When you land at Bali Airport (DPS) you clear immigration (many visitors use a Visa on Arrival or an e-VOA), collect your bags, and present an electronic customs declaration. Bali also charges a tourist levy on foreign visitors; Kuta is about 3 km from arrivals.
This guide covers what to expect when you land at Bali International Airport (DPS), the island's international gateway. International flights arrive at the International terminal, and the resort areas of the south are close: Kuta is about 3 km away (a 10–15 minute drive in light traffic), with Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and Seminyak a little further. Flights reach Bali from across Asia and Australia, and domestically from Jakarta, Surabaya and other Indonesian cities.
Visa, customs and the tourist levy
Visa rules depend on your nationality. Many visitors are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), or can buy an e-VOA online before travelling, typically valid for around 30 days and extendable once. Some nationalities may enter visa-free or need a different visa, so check your own requirement on official Indonesian government channels before you fly. Indonesia also asks arriving passengers to complete an electronic customs declaration before or on arrival, and Bali charges a tourist levy on foreign visitors, payable online through the official Love Bali system, confirm the current amount and settle it before you travel to save time on landing. Keep your passport, return or onward ticket, and any confirmations handy.
Step by step on landing
The process at DPS follows a familiar order once you are off the aircraft:
- Visa / immigration: if you need a Visa on Arrival and have not bought an e-VOA, pay at the counter before immigration. Have your passport and travel details ready; lines build up when several long-haul flights land together.
- Passport control: immigration officers check your passport and visa. An e-VOA can speed this up.
- Baggage claim: collect your luggage from the belt. Trolleys are available near the carousels.
- Customs: present your electronic customs declaration and pass through the customs channel.
- Arrivals hall: once through, you reach the public area with the official taxi counter, ATMs, money changers and transfer meeting points.
Money and quick essentials
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance to Kuta | About 3 km, a 10–15 minute drive in light traffic |
| Terminals | Separate Domestic and International terminals |
| Currency | Indonesian rupiah (IDR) |
| Cash on arrival | ATMs and money changers in the arrivals hall |
| Languages | Indonesian and Balinese; English widely spoken in tourism |
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger venues, but carry cash for taxis, small shops and warungs. ATMs and money changers are available in the arrivals hall.
Getting to your hotel
Step outside the hall and your options line up: the official airport taxi counter with fixed fares by zone, private-transfer drivers at the meeting point, and hotel shuttles if your resort runs one. Ride-hailing apps work across Bali but have restricted airport pick-up points. For a full comparison of fares, driving times and the best ways across the island, see our guide to getting from the airport to Kuta and Denpasar. Booking a transfer before you fly means a driver is waiting when you leave baggage claim, handy after a long flight or a late landing.
To see where the visa desks, immigration and the exit sit before you land, the arrivals map shows that side of the terminal step by step.
