Landing in Bali usually comes with one immediate question: how do I get to my accommodation without wasting time or overpaying? Bali is HUGE!
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is the island’s main gateway and is located in South Bali, very close to Kuta, Jimbaran, and Seminyak. However, Bali is much bigger than it looks on a map, and some journeys can take several hours depending on traffic.
What’s the Best Way to Leave Bali Airport?
Walking. But wait it depends on three things:
- Where you’re staying.
- What time your flight arrives.
- How much luggage you’re carrying.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to get from Bali Airport to Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, and Kuta, along with a few practical tips I’ve learned while traveling around Indonesia.
My Cheat Code for Arriving in Bali Stress Free
If you’re arriving at night or after a long-haul flight, there’s a trick that works much better for me than rushing straight to Ubud or Canggu.
I usually book my first night in Kuta, close to the airport, and simply walk there. Yes, walk.
I normally stay at Fora Capsule Hostel when I’m traveling solo, and at Harris Hotel when I’m traveling with someone else. It’s affordable, comfortable, and saves you from negotiating transportation at the airport.
Where to Stay Near Bali Airport (DPS) for a Seamless First Night
Many travelers land in Bali in the dead of night or after a grueling 20+ hour flight journey. Attempting to cross half the island immediately under those conditions is the absolute perfect recipe for starting your trip completely exhausted.
Kuta is strategically the best area to spend your first night. It sits literally right next to the airport terminal and offers excellent accommodation options tailored to any budget. Beyond convenience, the area has its own charm; it is packed with independent local shops, reliable surf breaks, and vibrant cafés.
When booking, don’t just search blindly for a place “near the airport.” Make sure to verify exactly where the international or domestic arrival gate is located, and calculate your walking or transit time directly from that exit point. The streets winding through this specific neighborhood remain safe and quiet even late at night. I have personally traveled solo through here multiple times and never faced a single issue walking between the terminal exits and my accommodation.
To make your planning foolproof, here is the exact geographical coordinates marker you should use to measure distances and scout out the best incoming hotels nearby:
How to Get from Bali Airport to Kuta: Quickest Transit Options
Estimated Travel Time: 10 to 20 minutes.
Kuta is the closest area to the airport terminal and, for many travelers, the absolute best choice for spending your first night in Bali.
If your accommodation is nearby, you often won’t even need to worry about transport. For spots slightly further out, the most practical approach is simply exiting the airport, crossing the main street, and ordering a scooter ride via Grab or Gojek. If you are traveling light with just a backpack and a suitcase, you won’t have any issues jumping on a scooter.
If you are traveling as a family or simply prefer having your logistics locked in beforehand, platforms like GetTransfer work incredibly well across Indonesia. However, in my personal experience, booking in advance is rarely necessary. The airport operates 24/7, and I have always found reliable on-the-spot rides available regardless of the hour.
My Favorite Places to Stay in Kuta
>Luxury & Exclusive: Amnaya Resort Kuta. Hands down one of the absolute best properties in the entire area. The service is exceptional, and it’s the perfect place to decompress after a long flight if you want comfort.
-> Budget-Friendly & Solo Traveler: Fora Capsule. Located just 10 minutes away from the airport terminal. It’s incredibly cheap, highly comfortable, and perfectly optimized for a quick, hassle-free night.
How to Get from Bali Airport to Uluwatu: Traffic Hacks and Routes
Estimated Travel Time: 45 to 60 minutes.
Uluwatu sits on the dramatic southern peninsula of Bali. It is a massive favorite for surfers, cliff-worshippers, and travelers chasing stunning beaches alongside a much more laid back atmosphere than Canggu. Think clifftop temples, wild monkeys, world-class waves, and breathtaking drops into the ocean.
The most straightforward way to tackle this route is by using the ride-hailing apps Grab or Gojek. If you are carrying luggage, don’t stress about it. The local scooter drivers have mastered every packing tactic under the sun to make your bags fit securely.
🧚 If your flight lands during the afternoon, make it a priority to clear the airport and get moving as fast as possible. Traffic gridlocks on the roads heading south intensify heavily as the day goes on, and you definitely want to beat the rush hour.
My Favorite Places to Stay in Uluwatu:
-> Affordable Luxury: Gravity Eco Boutique
-> Budget Friendly: Villa Ricca. It is incredibly cheap, beautifully maintained, and offers fantastic value for your money. Alternatively the area is packed with highly social Surf Camps that are full of character and perfect for meeting people.
How to Get from Bali Airport to Canggu: Surviving the Traffic
Estimated Travel Time: 45 to 90 minutes.
The actual distance isn’t massive, but Canggu easily has some of the most unpredictable and chaotic traffic on the entire island.
It stands as one of Bali’s ultimate hotspots for surfers, digital nomads, and travelers chasing independent café culture, vibrant co-working spaces, and an active social scene. For transportation, using ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek is easily your most practical bet.
🧚🏽 If you can manage it, try opting for a scooter ride. The local drivers have an incredible, almost surgical ability to weave through gridlocks. Choosing a car on this route means you risk spending up to three times longer stuck in traffic.
My Favorite Places to Stay in Canggu
-> Exclusive Luxury: Further Hotel or La Reserve 1785. Honestly, it’s impossible to choose between the two. Both offer breathtaking architecture, impeccable curation, and that high-end, design-forward experience you look for in Bali.
-> Backpacker Friendly and Great Value: Guru Canggu Art Hotel is stunning and packed with authentic Bali vibes. Alternatively, keep an eye out for Turtle Villas on Booking.com—they frequently run great discounts and offer an unbeatable value for money.
How to Get from Bali Airport to Ubud: A Realist’s Guide
Estimated Travel Time: 1.5 to 2 hours.
Ubud is arguably Bali’s most iconic destination. A mandatory pilgrimage for anyone seeking lush rice terraces, ancient temples, deep nature, and a rich cultural immersion. However, I highly recommend against making it your very first stop, especially if you are flying in from the other side of the world.
The cheapest option is booking a car ride via Grab. While a scooter is technically possible, sitting on the back of a bike for two straight hours after a long-haul flight is frankly exhausting. For this particular journey, it genuinely pays off to book a private car or coordinate a direct transfer through your accommodation.
🧚🏽 If your itinerary allows it, try scheduling Ubud right in the middle of your Bali route. By doing this, you avoid crossing the entire island immediately after landing, keeping your journey much more relaxed and enjoyable.
My Favorite Places to Stay in Ubud
-> Ultra Luxury Dreams: Bambu Indah Resort or Hoshinoya Bali. These properties represent the exact, jaw-dropping postcard images we all associate with Bali. They are absolutely magical and ideal for honeymoons or deeply special trips.
-> Smart and Budget Friendly: Sri Aksata, Byasa Ubud, or Honeymoon Guesthouse. All three are excellent choices. Keep in mind that Ubud is massive; you need to ensure that besides beautiful views, your stay offers easy walking access to local restaurants, temples, and central attractions.
Insider Tips for Using Grab / Gojek at Bali Airport
You can download both apps from anywhere in the world prior to your trip to check real-time pricing or map out your routes in advance. It’s crucial to know that rideshare scooters are strictly barred from entering the immediate terminal arrivals loop. When booking a bike, make sure to select the designated “Grab Pick Up Point.” You will need to walk about 5 minutes, crossing through the main parking complex and over the roadway (near the toll gate).
Everything on the street is paid in cash, so ensure you withdraw local currency from an ATM right as you land. Alternatively, you can walk slightly outside the main terminal building to find ATMs with much lower transaction fees.
Having a working internet connection the second you touch down changes the entire game—and my absolute go-to lifesaver for this is Airalo. If you happen to land without data, don’t panic: there are physical Grab and Gojek kiosks right inside the airport terminal, along with dozens of local drivers waiting near the exits. You will never be left without an option.
Lo mejor es tener internet apenas llegas, y eso es posible con mi mejor amigo Airalo. Pero si no tenes internet, hay oficinas de Grab / Gojek en el aeropuerto y un montón de conductores esperando en la entrada. No te vas a quedar sin opciones.
How to Get from Bali Airport to Nusa Penida, Gili Islands and Lombok
Muchos viajeros utilizan Bali únicamente como punto de entrada antes de continuar hacia otras islas de Indonesia. En ese caso, deberás dirigirte primero a uno de los puertos principales.
Amed Port: The Gateway to the Gili Islands
Located on the far northeastern coast of Bali, catching a ferry from Amed takes significantly longer than other routes, and fast boat tickets here tend to be slightly more expensive. However, the scenic coastal landscapes and the reward of quiet, untouched beaches make the journey completely worth it.
That being said, if you are looking for a direct, seamless transit straight from the airport terminal to the islands, Amed Port is not the right choice for you due to the massive driving distance.
Serangan Port: The Best Option for Nusa Penida
Serangan is the southernmost port in Bali, making it incredibly convenient and close to the airport lines. You can easily jump in a Grab car and reach the docks in roughly 50 minutes.
However, make it a strict priority to check ferry timetables well in advance. Boat companies operating from this harbor are highly limited; to the best of my knowledge, there are currently only two daily departures available.
Padang Bai: The Main Hub for Lombok and Gili Fast Boats
As the busiest and most active port in East-Central Bali, Padang Bai sits relatively close to Ubud. This is where the overwhelming majority of fast-boat operators and public ferries depart toward Lombok and the Gili archipelago.
The drive from the airport to Padang Bai takes approximately 2 hours. If you prefer booking on foot, small local tourism agencies near the airport, mostly clustered around Kuta, offer bundled packages that include your private car transit + ferry ticket.
Alternatively, your best financial bet is purchasing your ferry tickets online beforehand. Platforms like 12GoAsia consistently offer significantly better rates than what you will encounter at the docks, saving you from intense, exhausting haggling sessions at the harbor gates.
Arriving in Bali: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it better to buy an eSIM before arriving in Bali?
Yes—especially if you are planning a shorter trip to Indonesia or if you are combining Bali with multiple other destinations across Southeast Asia. In my experience, Airalo worked absolutely flawlessly for me, even when navigating more remote regions like North Sumatra.
However, if you are planning a long-term stay in Indonesia, relying solely on an international eSIM is going to get incredibly expensive. Hands down, Telkomsel is the absolute best local provider in the country. They offer exceptional coverage across the islands and provide specific tourist packages that last up to 90 days.
🧚🏽 If your phone supports it, always opt for a physical local SIM card over an eSIM for extended stays, and make sure to buy it directly from an official flagship store. The provider is legally required to register and activate the card using your physical passport. If you skip this official registration step, your internet connection will most likely be completely cut off after just three days.
Can I use my credit card everywhere in Bali?
Card payments are becoming increasingly common across the island, but make no mistake: in Indonesia, cash is still absolute king.
Your best operational bet is withdrawing local currency directly from an ATM upon arrival. If you prefer physical money changers, they are everywhere, but I highly advise looking for authorized ones located completely outside the airport perimeter. Always double-check their credentials and read recent reviews on Google Maps before handing over your money.
Final Thoughts: Smart Logistics for a Better Bali Trip
Most travelers landing in Denpasar focus solely on how to escape the airport as quickly as humanly possible.
I strongly believe the smartest strategy is completely different: prioritizing arriving at your final destination feeling actually rested.
If your flight lands late at night, booking your very first night in Kuta can save you an immense amount of money, unneeded stress, and hours of gridlocked transit while you are still completely exhausted from travel. Once you have had a chance to sleep and unpack properly, moving onward to Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, or any other corner of the island becomes a million times easier.
Have an incredible journey and enjoy every second of Bali. It is truly one of those rare places that always leaves you dreaming of coming back.
-> Trabajar y viajar en Chiang Mai: guía rápida
Guadi.
