The Skyscanner guide to visiting Bali and Denpasar
Magical temples. Vibrant resorts. Beauty around every corner. Bali – just breathe it in. Aussies have been hitting these shores for years, seeking big waves, relaxing vibes and a true tropical paradise.
Now it’s your turn to discover Bali. With our travel guide you’re covered for flights to Bali, visas, where to stay and more.
Flying in to Denpasar
Bali Denpasar Airport
Airlines operating direct flights from Australia to Bali include:
Batik Air
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide to Denpasar
Garuda Indonesia
Melbourne, Sydney to Denpasar
Jetstar
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide to Denpasar
Qantas
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane to Denpasar
Virgin Australia
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide to Denpasar
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (code DPS), is often called Denpasar Airport but it’s about 15km south of Denpasar city. Direct daily flights to Denpasar Airport are available from most Australian state capital cities. Some of the best deals can be found with budget carriers like Jetstar, Air Asia, and Batik Air. But many full-service airlines also operate on this route, including Qantas. Flight time is six hours from Melbourne or Sydney and four hours from Perth.
At Skyscanner, you can easily search flights by price or departure time, with filters for airlines and price alert notifications.
Visas & Insurance for travel to Bali
Australians require a visa to enter Indonesia. The good news is you can apply for a 30-day visa on arrival (VoA) at the airport or in advance online.
It costs US$35 (around A$50), payable with cash or credit card. You can extend your VoA once for a further 30 days at the immigration office in South Bali – visa agents can expedite the process for an additional fee.
To receive a 60-day visa, you’ll need to apply for an extendable Visa in Advance, known as Visit Visa B211A.
You can apply via the immigration website or contact your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate in Australia.
- Your passport must have at least six months to run after your date of arrival in Indonesia.
- Immigration authorities dislike damaged, torn, or wet passports, so make sure it’s in good condition and keep it in a waterproof passport wallet.
- You must be able to show a return ticket or onward flight ticket.
- There is no longer any requirement to show proof of Covid vaccination.
- For more info on visas and immigration, see the Indonesia Directorate General of Immigration Website.
You can buy travel insurance online, through a travel agent or through your airline. Reputable companies include:
CoverMore
Allianz
NRMA
DON’T SKIMP ON TRAVEL INSURANCE
A reliable insurance policy covering medical expenses is essential, but a comprehensive plan can also cover you for cancelled flights, loss or theft of valuables and other unexpected emergencies.
There are many companies offering quick and easy quotes online. Cost will depend on the length of coverage and if you’ll be taking part in dangerous activities such as riding a motorbike, scuba diving or trekking. Expensive items such as camera gear and laptops may be insured for an extra premium.
Getting from Denpasar Airport
There are a good range of transport options available on arrival, and most travellers arriving at Denpasar will take a taxi directly from the airport. It’s worth checking to see if your hotel or resort offer airport transfers, as many of them do, and it’ll save you the cost of a journey.
Private Transfer
You can book a private taxi online with fares ranging from 90,000Rp to 200,000Rp for the short trip to Kuta.
Prepaid Taxi
There’s a prepaid airport taxi counter outside the arrivals hall. The minimum fare is 120,000Rp ($12) which will get you to Kuta or Jimbaran, plus 6.5Rp per km after a certain distance. Seminyak or Denpasar is around 150,000Rp and Ubud 350,000Rp.
Bluebird Taxi
Bali’s most reliable metered taxi service frequently drops off departing travellers so if you head outside to departures, you may be able to hail one. Ensure the meter is on. Bluebird is the best option for getting to the airport.
Grab
The popular rideshare app now has a pickup service from the airport but, unlike elsewhere in Bali, fares are similar to airport taxis.
Bus
There are three public bus services going to Tabanan, Nusa Dua and Batubulan for less than a dollar – best suited to locals and cheapskates!
Car Hire
There are a range of providers offering car hire from Denpasar Airport. The average price of car hire is around $68 a day although it can sometimes be cheaper to head into the city and chose one of the other car hire locations in Denpasar.
Bali Regions & Resorts
Skyscanner helps you find the best deals on hotels in Bali by comparing the prices from hundreds of providers all in one place. Check out Skyscanner hotels for a range of hotels and resorts throughout Bali. Our guide on places to stay in Bali will help you choose the right accommodation for you and there are some handy tips below to help you narrow your search.
Location Ubud
In the highlands of central Bali and surrounded by rice fields and nature, Ubud is the cultural and creative centre of Bali. There are many top-notch resorts such as Como Uma Ubud, Bambu Indah and Goya Boutique Resort.
Location Seminyak
Just north of Kuta, Seminyak is more upmarket, more cultured, and more dynamic. It’s full of designer boutiques, expats and a superb beach lined with resorts such as Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa and Samaya Seminyak.
Location Canggu
The scene is inevitably moving north to Canggu, where all lanes lead to the beach and top boutique hotels include Sedasa.
Location Kuta & Legian
The original Bali holiday strip, Kuta and Legian still heave with tourists, though some find it overcrowded and a bit manic. It has large shopping malls and some big resorts such as Double Six.
Location Jimbaran
Among the closest beaches to Denpasar Airport, Jimbaran is only 15 minutes to the south. Four Seasons at Jimbaran is the best-known resort.
Location Uluwatu
Around 40 minutes southwest of Denpasar airport, Uluwatu is best known for its surf breaks, laid-back village feel and cliff-top villas such as Luxe Bali.
Location Nusa Dua
Southeast of Denpasar, Nusa Dua is renowned for its huge resorts catering to families and the 18-hole Bali National Golf Resort.
Location Sanur
Sanur is another resort strip on the coast east of Denpasar with a family-friendly beach and popular resorts such as the Hyatt Regency.
Location Lake Beratan
Leave the beaches behind for this cool lake region in Bali’s central mountains, where resorts are more low-key than on the coast.
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Flights
Hotels
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How much will it cost?
Bali is excellent value compared with travel in Australia, but it can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.
Your budget will depend largely on how long you’re staying in Bali and the level of luxury you seek. You’ll get an inexpensive guesthouse in the backstreets of Kuta for $30 a night or a beachfront resort in Seminyak for $300. Shopping can be good value and some good-natured bargaining is still common at street stalls and markets.
Insider tip:
Ask the price first and you’ll get a figure from the trader. Start your opening bid much lower – as low as half. This gives you room to manoeuvre with a bit of back and forth to settle on a good price. Start off too high and you’ll lose your bargaining power. Don’t act too keen at the start either – you’ll show your hand too early.
Street food snack $2
Bottle of Bintang $3
Litre of petrol $1
Meal for two in a fancy restaurant $60
Night in a hostel $30
If you’re after a particular adventure in Bali, we have you covered. So, check out the best places to stay in Bali, where to find the most coveted surf spots in Bali, how to get around Bali and of course, finding outdoor adventure opportunities.
Thinking of travelling to Bali? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
