Asia, Indonesia

Quick guide: getting to and from Bali airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport — known as the Bali Airport (DPS) — is the main gateway to the island and one of the busiest airports in Indonesia, alongside Jakarta’s. It’s located in Denpasar, in the south of the island, very close to popular areas like Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu, which makes access easy both for travellers arriving and for those getting ready to head back home.

How to get to different neighborhoods in Bali?

To choose the best way to get from Bali Airport to your accommodation, you first need to understand something important: Bali is not a city, but a large and very diverse island.

It’s full of towns, cities and areas with completely different vibes. For example, Kuta is very close to the airport (just a few minutes by car), while Amed can be more than 3 hours away by road.

Depending on the time you arrive, your final destination, how much luggage you’re carrying or how many people you’re travelling with, one option will suit you better than another.

Below I explain all the ways to get to and from Bali Airport, including prices, recommended apps and local tips so you can choose the option that suits you best.

💡 Extra tip: I’ll also explain how to connect the airport with Bali’s main ports, in case your plan is to visit a nearby island (like Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands) as soon as you arrive.

How to get from the airport to the center of Bali

Private transport

Most hotels, villas and accommodations in Bali offer private airport transfer services. They only need your surname and flight number to wait for you directly at the arrivals terminal as soon as you land on the island. It’s the most comfortable option, although not usually the cheapest one.

There are also websites like GetTransfer, which has excellent reviews and allows you to organise your transfer without depending on your accommodation.

💡 tip: based on my experience, I don’t think Bali is a place where you need to book in advance. There are plenty of transport options available upon arrival, so you can easily decide on the spot without any issues.

Car / scooter rental

I don’t recommend renting a car in Bali under any circumstances. The traffic is chaotic, full of motorbikes overtaking from every direction, and getting from one place to another can take an eternity.

On the other hand, renting a motorbike or scooter is one of the best ways to get around Bali — and Indonesia in general. Just one thing: I recommend having previous experience riding scooters, as local drivers can be quite bold and the streets a little chaotic.

Most rentals don’t include insurance, although they usually provide a helmet. Prices range from 4 EUR to 6 EUR per day, depending on the model, the rental duration and your bargaining skills.
The fuel is very cheap. The most common way is to buy it in small roadside shops, where they sell glass or plastic bottles filled with a green liquid (petrol).

Transport prices at the airport are usually higher; if you walk just 10 minutes away, you’ll find much more affordable and fair rates.

Grab / Gojek

It’s the “Uber” of Southeast Asia, with the advantage that they also offer motorbikes — a much cheaper and faster way to get around Bali.

You can download the app from any country and check prices or plan your routes in advance. Once you enter your pickup point and destination, you’ll be able to choose between different types of vehicles (I tried the budget motorbike and the XL, and the difference is minimal).

💸 Motorbikes can’t enter the airport, so choose “Grab Pick Up Point” and walk about 5 minutes, crossing the parking area and the road (there’s a toll).

It’s important to know that everything is paid in cash, so it’s a good idea to exchange a bit of money at the airport. If you don’t have internet, there are Grab/Gojek offices at the airport and plenty of drivers ready to help you. Even if you arrive in the middle of the night, you’ll never run out of options.

🧚🏽 tip: Don’t worry about a standard backpack (my 50L fits without any problem) — they place it between their legs and the ride is relatively comfortable and much faster than by car. Just keep in mind: it’s quite an adventure!

Walking

Yes, you read that right: you can walk to your accommodation!

Kuta has plenty of options just 5–20 minutes on foot from the airport. The area is safe and pleasant — perfect for getting some rest after your flight.
I arrived at 2 a.m. and stayed at Fora Capsule: highly recommended, 15 minutes from the airport, affordable, clean and with 24-hour reception.

How to get to the other islands of Indonesia?

If your plan when arriving in Bali is to take a boat to a nearby island (Gili, Nusa Penida or Lombok), there are three main ports you can choose from depending on your destination.

Amed

It’s located on the far northeast of Bali. Getting there by ferry takes longer than to other destinations, and fast boats are usually a bit more expensive, but the trip is absolutely worth it for the scenery and the peaceful beaches.

Serangan

This is the southernmost port in Bali, very close to the airport. You can easily get there with Grab in about 50 minutes. However, only a few companies operate from here, and there are just two departure times per day.

PadangBai

The busiest port in central–eastern Bali, quite close to Ubud. Most fast boat and ferry companies to other islands depart from here.

The journey from the airport to Padangbai takes around 2 hours. In the small tourist agencies you can find packages that include transfer + ferry, depending on your destination. Keep in mind that the prices on the brochures are usually negotiable, so it’s worth haggling a bit. The agencies closest to the airport are located in Kuta.

The other option is to buy your ferry ticket online. On 12goAsia you can find much better prices than those offered at the port (even after intense and exhausting haggling). Then, you can simply request a Grab from your location.