You’ve made the decision to book your dream trip to Bali, now all that’s left is to actually get there! Depending on where you’re travelling from, the cost of getting to Indonesia will vary, as will your expected journey time.
And what about visas – do you need one to travel to Bali and if so, how much will it set you back?
Read on for prices, travel time and visa information for Bali depending on your nationality and global location!
(N.B. Flight estimates are representative of the cost of a round trip to Bali.)
Which airport should you fly to in Bali?
Bali has only one international airport and this is located in the capital city of Denpasar. Most visitors to the island fly here, before travelling by taxi or motorbike to other regions in Bali.
How much will it cost you to fly to Bali?
The cost of your airfare to Bali will vary depending on where in the world you are flying from. Read on for the approximate price of flights to Bali from Europe, the USA, Australia and Southeast Asia.
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North America
The United States and Canada are a long way from Bali and the only option for visitors from this part of the world is air travel. Flights can be pricey, so shop around for the best deals!
Cheapest airports to fly from in North America
- San Francisco
- New York
Approximate flight cost: $800 USD
Approximate travel time: 16 – 21 hours
Europe
Travelling to Bali from Europe also requires a long-haul flight to get there. The distance is considerable and the journey time is long, but how much can you expect to pay for your flight?
Cheapest airports to fly from in Europe
- London (England)
- Vienna (Austria)
- Berlin (Germany)
- Milan (Italy)
- Dublin (Ireland)
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
Approximate flight cost: $500 – 900 USD
Approximate travel time: 15 hours
Southeast Asia
Bali is just a short flight away from most countries in Southeast Asia, so travelling to Bali from a country in this region is quick and inexpensive. Flights typically take no more than a few hours and will only set you back a hundred dollars or so. Bali is a popular add-on for travellers touring SE Asia, but how much will it cost to add Bali to your itinerary?
Cheapest airports to fly from in Asia
- Bangkok (Thailand)
- Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Singapore Changi (Singapore)
- Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
- Taipei (Taiwan)
- Beijing (China)
- Hong Kong
Approximate flight cost: $100-150 USD
Approximate travel time: 2 – 4 hours
Top sites for cheap flights
Cost of flights sent your blood pressure soaring? Relax, there’s still hope for an affordable trip to Bali! To get the best deals on flights, plan your trip well ahead of time – especially if you’re flying from North America or Europe. Also, check out the following apps and websites for great offers on the cheapest airfares:
Visa Information
Do you need a visa for Bali?
Probably not! At least, not if your country is on the list of 140 countries cleared for visa-free entry to Indonesia AND you plan to stay less than 30 days. If this applies to you, then getting into Bali is easy – simply rock up at the airport and get your visa exemption stamped into your passport. (Be aware that you may be asked to provide proof of onward travel, i.e. a return flight).
However, you will need to purchase a visa if:
- Your country is not listed under the 140 countries with visa exemption in Indonesia
- You plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days
- The purpose of your visit is something other than tourism
Read on to find out which visa you should apply for and how much it costs.
What if your country is NOT on the list of countries eligible for visa exemption?
If your country is not on this list, then you must apply for a tourist or social visa before arriving in Bali. This is known as a B-211 visa and must be obtained at an Indonesian Consulate or Embassy outside of Indonesia.
Usually, applicants for the B-211 visa will need to present a sponsor letter from an Indonesian citizen in order to qualify for a visa. You may run into difficulties when trying to get your tourist visa for Bali if you are from one of the following countries:
- Iran
- Pakistan
- Israel
- Guinea
- North Korea
- Cameroon
- Liberia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Afghanistan
How much is the B-211 (social) Visa?
The cost of the social or tourist visa for Bali is approximately $60 USD, depending on where you apply from. This will allow you to stay in the country for up to 60 days and can be extended every 30 days for around $25 USD. The B-211 visa will allow you to stay in Bali for up to 6 months.
What if you plan to stay in Indonesia for 30 – 60 days?
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days, you will first need to check if citizens of your country are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA). You can get this at the airport when you arrive in Bali. The VoA can be extended once, in Bali, for a maximum of 30 more days, giving you 60 in total.
Alternatively, you can apply for a B-211 tourist/social visa at an Indonesian Consulate or Embassy outside of Indonesia. The B-211 visa is valid for an initial period of 60 days and is extendable for up to six months.
How much is the Visa on Arrival?
The Visa on Arrival can be bought at the airport for around $35 USD. The length of this process depends on how busy immigration is when you arrive, but should take no longer than an hour. The VoA is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another $35. The Visa on Arrival will allow you to stay in Bali for a maximum of 60 days.
What if you plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 60 days?
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 60 days, you will need to get a B-211 (social or tourist) visa. This visa is valid for 60 days initially and can be extended for $25 USD every 30 days. The B-211 visa allows you to remain in Indonesia for up to six months.
Visa rules – considerations for travellers to Bali
Keep an eye on the date
Most travellers to Bali get a visa exemption stamp at the airport and must leave Indonesia within 30 days. This may seem pretty straightforward, but many people stay a day or two longer than they should. Most people don’t even realize they’ve outstayed their welcome until they get hit with the fine at the airport!
So, why are overstays so common?
Your day of arrival counts as day one
Your 30 days in Indonesia start the minute you enter the country and your day of arrival is counted as Day 1 – even if you arrive 5 minutes before midnight!
It’s 30 days – NOT 1 month!
Booking your return ticket for one month later may seem spot-on, but this will push you into ‘overstay’ territory. Get your calendar out and count out the days before deciding on your departure date.
Your day of departure counts as one full day
Even if you leave 5 minutes after midnight, this still counts as one full day and may push you over the limit. Pay attention to your flight time to avoid any nasty surprises!
What if you overstay?
Despite your best efforts, you’ve overstayed your visa in Bali – oops!
In most cases, this is penalized with a fine, which you’ll be presented with at the airport. The price of overstaying in Indonesia is 300,000 Rupiah (around $30 USD) per day. Ouch!
Fortunately, most people will simply pay the fine and leave without further incident. However, things can get more complicated if you’ve overstayed for longer than 3 days.
What if it really wasn’t your fault?
Bali is notorious for natural disasters, most notably the grumbling Mt. Agung. If an errant ash cloud delays your departure, don’t worry – the government is understanding about circumstances outside of human control and will almost certainly waive the fee. The same applies if you find yourself stuck in hospital (just make sure you get a doctor’s note)!