Getting through BALI DPS – Ngurah Rai International Airport – Your First Bali Experience

Whenever one travels to “exotic” destinations the adventure starts at the airport. Every country has its own set of rules that travelers need to know and follow. 

1. The Entry Requirements

They can be complex at times: custom regulations, immigration regulations, tourist tax, health forms…

4 essential documents to prepare BEFORE your arrival

(Updated Travel Regulations and Entry Requirements for Bali / Indonesia: Visa, Customs Declaration, Bali Tourist Tax, Health Declaration))

FAQ on getting ready

Yes, you need a Visa for traveling to Bali, unless you are a national of one of the 9 ASEAN countries, Hongkong, Columbia or Timor Leste and stay less than 30 days)

For tourists and standard visits (not for working) there are two Visas available. Which Visa depends on your nationality, travel purpose and length of stay. Please click on the button below to check what applies to you.

Visa Nationality Check

Yes, travelers have to fill in a Customs Declaration Form when entering into Indonesia

Here is all you need to know about the Electronic Customs Declaration form for Indonesia / Bali and the official link

Customs Declaration Form 

The new tourist tax is effective since 14th February 2024 (Tourist Levy for INTERNATIONAL visitors)

  • The Fee is IDR 150,000 per person (ca. USD 10 and AUD 15)
  • The tourist tax (levy) is a local tax that the Bali administration government implemented. It is only related to Bali and not to Indonesia
  • Be careful about Scammer sites, which mushroomed since the tax has been introduced. 

For the official tax payment link and more information on who has to pay, exemptions please click below:

Tourist Tax

Due ti the MPOX virus threat, Indonesia implemented a new requirements for all international travelers:

  • Since 30.Aug every international traveler needs to fill in a health pass form due to MPOX. 
  • Also necessary for children

 

Official MPOS Health Pass form

Tourist Tax

There are a few more things you need to consider, like the validity of your passport etc. Make sure you are well informed and prepared so getting through the airport will be smooth and easy.

All Entry Regulations

2. Arrange in Advance

Beside getting the requirements sorted we advise the Bali traveler to consider the following:

  • Get some cash (IDR) at the airport using an ATM machine
  • Get a eSIM card and activate it when you arrive at the airport so you are online
  • Arrange a private transport from the airport to your accommodation. 

When exiting the airport, often one needs to navigate oneself through an army of drivers and hustlers who try to offer (often overpriced) services while taking advantage of the travelers’ lack of knowledge about how things truly work. Below you can find some helpful tips to enusre a smooth arrival to Bali.

Some tips

  • keep the QR Code of your Visa on your phone and also print it out, in case you run out of battery or cab’t access the online version
  • Keep the QR code of your online customs so you can easily access it
  • Keep your passport ready (minimum 6 months valid, one empty page for the sticker/stamp). If your passport is valid less than 6 months your entry will be denied!
  • Passport needs to be in good conditions. Travelers get send back, if the problem is damaged!
  • Keep your Boarding Pass with you, the immigration officer might want to see it. If you wish to extend your Visa, then keep the Boarding pass until you depart from Bali again. You might need it for the Visa extension.
  • With an eVISa you can ue now the e-gates (electronic gates where you scan your passport)

Bali Arrival Checklist

✓ Bali Tourist Tax
✓ Bali Discount Program
✓ International Driving License
✓ Bali eSIM 
✓ Hotel, Villa, Resort
✓ Airport Transfer
✓ Medical Travel Insurance
✓ Custom Form
✓ Health Form
✓ Visa

Once you landed at the international terminal, this is how you get through the airport and to your transportation service with ease

follow signs to immigration Bali airport dps

After disembarking the plane, follow the Immigration Signs

Bali Arrival Hall International Airport

Go to Immigration Checkpoint in Arrival Hall

driver waiting for tourists at dps airport bai

After leaving the Airport you will pass the drivers picking up guests

Step by Step at DPS – Getting through the Bali Airport

  • It’s not a bad idea to move reasonably quick towards the arrival hall. This will avoid you being last in the queue – which can be quite long at times.
  • You can connect to the FREE Wifi at the airport. It’s sometimes a bit slow or “not working properly” that’s why we suggest to get an eSIM so you are not dependent on the airport wifi.
  • Immigration Counters in Arrival Hall:  If you have already obtained a visa abroad (e.g. eVoA, 211A), if you hold a KITAS, or are a national of the ASEAN countries not staying longer than 30 days), then you can queue directly at specially assigned immigration counters. With an e-Visa it is now possible to use the electronic gates! 
  • It is always advisable to stay calm and polite with the officers. It’s their job to ask questions and sometimes they will take you aside to get some more information from you. Remember, a Visa does not entitle anyone to enter into a country. Immigration officers can (and sometimes do) not allow entry if they suspect the travel or potentially violating a visa etc.
  • When you have passed through immigration go towards the conveyor belt (check the number on TV screens according to your flight number
  • Grab a trolley and collect your luggage, you might have to show the luggage tags to staff before exiting, so keep them!
  • Go through customs towards the exit sign and show them the QR code that you received when you filled in the Digital Custom Form.
  • and of course…no drugs. You could end up enjoying an all-inclusive holiday in Bali’s Kerobokan prison for a very long time, or worse.
  • You might have to put all your luggage and hand luggage through a scanner. If the officers don’t pick you for a luggage check you can exit the airport building – you are through!
  • There are official money changers (rates are OK) just when you get out, and plenty of ATM machines. You might need some Indonesian Rupiahs to pay the taxi. Best to get a little bit of IDR cash right here and then
  • If you haven’t ordered your Bali SIMCARD with Internet Data Package beforehand (can be ordered here), then you could get one at one of the booths just after you left the airport building (long queues, prices a bit high, and many confusing offers which we have difficulties to keep track of. 30GB internat package could be effectively 15GB plus 15GB Youtube etc).
  • The infamous area where drivers wait for the guests to be picked up: After you got through the corridor with the banks, ATMs, SIMcard counters, and limo services, you will see MANY drivers and hotel staff holding up name signs as they wait and page for the guests who booked an airport pick-up to be dropped to their hotels and villas. It can be a challenge to find your driver if you don’t have their whatsapp number.
  • If you have arranged a pick up and you can’t find your driver, don’t give up. The driver might just be sitting on the floor checking his whatsapp or playing a game. Always good to get the whatsapp number of your driver before your departure at home. 
  • If you have not yet arranged a pick-up, walk towards the TAXI SERVICE counter. Avoid the guys who try to hussle you into a car. We do suggest to arrange a pick up from hotel or book a reliable airport pick up with us (or any other reliable service) beforehand. Plenty of “freelance” drivers will otherwise approach you, that”s ok, but sometimes they will overcharge you and it can be quite overwhelming to get approached having to bargain prices, and some can be pushy. Book your Airport Transfer already online & get 10% Discount with our BaliCard

Good to Know about Bali’s International Airport when arriving

Bali Airport FAQ

The official Airport Code for Bali is DPS

The Bali Airport is located in the South West of Bali, near most of the top tourist destinations.

Even though the name of the Airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport Denpasar (DPS), which is the capital of Bali, it is not strictly in Denpasar, it is actually located south of Kuta.

If you want to spend a night near the airport choose Jimbaran (South of the Airport) or Tuban / Kuta (North of the Airport) – not Denpasar even though the name of the airport does suggest the city of Denpasar is close. It is not, and Denpasar is not really a destination worth staying for a tourist.

There are quite a few cheap accommodation options near the airport, not all of them are recommendable. We have selected a few decent options for you, that have good enough ratings and are very close to the airport.

Hotels very near the Airport:

Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport ***

PassGo Digital Airport Hotel *

HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali ****

Grandmas Plus Hotel Airport ***

Hotels near the airport (Jimbaran)

Platinum Hotel Jimbaran Beach *****

Jimbaran Puri, a Belmont Hotel Bali *****

Yes,.

Sometimes the WifI is a bit “slow” due to many travelers connecting at the same time.

Yes, after you have exited the main airport building (after customs) you will go through a corridor with several banks, money changers and ATM machines. Rates are ok. 

Bali does not have a Car Rental section with all the international providers such as Hertz, Sixt, Alamo etc. This is because it is very uncommon to actually rent a car and drive on your own. It is much more comfortable and common to rent cars on a daily basis with a driver. Prices are very reasonable. 
We do not advise to rent a car unless you are really familiar with driving in a country like Indonesia on a “small island”. Left hand driving, narrow roads, heavy traffic at times, somewhat chaotic style of driving with plenty of motor bikes pushing through every little space that’s available. 

How many bottles of alcohol can I bring into Indonesia duty-free?

What is the limit for duty-free cigarettes when entering Indonesia?

You can bring into Indonesia tobacco and alcohol within following limits without declaring

Per Passenger
a. 18 years old or above : 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 100 grams of sliced tobacco or other tobacco products,
b. 21 years old or above : plus 1 litre of alcoholic beverages

Do I need to declare cash at customs in Indonesia, and what’s the limit?”

Bringing Cash into Indonesia

When you enter into Indonesia you can bring Cash ( or cheques, traveller cheques, etc) in Rupiah (IDR) or other currencies which equal to the amount of maximum 100 million Rupiah (ca USD 6300)
Above that amount you will have to declare it (don’t take the risk not declaring).

What are the customs regulations for personal goods in Indonesia?

Personal Goods (according to official customs website)

Every personal passenger goods, per person on every arrival, is granted import duties, excise, and taxes exemption of USD 500.00 on their personal goods (personal effect) that were purchased or obtained abroad and will remain in Indonesia.

Goods for other purposes than personal use (e.g. the total amount of the goods are unusual for personal use or the goods are used for commercial purposes such as companies/store/institution/industry), are subject to import duties, excise, and taxes.

Disclaimer: The above information is well researched, however official information and regulations can change or can be misquoted. We are not liable for any information that might not be accurate at the time of your travel.

The official Name is Bandar Udara I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali.

Denpasar / DPS

  • Bandar Udara or Bandara means basically Airport
  • I Gusti Ngurah Rai is the name and title of a Balinese hero
  • Denpasar is the capital of Bali (but the airport is not located in Denpasar)

Bali Airport Taxis

Official Airport Taxis at Bali Airport DPS work with a fixed price list and the price depends on the area you want to go to. 

Arguing the price they quote is of no use, if you feel that the price is too expensive or if you think your hotel is not in Seminyak, but in Legian. You pay the driver at the end of the trip. You need to pay CASH to the driver AFTER he dropped you. So if you plan to get a taxi, remember to change some money at the money changer just behind you or pull some money at the ATM. Tipping is common but not a must.

Unless you have booked your pick-up an airport transfer beforehand there is also a GRAB booth where you can arrange a car to drop you at your accommodation. You CAN NOT get a metered taxi at the airport. 

It can be a bit of a hassle to get a cab at the airport if you have not booked transfer service beforehand.

Book your Airport Transfer already online & get 10% Discount with our BaliCard