Every flight to Bali lands at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, code DPS, which airlines and booking sites label “Denpasar”. The airport is in fact in Tuban, on the narrow neck of land just south of Kuta in Badung Regency — about 13 km south of Denpasar’s old town.
The practical consequence: wherever you are staying in Bali, including Denpasar, you need a transfer from the airport. To central Denpasar or to Sanur it takes roughly 30–45 minutes in normal traffic, longer in the late-afternoon rush.
From the airport (DPS) to Denpasar and Sanur
| How | Time to Denpasar / Sanur | Cost (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer | 30–45 min | from ≈€11–15 per car | Stress-free arrivals, late flights |
| Official airport taxi (fixed fare counter) | 30–45 min | fixed by zone — pay at the counter | No booking needed |
| Grab / Gojek from the airport pickup lounge | 30–45 min + waiting | usually a little less than the taxi | App users with mobile data |
| Bluebird metered taxi | 30–45 min | by the meter | Leaving for the airport from your hotel |
| Trans Metro Dewata bus | 60 min or more | a few thousand rupiah | Light luggage, no hurry — check it is running |
Private transfers
A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest option after a long flight: the driver waits in the arrivals area with your name, the price is fixed per vehicle, and you do not need cash or a working SIM card. It works just as well for the return trip to the airport.
Airport taxis and ride-hailing
The official airport taxi service sells fixed-fare tickets by destination zone from a counter in the arrivals hall. Ignore the touts who approach you before you reach it. Grab and Gojek, the two ride-hailing apps used across Indonesia, operate from designated pickup points at the airport; follow the signs, and expect a small airport surcharge on top of the app fare.
How far is the airport from everywhere else?
- Kuta / Tuban: 10–15 minutes
- Seminyak: 30–45 minutes
- Sanur: 30–40 minutes
- Central Denpasar: 30–45 minutes
- Canggu: 60–90 minutes
- Nusa Dua: 20–30 minutes via the Bali Mandara toll road
- Uluwatu: 45–60 minutes
- Ubud: 75–90 minutes
All of these are rough figures for normal conditions. Bali’s traffic is unpredictable; allow generous margins when you are heading to the airport.
Entry formalities: visa and the Bali tourist levy
Visa on arrival. Citizens of most countries can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once for another 30 days. It can be bought at the airport or, to save queuing, in advance online as an e-VOA through Indonesia’s official immigration website. The fee has been IDR 500,000; check the current amount and the list of eligible nationalities before you travel, and use only the official site — there are many lookalike agencies that charge more.
Bali tourist levy. Since February 2024 every foreign visitor to Bali must pay a one-off levy of IDR 150,000 (around US$10) per person, per visit. It is paid through the province’s official “Love Bali” website or app, which issues a QR code voucher; you can also pay on arrival. Keep the voucher on your phone, as it may be checked at the airport or at attractions.
Arrival declaration. Indonesia has been consolidating its customs, health and immigration forms into a single online arrival declaration. Your airline will tell you what is currently required; fill it in before landing.
Getting around Denpasar
Ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek
For most visitors the apps are the best way to get around the city. Both offer cars and motorbike taxis (ojek) at prices fixed in advance, and both work throughout Denpasar and Sanur. Motorbike taxis are the fastest way through traffic for solo travellers with no luggage; a helmet is provided.
Bluebird taxis
The light-blue Bluebird taxis are the island’s most trusted metered cabs. Hail one in the street, ask your hotel to call one, or use the company’s own app. Other taxi companies use similar colours, so look for the Bluebird name and logo, and make sure the meter is switched on.
Trans Metro Dewata buses
Trans Metro Dewata is the city’s air-conditioned bus network, launched in 2020, with corridors linking central Denpasar with the airport, Sanur, Ubud and other points. Fares are a few thousand rupiah, paid cashlessly. The service has been reduced, suspended and partly restored as its funding has changed, so check which routes are operating before you rely on it.
Scooters and cars
Scooter rental is everywhere, but Denpasar’s traffic is dense and fast, and it is not the place to learn to ride. You need a motorcycle licence valid in Indonesia (your home licence plus an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles), a helmet and travel insurance that covers riding. A car with a driver for the day is the relaxed alternative and costs little more than self-drive.
On foot
The old town — the market, Jalan Gajah Mada, Puputan Square, the museum — is compact and best explored on foot, though pavements are uneven. Sanur’s beach path is the most pleasant walk in the city.
Boats from Sanur
Sanur harbour, at the northern end of Sanur beach, is the main departure point for fast boats to Nusa Lembongan (about 30 minutes) and Nusa Penida (about 45 minutes). A modern terminal with jetties opened in late 2022. Most boats leave in the morning and return in the afternoon; you can book tickets or complete day tours online. Some boats to the Gili Islands and Lombok leave from Sanur or from nearby Serangan — confirm the departure point on your ticket.
Day-trip distances from Denpasar
- Ubud: about 25 km, 45–75 minutes
- Tanah Lot: about 20 km, 45–60 minutes
- Uluwatu: about 30 km, 60–90 minutes
- Kintamani and Mount Batur: about 60 km, 1.5–2 hours
- Sidemen: about 45 km, 1.5 hours
- Nusa Penida: 30–45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur
