If you are planning a trip to Bali read this first. I’ve seen folks pay double (sometimes triple, ouch) for the exact same flight I once snagged dirt cheap. Flights to Bali are a whole game of timing, routes, and knowing a few sneaky tricks that booking sites don’t exactly shout about.
So if you’re sitting there typing “cheap flights to Bali” like a maniac, chill. Here’s my no-BS guide to getting here without draining you savings.
Which Airport Do You Fly Into?
Bali’s got one main airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), aka Denpasar Airport. Don’t get confused if you see both names — it’s the same place.
It’s in the south, smack between Kuta and Jimbaran. So you’re like 30–60 mins from hotspots like Seminyak, Canggu, or Uluwatu (depending on traffic, and trust me, Bali traffic is its own beast).
Best Time to Book Flights to Bali
Here’s the tea:
- Book early if you’re coming in peak season (July–Aug, Dec holidays). Prices skyrocket, villas fill up, even scooters get pricey.
- Cheapest months: February, March, and kinda late October. It’s shoulder/wet season, but flights drop a lot.
- Sweet spot for booking: 2–4 months before your trip. Too early = prices haven’t dipped yet. Too late = you’re stuck with “ouch” fares.
Pro tip: Don’t search flights 20 times a day on the same laptop. Cookies mess with you. Either go incognito or use a diff device. Yeah, airlines be sneaky like that.
Airlines That Fly to Bali (Without Making You Cry)
- From Australia: Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, AirAsia. Aussies basically treat Bali like their backyard — heaps of direct flights from Sydney, Perth, Melbourne.
- From Europe: No direct flights (sad face). Usual stopovers are Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or Doha. Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines all solid.
- From USA/Canada: Also no direct flights (double sad face). Most go via Singapore, Japan, or the Middle East. Singapore Airlines + EVA Air are comfy but not always cheap.
- From Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia. These budget airlines will save you $$ but watch baggage limits (they sting you on that).
| Origin Region | Airlines (Common Options) | Typical Price Range* (Round-Trip, Economy) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, AirAsia | AUD 400-800 (e.g. MEL/SYD ↔ Bali ~ AUD 449 return) |
| Europe | Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, etc. (with stopovers) | USD 600-1,200 (or ~€400-€900) for return tickets |
| USA / Canada | Singapore Airlines + layovers via Asia / Middle East | USD 900-1,700+ for return is common depending on routing |
| Asia (nearby hubs) | AirAsia, Scoot, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia | USD 200-500 or local equivalents (round trip) when using budget airlines and good deals |
Hacks for Scoring Cheaper Bali Flights
- Mix airlines. Sometimes it’s cheaper to book two separate legs instead of one big “round trip”. Eg: LA → Singapore on one airline, then Singapore → Bali on AirAsia.
- Look at nearby hubs. KL (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, Bangkok, even Jakarta often have cheaper long-hauls. Then just hop a budget flight to Bali.
- Flexible dates = cheaper fares. If you can wiggle your trip by a few days, use Google Flights or Skyscanner’s calendar view — you’ll see fares drop by $100+ sometimes.
- Overnight layovers aren’t always bad. Spend 12 hours in Singapore? Honestly, it’s fun. The airport’s a playground (waterfalls, gardens, rooftop pool).
Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You
- Baggage fees: Budget airlines look cheap till you add bags. Always check weight allowance (7kg carry-on ain’t much).
- Airport transfers: DPS airport’s taxi mafia is pricey. Download Grab/Gojek apps before you land — saves $$ and arguments.
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): As of 2025, most tourists pay IDR 500,000 (~$35 USD) at the airport. Some countries can pre-pay online, but I usually just pay at arrival.
Flight Day Tips (Bali-Specific)
- Arrive early on return flights. Security + immigration lines can get crazy. I always give 2.5–3 hrs.
- Pack snacks. DPS airport food is overpriced.
- Window seat > aisle. You’ll thank me when you see Bali’s coastline on approach — turquoise ocean, little islands, volcano backdrop. Bali Magic.
- Check baggage tags. Bali’s airport is generally fine, but I’ve seen bags get rerouted weirdly. Always double-check you tag.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make Booking Flights to Bali (Don’t Be That Person)
1. Booking Jakarta instead of Bali
Sounds dumb, but it happens. People see “Indonesia – JKT” and think it’s Bali. Nope. Jakarta’s a whole other island, and you don’t wanna start your vacay with a 2-hour domestic flight detour.
2. Flying in on Nyepi Day
Nyepi = Bali’s Day of Silence (usually March). Airport shuts down. Like, zero flights. No taxis, no Wi-Fi, no nothing. Imagine landing and realizing the whole island is on airplane mode.
3. Forgetting the Visa-on-Arrival fee
It’s not included in you flight price. You’ll need cash or card for about $35 USD when you land. Don’t blow all your dollars on duty-free before immigration.
4. Not checking baggage rules on budget airlines
AirAsia and Scoot love to lure you with $50 fares — then slap $80 extra if your bag’s too fat. Always, always pre-pay luggage online.
5. Cutting flight times too close
“Sure, I’ll land at 2pm and make my Uluwatu sunset dinner at 5.” Haha, no. Bali traffic will laugh at your optimism. Give yourself buffer hours.
6. Thinking the cheapest route = best route
A 30-hour layover in Guangzhou might save you $150… but it’s not worth starting your trip already jetlagged and cranky.
7. Not booking roundtrip (or onward ticket)
Immigration sometimes checks. If you can’t commit, grab a cheap throwaway ticket out of Bali just to be safe.
Bali Flight FAQs (Stuff You’ll Thank Me For Later)
Q: Does Bali airport have Wi-Fi?
A: Yeah, DPS has free Wi-Fi but it’s… let’s say “temperamental.” Fine for WhatsApp texts, but don’t expect Netflix binge while you wait.
Q: Best seats for flights to Bali?
A: Window if you want that epic island view on landing (trust me, it’s goosebumps-level). If you’re tall, aisle’s safer ‘cause budget airlines ain’t generous with legroom.
Q: Do I need a return ticket?
A: Yep, immigration sometimes asks proof you’ll leave. Doesn’t mean they always check, but better to have one (even a cheap throwaway onward ticket works).
Q: Can I sleep overnight in Bali airport?
A: Technically, yeah. But DPS closes some sections late-night. It’s not Singapore Changi vibes — think plastic chairs + mozzies. Book a nearby budget hotel if you got a brutal layover.
Q: Any duty-free worth buying?
A: Meh. Ciggies and booze are sometimes cheaper at your departure airport. But if you forgot, there’s duty-free on arrival before immigration (handy if you need a quick bottle for villa pool hangs).
Q: Do flights to Bali get delayed often?
A: Rainy season (Dec–Mar) can bring delays, especially evening flights. Not crazy common but leave wiggle room if you got connections.
Final Word
Flying to Bali doesn’t have to be a wallet-punch. Book smart, don’t get tricked by fake “cheap” fares, and remember: half the fun’s already in the journey (unless you’re 20 hours in coach, then… good luck buddy). But once you step off that plane, the smell of incense + frangipani hits you and boom — worth it. Every. Single. Time.
