Getting Around

Airport information

In airline time tables you’ll find Bali flights listed as "Denpasar" (DPS), the island capital. You will land and depart from Bali's seaside international Ngurah Rai Airport, which is a 15 to 30 minute car ride to Kuta, Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua, and about an hour to Ubud. Check http://www.baliguide.com/airlines.html for more details on direct and indirect flights from wherever you are in the world, and for chartered flights http://www.aircraftcharter.com/. You will be able to fly to most of the rest of Indonesia and the world from Bali. Departure tax on international flights is about US$10.00, while for domestic departures is US$2.00.

Getting around

Much has evolved in ways to get around since the days when foreigners hopped from ships on to tenders on to Balinese men’s backs. You can very well choose how you’d like see and feel the island: on foot, by vehicle (plenty to choose from), by cruising over the seas (daily ferries, cruise ships) or under (subs), and by air.

Should you choose an adventurous, grassroots-feel of Bali by land, there are cheap public transport buses and bemos (chartered vehicles with driver, shared with others) that run daily set routes within or between towns. Another form of interactive adventure with more comfort and convenience are the tourist shuttle buses that ply major tourist centres. Private options include taxi (insist on the driver flagging the meter, or they will fix a “tourist price” on you; a short trip across town would cost you anywhere from Rp.5,000 to 10,000), rented cars (from simple to luxury choices), motorcycle (not the safest; Rp.30,000 to Rp.50,000 per day) or bicycle (ideal for village travel, but not busy city streets, at Rp.8,000 to Rp.20,000 per day).

Remember that Balinese traffic is on the left and do not be offended at beeping horns—this is common road exchange. Drivers need a valid International Driver's License and helmets are a must.