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Despite having travelled though many airports around the world, traveling through an airport for the first time is a little stressful for me. “Where do I go?” “Why are there no signs?” “What do I have to do in order to transit?” Oh, and “Where is the lounge?” This guide will help eliminate any questions, and stress, you may have about navigating the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport upon arrival in Bali. From getting off the plane to exiting the airport we’ll show you everything you need to know.
TIP: The Bali Denpasar Airport code is DPS. Use this airport code when searching flights to Bali.
Step 1: Bali Customs Declaration Form
Before arriving in Bali you will need to fill out a Customs Declaration form. Due to COVID-19 this process is now done electronically. Simply visit the Official Customs Declaration (BC 2.2) form website and fill in the required information. Once complete you will be given a QR code to show to the Customs Agent in the airport. (Link: https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/)
You can fill out the online form up to two days before arrival. On arrival, if you need to use this online system, simply connect to the free airport WiFi and fill out the form. Again, once completed you will receive a QR code you can present to the customs official.
The Indonesian Customs Declaration form is easy to fill out and pretty self-explanatory. However, you will want to know a couple of important things before coming to Bali.
- You are only allowed to bring 1 Liter of alcohol, per person, to Bali. Usually, when going through any Duty Free, the customer representatives will let you know this before purchasing. Unfortunately, you can’t bring in extra bottles and pay a duty or tax on them. The customs officials will confiscate your extra bottles and may even make you dump it out in front of them.
This recently happened to a friend of ours. She brought extra bottles of wine from Italy and the customs agent made her pour them out. :~(
- You are only allowed to bring up to 100 Million Rupiah in “currency instruments”, like traveler’s checks (about $7000 USD), and 1 Billion Rupiah in cash (about $70,000 USD). If you are just vacationing in Bali this shouldn’t be a problem.
- You will also be asked if
STEP 2: Exiting the Airplane at Bali Airport
Depending on which airline you are flying, you will either arrive at an actual gate and exit the plane into the airport, or you will exit the plane on the tarmac, then get onto a bus and be transported to the airport arrival hall. If you are arriving on AirAsia, or Lion Air you will need to get on a bus.
After you exit the plane follow the signs to “Immigration”.
STEP 3: UPDATE – COVID-19 Health Check
Upon entering the airport you will need to do a simple health check. You will be checked for any COVID-19 symptoms, which will include a temperature check. If your temperature is above 37.5 degrees celsius (99.5 degrees fahrenheit) you will be required to take a PCR test. Otherwise you will be free to continue to Immigration and Customs.
STEP 4: Visa On Arrival
If you are planning to be in Bali less than 30 days you will be required to purchase a Visa on Arrival (VOA). Visa on Arrival is required for all tourists. This visa will allow you to stay in Bali for 30 days, and is allowed to be extended up to 60 days.
After your health screening proceed to the “Visa On Arrival” payment counter. You will need to pay 500,000 IDR (about $35 USD). Cash is accepted in any currency, and there is now the ability to pay electronically using your debit or credit card. If paying in cash, the counter will have a currency equivalent sign and tell you how much you will need to pay in your home country currency.
After receiving your VOA card you can proceed to a special counter for VOA towards the right of the arrival hall.
STEP 5: Immigration
Immigration is towards the front of the arrival hall. After reaching the immigration counter wait your turn to be called up. Don’t walk up to the next available immigration officer immediately after a person leaves the counter.
After the immigration officer has indicated for you to step forward, you will need to hand the following documents to the immigration officer.
- Passport
- Boarding Pass
- Your Visa (including VOA).
STEP 6: Duty Free
Directly past immigration you will see the bright red “Bali Duty Free” sign. For some of you this may be a sigh of relief because it means you are that much closer to satisfying a craving after a long flight.
TIP: Duty Free is before Customs so remember that you are only allowed 1 liter of alcohol per person and 200 cigarettes (or 25 cigars) per person.
The prices, at the duty free in Bali on imported alcohol, are definitely going to be much cheaper than trying to buy the same at any grocery store in Bali. However, if there is something specific you want, I suggest purchasing it at a duty free prior to arriving in Bali because the selection here is rather limited.
If you are trying to purchase more than the allowed limit by customs, the customer representatives are good about letting you know you are over the limit. They also accept all major credit cards.
STEP 7: Baggage Claim
After exiting Duty Free you will see the baggage claim. Your Bali airport arrival experience is almost complete. Hang in there, your beach chair and coconut are within reach.
Obtaining your baggage is pretty painless. The arriving flights don’t normally announce, prior to landing, what baggage claim carousel you need to obtain your luggage from. However, the carousels have large screens with the arriving flights they are servicing.
The baggage claim area also has plenty of luggage carts to help assist you in maneuvering the rest of the way through the airport with your luggage.
In the event you are missing luggage there is a luggage claim office that can help you. Often times it is easy to spot because of the multiple pieces of luggage sitting outside the office.
Upon arrival in Bali, I once was missing a piece of luggage. The office assisted us, and indeed had our bag. During luggage transfer, the zipper partially split open. The airline tagged it and didn’t send it through the normal baggage delivery system. If you are missing luggage don’t fret, check with the airport personnel and they may have your luggage already.
STEP 8: Customs
Do you remember where you saved your Customs Declaration QR code that you received prior to arrival? This is the step in which you need it. After baggage claim is Customs. This is an easy process, unless you are bringing something illegal into the country. In which case, buckle up, because your day is about to take a tale-spin.
Illegal drugs are not permitted in Indonesia, including Bali. Just because you may have a medical marijuana card in your home country does not mean you can “smuggle” it into Bali. If you are caught with illegal drugs, this offense can be punishable by death, and yes it has happened.
Medication for health reasons is allowed, but make sure to only bring what you need for your stay. If you plan on staying long term in Bali, and because of health reasons you are bringing large amounts of medication, I would recommend bringing a copy of your prescription, a doctor’s note and ensure your visa duration corresponds with the amount of medication you are bringing.
You will need to stand in line and show your Customs Declaration QR code to a customs officer.
After showing your QR code, you may be selected to put your baggage through the X-Ray for a security check. If you are selected, it is more of an inconvenience, but all you need to do is put your bags through the machine and retrieve them on the other side.
Keep in mind this is where they will catch you with extra liquids. If you are trying to bring in more than the 1 liter of alcohol per person allotment you may have to, sadly, dump it in front of them.
STEP 9: Money Changer and ATM
After customs you will exit through a set of doors to an area with BRI and Mandiri money changers and ATMs. Mandiri and BRI are the state-owned banks, and are the top two largest banks in Indonesia.
If you need to exchange money either of these locations are good to use. The exchange rates will be the same at either. Your choice will more than likely be, which one has the shortest line.
Exchanging money in Bali is easy. The advertised rate is what you get in return. Therefore, you can do a simple calculation and know exactly what you are supposed to receive in return.
EXAMPLE: $100 X (Advertised Exchange Rate) = Total Rupiah
The exchange rate will not be as good in the airport as you can get at other money exchangers elsewhere in Bali. However, if you are in need of some Indonesian Rupiah before leaving the airport this is a good option. Below you will notice the exchange rate being offered, at the time, and how it compares to the mid-market rate.
Read this article on “How to avoid getting ripped off at a Bali Money Changer” for more information.
Next to the money changers are ATMs. They operate the same as any other ATM in the world. The difference is the currency you will be withdrawing. In Indonesia you will be using Rupiah (IDR).
Read this article on How Do I use ATMs in Bali? for more information.
If you haven’t obtained rupiah prior to coming to Bali I would recommend this opportunity to get some cash. You may need it for transport, like taxis, as very few will accept credit card.
STEP 10: Local SIM Card for Bali
When your currency adventures are complete you are teased by seeing your exit and the outside world. However you have one more step. Obtaining a local SIM card.
If you are interested in having a local SIM card for internet data and/or local phone calls this is a good place to obtain one. The main phone carrier in Bali is Telkomsel. There will be a stand in which you can obtain a SIM card and a data package.
Simply determine how much data you will need and purchase a package. In order to do so Telkomsel will need to see your passport. Since 2018 this is required. You will not be able to come to Bali and obtain a throw-away SIM card anymore. Therefore, the representative will take a picture of your passport and send it off to their office, prior to purchasing your data package.
TIP: Most people in Bali, including drivers and businesses, use WhatsApp. You will need WiFi, or a data package to use WhatsApp.
Once you purchase your SIM card and package, the representative will set it up and you will be on your way. You will know when you have service because signal bars on your phone will say TSEL, Telkomsel, or Tsel-DiRumahAja if using the Telkomsel SIM card. If you opted for the XL your phone should indicate XL Axiata.
The data packages in Bali are much less expensive than purchasing an international data package in your home country. However, if you decide purchase an international plan, prior to traveling to Bali, it will work without a problem. You will be using the Telkomsel network and will also see TSEL next to your signal bars.
STEP 11: Exiting the Airport
Congratulations, you made it through the Bali Airport! You can now exit the airport and find your transport to your hotel, or villa.
You will see many people holding signs with their client’s name. Simply look for your driver, and your name. He will then help you with your bags, and take you to you beach chair and coconut.
TIP: Prior to arriving in Bali, obtain your driver’s WhatsApp number. After purchasing your data package, you can now send your driver a text to let him know you arrived and are looking for him.
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