Electronic payments are everywhere in Indonesia and Bali! How to pay? A complete guide to QRIS and GoPay e-wallets
Still carrying a thick stack of Indonesian rupiah every day when traveling to Bali?
Now in Indonesia, especially Bali, more and more restaurants, cafes, spas, attractions, shops, and even street vendors are using electronic payments. Some places will even tell you directly:
“Cashless Only”
Meaning: Only cashless electronic payments are accepted—no cash!
If it’s your first time in Bali, you might easily run into the awkward situation of “having money but not being able to pay.”
And the most important keyword for electronic payments in Indonesia is:
🇮🇩 QRIS
Pair it with an e-wallet like GoPay, and traveling in Bali now means you can significantly reduce the need to carry large amounts of cash.
Here’s a complete guide for you: What is QRIS? How do foreign tourists use it? How to register for GoPay? And how can travelers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia make payments?
🇮🇩 What is QRIS? Why Are QR Codes Everywhere in Bali?
QRIS stands for Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard—think of it as Indonesia’s unified QR Code payment standard.
In Indonesia, you’ll find QRIS codes at restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, spas, small shops, tourist attractions, and even street stalls.
As long as your payment app supports QRIS, you can simply scan the merchant’s QR code, enter the amount, and complete the payment.
Bank Indonesia states that QRIS is now widely used across all provinces and cities in Indonesia, including micro-enterprises and tourist destinations.
So in Bali, you’ll see:
Scan QRIS / QRIS / QRIS Payment
Basically, it’s telling you:
📱 “You can pay by scanning a QR Code!”
💡 So, how exactly can foreign tourists use QRIS?
This is where most first-time visitors to Bali get confused.
Because:
“QRIS is accepted” ≠ “Any country’s credit card can directly scan QRIS.”
Indonesia has now launched QRIS Cross-Border, allowing travelers from select partner countries to use their own payment apps to scan QRIS in Indonesia.
Bank Indonesia has partnered with:
🇹🇭 Thailand 🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇯🇵 Japan 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇨🇳 China
Wait for the market to establish QR cross-border payment cooperation.
In other words, travelers from different countries don’t use it in exactly the same way.
🇸🇬 Travelers from Singapore: Can Use QRIS Cross-Border Directly
If you’re traveling from Singapore to Bali, using QRIS is relatively convenient.
Currently, Bank Indonesia lists the following participating payment service providers from Singapore:
- OCBC
- UOB
- DBS
Travelers from Singapore can use supported payment apps to scan Indonesian merchants’ QRIS codes directly.
When making a payment, enter the amount in Indonesian Rupiah. The app will convert it to your local currency based on the system exchange rate. After confirming, enter your PIN to complete the transaction.
🇲🇾 Travelers from Malaysia: DuitNow QR and QRIS Are Now Interoperable
Travelers from Malaysia also have it very convenient.
Indonesia’s QRIS and Malaysia’s DuitNow QR have established a cross-border payment connection.
PayNet also explains that when Malaysian travelers visit Indonesia, they can directly use supported mobile banking apps to scan QRIS for payment.
Currently, Bank Indonesia lists related Malaysian payment service providers including CIMB, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank, Public Bank, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, and others.
So if you’re already used to using mobile payments in Malaysia, you don’t necessarily need to prepare a lot of extra cash when traveling to Bali.
🇹🇼 What about travelers from Taiwan and 🇭🇰 Hong Kong?
This is something you need to pay close attention to.
Currently, Taiwan and Hong Kong are not included in Bank Indonesia’s list of partner markets for QRIS Cross-Border.
Therefore, general banking apps or local payment apps from Taiwan and Hong Kong cannot simply scan and pay a QRIS code just because they see one.
However, this doesn’t mean travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong can’t use QRIS at all.
For now, the most practical approach is:
📱 GoPay + Visa/Mastercard
GoPay now supports linking a Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card within the GoPay app, allowing you to use that card as the payment source for QRIS transactions.
In other words:
Travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong → GoPay → Link Visa/Mastercard → Scan QRIS
This is a workaround worth exploring.
However, there is a very important limitation here:
⚠️ GoPay Credit/Debit Card QRIS Payments Are Not Unlimited
According to GoPay’s official guidelines, when using a credit or debit card to pay via QRIS:
- Supports Visa and Mastercard
- Must be done within the GoPay App
- The traveler scans the merchant’s QRIS code themselves
- Currently, card-based QRIS transactions must be under Rp250,000
- Merchants scanning the QR code on your phone in reverse is not supported for this card payment method
- Some transactions may require entering a CVV or OTP.
So for higher-value expenses like hotels, spas, or restaurants, do not rely solely on ‘GoPay linked to a credit card’ as your only payment method.
It’s best to be prepared with:
💳 Physical credit card 💰 A small amount of cash 📱 GoPay / other digital payments
A combination of all three.
🇮🇩 Bali Travel: GoPay Recommendation
If you’re the type who:
✔️ Is used to mobile payments ✔️ Doesn’t want to carry a thick stack of Indonesian rupiah every day ✔️ Frequently visits restaurants, cafes, and spas ✔️ Loves surfing, yoga, and fitness ✔️ Prefers not to leave large amounts of cash in your hotel or locker
Then GoPay is a payment tool worth considering for your Bali trip.
And GoPay isn’t just for scanning QRIS.
iOS Download | Android Download
📱 How to Register for GoPay?
To start using GoPay, you first need to create an account.
You’ll generally need:
A phone number + Email
Once registered, you can begin using the app’s features.
If you’re just making simple payments versus needing functions like transfers or cash withdrawals, the level of account verification required may differ.
To upgrade to GoPay Plus, GoPay officially allows foreigners to use their PASSPORT as an identity document for verification.
So for international travelers, your passport is essential.
💳 Can GoPay Be Linked to Taiwanese Credit/Debit Cards?
This is a top concern for many Taiwanese travelers.
GoPay currently supports adding credit/debit cards within the app, with official support for:
Visa / Mastercard
When adding a card, you typically need to enter card details and may need to complete verification via the issuing bank’s OTP/3D Secure.
Once linked, you can select the credit/debit card as a payment source within the GoPay app.
🇹🇼 Special Notes for Taiwanese Travelers
Different Taiwanese banks and card types may have varying overseas online transaction settings, so:
‘Being able to link a card’ and ‘being able to successfully pay’ are two different things.
It’s recommended to confirm the following before traveling:
- Whether overseas transactions are enabled
- Whether online transactions are supported
- Whether OTP can be received
- Whether it’s a Visa/Mastercard
- Whether the issuing bank has overseas transaction limits
Additionally, GoPay currently has a limited-time promotion for Visa.
🎁 2026 Visa × GoPay QRIS Fee-Free Promotion
Visa and GoPay are currently running a promotion:
July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026
Paying with QRIS using a Visa credit/debit card linked to the GoPay App gives you up to 10 fee-free transactions per card per month.
And this is calculated per linked Visa card.
So if you’re heading to Bali in September 2026, keep an eye on this promotion.
However, this is a limited-time offer—it’s best to double-check the latest terms directly in the GoPay App before you go.
📲 How to Pay with QRIS at a Store?
It’s really simple.
When you see a QRIS code:
Step 1
Open the GoPay app.
Step 2
Tap QRIS.
Step 3
Scan the merchant’s QRIS code.
Step 4
Enter the purchase amount.
Step 5
Confirm the payment method.
If using a linked Visa or Mastercard, select that credit or debit card.
Step 6
Complete OTP/CVV/PIN verification as prompted by the App.
Once done, the payment is successful.
💰 GoPay Cash Top-Up: Avoid Carrying Cash Everywhere
This is where GoPay becomes especially useful for travelers.
Say you’ve exchanged a larger amount of Indonesian Rupiah:
💵 Exchanged a big stack of cash ↓ 📱 Top up GoPay ↓ 🍜 Pay for meals, SPA, coffee, shopping via QRIS ↓ 💰 No need to carry large amounts of cash everywhere you go
Perfect for those into:
🏄♂️ Surfing 🧘♀️ Yoga 🏋️ Gym 💆♀️ SPA 🏝️ Beach activities
For those who prefer not to carry large amounts of cash, it also reduces the need to stash cash in hotel rooms, backpacks, or lockers.
🏪 Top Up GoPay at Alfamart and Indomaret
If you have Indonesian rupiah cash on hand, you can also top up your GoPay balance at convenience stores.
GoPay officially offers top-up services at the following outlets:
- Alfamart
- Indomaret
The process typically works like this:
GoPay App → Top Up → Select Convenience Store → Generate Barcode/Code → Pay at the Counter
GoPay App → Top Up → Select Convenience Store → Generate Barcode/Code → Pay at the Counter
Minimum amounts and fees may vary by channel, so always refer to the app for actual details.
💵 GoPay also allows cash withdrawals!
If you really need cash, you don’t have to withdraw all your money at once.
GoPay Plus users can withdraw their GoPay balance through select ATMs or convenience stores.
The official GoPay cash withdrawal channels currently include:
- BCA ATM
- BRI ATM
- BJB ATM
- BSI ATM
- CIMB Niaga ATM
- Indomaret
- Alfamart
- Alfamidi
- Dan+Dan
- Lawson
and others.
So you can adopt:
Withdraw only what you need
instead of carrying a large amount of cash with you every day.
💰 What is the GoPay Plus Limit?
According to the official GoPay explanation:
Regular GoPay
Maximum Balance:
Rp2,000,000
GoPay Plus
Maximum Balance:
Rp20,000,000
Additionally, the monthly cumulative incoming balance limit for GoPay Plus is Rp40,000,000.
So if you plan to use GoPay extensively during your trip or need a higher balance, be mindful of your account verification status and limits.
🌏 Payment Methods in Bali by Traveler’s Country of Origin
| Traveler | QRIS Cross-Border | Recommended Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | ✅ Supported | Scan QRIS directly via participating bank/payment app |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | ✅ Supported | Bank/e-wallet supporting DuitNow QR |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | ✅ Supported | Payment app supporting PromptPay |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ✅ Supported | Payment app supporting QRIS Cross-Border |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ✅ Cross-border QR payment connection established | Use participating payment services |
| 🇨🇳 China | ✅ Cross-border QR payment connection established | Use participating payment services |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | ⚠️ Not currently a QRIS Cross-Border partner market | GoPay/Visa/Mastercard + cash/physical card |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | ⚠️ Not currently a QRIS Cross-Border partner market | GoPay/Visa/Mastercard + cash/physical card |
Bank Indonesia’s QRIS Cross-Border is continuously expanding its partner markets, so the actual supported countries and participating payment apps may be updated.
⚠️ Traveling to Bali: Don’t Rely Solely on QRIS for All Payments
Although QRIS is becoming more widespread, I still wouldn’t recommend traveling to Bali without any cash.
The reason is simple:
Some places might:
❌ No QRIS ❌ QRIS temporarily unavailable ❌ Poor internet connection ❌ Cash only ❌ Physical credit card only ❌ QRIS amount exceeds your current payment tool limit
Cash is still very useful, especially at small vendors, remote areas, traditional markets, or special events.
So the ideal approach is:
📱 Digital Payments
For restaurants, cafes, spas, shops, and some attractions.
💳 Credit Cards
For hotels, department stores, larger restaurants, etc.
💵 Cash
For tips, small vendors, traditional markets, transportation, and when digital payments aren’t accepted.
🇮🇩 Bali Cashless Travel: The Most Practical Way to Prepare
If it’s your first time in Bali, here’s a simple guide to remember:
① First, prepare a Visa or Mastercard
↓
② Install a compatible payment app on your phone
↓
③ Travelers from Taiwan/Hong Kong can look into GoPay + Visa/Mastercard
↓
④ Travelers from Singapore/Malaysia can check if their bank or payment app supports QRIS Cross-Border
↓
⑤ When you see QRIS in Bali, you can scan it using your preferred payment method
↓
⑥ Still keep a small amount of Indonesian Rupiah cash on hand
That way, you don’t have to carry a thick stack of cash around every day.
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💚 Conclusion: For Bali, you still need cash, but not a huge wad
Payment methods in Bali are changing fast.
In the past, the first thing everyone did when arriving in Bali was usually:
“Where to exchange Indonesian Rupiah?”
Now it’s become:
“Can I pay by card here? Or by QRIS?”
Especially now that QRIS has become a widely adopted digital payment standard in Indonesia, and with QRIS Cross-Border expanding, travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries can even scan and pay directly using their local supported payment apps.
For travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong, options like GoPay + Visa/Mastercard are worth considering, but be sure to keep an eye on current transaction limits and fee rules.
So the most practical payment strategy for Bali isn’t about “carrying no cash at all”—it’s about:
💳 Credit card + 📱 Digital payment + 💵 A small amount of cash
A combination of all three.
That way, you won’t panic when you see “Cashless Only,” and you won’t feel awkward at places that only accept cash.
📌 Quick Note
GoPay account limits, QRIS card payment rules, fees, convenience store services, and promotions are all subject to change.
Please refer to the GoPay app, official GoPay announcements, and your card issuer’s latest terms before departure.
In particular, the Visa × GoPay promotion offering 10 fee-free transactions per card per month is currently valid only until September 30, 2026.
For more Bali travel guides, accommodations, transportation, attractions, and the latest travel information, stay tuned to Bali Travel Guide gobaligo.id.
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