Before traveling to Bali, have you ever wondered: Should I directly exchange New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) for Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) locally, or should I exchange NTD for USD in Taiwan first and then exchange USD for IDR in Bali? This seemingly small choice could actually give you a significant amount of extra travel budget for delicious food, souvenirs, or several luxurious spa treatments!
In today’s article, I will use real exchange rate data from August 13, 2025 to show you which currency exchange method is more cost-effective and why NTD often doesn’t have an advantage when exchanged abroad. After reading, you’ll be able to easily avoid currency exchange pitfalls and make every dollar count.
Scenario Comparison
Today (August 13, 2025), you have New Taiwan Dollars that you want to use in Bali. There are two currency exchange methods:
- Exchange NTD for USD in Taiwan first, then exchange USD for IDR in Bali
- Directly exchange NTD for IDR in Bali
Method 1: Exchange NTD for USD in Taiwan → Exchange USD for IDR in Bali
- Today’s USD exchange rate at Taiwanese banks: 1 USD = 30.23 NTD
- Exchange rate at authorized currency exchange offices in Bali: 1 USD = 16,000 IDR
Calculation:
- 1 NT$ can be exchanged for 1 ÷ 30.23 = 0.03307 USD
- 0.03307 USD × 16,000 IDR = approximately 529 IDR
Result: 1 NT$ ≈ 529 IDR
2025/08/13 Exchange Rate
Method Two: Directly Exchange NT$ for IDR in Bali
- Bali Exchange Rate: 1 NT$ = 350 IDR
Result: 1 NT$ = 350 IDR
Differences and Reasons
- Method One (exchange to USD first) yields 529 IDR/NT$
- Method Two (direct exchange) only yields 350 IDR/NT$
- Difference: 529 − 350 = 179 IDR, exchanging 10,000 NT$ results in a difference of 1.79 million IDR!
The main reasons for this difference are:
- NT$ is a weak currency in the international forex market, with low demand in many countries, resulting in poor exchange rates.
- Some exchange offices in Bali do not accept NT$, or offer rates so poor they effectively act as hidden fees.
- USD is a mainstream international currency, ensuring better rates at any exchange office.
💡 Pro Tip:
When traveling to Bali, exchange USD in Taiwan first, then convert to Indonesian Rupiah locally for better rates and convenience.
Of course, if you have other channels (like Indonesian shops in Taiwan), you can inquire, but usually the rates aren’t more favorable.
Quick References:
Quick Reference:
- Bali USD Exchange Rates: Big Bills or Small Bills? Complete Guide to Currency Exchange!
- Bali Money Exchange Horror Stories: Fellow Travelers Reveal the Truth, Don’t Be Penny-Wise!
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