Bali, Blog, Indonesia, Travel | 23 April 2025 | MIN READ
Airport to Paradise: Your Complete Guide to Arriving & Departing Bali
2 days ago
Arriving in Bali: From Plane to Paradise in 6 Simple Steps
SO you’ve arrived at the Bali airport—also known as Ngurah Rai International Airport—from your point of departure, maybe with a brief layover in Seoul and ready to start your journey. Now, how do you prepare for Bali’s airport experience?
I’ll get you in and out in 6 steps (Arrival Passport Control and Customs: approximately 12 mins 14s)
- Make sure that you have your eVisa ready and prepared by doing it online (Rp500,000, US$30, €26). I suggest doing the B-1 Tourist (Visa on Arrival). The application is very straightforward for those with U.S. passports.
If you haven’t received or prepared your visa, you’ll join a line with other travelers. Coming off a Korean Air flight from Seoul means there are many people from your flight waiting. HINT: Look for the sign that says “ELECTRONIC VISA.”
- Enter electronically by scanning the QR code on your visa. If not—and if you have a bent passport like me—you’ll end up in the slow line. TIP: Even if you know your passport is bent (like mine), approach the electronic gates first. They’ll direct you to the manual passport check line, potentially allowing you to skip ahead of those with visa issues or weaker passports.
- Grab your baggage at the carousel.
- After collecting your luggage, look for the customs declaration area. This is separate from your e-visa process—it’s where you declare any items you’re bringing into Bali. Make sure to print your QR code.
NOTE: If you’re staying longer than 30 days, they’ll ask for your phone’s IMEI number (you can find this by dialing *#06# on most phones).
- Pass through the customs check area. Your bag might get scanned as you head toward the exit—mine wasn’t, but my friend’s was.
Now, exit the airport into a throng of people—mostly taxi drivers or rideshare drivers—finding their passengers. This is where your Gojek (Indonesia’s version of Uber will be). You’ll face hassling if you don’t know where you’re going or haven’t arranged transportation. I suggest pre-booking your driver. If you book with Booking.com, you might get lucky like we did and receive a driver as part of your hotel package.
Departing Bali: A Smooth Exit in 7 Steps (Security, Departure Passport Control & Customs: 15 minutes)
- Have your taxi or driver drop you off.
- Find your flight on the departures board. Suggestion: Use this opportunity to visit the bathrooms, change clothes if needed, and shake off any lingering sand from your shoes or sandals–especially if you’re like us and just came straight from Uluwatu.
- Head to the departure gates. Your bags will go through a scanner before you even reach the check-in counter.
- Check in with your airline. If you’re flying Korean Air with SkyPriority, look for the dedicated SkyPriority lane.
- Go through security. Line lengths can vary based on circumstances—sometimes officials redirect travelers to newly opened, shorter lines, so plan accordingly.
- In Duty Free, consider purchasing White Rice or Coconut Arak Balinese Liquor by CV Dukuh Lestari. This is almost the same drink I had in Lovina—in Northern Bali—just more professionally produced). Don’t forget to get Spicy Coconut chilli and a Frangipani diffuser. Once home, put that diffuser to work and play this Balinese soundtrack, and you’ll transport yourself back to Bali.
- Hop on the airplane and bid farewell to paradise—until next time!
