Cheap flights to Bali from $376

Bali Travel Guide

The jewel of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, Bali, lies between Java and Lombok. Visitors arriving to Bali are struck by its natural beauty, with landscapes ranging from rugged shorelines to glistening, sun-swept beaches. These idyllic scenes are nestled alongside rows of towering volcanic summits which provide a unique and fittingly primeval backdrop for culture vultures who want to immerse themselves in 4,000 years of Balinese history.

As the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia, the island’s ceremonies and festivals are unequalled anywhere else in the region. For example, the celebrations leading up to the Hindu New Year, Nyepi, when the streets of Bali are awash with beautifully made effigies (Ogoh-Ogoh monsters) proudly held aloft by locals clad in full ceremonial dress.

Bali’s shimmering beaches and glittering nightlife make it a magnet for young travelers eager to party. The nightclubs and discotheques are always in season, with modern laser light shows, towering ceilings, and immersive spaces to dance the night away.

Away from the nonstop partying, Bali is a haven for those seeking spiritual refreshment—this is the Island of the Gods, after all. The Balinese look away from the beaches to the Gunung Agung volcano and the mountain ranges that dominate the island’s landscape, where the gods are said to live, to feed their souls.

Getting to and around Bali

Ngurah Rai International Airport is between Tuban and Jimbaran, 30 minutes from Denpasar, the administrative and transport hub of the Island. Taxis are plentiful. There is a booth in the arrivals terminal where visitors can buy a fixed-fare ticket and be allocated a driver. If the booth is closed then travelers can organize their own taxi, but be prepared to haggle and agree upon the price before starting out. Some hotels do provide a shuttle directly to and from the airport so check with them beforehand as it will make your transition easier after your flights to Bali. There are also buses and minivans, although they are crowded they do offer a cheap alternative for budget travelers.

Travelers arriving on cheap flights to Bali will discover there are several ways of getting around the island. Bemos (small vans with a set routine) and buses are cheap if a little on the slow side. Taxis – chartered or metered – are convenient and inexpensive compared to other countries. Renting a car, motorbike or bicycle offers most independence. The most traditional mode of transport is a dokar (a horse and cart).

Tips for your stay in Bali

Kerobokan jail is a popular, if not a little odd, tourist attraction. Infamous inmates include Schapelle Leigh Corby, the Australian woman convicted of drug smuggling, Michael Loic Blanc, the French man convicted of drug smuggling, and the Bali Nine drug smuggling gang.

Bedugul is where the Balinese flee during the very hot and humid weather. This retreat is tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano, 4594 feet above sea level. The air is fresh, the countryside lush and the fruit and vegetables considered the finest in Bali.

Ubud is Bali’s fine-arts, dance and music center (and a staple on the Eat, Pray, Love pilgrimage trail). The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival takes place towards the end of the year. It is considered to be one of the world’s top literary festivals.

On rainy days, beachgoers still have a good chance of catching some sun if they head over to the “Bukit”, the hill south of Jimbaran Beach on Bali’s west coast.

Make sure you bring a sweater if you’re heading up to higher, in-land regions such as Bedugul or Kintamani. Temperatures usually hold up during the day in these mountainous areas, but it gets surprisingly chilly once the sun sets.

The southern resort of Kuta is probably Bali’s busiest coastal town, and home to many of the island’s liveliest nightclubs and bars. Adrenaline junkies will also appreciate the multitude of activities on offer, ranging from diving to bungee-jumping.

People looking for a more secluded area in which to while away their holiday might be better off heading to the southern coastal town of Sanur. The beach lacks the crowds of nearby Kuta, despite being just a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Finding Flights from Bali

From the Denpasar, Indonesia airport, which is Bali’s airport, you can easily make short hops throughout Indonesia. You can also fly to Sydney and other destinations in Australia, as well as to Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, where you can transition to flights taking you to other continents. Frequent visitors to Bali tend to gripe about the airport taxis, though they are the most readily available transportation to the Denpasar Airport. Other options include public buses and hotel shuttles.