Getting to Bali Guide

Mike Q

Mike Q

— 3 min read
Getting to Bali Guide
Photo by Alfiano Sutianto / Unsplash

Bali, a stunning island nestled within Indonesia's vast archipelago in Southeast Asia, beckons travelers with its enchanting beauty and vibrant culture. If you're contemplating a journey to Bali, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with essential travel tips, from selecting the best airlines and routes to understanding the optimal times for cost-effective travel.

Overview

  • What are the travel options to Bali?
  • Costs of flying to Bali
  • Ideal season to visit Bali
  • Visa requirements for Indonesia

Traveling by air

a sign with yellow text
Photo by David Dwipayana / Unsplash

Since Bali is an island, flying remains the primary and most efficient mode of entry. Denpasar-Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), situated in the southern region near Kuta, serves as the gateway to the island. The airport is conveniently located about a half-hour drive from Sanur, 90 minutes from Ubud, and three hours from Amed.

Direct Routes to Consider:

  • From the USA: Routes from Los Angeles (LAX) through Singapore (SIN), Seoul (ICN), or Hong Kong (HKG) are among the shortest. New York (JFK) also offers similar one-stop routes.
  • From Europe: Travelers can enjoy one-stop flights from cities like London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), and Paris (CDG) via Istanbul (IST), Singapore (SIN), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL), with Singapore being a favored transit point.
  • From Australia: Direct flights are plentiful, originating from cities including Adelaide (ADL), Brisbane (BNE), and Sydney (SYD), among others.
  • From Japan: Tokyo-Narita (NRT) offers direct flights to Bali.

Additional options include routing through Jakarta or international hubs like Dubai or Doha for potentially lower fares, though these may increase both travel time and carbon footprint.

Primary Airlines Serving Bali:

  • From Europe: Options include KLM, Turkish Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines, with layovers in key cities.
  • From the USA: Carriers like Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Cathay Pacific provide service with a stopover.
  • From Australia and Japan: Airlines such as Jetstar, Qantas, and Garuda Indonesia offer direct flights.

Costs of Traveling to Bali

Flight prices can vary significantly based on the point of departure and season. Here's a rough guide to average ticket costs:

  • London to Bali: £600 - £1,200
  • Amsterdam to Bali: €800 - €1,400
  • New York to Bali: $1,100 - $1,700
  • Los Angeles to Bali: $1,000 - $1,400
  • Sydney to Bali: $700 - $1,000
  • Tokyo to Bali: ¥50,000 - ¥100,000

To avoid peak prices, steer clear of major holiday periods in your region. Booking during off-peak seasons and well in advance can also yield more economical options.

Best Time to Travel To Bali

Ideal for scuba diving and exploring the natural beauty, September stands out as a fantastic month to visit Bali, especially for encountering the Mola-Mola fish near Nusa Penida. Although January falls within the rainy season, it can present the most affordable travel opportunities, with rains typically occurring at night, making daytime excursions feasible.

Visa quirements

Travel to Indonesia will require a visa for most western countries. https://www.markuslerner.com/travelscope

To enter Bali, travelers will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond their return date. Indonesia offers a visa on arrival for citizens of 75 countries, valid for an initial 30 days and extendable for another month. The fee is as of writing 520,000 IDR ($35/AUD 50/ 30 EUR ).

An electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) can now be obtained online through Indonesia's official e-visa website, instantly providing a QR-coded PDF via email. The cost for the e-VOA is 520,000 IDR, with online renewal options available for extended stays.

Like many countries, customs forms are now electronic and you can generate a QR code of your completed form here: https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/

Read more