Getting to and around Bali

About Getting to and around Bali

By the ULTIMATE Bali Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Almost everyone arrives at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, on the narrow neck of land between Kuta and Jimbaran. From there the resorts of the south are close, Ubud is a drive inland and the east and north are half a day away. There are no railways on Bali: you travel by car and driver, by app, by scooter if you are licensed and confident, and by boat to the islands.

Arriving

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is run by InJourney Airports (ngurahrai.injourneyairports.id). Buy an e-VOA in advance on the official site, evisa.imigrasi.go.id, if your nationality qualifies, complete the All Indonesia arrival card, and pay Bali’s IDR 150,000 tourist levy on the official Love Bali site, lovebali.baliprov.go.id.

On the road

There are no trains. Most visitors use a car and driver booked through their hotel, or Gojek and Grab. The Bali Mandara toll road crosses the bay on a causeway between the airport, Nusa Dua and Benoa.

Allow far more time than the distances suggest: traffic in the south is heavy, especially in the late afternoon.

By sea

Fast boats run from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. The public ferries of ASDP sail from Padangbai to Lombok and from Gilimanuk to Java.

Our advice: fly in during the day if you can, and plan your first night close to the airport if you land late.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Getting to and around Bali before you go.