Bali: Air Travel to Bali

Sandwiched between mainland Asia and Australia, Bali is Indonesia's shining star among its 17,500 islands. This wildly popular island is known for its sun-drenched beaches, warm culture and tourist-friendly accommodations. Whether you want to play in the sand and surf of Nusa Dua beach, arguably one of the best, or explore Bali's cultural side in the hidden temples or sampling spicy satay beef from street vendors, Bali has something for every type of traveler. Getting there from the U.S. can take more than a day of flying, but it is well worth the journey. Read below to learn the tips and tricks for finding Bali flights, securing round trip tickets at reasonable prices and how to find the cheapest flight for your big trip!

In order to travel to Bali, Indonesia, you must have a U.S. passport that will be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. Indonesian authorities are particularly strict on this requirement and you will not be allowed entry if your passport has less than six months validity left. You must also have an Indonesian visa, which you can obtain from the Indonesian Embassy before your trip, as well as at the airport in Bali. If you are visiting for private purposes, obtaining a 30-day visa upon arrival at the airport is the easiest option.

As a premier vacation destination, there are no shortage of airlines that offer flights to the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali from the states. International airlines offer the most flights to Bali, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines. You can also find flights through American Airlines and Delta from popular airports like those in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, LAX and Houston. However, they both have partnerships with international airlines to get their passengers to Bali. For example, if you book a flight with American Airlines to Bali, you will more than likely be on a plane operated by its partner airline, Cathay Pacific. Airlines offered at these locations also include United Arab Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Air France and more. Finding flight deals may be difficult, but if you are willing to endure longer layovers, you may find cheaper seats.

While there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Bali, the amount of transfers you will have to make and the time it will take you to get there depends on the U.S. city you are departing from. Since the west coast of the United States is the closest to Indonesia, if you fly out of cities such San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles, you may only have one layover, and no more than two, depending on the airline. On the other hand, if you are flying from the east coast, such as from Boston or Newark, you will likely have two or three layovers before reaching Bali. Be aware of these layovers when you book flights, as they will affect your travel time and airfares as well. Booking business class or first class tickets might be worth it for these longer flights as well. Cheap flights could cause you to be uncomfortable and not enjoy the long hours you will endure to reach Bali.

We also recommend booking round trip flights when you search flights. Use your favorite search engine to identify round trip options. If you book one-way flights separately, your expense will most likely be higher.

Upon arrival at the Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, you will be directed to the immigration area, where you must either get in line for a visa on arrival, or go straight to the immigration counter if you already have a visa. The visa on arrival fee is $25, as of publication. At the immigration counter, you'll need to provide your passport, visa and declare any items if necessary. You will be given a form with items to declare on the plane before you land. Once you get through immigration and your luggage has been checked and cleared, make your way to the arrival lobby where you can arrange transportation to your hotel or other destination.