Money in Batam: Rupiah, QR Payments, Changers and Tipping

In Batam you pay in Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Bring some cash for small stalls and taxis, check whether your bank app can scan Indonesia's QRIS codes, and change money only at licensed money changers. That is the whole strategy; the rest of this guide fills in the detail.

Rupiah is the rule

Under Indonesia's Currency Law (Law No. 7 of 2011) and a Bank Indonesia regulation, transactions in Indonesia must use rupiah, whether cash or non-cash, as Hukumonline explains. Expect prices in IDR rather than Singapore dollars or ringgit.

Rupiah prices have a lot of zeros. Many menus write thousands as "K", so 25K means IDR 25,000. Take a second look before you pay.

QR payments: the easiest option for many visitors

Indonesia's national QR standard is QRIS, and you will see the QRIS sign at counters across the island. Two cross-border links matter for our readers.

Singaporeans

Bank Indonesia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore launched a cross-border QR linkage on 17 November 2023. Customers of participating banks can scan QRIS codes with their existing banking apps. At launch the Singapore participants were OCBC and UOB, with DBS to join later, according to MAS.

Malaysians

Malaysia's DuitNow and Indonesia's QRIS were linked in 2022, letting users of participating Malaysian institutions scan QRIS codes at Indonesian merchants, according to Bank Negara Malaysia.

Before you rely on it

Open your bank or e-wallet app before you travel and check that overseas QR payments are switched on and that Indonesia is supported. Look at the conversion rate shown before you confirm.

Cash: still worth carrying

Plan to carry some rupiah, in smaller notes, for:

• your first taxi from the ferry terminal (local reports in April 2026 described negotiated fares at Batam Centre)
• hawker stalls and small warung
• tips and parking
• the Trans Batam bus

How much depends on your plans and how often you can pay by QR or card.

Money changers: use licensed ones

Bank Indonesia licenses money changers as KUPVA BB. Licensed changers must display:

• a sign and the official logo reading "KUPVA Berizin" with "Authorized Money Changer" at the top and a QR code in the bottom-right corner
• Bank Indonesia's licence certificate inside the shop

Bank Indonesia warns that illegal operators often offer rates that look too good, reported Antara. Count your notes at the counter before you walk away.

Many travellers prefer to change money before leaving Singapore or Malaysia. The new HarbourFront Ferry Terminal includes money changers among its facilities. Compare rates rather than assuming the terminal is best.

Cards and ATMs

Larger hotels, malls and chain restaurants are the most likely to accept international cards. If you withdraw cash from an ATM, check your home bank's overseas fees and any charge the local machine displays before confirming. When a card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, choosing rupiah usually lets your own bank set the rate; compare before you accept.

Restaurant tax and service charge

Batam's local regulation on regional taxes (Perda Kota Batam No. 1 of 2024) sets the tax on food and drink (PBJT) at 10%, with a lower 2.5% rate for catering, per DDTC's summary. In restaurants you may see this added to the bill, sometimes alongside a service charge.

Tipping

Tipping is not a standard practice in Indonesia, but it is appreciated for good service, according to SmarterTravel:

• Restaurants: a service charge of 5 to 10% may already be on the bill. If it is not and service was good, leave something extra.
• Hotels: many add a 10% service charge plus tax; extra tips for porters and housekeeping are welcome but not required.
• Taxis: rounding up the fare is common but not obligatory.
• Hand tips directly to the person you want to thank.

Bringing cash into Indonesia

Declare cash and bearer instruments worth IDR 100 million or more when you arrive, through the All Indonesia declaration. Indonesia's personal goods allowance is US$500 FOB per person. See our entry requirements guide.

Ride-hailing and apps

Grab and Gojek both operate in Batam, and you can pay through the apps. See getting around Batam.

Before you leave home

• Check your cards' overseas fees and whether your bank needs to know you are travelling.
• Turn on overseas QR payments in your banking app if it supports QRIS, and do a small test payment early in the trip.
• Save your bank's overseas hotline in case a card is blocked.
• Split your cash between your wallet and your bag or hotel safe.

Common money mistakes

• Reading prices a zero out. IDR 250,000 and IDR 25,000 look alike on a crowded menu board. Slow down at the till.
• Chasing the best street rate. Unusually generous rates are a warning sign, says Bank Indonesia. Stick to licensed "KUPVA Berizin" changers.
• Forgetting the tax line. A 10% food and drink tax, and sometimes a service charge, can make the bill higher than the menu prices suggest.
• Not agreeing taxi fares first. Where fares are negotiated, settle the price before the car moves.
• Leaving it all to one card. Bring a backup: a second card, some cash, or a QR-enabled bank app.

Seafood bills

Seafood restaurants often price fish, crab and prawns by weight at market rates. Ask for the price per 100g or per kilo and confirm the weight before it is cooked. Our what to eat guide has more on ordering.

Quick checklist

1. Switch on overseas QR payments in your bank app and check Indonesia is supported
2. Carry some small rupiah notes
3. Use only "KUPVA Berizin" money changers
4. Expect 10% tax on restaurant bills, and check for service charge
5. Tip for good service, but don't feel obliged

Money sorted? Plan where to eat with our what to eat in Batam guide.