Cheap flights to Bali / Denpasar

Everything you need to know about flying to Bali

When thinking about the top tropical paradises in the world, many will include Bali, Indonesia. Dubbed the "Island of the Gods," Bali boasts natural wonders that would certainly make you feel like you're in heaven on Earth. 

Located in south-central Indonesia, Bali sits in the Coral Triangle. Among the many reasons, tourists flock to the province for the hundreds of coral species and marine life in the Balinese waters. On top of that, there’s the abundant culture of Bali that can be experienced through its cuisine, intricate temples and friendly people.

But first, you’ll need to get there. Here’s what you need to know before booking your flights to Denpasar.

How long is the flight to Bali?

• Adelaide to Bali – 5 hours
• Brisbane to Bali – 6.5 hours
• Cairns to Bali – 5.5 hours
• Darwin to Bali – 3.5 hours
• Melbourne to Bali – 6 hours
• Perth to Bali – 3.5 hours
• Sydney to Bali – 6.5 hours

Where is the airport in Bali?

Bali’s airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, sits between Kuta and Jimbaran toward the south of the island. If you’re staying at a hotel in either of those holiday hotspots, it will be just a short drive from the airport. 

Here’s how long you can expect the journey to be if you’re staying in other destinations in Bali:

• Amed: 120-150 minutes
• Candidasa: 90-120 minutes
• Legian: 15-25 minutes
• Nusa Dua: 20-30 minutes
• Sanur: 25-35 minutes
• Seminyak: 20-30 minutes
• Ubud: 60-90 minutes
• Uluwatu: 35-45 minutes

How to get to and from the airport in Bali

• Rideshare and taxi: Taxi rides come cheap in Bali, and online taxis are also convenient to book in the area. Bluebird is a well-established brand in Bali, with over 20,000 vehicles roaming the island. While a ride from Bluebird may cost you a little more than other alternatives, its reliability in getting you from your hotel to the next point of interest is unrivaled. A ride from the airport can cost you anywhere from AU$10 AUD (100,000 IDR) to AU$80 AUD (800,000 IDR) depending on where you’re staying in Bali. You can also book Blue Bird Taxi via Traveloka App.
• Car rentals: If you're fond of driving or you simply want to get your money's worth - you can rent a car for your Bali vacation. There are plenty of car rental companies in Bali that offer a daily rate starting at AU$45 (450,000 IDR). The good thing is, all cars in Bali are right-hand drive. So you wouldn't need to adjust or have your hands in a twist if you choose to drive around the island. Do keep in mind that driving in Bali is very different than driving in Australia. Perhaps a private driver, which shouldn’t cost that much more, may be a better solution.
• Airport shuttles: Most hotels can organise an airport shuttle or service to pick you up at the airport. It’s likely to cost a bit more than a taxi or rideshare service, but there will be someone waiting for you in the arrivals hall which may give you some comfort after a long journey.

How early to arrive at the airport

Flying to Bali

Since it’s an international flight to get to Indonesia, you’ll want to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure to ensure you have time go check in, drop off any luggage, go through customs and pass security. If you’re flying on a budget airline, too, you may want to grab a bite to eat prior to your flight as there’s probably better options at the airport than on board your flight.

Flying from Bali

If you’re coming straight back to Australia, you’ll also want to leave at least three hours before your departure. Traffic in Bali can be heavy at times, so be sure to leave ample time to get back to the airport – especially if you’re staying further away, such as Ubud.

If you’re continuing onto another destination in Indonesia, it will just be a domestic flight so you can arrive about an hour before your departure.

Which airlines fly to Bali from Australia

• AirAsia: Cairns, Darwin and Perth
• Batik Air: Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
• Citilink: Perth
• Garuda Indonesia: Melbourne and Sydney
• Jetstar: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
• Qantas: Melbourne and Sydney
• Transnusa: Perth
• Virgin Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney

Which Australian airports have direct flights to Bali?

You can fly direct to Bali from seven Australian cities, and connect to dozens of others with just one stop:

• Adelaide to Bali
• Brisbane to Bali
• Cairns to Bali
• Darwin to Bali
• Melbourne to Bali
• Perth to Bali
• Sydney to Bali

When is the cheapest time to fly to Bali

Airfares to Bali are generally cheaper during the wet season (October-March), as this is the quieter season for tourism. However, Australians do love a cheeky Christmas/New Year’s trip so expect prices to be higher from mid-December to late January. 

Visa requirements for Bali

Australians do require a visa to visit Indonesia, but luckily this can be sorted on arrival at the airport in Bali. It’s currently about AU$50 (IDR500,000). The line ups can be a bit long sometimes, so we’ve tried to make things easier for Bali-bound travellers with a fuss-free visa option for Australians.