Bali: how to get there

# Bali — How to get there This guide covers how to get there in Bali — written for travelers who want real, current information, not the same recycled generic advice. ## At a glance - **Nearest airports:** Multiple options depending on your starting point - **Most common gateway:** Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS) for international arrivals - **From gateway to destination:** Usually 1–2 hours by domestic flight - **Round-trip domestic cost:** $40–150 depending on distance and timing ## Flying in Most international travelers arrive at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) or Bali Ngurah Rai (DPS). From either, you have multiple options to reach Bali. Direct domestic flights are the easiest and often cheapest option once you account for time. Indonesian domestic airlines (Lion Air, Garuda, Citilink, AirAsia) cover major routes at $30–100 one-way. Book 2–3 weeks ahead for best prices; last-minute fares can be 2–3x more. ## By ferry For destinations where flying is impractical, ferries are a viable option. The major routes: - Banyuwangi (Java) to Gilimanuk (Bali) — every 30 minutes, 45 min, $3–5 - Padangbai (Bali) to Lembar (Lombok) — 4–5 hours, $20–30 - Lembar (Lombok) to Sumbawa — several hours - Sorong to Raja Ampat (Waisai) — several hours Ferries are reliable but slow. Bring motion sickness medicine if you're prone. ## By ground transport Java has the most developed ground network in Indonesia: - **Trains (KAI):** Excellent across Java, including the Whoosh fast train (Jakarta–Bandung in 45 minutes). Book via the KAI app. - **Buses:** Reliable for medium and long distances. Luxury buses (Patas) are air-conditioned and surprisingly comfortable. - **Renting a car with driver:** Often the best option for sightseeing. $40–60/day including fuel. Negotiate directly or book through your accommodation. Outside Java, ground transport gets harder. Sumatra has some train service (Medan, Padang) but it's slow. Kalimantan and Sulawesi are largely fly-or-boat. ## From Singapore or Kuala Lumpur If you're coming from Singapore or Malaysia, budget flights into Indonesia are cheap and frequent. AirAsia, Scoot, and Lion Air run multiple daily flights from Changi or KLIA to Jakarta, Bali, Medan, and other cities. Return fares as low as $50. ## Visa & entry Most Western passport holders get 30 days visa-free on arrival. The Visa on Arrival (VOA, $35) is available for 60 days, extendable once. Make sure your passport is valid 6+ months beyond your entry date. ## Practical tips - **Domestic flight booking:** Use Traveloka or Tiket.com for best fares. Same-day bookings usually work. - **Luggage:** Domestic flights have 7–15kg free baggage. Weigh your bags. Excess fees are steep ($5–10/kg). - **Transit in Jakarta:** If transiting through CGK, give yourself at least 3 hours for international-to-domestic. Immigration lines can be long. - **Arrival cash:** Bring USD to exchange at the airport for the first few days. Better rates in town, but you'll want a buffer. ## Quick reference - **Reading time:** 8–12 minutes - **Last verified:** 2026 - **Source:** [Warisan Nusantara editorial team](https://warisannusantara.com/about) Have a tip we should include? Found something out of date? [Drop us a note](https://warisannusantara.com/contact).