Bali Airport

Bali Airport (by David Stanley)

Denpasar Airport is the main port of entry to Bali and is actually located between Kuta and Jimbaran. This Bali airport is a major hub serving Australia and Southeast Asia, and is Indonesia‘s third busiest airport and the typical destination where your cheap flights to Bali will arrive. To accommodate increased tourism, a second international airport is under construction on the nearby island of Lombok.

Upon entry to Bali via Denpasar Airport, travellers should have a passport valid for at least six months containing no fewer than two blank pages for stamps. Visas can either be purchased on arrival or bought ahead of time at an Indonesian embassy and are valid for a period of 30 days, after which a one-time-only 30 day extension can be issued locally. Once a visa is obtained, passengers must clear customs, immigration, baggage scan and quarantine examinations.

Denpasar Airport has an array of the usual restaurants, duty-free shops, ATMs and money changing kiosks. Crowding at the airport should soon be alleviated upon completion of a new international terminal. Security procedures are similar to those enforced at other international airports, and incoming passengers can expect careful scrutiny and scanning of all baggage and carry-on items. Those who have not bought a resort package including airport transfer can buy a fixed-fare public taxi ticket outside the exit and will be assigned a driver. Marginally cheaper metered Blue Bird Taxis are also available. Departing international passengers are likely to pass through three or four checkpoints, so allow time for delays and be patient. Be sure to save some Balinese banknotes, as an airport departure fee is assessed and must be paid in Indonesian rupiah only.