A visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest, the Holy Temple, and the Ubud Palace are also highlights. A tour includes transport, lunch, guide, and entrance fees, and only costs €36 per person.

Back in Ubud, you can explore many more temples or visit spiritual spas, vegan cafés, and yoga studios. You can stay at a local hostel and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €12.

Padang Bai

You can head to Ubud by bus for about €5.

This small town on Bali’s east coast is the gateway to the neighboring Lombok Island and the Gili Islands, which are both quite popular with backpackers.

Visit the Blue Lagoon, rent snorkeling equipment, and discover the colorful underwater world of the Indian Ocean. You can relax under palm trees and work on your tan on the beautiful White Sand Beach. Enjoy fresh fish and seafood in the coastal restaurants and live music at cocktail bars in the evenings.

You can stay the night in one of Padang Bai’s hostels for just about €8, where you’ll get a bed in a 4-person dorm.

Gili Trawangan

You’ll reach Gili Trawangan by speedboat for €40.

There is no motorized traffic on the Gili Islands, so you’ll have to travel by foot, by bike, or by cidomo. Although Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands and has the most backpackers, you can still relax on dreamy snow-white beaches and enjoy panoramic views of neighboring Lombok. Take a diving lesson at one of the many diving schools, snorkel with giant turtles on Turtle Beach, or cycle around the island. Gili T. is also known for legendary party boats and beach parties at sunset.

You can stay the night in one of the hostels and get a bed in a 3-person dorm for €12.

Gili Air

You can get to the second-largest of the Gili Islands by ferry for €15.

Gili Air is a real paradise off the coast of Lombok with a more relaxed atmosphere than Gili Trawangan.

Relax on the beach, enjoy refreshing cocktails in beach bars, or try stand-up paddling. Try a Subwing tour and glide through the water or go snorkeling and dive like a dolphin through the warm water and watch turtles, colorful corals, and countless fish.

You can get a bed in a 6-person dorm in one of the local hostels for €6.

Nusa Lembongan

Take another ferry to Nusa Lembongan for about €40.

This small island southeast of Bali is still relatively unknown to tourists and is a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean.

Nusa Lembongan is the El Dorado for divers and snorkellers and is the best dive spot in Indonesia. If you’re lucky, you’ll see majestic manta rays and the rare moonfish. Relax on the appropriately named Dream Beach, watch surfers catch waves, or even try out surfing yourself. Hike over a small wooden suspension bridge to the neighboring island of Nusa Ceningan and swim in infinity pools or visit the Devil's Tears lookout, where waves powerfully crash against limestone cliffs.

From Nusa Lembongan, head back to Bali by ferry and grab a taxi to Denpasar airport for about €35.


Kuta

Kuta

After arriving at the airport in Denpasar, you’ll head to Kuta, which is known as Bali’s party center.

In Kuta, you can join the party crowd and meet other backpackers quite easily. If you still have stamina after a night out, take a stroll through the small Poppies Lane I and Poppies Lane II, taste typical Balinese food in one of the countless warungs or take a trip to the Tanah Lot and Pura Uluwatu temples. Kuta Beach isn’t the most beautiful, but thanks to its long and gentle waves, it’s the perfect spot for surfing.

You can stay in one of the local hostels and get a bed in a 4-person dorm for €6.

Ubud

Ubud

You can head to Ubud by bus for about €3.

Bali’s cultural center lies in the middle of lush green rice terraces and waterfalls. The best way to explore central Bali’s picturesque landscape is on a guided day tour.

Hike through rice terraces, discover Mount Batur volcano, and learn about Balinese handicrafts. A visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest, the Holy Temple, and the Ubud Palace are also highlights. A tour includes transport, lunch, guide, and entrance fees, and only costs €36 per person.

Back in Ubud, you can explore many more temples or visit spiritual spas, vegan cafés, and yoga studios. You can stay at a local hostel and get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €12.

Padang Bai

Padang Bai

You can head to Ubud by bus for about €5.

This small town on Bali’s east coast is the gateway to the neighboring Lombok Island and the Gili Islands, which are both quite popular with backpackers.

Visit the Blue Lagoon, rent snorkeling equipment, and discover the colorful underwater world of the Indian Ocean. You can relax under palm trees and work on your tan on the beautiful White Sand Beach. Enjoy fresh fish and seafood in the coastal restaurants and live music at cocktail bars in the evenings.

You can stay the night in one of Padang Bai’s hostels for just about €8, where you’ll get a bed in a 4-person dorm.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan

You’ll reach Gili Trawangan by speedboat for €40.

There is no motorized traffic on the Gili Islands, so you’ll have to travel by foot, by bike, or by cidomo. Although Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three islands and has the most backpackers, you can still relax on dreamy snow-white beaches and enjoy panoramic views of neighboring Lombok. Take a diving lesson at one of the many diving schools, snorkel with giant turtles on Turtle Beach, or cycle around the island. Gili T. is also known for legendary party boats and beach parties at sunset.

You can stay the night in one of the hostels and get a bed in a 3-person dorm for €12.

Gili Air

Gili Air

You can get to the second-largest of the Gili Islands by ferry for €15.

Gili Air is a real paradise off the coast of Lombok with a more relaxed atmosphere than Gili Trawangan.

Relax on the beach, enjoy refreshing cocktails in beach bars, or try stand-up paddling. Try a Subwing tour and glide through the water or go snorkeling and dive like a dolphin through the warm water and watch turtles, colorful corals, and countless fish.

You can get a bed in a 6-person dorm in one of the local hostels for €6.

Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan

Take another ferry to Nusa Lembongan for about €40.

This small island southeast of Bali is still relatively unknown to tourists and is a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean.

Nusa Lembongan is the El Dorado for divers and snorkellers and is the best dive spot in Indonesia. If you’re lucky, you’ll see majestic manta rays and the rare moonfish. Relax on the appropriately named Dream Beach, watch surfers catch waves, or even try out surfing yourself. Hike over a small wooden suspension bridge to the neighboring island of Nusa Ceningan and swim in infinity pools or visit the Devil's Tears lookout, where waves powerfully crash against limestone cliffs.

From Nusa Lembongan, head back to Bali by ferry and grab a taxi to Denpasar airport for about €35.

Indonesia Route Map

Itinerary and Stops.

Tag
Route/Station
Transport
€
Unterkunft
€
1. Home – Denpasar
Home – Denpasar
Flight
275
4-person dorm
6
2. Kuta
Kuta
-
4-person dorm
6
3. Kuta
Kuta
-
4-person dorm
6
4. Kuta
Kuta
-
4-person dorm
6
5. Kuta - Ubud
Kuta - Ubud
Bus
3
8-person dorm
12
6. Ubud
Ubud
-
8-person dorm
12
7. Ubud
Ubud
-
8-person dorm
12
8. Ubud - Padang Bai
Ubud - Padang Bai
Bus
5
4-person dorm
8
9. Padang Bai
Padang Bai
-
4-person dorm
8
10. Padang Bai
Padang Bai
-
4-person dorm
8
11. Padang Bai
Padang Bai
-
4-person dorm
8
12. Padang Bai - Gili Trawang
Padang Bai - Gili Trawang
Speedboat
40
3-person dorm
12
13. Gili Trawang
Gili Trawang
-
3-person dorm
12
14. Gili Trawang
Gili Trawang
-
3-person dorm
12
15. Gili Trawang - Gili Air
Gili Trawang - Gili Air
Ferry
15
6-person dorm
6
16. Gili Air
Gili Air
-
6-person dorm
6
17. Gili Air
Gili Air
-
6-person dorm
6
18. Gili Air - Nusa Lembongan
Gili Air - Nusa Lembongan
Ferry
40
6-person dorm
8
19. Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan
-
6-person dorm
8
20. Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan
-
6-person dorm
8
21. Nusa Lembongan - Denpasar
Nusa Lembongan - Denpasar
Ferry +Flight
310

Total price.

Flights 550,00 €
Transportation 138,00 €
Tours 42,00 €
Accommodation 170,00 €
Total 900,00 €

Du möchtest 

deine eigene

Reise erstellen?

 Ja

Du möchtest deine

eigene Reise erstellen?

 Ja

Dos and Don’ts, Food & Drinks, Costs.

Breakfast

Dadar Gulung: These coconut pancakes make the perfect breakfast if you have a sweet tooth.

Fruit Bowl: This is always a good choice in Indonesia. There are numerous stands where you can buy the most exotic fruits at low prices.

Soups

Bakso Soup: This (very) spicy soup is made of thin rice noodles, meatballs, and various vegetables.

Main courses

Nasi Goreng: Indonesia’s national dish. A classic fried rice dish with vegetables and a fried egg on top, often served with a leaf of lettuce and a few slices of cucumber – a tasty and cheap meal.

Nasi Campur: Meaning mixed rice, this dish consists of a scoop of rice and is served with different sides like meat or tofu and various vegetables.

Mie Goreng: This is a typical noodle dish in Indonesia. Noodles are fried in a pan together with ingredients like meat, vegetables, chilis, egg, and a sauce.

Satay Ayam: Satay skewers are a highlight in Indonesia and therefore an absolute must eat. This dish comes with a sweet sauce made from peanuts.

Drinks

Coffee: In Bali, you can get Kopi Luwak – also called civet coffee – that is made from coffee cherries that have been digested by the Asian Palm civet. It might sound disgusting, but it is one of the most famous coffees in Asia.

Indonesia

The exchange rate for 10,000 IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) is around €0.65 (as of May 2022). See prices for certain products and the cost of living below:

Cost of Living 

  • Monthly rent in an expensive area (45m²): IDR 4,000,000 = €265
  • Utilities per month: IDR 1,200,000 = €80
  • Internet per month: IDR 450,000 = €30
  • 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gasoline:  IDR 8,700 = €0.58
  • Monthly ticket for public transport: IDR 174,000 = €11.50

Food

  • Lunch at a restaurant in the business district: IDR 100, 000 = €6.60
  • Meal at a fast-food restaurant: IDR 45, 000 = €3
  • Average dinner for two at a local restaurant: IDR 150,000 = €10.40
  • Cappuccino in a tourist area: IDR 27,000 = €1.80

Free time

  • 2 movie tickets: IDR 50,000 = €3.30
  • 0.5 litre of local beer at the supermarket: IDR 30,000 = €2
  • Marlboro cigarettes (20 pack): IDR 25,000 = €1.60
  • 1 glass of beer at a local bar: IDR 35,000 = €2.30

Personal hygiene

  • Normal haircut for men in a tourist area: IDR 150,000 = €10
  • Shampoo: IDR 20,000 = €1.30
  • Deodorant: IDR 15,000 = €1

Dos

Always have a smile on your face! It’s no surprise that Indonesia is the country of smiles. A smile and friendly behaviour towards the locals should be your top priority here.

Take off your shoes before you enter a house. During check-in at your hostel or when you go to a shop, it is important to take off your shoes at the door before entering. This is part of the culture and religion in many Indonesian places and will help you make a good impression.

Keep your plastic consumption low. There’s no other country where the beaches are as dirty as in Indonesia. This should be reason enough to keep your own plastic consumption during your trip to a minimum.

Make small talk. Locals love it and will certainly ask you about your religion or about your life in your home country. Answer their questions and above all, be open!

Don'ts

Don't wear revealing clothes! This is especially important for visiting temples, but also for any area of Indonesia that isn’t very touristy. In Bali, it may still be okay to walk through the streets in a bikini or without a shirt on, but in the rest of the country, this is not tolerated. Moreover, the majority of the people living in Indonesia is Muslim so, it’s best to always wear a T-shirt and wrap a loose cloth around you to cover your knees.

Don’t use your left hand. In Indonesia it’s considered to be dirty – only use your right hand.

Don’t put your feet on anything but the floor. This part of the body is also considered to be unclean, and you should pay attention to this when sitting.

Visa, Visa, Passport & Vaccinations

Passport

Yes

Temporary passport

Yes

National ID

No

Temporary national ID

No

Child’s pass

Yes

Visa

(Not necessary)

Vaccine

Robert-Koch-Instituts

Additional Remarks.

Travel documents must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry. Please also inform yourself on the current entry regulations regarding the Corona virus. Current information about this can be found at the your country’s Foreign Office.

The team at Backpacker Trail wishes you lots of fun and an unforgettable trip!

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