Denpasar's Ngurah Rai International Airport is Bali's main airport, located approximately 13 km south of Denpasar's city center, among Southeast Asia's most visited tourist destinations.
It is the gateway to the tourist zones of Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud, each with a distinct atmosphere.
How to get to Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to DPS
Parking near Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
The official parking area is positioned in front of the terminal.
It is video-monitored; the rates are generally affordable by international standards.
How to get to Denpasar from DPS
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Transfer Private Car
Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer
Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer to/from Ubud/Kuta/Denpasar
Bali: Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran
Car rental at Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
Major international car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area; many visitors also rent a scooter once in town.
Bring a driver's license, passport, and credit card; for scooters, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally required and often checked by local police.
Hotels near Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
Tuban, a step from the terminal
The Novotel is inside the airport grounds, with a covered pedestrian walkway leading to the International and Domestic terminals in 5-10 minutes without going outdoors; the Hilton Garden Inn is about 800 metres from the terminal, 10 minutes on foot or a few minutes by shuttle, just outside the airport grounds.
Best for: Dawn flights and short layovers, when you don't want to depend on traffic on the Ngurah Rai Bypass.
- The Novotel is the only hotel reachable on foot from the gates, useful with just a few hours between two flights
- You avoid traffic on the Ngurah Rai Bypass at rush hour towards Kuta or Seminyak
- Only the airport area around: for dinner you stay at the hotel
- Kuta or Seminyak still require 15-30 minutes by taxi, more during rush hour
Recommended hotels
- Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport The only hotel inside Bali's airport grounds, with a covered pedestrian walkway to the International and Domestic terminals in 5-10 minutes. View availability
- Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport About 800 metres from the terminal (10 minutes on foot or a few minutes by shuttle), just outside the airport grounds; 10 minutes from Kuta for those who want to go out in the evening. View availability
Kuta and Legian
About 7-8 km from the airport, 15-20 minutes by car, which easily become 30 at rush hour on the Ngurah Rai Bypass.
Best for: Those who want Bali's most touristy beach and the nightlife of Jalan Legian, while staying close to the airport.
- Closer to the airport than Seminyak, Canggu or Nusa Dua
- South Kuta Beach, Legian Beach and dozens of restaurants within walking distance
- Among the most chaotic and noisy areas of the island, especially at night along Jalan Legian
- Kuta beach is among the most crowded in Bali, with insistent street vendors
Seminyak
About 10-13 km from the airport, 20-40 minutes by car depending on traffic on the Ngurah Rai Bypass.
Best for: Trendy restaurants, beach clubs and shopping, while staying within half an hour of the airport.
- Petitenget and Double Six beaches and some of the richest evening life on Bali
- Less chaotic than Kuta in the evening, despite being close by
- No direct connection to the airport, a taxi or a car is always needed
- Weekends and sunset hour crowd the Ngurah Rai Bypass in both directions
Recommended hotels
- Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Seminyak About 13 km from the airport (20-40 minutes), 10 minutes by car from Seminyak beach; Batu Belig Beach and the Petitenget temple are within walking distance. View availability
- Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach by IHG In the Dyanapura neighbourhood, a 5-minute walk from Double Six beach (officially Mesari Beach); pop-art design, three pools and a small beach club. View availability
Canggu
About 20 km from the airport; with traffic in Canggu and on the Bypass the trip realistically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, even longer on weekends or during rush hour.
Best for: Surfing, cafés for digital nomads and the 'coolest' Bali, accepting the longest and most unpredictable traffic on the island.
- Berawa Beach and Batu Bolong Beach a few minutes' walk from the area's hotels
- Rooftop pool with sunset views in almost every recent property
- Narrow streets, increasingly congested by the construction boom of recent years
- No alternative to taxi or scooter for getting around, even for short distances
Recommended hotels
- Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu by IHG On Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong in the heart of Canggu, 2 minutes by car from Berawa Beach; rooftop with infinity pool and a 180-degree ocean view. View availability
- Citadines Berawa Beach Bali Resort A 3-minute walk from Berawa Beach, with a rooftop pool and rooms with a kitchenette, convenient for longer stays. View availability
Jimbaran
About 8 km from the airport, 15-20 minutes by car: among the fastest transfers on the island along with Tuban.
Best for: Beach and sunset seafood dinners without Kuta or Seminyak's nightlife, while staying close to the airport.
- A bay known for its seafood restaurants right on the beach at sunset
- Closer to the airport than almost any other tourist area in Bali
- A hilly area not very walkable, taxis are needed even for short trips
- Nightlife is almost nonexistent outside the resorts and the beach restaurants
Recommended hotels
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay 147 cliffside villas with private pool, outdoor pavilion and views over the bay and Mount Agung; direct beach access. View availability
- InterContinental Bali Resort by IHG The first resort built on Jimbaran Bay, renovated in 2022; 430 rooms, four restaurants and free beach cabanas for the sunset. View availability
- Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali Connected to a mall, about 600 metres from Jimbaran beach; a more affordable option than the two previous resorts. View availability
Nusa Dua
About 10 km from the airport, 20-30 minutes by car, often smooth thanks to the Bali Mandara toll road.
Best for: Families and those looking for a quiet enclave of resorts, with beaches protected by the coral reef.
- Calm beaches protected by the reef, designed for families with children
- Themed pools and kids' clubs in almost every resort in the area
- A gated tourist enclave, little contact with Bali outside the resorts
- Evening life almost entirely inside the hotels or at the Bali Collection
Recommended hotels
- Conrad Bali 350 metres of private beach, an infinity pool and five pools in total; 20-30 minutes from the airport. View availability
- Grand Hyatt Bali Built as a Balinese water palace over more than 16 hectares, with lagoons, five pools and two slides; opposite the shops of the Bali Collection. View availability
Sanur
About 15 km from the airport, 30 minutes by car, without the traffic ups and downs of Kuta or Canggu.
Best for: Those who want a slower pace and a quiet beach, with calm water sheltered by the coral reef.
- Calm water all year round thanks to the reef, convenient for families with young children
- A pedestrian seafront of several kilometres between Sanur and Mertasari
- Nightlife almost nonexistent compared to the west side of the island
- Narrower beach at low tide
Recommended hotels
- Andaz Bali, By Hyatt On the beach at Sanur, built around pre-existing vegetation; villas with private pool. View availability
- Hyatt Regency Bali 9 hectares of tropical gardens and 500 metres of white beach; three pools and an Italian restaurant right on the sea. View availability
- InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort by IHG White beach with free cabanas, umbrellas and sun loungers; a more relaxed atmosphere than the resorts on the west side of the island. View availability
Ubud
About 35-38 km from the airport, realistically between 1 hour and an hour and a half by car depending on traffic, up to 2 hours during rush hour or local ceremonies; no direct public transport, only a taxi or a driver booked in advance.
Best for: Rice terraces, temples and inland Bali, accepting a real transfer of between 1 hour and an hour and a half from the airport.
- Rice terraces, temples and art workshops reachable on foot or by bicycle from the centre
- Cooler inland climate, a few degrees less than on the coast
- The transfer from the airport is the longest among Bali's tourist areas, to be planned with margin so as not to miss the flight
- No direct train or bus: only a private car, with higher fares at night
Recommended hotels
- Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve 24 acres along the Ayung river in Sayan, just outside Ubud; over 60 suites and villas with private pool, the smallest almost 100 sqm. View availability
- Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud A mid-range option in the centre of Ubud, with pool and garden; a more affordable alternative to the luxury resorts of the Ayung valley. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The international terminal is modern and has ample capacity, reflecting the island's strong tourist traffic.
For international flights, it is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before departure, even longer during peak season.
Map of Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is a metered taxi or a private transfer better from Bali airport?
A private transfer at a fixed rate, bookable in advance, generally offers a more predictable price, especially for farther destinations like Ubud.
Q. Is there a specific tourist tax for Bali?
Yes, a fee of 150,000 rupiah (about 10 USD) applies separately upon entry to the island, payable online in advance through the Love Bali portal or directly at the airport: keep the receipt for any checks.
Q. Is it worth renting a scooter in Bali?
It's very common among visitors, but you need an International Driving Permit, often checked by local police: only ride one if you have experience, given the chaotic traffic in some areas.
Q. Kuta or Seminyak: which to choose for your stay?
Kuta is cheaper and livelier, ideal for surfing; Seminyak offers a more upscale atmosphere with higher-end restaurants and beach clubs.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
