Best Airports To Access Bali's Tropical Paradise

Bali is served by only one major airport: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport. It is located 29 miles from the city centre and can be reached by prepaid taxi or rideshare apps like Uber or Grab. The airport is within easy reach of the popular tourist destination of Kuta, which is just 3 miles away. If you are travelling from Europe, you can fly to Bali with one stopover in Istanbul (IST), Singapore (SIN), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). From Australia, there are numerous direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. From the United States, it is advised to break up the trip with a layover in a city like Singapore or Hong Kong.

Ngurah Rai International Airport is the only airport in Bali

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), is the only airport in Bali. It is located in Denpasar, around 29 miles from the city centre. The airport is served by several airlines, including Wings Abadi Airlines, Lion, Indonesia AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.

When flying to Bali, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it is important to book in advance to get the best prices, as prices tend to rise during peak tourist seasons. Peak travel periods include July-August and mid-December to early January. The tropical climate in Bali is hot and humid year-round, with high humidity during the rainy season (October-March) and less humidity in the dry season (April-September).

If you are travelling from Europe, you can fly to Bali with a single stopover in Istanbul (IST), Singapore (SIN), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL) from cities like London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), or Paris (CDG). Alternatively, you can fly through Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, but this route may not always have the most attractive fares. The lowest fares are often found by flying through Dubai or Doha, but these routes usually come with a much longer travel time and a higher carbon footprint.

For travellers from Australia, there are numerous direct flight options from Adelaide (ADL), Brisbane (BNE), Cairns (CNS), Darwin (DRW), Melbourne (MEL), Perth (PER), and Sydney (SYD). From Japan, you can also find direct flights, but only from Tokyo-Narita (NRT). From the United States, a nonstop flight to Bali is quite long, so it is recommended to break the trip up with a layover in a city like Singapore or Hong Kong.

Regardless of your origin, remember that you will need a passport and a visa to enter Bali, which is a part of Indonesia. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date. Indonesia currently offers a visa on arrival for citizens of 75 countries, valid for 30 days with the option to extend for another 30 days. This visa can be obtained online as an e-VOA (electronic visa on arrival) for a fee of 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 30 USD).

Flying via Istanbul, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur from Europe

When flying to Bali from Europe, you can expect one stopover in Istanbul, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. These are common stopover cities for flights departing from cities like London, Amsterdam, or Paris.

Via Istanbul

You can fly with Turkish Airlines from Europe to Bali with a stopover in Istanbul. Although this route is not the cheapest option, it offers a good balance between price and travel time.

Via Singapore

Singapore Airlines, KLM, and other airlines offer flights from Europe to Bali with a stopover in Singapore. This route is approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes long and costs between $50 and $200. This is the favourite route of one source.

Via Kuala Lumpur

AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines offer flights from Europe to Bali with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The non-stop flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bali takes around 3 hours. You can also find cheap flights with a complimentary 20kg baggage allowance and other perks.

In general, you can find the best flight deals to Bali in January, which is the heart of the rainy season. The low season, from November to March, also offers cheaper flights, especially if you book 3 to 4 months in advance. Remember that you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date and a visa to enter Bali.

Direct flights from Australia and Japan

There are numerous direct flights to Bali from several cities in Australia. The most frequent departures are from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Low-cost airline AirAsia has recently launched a new direct flight service between Cairns and Denpasar, operating three times a week. Similarly, Batik Air has introduced a new direct route from Canberra, also running three times weekly. These new direct services aim to strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Australia and promote tourism in both regions.

The best time to book flights to Bali from Australia is during the low season, from November to March, and ideally 3-4 months in advance. January is considered the low season in Bali as it is the heart of the rainy season, so you are likely to find the best flight deals during this period. However, keep in mind that you will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your return date, as well as a visa, which can be obtained online or upon arrival in Bali.

If you are travelling from Japan to Bali, there are direct flights available from Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali. Garuda Indonesia operates direct flights from Tokyo to Bali seven times a week. The cheapest months to fly from Bali to Tokyo are typically November, while August is the most expensive.

Flying to Jakarta for cheaper domestic flights to Bali

Bali is served by only one major airport: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which is located in Denpasar, 29 miles from the city centre. The airport offers both domestic and international flights.

If you're looking for cheaper flights to Bali, consider flying to Jakarta first and then taking a domestic flight to DPS. Jakarta has multiple airports, and choosing an alternate airport may result in substantial savings.

You can find cheap flights from Jakarta to Bali on websites like Traveloka and Trip.com. Traveloka offers Jakarta to Bali flight ticket promos, so you can save even more. The earlier you book, the better. On Trip.com, you can find the lowest flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. According to the website's data, the lowest price is around $135.

Keep in mind that the distance from Jakarta to Bali is quite far, and the flight time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Additionally, consider booking during the low season (November-March) and avoid booking during the peak tourist seasons of July-August and December-January. The best time to find cheap flights is usually 3-4 months in advance.

US citizens don't need a visa for stays under 30 days

There is only one international airport in Bali: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport, located 29 miles from the city centre.

US citizens can obtain a Visa on Arrival, which allows them to stay in Bali for up to 30 days. This visa can be extended for another 30 days. The visa-on-arrival fee is 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah, which is about 30 USD or 26 GBP. US citizens can also apply for an e-VOA (electronic visa on arrival) directly online with the official e-visa website for Indonesia. This is usually granted almost instantly, and you will receive a PDF with a QR code by email.

To be eligible for the Visa on Arrival, US citizens must have a regular passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their arrival and departure. They will also need proof of a return flight or travel onward. Permissible activities under the Visa on Arrival include tourism, social visits, and product sourcing.

Frequently asked questions