Cheap flights to Bali from Australia to book in 2020

Direct flights are available to Bali from eight cities, which are listed with their flight times below. If you're coming from a regional airport, depending on where your stopover is and the schedule of your domestic flight, it could take a few extra hours to reach Denpasar Airport.

• Port Hedland: 2 hours, 10 minutes
• Darwin: 2 hours, 50 minutes
• Perth: 3 hours, 35 minutes
• Cairns: 4 hours, 35 minutes
• Adelaide: 5 hours, 25 minutes
• Melbourne: 6 hours
• Sydney: 6 hours, 25 minutes
• Brisbane: 6 hours, 25 minutes

Eight airlines offer direct service between Australian airports and Bali (Denpasar), with people living in Perth being the most spoiled for choice.

• Batik Air: Perth
• Citilink: Perth
• Garuda Indonesia: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Indonesia AirAsia: Perth
• Jetstar: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Malindo Air: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
• Qantas: Sydney, Melbourne
• Virgin Australia: Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Port Hedland, Sydney

If you're booking based on price alone, keep in mind which airlines offer full-service flights and which offer budget. If you're adding on bags, meals, entertainment or drinks your budget airline may not be so wallet-friendly.

Of the above, Batik Air, Garuda Indonesia, Malindo, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer flights including checked baggage, while Citilink, Jetstar and Indonesia AirAsia don't.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, the only commercial airport on the island, is located between Kuta and Jimbaran in Bali's south.

How long does it take to get to the airport?

• Kuta: 12 minutes (4 kilometres)
• Jimbaran Beach: 15 minutes (5.5 kilometres)
• Seminyak: 20 minutes (10 kilometres)
• Nusa Dua: 20 minutes (12 kilometres)
• Sanur: 30 minutes (15 kilometres)
• Ubud: 1 hour, 15 minutes (40 kilometres)

To get from the airport to your destination or hotel, visitors can pay a fixed fare to take a public taxi. Do this by heading to the ticketing booth just outside the arrivals building. You'll find a list of prices to each destination. Alternatively, you can pre-arrange a private transfer or shuttle with your hotel – it may be included in the rate anyway. If you flag a taxi yourself, make sure the meter is on, you know the address of where you're going and have a map handy to avoid being taken on an unwanted scenic route at your expense.

Major car rental companies also operate from the airport, although you can usually get one cheaper at a local rental location. Be prepared for Balinese traffic and make sure you're fully covered by travel insurance.

If you're travelling to Indonesia with a valid Australian passport and are staying for 30 days or less, then you do not need a visa to visit. Other passports that don't require visas include New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and most European countries.

If you're coming from Australia but don't have an Australian passport, or one mentioned above, you may require a visa for your stay, which you may be able to get on arrival.

You will require a visa if you want to stay longer than 30 days, as no extensions to the visa-free period are permitted. You can apply for a Social Cultural Visa that can let you stay in Indonesia for up to 60 days.

You should have a ticket or proof that you are leaving Indonesia (i.e. a cruise) before your visa is up. While airlines don't always ask for proof, without this you could be denied boarding on your outbound flight.