Travelling to Indonesia from Singapore? Here’s what you need to know

During the height of the covid pandemic, travel to Indonesia from Singapore was pretty much impossible. Now that most of us are vaccinated, travel is getting easier - but there are still some Singapore to Indonesia travel restrictions and requirements in place that you’ll need to know about.

We’ll walk through the travel requirements to Indonesia as they stand, and also introduce Wise as a great way to save when you’re overseas - whether you’re off to a Bali beach, hitting the shops in Jakarta, or simply getting away for a weekend on Batam.

What about the Singapore to Indonesia VTL?

Let’s start with the obvious question - what happened to the VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) between Singapore and Indonesia?

The VTLs were opened as a managed way to allow essential travel for vaccinated people, on designated routes and through specific flights. Singapore has now reopened its borders fully, and as such, the VTLs are no longer required to get back into the country. You’ll be able to pick any available routes - including re-entering Singapore by ferry or flight - making travel to Indonesia far more convenient.

That said, there are still covid restrictions in place on the Indonesian side - we’ll look at them next. It’s also worth noting that travel rules can change significantly and at short notice, so you’ll want to check and double check everything before you head off for your break.

Travel to Indonesia from Singapore: covid rules

While Singapore has opened its borders to travellers regardless of vaccination status, Indonesia still has official checks in place to ensure travellers are fully protected from covid.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that to enter Indonesia you’ll need a physical or digital proof of covid vaccination, showing you’ve had at least 2 doses, with the last one 14 days or more before travel. This rule doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18, and people who are medically unable to be vaccinated. If you’re not able to get a covid vaccination for medical reasons, you’ll need adequate proof to show on entry.

IATA also advises downloading the SatuSehat app before you travel, Indonesia’s version of Singapore’s Safe Entry app.

Finally it’s worth noting that you may be asked to take a covid test on arrival if you’re exhibiting symptoms - although in this case we would strongly advise against travel in the first place.

Singapore to Indonesia visa options

Assuming you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t face any specific covid related issues when entering Indonesia - but what about a visa?

If you’re a Singapore passport holder, you can enter Indonesia for up to 30 days visa free for tourist purposes. However, if you’re planning on going to Indonesia for more than 30 days, or for work, you’ll need to apply for your visa in advance of travel.

One exception applies to APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders who are able to enter Indonesia for up to 60 days as long as they’re not employed there. Check out the details if this applies to you, on the ABTC website.

Indonesian customs rules

Before you travel, take a look at the Indonesian customs rules to make sure you don’t accidentally fall foul of the law. Fines and criminal penalties apply, even if you’ve unknowingly brought items with you that are restricted or prohibited. Most of the prohibited goods are pretty obvious, but one useful one to note is that raw food is not allowed to be imported - so don’t pack snacks for the way without thinking carefully about whether they’re allowed.

If you’re carrying any medication for personal use it’s also smart to have your prescription with you, in case you’re asked to prove it’s necessary. Finally, anyone carrying larger sums of cash in excess of 7,000 USD (about 9,500 SGD), will need to make a specific declaration on arrival. Ditch the cash and use a Wise card when you arrive in Indonesia, to spend IDR conveniently and with low costs. More on that later.

Returning to Singapore

One final thing to think about when planning your trip - your SG arrival card. In most cases, you’ll need to complete this arrival card prior to coming back to Singapore, so getting this all done online before you depart Indonesia is the easiest option.

Best ways to travel to Indonesia from Singapore

As one of our closest neighbours, and a huge and varied country, Indonesia has a lot to offer. There are also many different ways you can travel from Singapore to Indonesia depending on what you’re planning on doing.

Going to Jakarta to shop, for a city break, or to make a connection? Flights are available on multiple airlines including AirAsia, Lion Air and Jetstar, with direct routes taking under 2 hours. Competition is pretty fierce on these flights, which is great for customers, as it means you can often find a bargain price.

You can also fly easily to Bali - another dream destination for Singaporeans, whether you want to hit the beach, stroll the paddy fields, or take some yoga classes. All the usual airlines offer routes from Singapore to Bali, with budget options like Scoot available, to keep costs down. Fights take about 2 and a half hours.

Other destinations you can fly to non-stop from Changi include Denpasar, Surabaya and Yogyakarta, giving you ample opportunity to plan a wonderful trip to Indonesia. You’ll find the journey is only two to three hours, with plenty of internal flight options if you’re looking to create a multi-stop itinerary.

Short break only? You can take the Batamfast ferry from Tanah Merah or Harbourfront to Batam, for an ideal weekend getaway that’s just a short hop from home.

Travelling to Indonesia? Get the Wise card to spend IDR without losing on exchange rates and foreign transaction fees

Whether you’re off to a Bali beach or hitting the shops in one of Indonesia’s bustling cities, your money can go further, with Wise.

Open your Wise account and order your card before you leave Singapore, for an account you can use to hold and exchange 50+ currencies, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees from 0.43%. You’ll be able to add funds in SGD and use your Wise card to spend and withdraw once you arrive in Indonesia, with the mid-market rate and the lowest possible fees every time.

Wise cards are accepted in 170+ countries, and can easily be added to mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay - so you can just carry your phone and tap to pay wherever in the world you are.

Order your Wise card today! 💳

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