Bali Travel Guide

1. Getting to Bali

Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) serves direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Dubai, Sydney, Tokyo, and dozens more cities. The airport is located in southern Bali, about 30 minutes from Kuta and 1 hour from Canggu or Seminyak.

Busiest Route

Singapore → Bali (DPS)

~2h 45m · From $45 one-way with AirAsia, Scoot, or Jetstar · 12+ daily flights

From	Typical Price (one-way)	Flight Time	Daily Flights
Singapore (SIN)	$45 – 80	2h 45m	12+
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)	$50 – 90	3h	8+
Bangkok (BKK)	$60 – 110	3h 30m	6+
Sydney (SYD)	$150 – 300	6h	3+
Dubai (DXB)	$200 – 400	8h 30m	2+
Tokyo (NRT)	$120 – 250	7h	2+

Pro Tip The cheapest time to fly to Bali is during shoulder season (April–June, September–October). Avoid July–August and Christmas/New Year when prices spike 2–3x. If you're flexible, set price alerts 3 months out.

2. Airport to Your Hotel

Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) is compact. Once you clear customs and baggage claim, you'll walk through a duty-free corridor and exit into the pick-up area. Transport options are below.

Method	Cost	Time	Best For
Private transfer (pre-booked)	$12 – 25	20–60 min	Couples, families, anyone with luggage
Taxi (onsite counter)	$15 – 35	20–60 min	Walk-up convenience
Ride-hailing (Gojek/Grab)	$10 – 20	20–60 min	Solo travelers, digital natives
Shuttle bus	$5 – 10	30–90 min	Budget travelers

Pro Tip Pre-book a private transfer. It's $12–25 and you'll skip the scrum of drivers outside the exit. The driver waits with a sign and handles your luggage. Worth every cent after a flight.

3. Getting Around Bali

A scooter is the best way to explore Bali. Traffic in Seminyak and Canggu is heavy, but a scooter lets you weave through it and reach rice terraces, waterfalls, and hidden beaches that cars can't easily access.

Scooter vs Car Rental — What's Right for You?

Scooter (Recommended)

$5–8/day

Park anywhere, even narrow paths
Weave through traffic
30–40 km range per day trip
Automatic (easy to ride)
Fuel: ~$1.50 per liter

Car / Driver

$30–50/day

AC and comfort
Better for families
No helmet hair
Driver knows shortcuts
Parking can be tight

Pro Tip Rent a scooter from BikesBooking.com for ~$6/day with insurance included. In Bali, always wear a helmet (police checkpoints are common in Kuta and Seminyak). An international driving permit (IDP) is officially required — rental agencies rarely ask, but it matters if you have an accident.

4. Staying Connected

Free WiFi is everywhere in Bali — cafes, villas, co-working spaces — but it's unreliable outside main towns. Get an eSIM for maps, WhatsApp, and booking confirmations on the go.

Airalo

1GB/7 days: $4.50
3GB/30 days: $11
5GB/30 days: $16
Provider: Telkomsel (best coverage)
Install: Before you travel
Top up: Via app

Yesim

1GB/7 days: $4
3GB/30 days: $9
5GB/30 days: $14
Provider: Telkomsel
Install: Before you travel
Top up: Via app

Pro Tip For Bali, Yesim is slightly cheaper. But Airalo's app is more polished and top-ups are instant. If you're island hopping to the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida, Telkomsel (both use it) has the best coverage. Install your eSIM before you leave home.

5. Best Beaches in Bali

Bali's beaches are incredibly varied — black sand in the north, white sand in the south, and hidden coves in the east. Here's how they break down.

Beach	Area	Sand	Best For	Crowd
Padang Padang	Bukit Peninsula	White	Swimming, photos, sunset	Medium
Bingin	Bukit Peninsula	White	Surfing, cliffside cafes	Low
Seminyak	South	Tan	Sunsets, beach clubs, dining	High
Nusa Dua	South	White	Calm water, resorts, families	Medium
Amed	East	Black volcanic	Snorkeling, diving, quiet	Low
Lovina	North	Black volcanic	Dolphins, calm sea, quiet	Low

6. Best Photo Spots

Bali is one of the most photographed islands in the world. These are the spots worth your time — and how to get there.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Getting there: 25 min north of Ubud by scooter. Park at the main lot ($0.50) and walk down through the terraces. Go at 7am to avoid crowds.

Best time to shoot: Sunrise (6–7am). The light hits the terraces at an angle and the rice is vibrant green.

Nearby attraction: Tirta Empul Temple (10 min south) — the holy water temple. Entry 50K IDR (~$3.20).

Kelingking Beach (Nusa Penida)

Getting there: 40 min fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida, then 45 min scooter to Kelingking. The cliff viewpoint is 100m from the parking area.

Best time to shoot: Mid-morning (9–11am) when the sun is behind you.

Nearby attraction: Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach — both 15 min north.

Handara Gate

Getting there: 1.5 hours north of Canggu by scooter. The famous Balinese gate at Handara Golf Course. Expect a queue (15–30 min).

Best time to shoot: Early morning before 8am to minimize the line.

Nearby attraction: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (10 min north) on the lake. Entry 75K IDR (~$4.80).

7. Tours & Activities

Bali has world-class snorkeling, diving, volcano treks, waterfall tours, and cultural experiences. Below are the best options by category.

Activity	Location	Duration	Typical Price
Snorkeling at Nusa Penida	Nusa Penida	Full day	$35–55
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek	Kintamani	4–6 hours	$40–60
Ubud Waterfall & Rice Terrace Tour	Ubud	Half day	$25–45
Diving at Tulamben (USAT Liberty wreck)	East Bali	Half day	$60–90
Sunset at Uluwatu + Kecak Dance	Bukit	3–4 hours	$20–40
White Water Rafting (Ayung River)	Ubud	2–3 hours	$30–50

Pro Tip Book tours through Klook at least 24h in advance — most offer free cancellation up to 24h before. The Nusa Penida snorkeling tour includes manta rays at Manta Point (best visibility June–October).

8. Travel Insurance for Bali

Bali travel involves scooters, hiking, snorkeling, and ferry crossings. Medical treatment for a scooter accident can run $5,000+. Standard travel insurance is strongly recommended. If your flight is delayed or your luggage is lost, compensation tools like AirHelp can help you recover costs.

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