Bali's Airport: What Travelers Need To Know

Yes, there is an airport in Bali. Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is located in the South Kuta district, 13km south of Denpasar, the capital of Bali. It is Indonesia's second-busiest airport, serving 23,779,178 passengers in 2018. The airport has been recognised for its service, winning the world's third-best airport award in 2016.

Ngurah Rai International Airport

The airport is named after I Gusti Ngurah Rai, a national hero of Indonesia who fought for the country's independence. The airport was originally established as a simple 700-metre airstrip by the Dutch Colonial administration in 1931. It has since undergone significant upgrades and expansions, including the addition of a new international terminal in 2013 and a refurbished domestic terminal in 2014. The airport now has a capacity of 25 million passengers per year and can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.

The airport offers various facilities and services for passengers, including luggage storage, showers, food and beverage options, retail concessions, toilets, baby care rooms, currency exchange services, and ATMs. There is also a hotel, Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai, located within the airport building, offering easy access to both the domestic and international terminals.

In terms of transportation to and from the airport, taxi services are available 24/7, and bus services connect the airport to the city. However, it is important to note that shuttle bus services are not provided at the airport, and bus schedules may be limited during the evening. Car rental services are also available at the airport and through online platforms.

Denpasar International Airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is located in the South Kuta district of Bali, Indonesia. It is the only airport in Bali and is located just 13 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of the island.

Denpasar Airport is well-connected to the rest of Indonesia and has regular domestic flights to major cities within the country. It also receives flights from major international cities. The airport is named after I Gusti Ngurah Rai, a national hero who fought for Indonesian independence.

In 2013, a new international terminal was opened, followed by a new domestic terminal in 2014. Together, they offer 63 check-in counters and 10 gate jet bridges. The airport has a Balinese architectural theme, with separate departure and arrival halls. The departure area has 62 check-in counters with electronic scales and luggage conveyors, and the international departure lounge can accommodate 3,175 passengers. The new domestic terminal is four times larger than the old one and can serve up to 9.4 million passengers a year.

There are several ways to get to and from the airport and Denpasar. Although there are no shuttle bus services, the airport is connected to the city by public transport. There are three possible routes: Ngurah Rai Airport – Tabanan, Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – Jimbaran – Nusa Dua, and Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – Kuta – Legian – Denpasar – Batubulan. To get to Denpasar, passengers can take bus number K2B, which departs every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Minibusses, or Bemos, are also a common mode of transport in Bali and are the cheapest option, but they are often uncomfortable. Taxis are available 24/7 and offer more convenience and comfort.

Transport to and from the airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is the only airport in Bali. It is located just 13 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of Bali.

By bus

Although there are no shuttle bus services provided at the airport, the airport is connected to Denpasar and other cities by public transport. To get to Denpasar, walk 500 metres from the airport to the station and wait for bus number K2B. The bus departs every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM until 7:30 PM. If you are arriving in the evening, you may need to find alternative transport.

By taxi

Taxis are the most convenient and flexible way of getting to and from the airport. They are available 24/7. Reputable taxi companies include Bluebird Taxis, which are entirely blue with the brand logo on the sides. You can expect to pay around 15 euros for a regular taxi from the airport to Denpasar.

By private transfer

You can also book a private transfer to and from the airport. This can be done in advance online or upon arrival at the airport.

By car

If you want to explore Bali independently, you can rent a car from companies such as Kayak, Priceline, and Avis. The average price is around 63 euros per day.

By bemo

Minibusses, known as bemos, are a common and cheap means of transport in Bali. They are open-air minibuses with benches facing one another instead of seats. To hail a bemo, walk out of the airport and exit the road, then raise your hand when you see one riding down the road. Bemos are the cheapest form of transport in Bali but not the most convenient as they are often uncomfortable and charge tourists more.

Airport facilities

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is the only airport in Bali. It is located in the South Kuta district, just 13 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of Bali. The airport has plenty of facilities to keep travellers comfortable and entertained during their time there.

Lounges

The airport has several lounges, including the Concordia Lounge, the Premier Lounge, the Cempaka Lounge, and the Garuda Indonesia Lounge. These lounges offer various amenities, such as premium food, Wi-Fi, snacks, TV, and showers. Some lounges are open 24 hours, while others have specific operating hours.

Dining

The airport offers a variety of dining options, including restaurants, fast food, and food stores located in both the domestic and international terminals. Some restaurants are open 24 hours, such as Urban Food Market and Coco Express.

Shopping

Duty-free shopping and a range of shops are available at the airport. Shops like Coco Mart, WHSmith Convenience Stores, Mentari Bali Store, and Dufry are open 24 hours.

Other Amenities

Other facilities at the airport include luggage storage and lockers, baby care rooms, currency exchange booths, ATMs, information desks, prayer rooms, smoking areas, and spa services. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the airport.

History of the airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is the only airport in Bali. It is located in the South Kuta district, 13 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of Bali.

The airport was originally established in 1931 as Pelabuhan Udara Tuban, or Tuban airfield, by the Dutch Colonial administration's Voor Verkeer en Waterstaats public works office. At the time, the site was a simple 700-metre-long airstrip with a few huts and a short grass runway. The northern end of the runway was in the Tuban village graveyard, and the southern end occupied previously vacant land. This location facilitated arrivals and departures over the ocean with minimal noise and overflights intruding upon populated areas.

In 1942, the airstrip was used to stage fighter and bomber operations during World War II. It was damaged by bombing from Japanese forces, who occupied Bali during the war, seizing the airport on 19 February 1942. The Japanese improved the runway during their occupation, extending it to 1,200 metres by 1947.

In 1949, a terminal building and other aviation facilities were constructed, along with a wooden flight control tower. Aviation communication was through a Morse code transceiver. In 1959, President Sukarno sought to further develop the airstrip, and renovations worth $13 million (Rp 35 billion in 1959) were carried out.

To accommodate jet aircraft, the runway was extended westward into the sea, as the eastern end was blocked by the expansion of the local fishing village. An international airport was developed, with the Indonesian government deciding to rebuild the terminal building and extend the runway to 2,700 metres. This project, called Project Tuban Airport, lasted from 1963 to 1969 and included the construction of a temporary terminal. International air service began on 10 August 1966.

To cater to the increasing number of passengers, the terminal buildings were expanded with the addition of an international terminal from 1965 to 1969. The new Ngurah Rai International Airport was inaugurated on 1 August 1968 by then-President Suharto. The airport was named after I Gusti Ngurah Rai, a significant national hero during Indonesia's struggle for independence.

By 1975, the rising passenger volumes had outgrown the older terminal, and a new international passenger terminal was completed in 1978. The old international terminal was converted into a domestic terminal, and the previous domestic terminal became the cargo and catering facilities building.

In the 1980s, the management of the airport was transferred to Perum Angkasa Pura, which further developed the aviation facilities, including the apron, terminal, and other buildings. The company's name was changed to Perum Angkasa Pura I in 1986.

From 1989 to 1992, major improvement works were undertaken, including extending the landing strip to 3,000 metres, relocating taxiways, expanding the apron, and constructing new passenger and cargo buildings. With these upgrades, the airport was well-equipped for the 21st century.

In 2000, the airport recorded 43,797 domestic and international flights, serving 4,443,856 passengers. By April 2011, the airport's capacity was exceeded, handling 11.1 million passengers annually. Plans were made to address the expansion problems, including proposals for a new runway and a completely new airport.

A master plan for 2009-2011 was announced, which included the construction of a new international terminal and the renovation of the existing international terminal into a new domestic terminal. The new international terminal opened in November 2013, and the domestic terminal opened in September 2014, increasing the airport's capacity to 25 million passengers annually until 2025.

In June 2023, an Emirates Airbus A380 flight landed at Ngurah Rai, marking the first time an A380 served a scheduled commercial service in Indonesia. The airport had built a specific aerobridge to accommodate the aircraft's upper deck.

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