Transit in Bali Rules 2025: Leave the Airport? Here’s the Math

So you’re flying and transit in Bali airport. Maybe you’ve got a tight connection. Maybe you’ve got hours to kill. Either way, you’re probably wondering: what exactly do I need to do when you arrive at this airport in Denpasar? The good news? It’s not as complicated as it seems. The bad news? It depends on your specific situation. Let’s break it down.

Do I Need a Visa to Transit in Bali Airport?

If you’re staying on the same ticket and your checked luggage is going straight through to your final destination flight, you don’t need to worry much. Just head to the transit desks or transfer desk, keep your boarding pass handy, and you’re set. No immigration hall. No transit visa needed. No extra fees.

Now, if you’re switching airlines or collecting your baggage, that’s a different story. You’ll need to enter Indonesia through the immigration counters, which means dealing with immigration officers, possibly getting a visa on arrival, and paying the tourist levy if you’re staying in Bali. But we’ll get to that.

Does the Bali Tourist Levy Apply to Airside Transit?

No. The tourist levy applies only to travelers who actually enter Bali (go landside). If you remain airside the entire time, you won’t encounter immigration officers or customs hall, so the levy doesn’t apply. The levy, 150,000 IDR, is collected through the official Love Bali portal when you’re entering the country for real.

Is the All-Indonesia Card Mandatory If I Remain Airside?

Technically, it’s required for arrivals, but transit passengers processed airside through the transfer desk shouldn’t be asked at the border control point. However, airlines frequently prompt passengers to complete it online in advance anyway. To avoid confusion, complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card form online before you arrive. Save the QR code. It takes five minutes and eliminates any friction at check-in or the departure hall.

Prefer not to juggle forms and rules mid-journey? Let Visa-Indonesia verify whether you need the All-Indonesia card for your transit, then handle the e-VOA and a step-by-step arrival plan if you’re going landside. We’ll remind you what to show at each counter, and stay on WhatsApp until you’re through, so you catch your next flight without drama.

Understanding Same-Ticket vs. Separate-Ticket Transits

Here’s a critical distinction many travelers miss:

• Same ticket, baggage through-checked: You never collect your checked luggage. You stay airside, use the transit desks, and your baggage automatically transfers. Immigration officers won’t see you. No visa needed.
• Separate tickets or baggage require collection: You must enter Indonesia. Your plane lands, you disembark, you go through immigration counters, collect your baggage at baggage collection, pass through the customs hall, check in again, and exit through the departure hall. This is a full entry, so visa requirements apply.

If you’re unsure whether your baggage is through-checked, confirm with your booking airline before arriving. Many travelers assume they’re staying airside only to discover at check-in that they need to collect and recheck, which requires clearing immigration and paying the tourist levy.

How Much Time Should You Actually Allow?

The simple rule: give yourself three hours for international-to-international connections, and two hours for domestic-to-domestic. If you’re doing a self-transfer (collecting checked luggage yourself), add more buffer time.

For transit thresholds: anything under two hours is extremely risky. Two to three hours work for the same ticket, through-checked scenarios with favorable conditions. Three to four hours is comfortable for same-ticket transits. Four hours and above is safe even for separate-ticket transfers, assuming immigration lines aren’t unusually long.

Here’s the thing about Bali airport in 2025: they’ve made some improvements. In July, they moved some baggage screening over to check-in counters to reduce crowding. But during peak hours, long queues still happen. So don’t cut it close.

Documents You Actually Need to Enter Bali

Here’s the checklist every person needs before disembarking:

• All Indonesia Arrival Card (digital QR code, complete this form online in advance)
• Valid passport (at least six months left on it)
• Onward boarding pass and airline ticket
• Visa on arrival or e-visa (or proof of exemption if you’re from ASEAN countries)
• Bali tourist levy QR code (if entering Bali)
• A bit of cash or a phone payment method for money changers and any fees
• Health declaration form if required
• Valid entry documentation for your country of destination

Four Common Scenarios (Pick Your Route)

Same flight, checked luggage through. This is the easiest path for travelers. Follow the signs to the transit desks or transfer service area. Show the immigration officers your boarding pass and ticket. Go through security, then head to your departure hall. You’re done. No immigration hall visit needed. No hassle.

Separate tickets or collect your baggage. Now you’re entering Indonesia officially. You’ll clear the immigration counters (with your visa or exemption), collect your luggage from baggage collection, go through the customs hall (which is now part of the All Indonesia system), check in your bags again with your next airline, and go through departures security. Plan for a long wait here; many travelers are doing the same thing.

Flying domestic after your international arrival. Many travelers arriving at Bali airport heading somewhere like Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur have to go through immigration, grab their baggage, and recheck for the domestic flight. Budget extra time because these immigration queues can get long.

Domestic to international flight. If you don’t have your onward boarding pass yet, you’ll likely need to go landside to check in your carry-on and checked luggage, then exit through the departure hall for international departures.

Changing terminals between flights. Bali Airport has two terminals. If your flights use different terminals, confirm whether you must exit the airside area or if a terminal shuttle connects them. Terminal changes that require exiting airside mean you’re technically entering Indonesia again; you may need to recheck baggage and clear security twice.

Do You Have Time to Exit and Explore?

Absolutely, you can leave the airport during a layover in Bali. You’ll enter Indonesia through the immigration counters (visa or exemption applies), and yes, you’ll pay the tourist levy. But here’s the real question: Is your stopover actually long enough?

Think about it this way. You need at least six to eight hours to make it worthwhile, especially with a long walk from the terminal and potential traffic around South Bali. Many travelers underestimate how long it takes to clear immigration, collect baggage, and get into town.

If you’ve got six to eight hours, you could hit Kuta Beach, grab food at Beachwalk, or check out famous Bali attractions. Have dinner somewhere near the airport, and you’re back with time to breathe.

Got eight to twelve hours? That opens up Uluwatu, where you can see temples perched on cliffs and catch the sunset. Jimbaran is another good option, famous for beachside seafood dinners. Many travelers skip the long wait at immigration and money changers by using their phone and Grab or Gojek.

Getting Around Town: Public Transport & Taxis

If you do exit the airport, getting where you need to go is straightforward. You’ve got several transportation options depending on your budget and how much time you want to spend getting around.

Official taxis and ride-hailing: Grab and Gojek (ride-hailing apps) have official pickup zones right outside arrivals, no long walk required. You can also book an official airport transfer or get a pre-booked car from the counter. Prices are fair and transparent.

Public bus (Trans Metro Dewata): This is a content gap most travel sites miss. Route 2 connects Bali airport directly to Ubung Terminal in the city. Here’s what you need to know:

• First buses: Depart around 05:00 a.m. from the airport
• Last buses: Run into the evening (final departure typically 21:00–22:00, but confirm locally)
• Frequency: Buses run regularly throughout the day during peak hours
• Cost: Extremely affordable (typically 3,500–4,000 IDR, roughly 25 cents USD)
• Journey time: 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic

The Trans Metro Dewata is ideal if you’ve got a longer layover (8+ hours) and want to explore cheaply. From Ubung Terminal, local minibusses and taxis connect you to tourist areas.

Money changers: ATMs and money changers are available in the arrivals hall and near exits. Rates are reasonable, though you’ll get slightly better rates in town. Many travelers use their phones to pay via Grab/Gojek instead of carrying cash.

For budget travelers with moderately long layovers, the Trans Metro Dewata K2 route is your secret weapon. For anyone with carry-on only and a few hours to kill, Grab to Kuta is faster and more convenient.

What About Baggage Collection?

Best-case scenario: your checked luggage goes straight through to your final destination. That’s why through-checking is your friend; it means you stay airside and avoid the immigration hall altogether. No long wait through customs or immigration queues.

If you need to store carry-on or checked hand luggage for some reason, there’s a left luggage service at and near the Denpasar airport. Just check the reputation and confirm their hours before you leave your stuff there.

Taking a Break (Rest, Showers, Lounges)

Long layover and feeling rough? The Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport hotel is right there, connected directly to both terminals. You can book a day-use room if you just want a shower, a nap, and maybe a hot meal before your next flight. Lounges are available in the departure hall too, though access depends on your airline and frequent flyer status.

Questions People Actually Ask

Do I need a transit visa if I’m only transiting for three hours and staying airside? Nope. Stay on the airside, use the transit desks, and skip the immigration hall completely. Your boarding pass and ticket get you through security to the departure hall.

Do I have to pay the tourist levy if I’m not leaving the airport? Generally, no. The levy is for people who actually enter Bali. If you’re staying in the terminal, you don’t pay.

Is the All Indonesia card required if I’m just transiting airside? Technically, it’s required for arrivals, but if you’re transiting airside without entering Indonesia, you should be processed through transit desks without it. That said, airlines might still ask you to complete this form online. When in doubt, just complete it in advance. Better safe than stuck in a long queue.

What if my two flights are on separate tickets? You’re entering Indonesia for real. You’ll clear immigration counters, collect checked luggage, pay any fees, check in again with your next airline, go through departure security, and exit through the departure hall. Allow extra time for the whole process.

I’m flying from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Bali. Do I need a visa? Check if you’re from an ASEAN country. Many travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, and other ASEAN nations can enter visa-free. If not, arrange a visa on arrival before you arrive.

Should I pay for customs declaration or health declaration forms? No, these are included in the All Indonesia Arrival Card system. Complete the form online beforehand, and you’ll avoid long queues at the customs hall and immigration counters.

What if I’m changing terminals between flights? Confirm with your airline whether a terminal shuttle connects them airside, or if you must exit and re-enter. Terminal changes that go through the departure hall and re-enter airside typically require rechecking baggage and clearing security again. This extends your required connection time significantly.

When would I need a visa, even on a through-ticket? Very rarely, only if immigration officers have specific concerns about your documents or if there’s a security flag. On a standard through-ticket with baggage checked to your final destination, you shouldn’t be asked at all. You stay airside and avoid border control entirely.

The Bottom Line

Transit in Bali and layovers at Bali airport aren’t complicated once you know your trip situation. Figure out early whether you’re staying airside or going landside. Get your All Indonesia card completed online in advance; don’t wait until you arrive. Arrange your visa on arrival or e-visa if you need one. Have your valid boarding pass and ticket ready. And if you do have time to exit? Take it. The beaches are worth it, just leave yourself enough time to get back through immigration and collect your baggage before your next flight departs. Use the Trans Metro Dewata if you’re budget-conscious, or Grab if you want speed and convenience.