Visa and arrival

Immigration is the most corrupt department in Indonesia, one of the most corrupt governments in the world, avoid dealing with them or messing with them

Bring exactly $US25 per person for Visa at customs (or you can pay $AU25, but US is cheaper). Bring the correct change because they will give you change in rupiah with an appalling exchange rate

All airport have porters, avoid them if you don’t need them, there are nearly always trolleys. Porters are expensive, though they can be useful if you need to get in or out fast.

You will need RP150,000 airport tax to leave the country and 30-50,000 airport tax for internal flights - this includes when you transfer in Denpasar or Jakarta on your way to Jogja. If you land with no rupiah, there are ATMs in the airport.

Be at airports 30min before for Garuda flights, 1 hour for others 

Allow 1 hour for immigration on your way in or out, it can be quicker but can take an hour. The queue at customs can be quite long.

If you have a long stop over, consider paying to enter the Garuda lounge – it's 50 000 rupiah for access to showers, clean toilets, ok food, drinks and comfy chairs.

Hang on to that little baggage sticker they give you at check in – this will be checked before you leave the airport to ensure you have all your own bags, but they are not very rigorous.

Jogja runway is bumpy – don't be worried if your landing feels rough.

Print up all your flight itineraries before you leave aus, even if you have an e ticket - they make negotiating visa on arrival and even entering airports easier!

 If you're bringing food into Indo, tick yes on the form - they don't care.