How to Travel to Indonesia from Thailand
There are many ways of traveling quickly and smoothly from Thailand into Indonesia. But, whether you’re looking to spend significant time in Indonesia or you’re just visiting for a few days as a tourist, it’s important to understand how to travel there legally to avoid delays and travel disruptions.
Continue reading to find out about the various routes you can take into Indonesia, what visas you require, and how to properly prepare for your journey.
How to Get to Indonesia from Thailand
Indonesia does not share a land border with Thailand like other Southeast Asian countries, so there are limited travel routes. You can travel to Indonesia either by air or sea.
Flying to Indonesia from Thailand
Traveling by plane is the quickest and easiest way of getting to Indonesia, despite the higher costs. Depending on the airline and flightpath, most flights last between 3 to 4 hours without stopovers at other airports. If you’re on a budget, there are many regional low-cost carriers that provide affordable flights with minimal amenities.
You can board a flight to Indonesia from airports in the following Thai provinces:
- Bangkok
- Phuket
- Chiang Mai
- Koh Samui
- Krabi
Your flight will land at one of Indonesia’s international airports, which are located in:
- Jakarta
- Yogyakarta
- Denpasar
- Surabaya
- Bali
Traveling to Indonesia from Thailand by Sea
Indonesia is an island nation that does not share a land border with Thailand, so the only way to travel there overland is by ferry. Despite longer travel times, traveling by ferry is more affordable compared to booking a flight. This can be a more cost-effective choice if you want to visit the country very briefly to refresh your stay duration in Thailand or just prefer the scenic route.
There are two routes into Indonesia by sea:
- From Phuket to Bali
- From Koh Samui to Bali
How to Get an Indonesian Tourist Visa
Depending on your nationality, you may need a tourist visa to enter Indonesia. This will allow you to stay in the country temporarily but restricts you from partaking in local employment or in any profit-making activities. To apply for an Indonesian Tourist Visa, you’ll need the following documentation:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months* from your date of entry
- Passport-sized photograph of yourself taken in the last 6 months
- Proof of finances (at least $2,000 or the international equivalent in your bank account)
- Proof of a return ticket back to Thailand
If you want to travel to Indonesia without a visa, up to 169 nationalities are eligible for a 30-day visa exemption program. To check if your nationality is eligible, you should consult the nearest Indonesian Embassy.
*NOTE: If you possess a different travel document (such as an emergency passport), it must be valid for at least 12 months past the date of entry.
Indonesia E-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA)
The Indonesian E-Visa is a tourist visa obtainable through an online application. This type of tourist visa costs 1,500,000 IDR (or the international equivalent) to obtain and is valid for up to 60 days. However, you can also apply for a 30-day extension, so the visa will be valid for up to 90 days in total.
Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Another option is to obtain a visa upon arrival in Indonesia, available at most of the airports and ports in the country. It costs 500,000 IDR (or the international equivalent) to apply for one and it is valid for up to 30 days. However, you also have the opportunity to extend it once so it’s valid for up to 60 days in total.
Indonesian Visitor Visa
The third option is to acquire a visitor visa, which you can apply for at the nearest Indonesian Embassy. This is a single-entry visa enabling you to visit Indonesia for tourism purposes, but you can also use it for government visits, holding a business meeting, purchasing goods, or for transit reasons. It is valid for up to 90 days, but you’re only allowed to reside in Indonesia for up to 30 days per entry.
Only 87 nationalities are eligible for the Indonesian Visitor Visa:
- Africa: Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia
- Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Suriname, USA
- Asia: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
- Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Vatican City
- Middle East: Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
You must hold a valid passport to apply for a visitor visa. Any other travel document (such as a Certificate of Identity, Alien Passport, or Emergency passport) is not accepted.
What to Do Before Traveling to Indonesia from Thailand
Before booking a trip to Indonesia, there are preparations you must make to ensure you can stay in the country legally and return to Thailand without any complications. Here are some steps to follow to help you with your travel plan:
Obtaining the Correct Thai Visa
As a non-Thai national, you will need to obtain a Thai visa to remain in the country and return after your trip. There are many visas to choose from and the correct one depends on why you want to stay in Thailand. You can apply for a visa at a Royal Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy in your home country or acquire a visa on arrival at any international checkpoint in Thailand. If you’re in Indonesia and you need a new Thai visa, you can bring your documents to the Thai Embassy in Indonesia.
If you want to save yourself the time and money to travel to the nearest embassy, you can also apply for an E-Visa by completing an online application. However, to qualify for this, you need to have a valid passport from any of the following countries:
- Africa: Egypt, South Africa
- America: Brazil, Canada, Chile, USA
- Asia: Cambodia, China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
- Middle East: Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Acquiring a Re-Entry Permit
Most Thai visas, especially tourist visas, will require you to apply for and obtain a re-entry permit each time you want to exit Thailand’s borders and return. Leaving the country without one will cancel your visa and require you to get a new one. To save yourself the hassle of having to acquire a permit every time, consider obtaining a multiple-entry visa such as:
Planning Your Itinerary
To ensure that your trip to Indonesia goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to prepare your itinerary beforehand. Some steps you can take to do this include:
- Acquiring health or travel insurance in case you’re met with a medical emergency.
- Recording proof of your temporary address in Indonesia (such as a hotel or friend’s domicile) in case you’re asked about it by an immigration officer.
- Bringing enough money in Indonesian currency (IDR).
- Reviewing the important tourist regulations on the Indonesian Embassy’s website to avoid bringing any illegal items into the country.
Contact Siam Legal for Professional Assistance
If you’re looking to travel to Indonesia and ensure your return trip to Thailand is as seamless as possible, consult Siam Legal for professional assistance with the right Thai visa.
With over 20 years of experience in Thailand, our Thai Visa consultants have the skills and knowledge to help you obtain the visa of your choice swiftly and successfully. Additionally, our consultants will review your application to correct any errors and handle the submission of it on your behalf, giving you peace of mind when setting up your travel plans.
Contact Siam Legal today to enjoy smooth travels to Thailand and Indonesia without any disruptions or immigration worries.
Category: Travel
