Denpasar I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
Kuta, Badung, ID · 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Denpasar
Getting to the city
| Mode | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird Taxi Metered taxi · On-demand via app during most hours; may require 5-15 min wait at peak times | 20-60 min DPS to Kuta/Seminyak depending on traffic | $5-10 DPS to Seminyak (approx. 80,000–150,000 IDR depending on traffic) |
| DAMRI Airport Bus Regional coach | — | — |
| Gojek GoCar App-based rideshare · On-demand; typical waits 5-15 min outside airport zone | 20-60 min DPS to Kuta/Seminyak/Canggu depending on traffic | $3-9 to south Bali beach areas (often slightly lower than Grab; around 60,000–130,000 IDR reported) |
| GrabCar App-based rideshare · On-demand; wait times commonly 5-15 min once outside airport zone | 20-60 min DPS to Kuta/Seminyak/Canggu depending on traffic | $4-10 to south Bali beach areas (commonly 60,000–150,000 IDR depending on distance and surge) |
Insider notes
Download the Blue Bird app and book your taxi here rather than dealing with touts; this can save you up to 50% on fares compared to taxi counter rates at the airport.
For rideshares like Grab or Gojek, consider walking to main roads outside the airport for pick-up to benefit from lower fares.
Buy your eVOA online and sit near the front of the plane for a head start through immigration, which can save you 45–60 minutes.
Welcome
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) serves not just as an air transit point but a gateway to the island’s famed hospitality, offering glimpses of paradise the moment you land. Just 13 kilometers south of Denpasar, this airport is proximate to popular beaches like Kuta and Jimbaran, where you could find yourself with your toes in the sand less than an hour after disembarking. But with convenience comes congestion, especially in navigating taxi arrangements outside the terminal.
At a glance
Catering to over 24 million passengers annually, Ngurah Rai International is a hub for Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air. It hosts two terminals: International, for airlines like KLM and Cathay Pacific, and Domestic, supporting Garuda Indonesia and Citilink flights. The airport includes 20 eateries such as House of Beans and Burger King, and 18 retail outlets, including Heinemann Duty Free and Periplus.
Terminals & layout
Ngurah Rai International is divided into two primary terminals: International and Domestic. The International Terminal caters to key international airlines, while the Domestic Terminal supports the extensive domestic network. Conveniently located next to each other, transitioning between the two requires clearing security anew, so budget at least three hours if your flights connect here—a necessity given Bali’s unpredictable passenger traffic.
Getting to and from the city
From Ngurah Rai, transport options abound but require navigation savvy. Blue Bird taxis, hailed via their app, can ease your journey to nearby Kuta or further afield to Seminyak for $5 to $10. Public transport costs as little as $0.30 on the Trans Sarbagita buses, although routes can take up to 90 minutes depending on traffic. For a more personalized ride, hotel shuttles charge between $15 to $30 to destinations such as Ubud, balancing convenience with local transit quirks.
Traveller essentials
ATMs are located after customs, where using bank-affiliated machines is advised to avoid scams. For data, SIM options are cheaper outside the terminal; street-side minimarts offer favorable rates compared to what you would pay inside the airport. Ensure enough time for check-in by arriving notably early, especially for international departures; three hours is recommended due to possible line ups at checkpoints and counters.
Dining & shopping highlights
Dining options within the terminals are plentiful but valuably bypassed pre-flight if time allows. Bar Bintang, ideally located landside near security in the International Terminal, offers a short respite with local beers at a palatable cost, unlike pricier spots airside. Shopping centers around duty-free outlets, such as DFS Duty Free, with local highlights including Krisna Oleh Oleh Bali for souvenir hunters.
Lounges
The International Terminal hosts several lounges like the Premier Lounge at $37 and Concordia Lounge at $35, but these can become busy. If seeking serenity, Garuda’s airline-specific lounge offers a quieter escape with better amenities. Domestic passengers might fare better in the Saphire Blue Sky Lounge for $30, a lightly trafficked alternative to beat the buzz.
Insider tips
- Money: Download the Blue Bird app and book your taxi here rather than dealing with touts; this can save you up to 50% on fares compared to taxi counter rates at the airport.
- Avoid: For rideshares like Grab or Gojek, consider walking to main roads outside the airport for pick-up to benefit from lower fares.
- Time: Buy your eVOA online and sit near the front of the plane for a head start through immigration, which can save you 45–60 minutes.
- Insider: Bar Bintang offers a relaxed venue for a last local beer that’s calmer and cheaper than post-security bars in the International Terminal.
- Avoid: Eat in town before you arrive at the airport to dodge inflated food prices post-security; even fast food is marked up significantly.
- Quiet: Coffee Club in the Domestic Terminal is a reliable spot for strong Wi-Fi and coffee, transforming it into a functional haven before flights.
- Local: Accessible ATMs after customs are ideal for withdrawing cash before setting off, ensuring better rates than onsite currency exchanges.
- Time: Arrive a full 3 hours early for international flights at peak times; lines can become daunting, often necessitating extended wait times.