How to Travel to Bali Island

Beaches, night life, temples, rain forests and sea life are just a few of the treats awaiting visitors to Bali. International flights arrive at an airport near the Indonesian island's capital, Denpasar. Many airlines fly from the United States to Bali, though flights usually entail at least one layover at a hub airport like Hong Kong, Changi, Singapore or Narita, Tokyo. Intrepid travelers can catch a ferry for the last leg of their trip to Bali from the nearby Indonesian island of Lombok, Gili Islands and other small islands.

Major airlines that fly from the United States to Bali include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air and American Airlines. For the most competitive airfares, use a comparison website like Skyscanner or Kayak and begin searching for flights three or four months before the departure date. Input the departure airport and the designation "DPS" as the destination airport. Due to the distances involved and time zone differences, allow two days' traveling time to arrive on the intended arrival date. For example, to arrive on July 31st, input July 29th as the start date. Layovers of 24 hours or longer help ease the effects of the long flight to Bali, and cities like Hong Kong and Singapore offer plenty to see and do on a short break.

Ferries sail from Lombok to Bali 17 times per day, and passengers can travel from Gili Island to Bali 33 times per day. Ferries also travel to Bali from the nearby small islands, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The fastest and slowest ferry crossings are from Lombok to Bali. The Freebird Express ferry completes the journey from Bangsai, Lombok, to Amed, Bali, in 45 minutes, while Scoot Fast Cruise's ferry takes four hours and 45 minutes to cross from Sengigi, Lombok, to Sanur, Bali. Go to the ticket office at the ferry port to buy a ticket for that day's travel.

United States citizens require a valid passport to enter Bali. The passport must be valid for six months after the arrival date and contain at least two blank pages, which the immigration officer stamps upon the visitor's arrival and departure. For tourists who won't be staying longer than 30 days, there's a visa-exempt, no-fee stamp, but visitors can also buy a Visa-on-Arrival, which also lasts 30 days but can be extended once only for another 30 days. Visitors traveling to Bali for other reasons than tourism or visiting family, or who want to remain longer than 60 days, must apply for a visa in advance at the Indonesian Embassy or consulate in the United States.

Bali is a tropical island and though the tourist areas are fairly well developed, mosquitoes and endemic diseases present health risks to visitors. Pregnant women shouldn't travel to Bali due to the presence of Zika virus, which causes birth defects. Additionally, couples planning pregnancy and partners of pregnant women should ask a healthcare provider for advice on steps to take to prevent infection. Protect against mosquito bites with insect repellents during and after the trip to avoid spreading Zika. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all travelers to Bali should receive hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations. Visit an immunization clinic or physician four to six weeks before the departure date to receive the vaccinations. Some travelers may require additional vaccinations, depending on where they intend to travel.