Airports are notoriously stressful places, especially when you’re tired out after a long flight. Navigating the space can be confusing and it may take hours before you’re finally out the door with your luggage, assuming everything goes smoothly upon your arrival.
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, commonly known as Denpasar Airport, is the island’s only airport, located around 13 kilometres south of Denpasar. It may be overwhelming for first-time travellers, but it’s easy enough to navigate if you know where to go and what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know about the arrival process, getting around, and departing, to help you get through Bali airport with confidence.
Before You Arrive at Bali Airport: Essential Pre-Travel Checklist
Your preparation should start before your departure flight. Make sure you have all the required documents to enter Bali.
Visa
Bali offers Visa on Arrival for select countries. If your country is not on the list, make sure that you’ve applied for and obtained a Visitor Visa for Indonesia.
Tourism levy
In addition to a visa, Bali also requires foreign travellers to pay a tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (around USD$9). This can be done online through the Love Bali website or app.
By paying this fee, visitors are contributing to the maintenance and preservation of Bali’s natural environment and tourist sites.
Digital arrival form (All Indonesia)
As of September 2025, all international travellers must complete the All Indonesia digital arrival form before landing. This single platform replaces the previous SATUSEHAT Health Pass and the Electronic Customs Declaration. Complete the form at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or via the All Indonesia app (iOS/Android) within 72 hours of your arrival. Upon submission, you will receive a QR code to present at customs and immigration. Screenshot it before you fly.
Register your IMEI
If you’re staying in the country for more than 90 days, you will need to register for an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), which is mandatory to prevent the illegal import of mobile phones. This registration can be done at customs.
For a complete breakdown of what’s required in 2026, this guide to Bali entry requirements covers everything in detail before you book your flight.
Navigating Arrivals at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali Airport)
Getting to the auto gates
There are automated gates as well as traditional immigration lines at the airport’s international terminal.
To use the autogates, you need all three of the following: an electronic passport (e-passport, identifiable by the chip symbol on the cover), age 6 or above, and one of the following visa types: an approved e-VOA, a pre-approved e-Visa, or a Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEA) status with your passport pre-registered online. Travellers who purchase their VOA at the airport counter on arrival must use the standard immigration counters.
For those who need to use the traditional immigration line, you’ll want to get in the queue quickly. For this reason, it’s best to go for a bathroom break on the plane before landing. There are toilets at several points along the way, but stopping will only slow you down.
If queues look long, note that paid Fast Track immigration services are available to tourists at Bali Airport, offering a dedicated lane and an escort through immigration, customs, and baggage claim for a fee. These can be booked in advance through licensed operators, and are worth considering if you are travelling with young children or elderly relatives, or simply want to skip a lengthy queue during peak season.
Baggage claim
The Bali airport is known for slow baggage handling. It can take up to an hour after landing for your luggage to show up on the belt. Even if you make it out of immigration relatively quickly, you may still have to stand around and wait for your suitcases for a while, so between immigration and baggage claim is the perfect time to take a bathroom break.
At baggage claim, there are usually porters standing around near the belts offering their services, easily identifiable in their uniforms. They can be quite persistent, but just be firm if you don’t need them.
Once you have your luggage, you’ll pass through a final customs check before exiting the terminal, where you may be asked to declare certain goods using the QR code from your All Indonesia arrival form. Have your passport, the QR code, and any visa documentation ready so this last step goes as smoothly as the rest of your arrival.
Leaving Bali airport
Currency exchange and cash withdrawals
Be sure you have enough currency on you before you leave the airport. There are banking halls with ATMs from major local banks which take most Visa and Mastercard cards. Additionally, bank counters are available to help you make cash withdrawals as well.
If you need to exchange currencies, we recommend doing so at money changers around the island, which offer more competitive rates than the ones at the airport.
Food and drinks
If you find yourself hungry, there are convenience stores selling snacks and drinks on the right hand side of the arrivals hall. For more options, you can head upstairs to the 3rd floor where the departures hall is.
Taxi drivers and porters at arrivals
The arrivals hall will be lined with taxi drivers and more porters eager to help you for a fee and additional tip. They may stick to your side and try to persuade you to take up their offer as you walk, often taking no for an answer and charging high prices. Avoid this by pre-booking your airport transfer so you know that there will be a driver waiting for you at arrivals.
If you haven’t arranged an airport transfer, only use transportation stated on the official Bali airport website. The official airport taxi counter offers fixed, zone-based fares depending on your destination, with the price agreed before you get in the car.
Alternatively, make your way to the Grab and Gojek lounges available. These are transfer services provided by ride hailing services in official collaboration with the airport. There will be staff at each lounge to help you make your car booking. Be aware that rides with these services from the airport in particular may be pricier depending on your destination.
For a more budget-friendly option, public buses do run from the airport, though they’re a less straightforward choice if you’re travelling with luggage or unfamiliar with the routes. These suit more adventurous travellers with time to spare, rather than those heading straight to check-in.
Related article: Your Bali Transport Guide to Getting Around the Island of The Gods
What to look forward to at your destination
Once you’ve made it out of the airport, an island paradise awaits. Bali offers stunning nature views, lively entertainment, a bustling night life, and a culinary haven, all in one. Before you dive in, it’s worth knowing which apps will make navigating all of it a lot smoother.
For inspiration on where to start, check out our guide to things to do in Bali, and don’t miss our roundup of the best restaurants in Seminyak for when hunger strikes.
Be sure to get a taste of authentic Indonesian food during your travels by visiting Merah Putih restaurant in Petitenget. This luxury Indonesian restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience and takes you on a journey through local cuisine with innovative food and drinks.
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Departing from Bali
When flying out of Bali, the departure process for international flights involves a few key steps: security screening, check-in, a second security check, and immigration clearance before you reach the departure lounge. The check-in counter opens three hours before departure time, so it’s best to time your arrival accordingly.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect at Bali airport departures:
1. Upon entering the departure terminal, all passengers must pass through the first security checkpoint. Have your passport and travel documents ready, ensure all metal objects are packed away, and make sure your luggage goes through the x-ray machine.
2. Proceed to the check-in counter for your airline with your valid passport, flight ticket or booking confirmation, and visa if required. Double-check your boarding pass and travel documents before leaving the counter.
3. After check-in, you’ll go through a second security check before proceeding to the immigration counter.
4. Once cleared by immigration, follow the signs to your departure gate as indicated on your boarding pass or the flight information screens.
How early should you arrive at Bali airport for an international flight?
For international flights, we recommend arriving at Bali airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. While the check-in and security process can sometimes take as little as 20–30 minutes when the airport is quiet, wait times can increase significantly during peak travel periods.
Factor in the journey to the airport as well. Traffic around the Kuta and Nusa Dua areas can be unpredictable, and it’s not uncommon for the drive to take two hours or more depending on where you’re staying. To be safe, plan to leave your accommodation at least four hours before your flight.
FAQ
Currently, Bali only has one airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. However, plans for a second airport, North Bali International Airport in Buleleng Regency, have been approved by the Indonesian government, though a construction timeline and opening date have not yet been confirmed.
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is located in Denpasar, only around 3 to 5 kilometres from Kuta — in fact, Kuta is one of the closest areas to the airport.
Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is the island’s only airport, located around 13 kilometres south of Denpasar.
Depending on the time of your arrival, the queue at immigration may take more than an hour, so you’ll want to get in line quickly. Paid Fast Track services are available if you’d rather skip the queue.
Yes, but it is now part of the All Indonesia digital arrival form rather than a separate document. Complete the form at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or via the app within 72 hours of your arrival. You will receive a QR code to show at customs.
Yes, if you hold an electronic passport, are aged 6 or above, and have either an e-VOA, a pre-approved e-Visa, or Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEA) status with your passport pre-registered online. Travellers who purchase a VOA at the airport counter on arrival must use the standard immigration counters.
