Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is Indonesia’s second-busiest international airport, serving over 24 million passengers annually. Arriving after a long flight can be overwhelming, so with this Bali airport guide, hopefully, you get everything you need to relax.

Bali airport guide and general information

Bali Airport is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Denpasar or 2.5 kilometers (1.56 miles) from Kuta. The international terminal was opened in 2013, with 62 check-in counters and seven baggage collection carousels, immigration, and Visa on Arrival (VOA) in the arrival hall. This terminal has a capacity of 20 million passengers each year.

Expect a long queue in the immigration with up to 1 hour of waiting time, so you might be able to get to the front row by getting to the queue as quickly as possible. Restaurants and shops are mostly located in the departure area.

To get to Bali airport

If you are about to fly from Bali, it is easy to reach the airport by car, motorbike, or taxi – including the online transport service. Otherwise, you can arrange the airport transfer service with your accommodation. If you rent the motorbike, the rental company might also be able to drop off or pick up the motorbike at the airport.

However, if you bring a motorbike, the parking area is far from the terminals, and you should walk through the uncovered path. Meanwhile, car parking is much more accessible and convenient for dropping or loading baggage.

From Denpasar, Sanur, Ubud, Nusa Dua, you can go through the toll road or the main street of By Pass Ngurah Rai. From each tourist area to the airport, it takes approximately:

To get from Bali Airport

Airport official taxi

If your accommodation cannot or does not arrange the airport transfer, you have some options to get to your lodging from the airport. The first option is the airport’s official taxi, which charges a fixed rate depending on your destination. Book at the airport taxi counter to avoid being overcharged, and you can find them at:

  • International arrival: After the arrival gate, pass through the Duty-free shops and the drivers waiting for their guests. You will find the counter with the signboard with the published prices.
  • Domestic arrival: on the right side, just outside the arrival gate (the glass sliding doors).

After booking, they will quote you the price accordingly, and you will get the ticket with the confirmed price and taxi number. You will pay directly to the driver at the end of the trip. The rate is higher than the online transport service but might be better than bargaining with random Bali taxi drivers.

Online transportation service

However, if you find the counter is closed or cannot find the counter, another option is to use online transportation apps, such as Go-Jek, or Grab. Grab now has official pick-up zones in international and domestic terminals, with a green and white booth usually between terminals and the car park. However, the Grab airport rate is much higher than the Grab fare outside the airport; you can also compare the rates with the airport’s official taxi.

Android / Apple iOS

Taxi

Blue Bird Taxi, one of the most reputable taxis in Bali, is only allowed to drop off the passengers, not pick-up. Therefore, if both options above are not working for you, you can try to leave the arrival area to the departure area to find the Blue Bird taxis dropping off passengers and make sure the driver turns on the meter.

Please note that there are many other blue taxis very similar to Blue Bird, but stick to Blue Bird taxis if possible – they also have an app available on Android and iPhone called My Blue Bird.

Android / Apple iOS

Airport Private Transfer Service

This professional transportation service allows you to arrange a seamless transfer from the airport to your lodging or desired location. Unlike traditional airport services, Airport Private Transfer is facilitated through online platforms such as TripAdvisor, Viator, or Klook. This adds a level of comfort and personalization to your travel experience.

Useful Bali airport guide and facilities tourists should know

  • Upon arrival at the airport, you can exchange some money at the authorized money changers near the arrival gate – just in case you don’t have any Indonesian Rupiah to grab a taxi or buy a phone SIM card. Rates might be a bit higher than other money changers outside the airport.
  • ATMs are also available in both terminals. An ATM center is also between the domestic arrival gate and the parking area.
  • After the arrival exit gate in both terminals, some Telco kiosks sell local SIM cards. Read here about Wi-Fi & Phone in Indonesia.
  • GST Refund is located in the check-in areas of international departure.
  • Some nearby airport hotels are Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, a four-star hotel with direct access from and to the international departure area, and Hilton Garden Inn, located around 500 meters (547 yards) from the airport.
  • If you need to store your luggage and go around while waiting for your flight, go to the luggage storage service at the drop-off zone of both international and domestic departures.
  • Airport lounges with shower facilities are available in the international departure area, among many other perks. Some are free for Priority Pass holders, or you can pay for a guest pass.
  • Charging stations and outlets can be found at some gates in both terminals.

Bali airport guide for dining and shopping

Once you’ve cleared check-in and security, a world of culinary and retail delights awaits:

  • Duty-Free Shopping: Dive into duty-free shops across both terminals. Also, spot a couple of convenience stores, pharmacies, bookshops, souvenir havens, wine and spirits outlets, and a sprinkle of swanky branded stores. Most accept cash or card payments in Indonesian Rupiah.
  • Restaurants on Arrival: Craving a bite when you land? Cruise to the domestic terminal and explore restaurants between the arrival gate and parking area.