Bali Transport — Ferries, Flights & Ground

# Bali Transport — Ferries, Flights & Ground

Bali is Indonesia’s stunning gateway, a major tourist hub, and a key transit point connecting islands, cities, and exotic destinations. Whether you’ve just landed at the airport, arrived by sea, or are planning a hop to nearby islands, it’s important to know your main transport options—what’s convenient, what’s reliable, and how to get around smoothly.

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## Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar, DPS) — The Main Entry Point

Most international flights to Indonesia land at Bali’s main airport, conveniently located near Kuta and the island’s south. From here, you can easily continue almost anywhere in Bali or connect to domestic flights to other islands.

**Getting from the airport to main towns and beaches:**
- **Official taxis:** Find organized counters at the terminal exit. Fares are fixed but a bit higher than elsewhere.
- **Private shuttles:** Can be booked in advance via Bookaway or 12Go, especially useful for late arrivals or if you have lots of luggage.
- **Motorbike taxis and boats:** A quick option for certain parts of the island, but not for everyone.

**Editor’s insight:**  
Airport transfers during peak hours (4 pm–8 pm) can be painfully slow. Don’t schedule tight connections to ferries or onward flights right after landing.

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## Ferries from Bali — Your Gateway to Wild Islands

Travel in Indonesia isn’t just about roads. Ferries are a big part of the adventure, taking you to destinations like the Gili Islands, Lombok, Nusa Penida, and more.

### Gili Islands — The Easiest Escape to Paradise

The most popular way to reach the Gili Islands is by fast ferries departing from several points in Bali, with the busiest being [Padang Bai Bali to Gili Trawangan Island Lombok](/routes/padang-bai-bali-gili-trawangan-island-lombok).

- **Most convenient departure:** [Padang Bai Bali](/places/padang-bai-bali)  
- **Arrival:** [Gili Trawangan Island Lombok](/places/gili-trawangan-island-lombok)  
- **Booking:** Bookaway, 12Go, Direct Ferries, Ferryhopper  
- **Frequency:** Multiple daily departures  
- **Duration:** About 1.5–2 hours, depending on boat and sea conditions

**Tip:**  
In July–August, ferries are packed—booking ahead is essential. Choose an early departure to avoid delays.

**Related routes:**
- [Padang Bai Bali to Gili Trawangan Island Lombok](/routes/padang-bai-bali-gili-trawangan-island-lombok)
- [Sanur Bali to Gili Islands](/routes/bali-gili-islands)

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### Nusa Penida — A Must-Visit Island, Easily Accessible

[Nusa Penida](/places/nusa-penida) is especially popular among travelers and is easily reached from [Sanur Bali](/places/sanur-bali).

- **Departure:** [Sanur Bali](/places/sanur-bali)
- **Arrival:** [Nusa Penida](/places/nusa-penida-penida-island)
- **Booking:** Bookaway, 12Go, Direct Ferries  
- **Duration:** 30–45 minutes
- **Frequency:** Many sailings daily

[Sanur Bali to Nusa Penida](/routes/sanur-bali-nusa-penida-penida-island)

**Tip:**  
The sea can get rough during the wet season (November–March). If you’re prone to seasickness, sit as far back in the boat as possible.

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### Nusa Lembongan — Laid-Back Island, Easy Trip

[Nusa Lembongan](/places/nusa-lembongan) is a small, relaxed island perfect for escaping Bali’s crowds.

- **Departure:** [Sanur Bali](/places/sanur-bali)
- **Booking:** Bookaway, 12Go  
- **Duration:** 30–50 minutes  
- **Route:** [Sanur Bali to Nusa Lembongan](/routes/sanur-bali-nusa-lembongan)

**Tip:**  
Morning sailings are usually smoother and less crowded, making it easier to grab a good spot on deck.

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### Lombok — More Than Just a Stopover

[Lombok](/places/lombok) boasts stunning beaches and wild nature, accessible from several Bali ports.

- **Popular departure:** [Padang Bai Bali](/places/padang-bai-bali)
- **Booking:** Bookaway, 12Go, Direct Ferries  
- **Duration:** 2–3 hours, depending on boat type
- **Route:** [Padang Bai Bali to Lombok](/routes/padang-bai-bali-gili-trawangan-island-lombok)

**Tip:**  
Afternoon sailings are more likely to be delayed. Opt for a morning departure, especially if you need to connect from Lombok’s port.

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### Kusamba — A Local Port for Additional Ferries

[Kusamba](/places/kusamba) is another departure point for [Nusa Penida](/places/nusa-penida).
- **Booking:** Bookaway, 12Go  
- **Route:** [Kusamba to Nusa Penida](/routes/bali-nusa-penida)

**Tip:**  
Kusamba sees fewer tourists, so the ferry terminal is typically calmer and quicker.

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## Flights from Bali — Quick Connections Across Indonesia

Bali is well connected by direct flights to major Indonesian cities and regions. Domestic flights are frequent and affordable, with routes to Sulawesi, Java, Sumatra, and more.

### Main Destinations by Air from Bali:

- [Jakarta](/places/jakarta) — Indonesia’s main entry and business center
- [Yogyakarta](/places/yogyakarta) — Java’s cultural capital, easy to reach
- [Surabaya](/places/surabaya)
- [Makassar](/places/makassar)
- [Medan](/places/medan)
- [Labuan Bajo](/places/labuan-bajo) — Gateway to [Komodo Island](/places/komodo-island)

Flights can be booked via Omio, Bookaway, or 12Go.  
**Frequency:** Daily, with multiple flights to key destinations.

**Tip:**  
Book domestic flights in advance during peak seasons (July–August and December–January). Weather can cause cancellations, so always allow buffer time between flights or ferry connections.

**Related routes:**
- [Bali to Jakarta](/routes/bali-jakarta)
- [Bali to Yogyakarta](/routes/bali-yogyakarta)
- [Bali to Medan](/routes/bali-medan)
- [Bali to Surabaya](/routes/bali-surabaya)
- [Bali to Makassar](/routes/bali-makassar)
- [Bali to Labuan Bajo](/routes/bali-labuan-bajo)

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## Getting Around Bali — Ground Transport on the Island

Bali doesn’t have a train network, so ground transport is by:

- **Taxis and private drivers:** The easiest and most common option, bookable in advance or at the airport.
- **Shared shuttles:** A budget-friendly way to travel between tourist areas like [Ubud](/places/ubud), Kuta, Sanur, and more.
- **Motorbikes:** Ideal for experienced riders in Asia—cheap and flexible, but risky on main roads.

**Tip:**  
Traffic in Bali is heavy, especially around the beaches and Denpasar city. Plan longer journeys for early morning or after sunset.

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## Summary — Recommended Transport Choices from Bali

1. **Ferries:** The most convenient and scenic way to reach nearby islands (Gili, Nusa Penida, Lombok).  
   [Padang Bai Bali to Gili Trawangan Island Lombok](/routes/padang-bai-bali-gili-trawangan-island-lombok)  
   [Sanur Bali to Nusa Penida](/routes/sanur-bali-nusa-penida-penida-island)  
   [Padang Bai Bali to Lombok](/routes/padang-bai-bali-gili-trawangan-island-lombok)  
   [Sanur Bali to Nusa Lembongan](/routes/sanur-bali-nusa-lembongan)  
   [Kusamba to Nusa Penida](/routes/bali-nusa-penida)

2. **Domestic Flights:** Essential for fast travel to distant destinations—[Bali to Jakarta](/routes/bali-jakarta), [Bali to Yogyakarta](/routes/bali-yogyakarta), [Bali to Medan](/routes/bali-medan).

3. **On the Island:** Taxis, private drivers, motorbikes, and shared shuttles.  
   Book ahead in peak season and allow extra time between sea and air connections.

**Editor’s note:**  
Bali is dynamic, crowded, and sometimes chaotic—but with smart planning, reliable operators (12Go, Bookaway, Direct Ferries, Omio, Ferryhopper), up-to-date schedules, and advance bookings, getting around can actually be a highlight of your trip.