Before traveling to Bali, have you ever wondered: Should I directly exchange Taiwanese dollars for Indonesian Rupiah locally, or should I exchange Taiwanese dollars for USD in Taiwan first and then exchange USD for Indonesian Rupiah 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 exchange method is more cost-effective and why Taiwanese dollars often don’t have an advantage when exchanged abroad. After reading, you’ll be able to easily avoid exchange pitfalls and make every dollar count.
Scenario Comparison
Today (August 13, 2025), you have Taiwanese dollars to use in Bali, and there are two exchange methods:
- Exchange Taiwanese dollars for USD in Taiwan first, then exchange USD for Indonesian Rupiah in Bali
- Directly exchange Taiwanese dollars for Indonesian Rupiah in Bali
Method 1: Exchange Taiwanese Dollars for USD in Taiwan → Exchange USD for Indonesian Rupiah in Bali
- Today’s USD exchange rate at a Taiwanese bank: 1 USD = 30.23 TWD
- Exchange rate at a reputable currency exchange 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
Exchange rate as of 2025/08/13
Method 2: Directly exchange NT$ for IDR in Bali
- Bali exchange rate: 1 NT$ = 350 IDR
Result: 1 NT$ = 350 IDR
Differences and Reasons
- Method 1 (exchange to USD first) yields 529 IDR/NT$
- Method 2 (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!
Main reasons for this difference:
- 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 major international currency, ensuring better exchange rates at any exchange office.
💡 Conclusion & Recommendation:
When traveling to Bali, it’s much more cost-effective and convenient to exchange USD in Taiwan first, then convert to Indonesian Rupiah locally.
Of course, if you have other channels (like Indonesian shops in Taiwan), you can ask around, but usually the exchange rates aren’t better.
Quick References:
Quick Reference:
- Bali USD Exchange Rate: Big Bills or Small Bills? Complete Currency Exchange Guide!
- Bali Money Exchange Horror Stories: Fellow Travelers’ Experiences Revealed - Don’t Be Fooled by Small Savings!
