Bandung, Indonesia Travel Guide for the Single Traveler

If you’re looking for a second-tier city in Indonesia that offers a cooler climate, plenty of things to do and a lot of university girls, then Bandung may be the place you’re looking for.

While I preferred Surabaya a little more for the women there, I definitely enjoy a break from the hot, tropical climate of Indonesia in this city. The culture here is quite unique, too.

In other words, if you’re looking for a cheap place to check out in Indonesia as a single traveler, Bandung is definitely a solid option. Even if you don’t meet any girls (which is virtually impossible), you will still have plenty of fun exploring the area.

So let’s jump in and see why is Bandung, Indonesia such a great choice for single dudes traveling (and probably for any type of traveler too).

Bandung, Indonesia: Quick Facts

Population: 2.5 million people with a solid university population.

Weather: Bandung is a little cooler than other Indonesian cities. Low to mid-70’s tend to be common. Pay attention to rainy season before planning your travels here.

Safety: Safe. You won’t have too much to worry about here other than petty theft. If you’re a seasoned traveler, you won’t have any worries.

Bandung Travel Tips & Information

MUSTS: There’s actually a lot of awesome tourism in this small-ish Indonesian city. However, one thing stands out. You must check out the Teagkuban Perahu crater.

It’s an amazing place with a stunning view. Plus, you’ll get to step inside a live volcano while here!

There are few things cooler than this and definitely a story you will be able to tell over and over again for the rest of your life.

Also, a visit to the Gedung Sate is a good idea. This is a beautiful administrative building (so not your typical go-to place).

It’s amazing with its distinctive art deco style, featuring a central tower adorned with six satay-like ornaments and a fountain in a huge green area in front of it. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Apartment Prices: $400-900 a month. Logistically, you want to find something near a big mall. I found the area around Trans Studio Mall very nice, but a little pricey.

However, since the city is large, you do want to be in a popular, even though pricier area. Cheaper options available if you rent long term. Always negotiate your rates as this is no Bali and there are much fewer tourists!

Hostel Dorm Prices: Cheap. $5-12 per night. Nomad Not Mad doesn’t recommend this style of travel if you’re hoping to bring home some Bandung girls though… you can’t really bring them to a shared hostel room, right?

Go for a hotel instead. You could still find decent options at around $30 per night here. And for the privacy you’re getting, this is definitely the better choice.

Are there nice girls in Bandung?

Nightlife in Bandung, Indonesia: I wasn’t all that impressed with the nightlife in Bandung. It’s decent, but nothing comes close to Jakarta or Bali.

Most of the good nightlife spots in Bandung center around the university, although there are a few high-end spots for adults, as well.

While I only went out one night while in Bandung, here are a few of the places I visited or heard about:

• Shelter
• MOX
• Southbank
• Sobbers

Price of a Beer: $2-7

Price of a Bottle: $40-100

Online Dating in Bandung: If you’re hoping to meet Bandung girls, then the easiest way is online dating.

You’ll find the girls with the best English while using online dating in Bandung. These girls will also be more open to dating a “bule” (foreigner) than other girls in the city. Dating foreigners just isn’t common here due to there being so few here.

Your best bet will be Indonesian Cupid. You’ll find an ample supply of young, cute Indonesian girls here.

It’s best to start chatting with these chicks before you arrive because they’re a bit shy. This is especially true on a short trip.

Chance of Hooking Up in Bandung: 8/10

If you spend a week here and hit online dating in Bandung hard, you’ll be able to hook up with some girls relatively fast and easy.

If you ignore online game, you may not get any luck in this Indonesian city. There just aren’t as many prospects here as there are in Jakarta and Bali.

Or at least it’s not as easy as showing up to have girls fight for you (ah, if that only happened anywhere in the world!)

Are the Girls Beautiful in Bandung?

Some have claimed that the cutest Indonesian women are from Bandung. I didn’t exactly witness that.

The Bandung girls were definitely a step down from the quality in Jakarta. However, you’ll still be able to find some really nice looking women here, so you won’t have any complaints in this area.

Ladies throughout Indonesia are generally beautiful, and the same can be said about those in Bandung too, even though they seem fewer than in the more crowded cities in the country.

But with a population of over 2 million, there are still plenty of souls here to find your soulmate. Over and over again.

More Information About Bandung, Indonesia

Language Barrier: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of this city. You can get by for a week or two with English just fine, but I wouldn’t expect the English levels to be anything close to Jakarta or Bali levels.

Work Available?: The professional work opportunities are few and far between here. There may be a few English teaching gigs, but you won’t want to rely on finding work on the ground to live here. There’s just not a great chance you’ll find anything.

Taxi/Uber: Uber is active in Bandung, although it doesn’t work as well as other cities around Asia. Blue Bird Cabs is a solid second option in the city.

Bachelor Budget Needed: $1,200 – 2,000 per month.

Conclusion

Bandung is a fairly pleasant city. The Bandung girls are cute and friendly. The city itself is smaller and a little less chaotic than Jakarta, but it still has a lot to offer.

However, we wouldn’t recommend spending more than a week here for the typical traveling bachelor or digital nomad.

There are other better cities out there, in my opinion, some of them just as cheap as Bandung. You can go for Batam, for example, if you want another option that’s a bit off the beaten path.

But now over to you: have you been to Bandung, Indonesia? I would love to read about your experience there and any tips you might have for fellow single travelers.