The Travellers Bali FAQ - Frequently asked Questions
Bali and how to get there - Flights
Bali's international airport is named "Ngurah Rai" and belongs to area of Denpasar (DPS).
Direct flights to Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS) are available from most major cities in Southest Asia including but not limited to:- Bangkok (BKK)
- Brunei (BWN)
- Darwin (DRW)
- Dili (DIL)
- Doha (DOH)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Melbourne (MEL)
- Osaka (KIX)
- Perth (PER)
- Seoul (ICN)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Taipei (TPE)
- Tokyo (NRT)
If you are not living on the above cities, find a flight to Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Jakarta (CGK). From there get a connecting flight to Denpasar (DPS), Bali. There are different budget-airlines offering these connections. For example: Air-Asia or Jetstar Airways.
If there are no direct flights available from your city there are daily international connecting flights from:- Bangkok (BKK)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Jakarta (CGK)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Singapore (SIN)
Important Notes
It is absolutely essential that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Indonesia and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
Most international flights allow for either 20kg or 25kg baggage and some airlines charge an additional fee for carrying your surfboard. For more information about airline surfboard transport and luggage conditions please read our "Airlines and surfboard transport" section below.
Airline luggage and surfboard transport
For your convenience we compiled a list of airlines and their luggage and surfboard transport conditions. We compiled information from the following airlines: Thai, Etihad, Qatar, Emirates, Air China, KLM, Air France, Quantas, British Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa.
Last updated on 20 of June 2011. We give no warranty on completeness or correctness of this list. Conditions may change without any notice. Always consult your airline of choice before booking a flight.
Airasia- Checked baggage: select from 15kg to 30kg of checked baggage in 5kg increments (for example the fee for 20kg of checked baggage is currently at about 12 USD per flight)
- Hand baggage: 1 piece hand baggage up to 7 kg
- Surfboard: sports equipment (up to 20kg); currently at around 22 USD per flight
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 20kg; Business: up to 30kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 5 kg; Business: two pieces up to 8 kg
- Surfboard: is bulky luggage, contact your local Air-China office
- Checked baggage: Economy: one piece up to 23kg; Business: two pieces up to 32kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 12 kg; Business: two pieces up to 18 kg
- Surfboard: up to 200cm length as a part of the checked in baggage; between 200 and 300 cm length will be charged with 200 Euro
- Checked baggage: Economy: two pieces up to 23kg; Business: two pieces up to 32kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: two pieces up to 23kg; Business: two pieces up to 23kg (size restrictions for hand baggage: 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm and 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm)
- Surfboard: free as a part of your checked baggage within the size of: 190 cm x 75 cm x 65 cm; over that contact British Airways World Cargo for special information
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 30kg; Business: up to 40kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7kg; Business: two pieces up to
- Surfboard: free as a part of your checked baggage up to the length of 300 cm (in special cases it is possible to take equipment up to 400 cm, when the passenger contacts the Emirates Service Office and the Emirates Sky Cargo Office in Dubai at least 7 days before the departure)
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 23kg; Business: up to 30kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7kg; Business: two pieces up to 12 kg
- Surfboard: free as a part of your checked baggage
- Checked baggage: Economy: select from 15 kg to 40 kg of checked baggage in 5 kg increments; Business: Fare includes 30 kg of checked baggage. If you require more, you can purchase up to 40kg (10kg extra), when you make your booking.
- Hand baggage: Economy: up to 10 kg; Business: up to 30 kg
- Surfboard: Bulky items can be included as part of any checked baggage allowance included in your fare, if there is enough space available. A surfboard, (including the surfboard bag), must not exceed 1.9 meters for Jetstar flights operated by an A320, A321 or B737 (domestic and short international flights) aircraft, and 2.77 meters for Jetstar flights operated by an A330 (long international flights).
- Checked baggage: Economy: one piece up to 23kg; Business: two pieces up to 32kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 12 kg; Business: two pieces up to 18 kg
- Surfboard: up to 200cm length as a part of the checked in baggage; between 200 and 300 cm length will be charged with 200 Euro
- Checked baggage: Economy: one piece up to 23kg; Business: two pieces up to 32kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 8 kg; Business: two pieces up to 8 kg per piece
- Surfboard: up to 200cm and 32 kg: 150 Euro and up to 277 cm and 50 kg: 300 Euro charge
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 20kg; Business: up to 30kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 5 kg; Business: two pieces up to 5 kg
- Surfboard accepted up to 250 cm length, excess baggage charge varying per carrier and/or destination
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 23kg; Business: up to 30kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7 kg; Business: two pieces up to 15 kg
- Surfboard: : as a part of the checked baggage, with the maximum size of 406 cm (160 inch) (length + width + height)
- Checked baggage: Economy: up to 23kg; Business: up to 32kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7 kg; Business: two pieces up to 7 kg per piece
- Surfboard: excess baggage charge varying per destination
- Checked baggage: Economy: two piece up to 20 kg; Business: two pieces up to 30 kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7 kg; Business: two pieces up to 7 kg per piece
- Surfboard: extra-charge (for example for a flight from Europe to Asia: up to 15 kg: 48 USD, over 15kg: 8USD more per kg) (these rules are only applicable to one surfboard per customer, more will be charged as normal extra-baggage with 50 USD per kg on flights from Europe to Asia)
- Checked baggage: Economy: two piece up to 20 kg; Business: two pieces up to 30 kg
- Hand baggage: Economy: one piece up to 7 kg; Business: one piece up to 7 kg
- Surfboard: accepted up to 276cm length; charge varies ; contact your local Thai Airways office
Bali - Indonesian VISA Regulations
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Upon arrival in Indonesia you can apply for a 30 day VOA costing US$ 35. This VISA may later be extended for an additional 30 days at the local immigration office. Although USD is preferred Immigration will accept USD, Euro or Indonesian Rupiah; change will always be given in Indonesian Rupiah. The 30 days include arrival and departure day. Everyday you overstay costs you about IDR 300'000 and this is must be payed in cash at the immigration counter at the airport. Be careful if you overstay more than 20 days you will end up in jail and your name will appear on a black list and you will not be allowed to enter Indonesia for the next 6 months.'
Tourist VISA from an indonesian Embassy
You can apply for a 30 or 60 day tourist VISA in advance at any Indonesian embassy. The process usually takes 2 weeks however some individuals have reported timespans up to 6 weeks. If you are planning to apply for a VISA at an Indonesian Embassy be sure to wear long trousers as you will be refused entry otherwise.
Be aware that immigrations calculate the 30-day period as follows: your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th. or 60th. Day! Overstay will cost your IDR 300'000' per day or jail in case you overstay 20 days or longer.
You cant apply for an VISA online yet.
Climate
You can expect pleasant daytime temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees celsius in the shade and slightly cooler night time temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees celsius over most of Bali. From December to March the West Monsoons can bring heavy showers and high humidity, however days usually remains sunny with clear skies as the rain showers usually happen at night and tend to be to be very strong and yet pass quickly. From June to December humidity tends to be far lower and it is not uncommon that you go a month or two without a single grey could or rainy day. The water temperature fluctuates between 26 and 29 degrees celsius so there is no need for a wetsuit.
Health and Vaccination
Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid are recommended and it is also a good idea to refresh your tetanus vaccination. If you are planning on staying for an extended time period a rabies vaccination is also a good idea.
Bali is mostly malaria-free however there have been reported cases of dengue-fever in Bali so to minimize the risk of catching any mosquito born diseases it is always recommended to cover you body with mosquito repellent; especially at dusk and dawn. If you are planning to travel to other destinations than Bali, within Indonesia, you might want to take malaria medication with you. Mosquito repellent can be purchased in Bali at affordable prices so there is no specific need to bring mosquito repellent from overseas.
If you are taking any medication it is recommended that you bring a supply for the entire holiday. Common pharmaceutical products, such as antibiotics, antiseptics, painkillers and plasters are all available from local pharmacies at low prices.
Take plenty of sunscreen with you as the sun in Bali is strong and constant and sunscreen is very expensive in Bali. SPF factor 50 and some Zinc would likely be best if you are planning on being in the sun i.e.: surfing for extended time periods.
Ensure that before you come to Bali you have a travel and health insurance in case of any emergencies.
Money
Indonesia's local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah or short IDR.
Money Changers
Exchange rates offered by money changers are usually better than those offered by banks incl. ATM's. However a lot of cases have been reported where curbside money changers will cheat and ripoff customers. There are several larger etablished money changers located on Jalan Raya Seminyak and we highly recommend that you change you currency at one of these. They are usually easy to identify as they have large billboard signs, parking spaces for cars and usually have a full glass front.
Credit Cards
Most larger shops, restaurants and buisinesses accept VISA and Mastercard credit cards. They usually have a minimum transaction fee of Rp 100,000 or approximately € 8 and often add a 3-5% surcharge on anything purchased using a credit card.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)
Automatic Teller Machines are widespread all over Bali especially in common tourist destinations or shopping centers. Most of the ATMs are connected to an international banking system an will take any VISA or Mastercard. In the past years overseas banks have settled in Indonesia and began opening ATMs so there is a good chance you might find an ATM from your overseas bank or one of its partner banks. If you only have a Maestro of Cirrus card there is no reason to panic, you will definately find several ATMs that accept both cards.
Electricity and Power Plugs
Indonesian electricity is supplied at 220V 50Hz (the European standard); American and Canadian travellers should pack a voltage changing adapter if they plan to use North American equipment. The outlets in Indonesia are the standard Type C/Type F plug most commonly used in Europe.
Emergency Phone Numbers
- Ambulance 118
- Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), free ambulance service +62 361 480282
- Police 110
- Search and Rescue 115, 151 or +62 361 751111
- Tourist Police +62 361 754599 or +62 361 763753
Miscellaneous
We recommend buying an Indonesian SIM-card for you cell phone as they are readily available, cheap and are a lot cheaper than calling using your overseas number.
If you plan to rent a car or motorbike a corresponding international drivers license is required. The traffic in Bali is chaotic, unpredictable and takes time to get used to; the safest option would be to hire a car with a driver. While he drives in the choas of Bali traffic you can relax and take in the sights or even ask him to act as your tour guide.
