How to Find Affordable Flights to Bali

Let’s just call it like it is—flights to Bali aren’t always cheap, and they’re rarely short. I’ve flown to Bali eight times now (mostly from LAX and once from Sydney), and lemme tell you, I’ve made every mistake you can think of. Overspending. Choosing the wrong layovers. Thinking I could survive a 40-hour flight with no legroom. Never again.

Alright, so if you’re planning that dream Bali trip and trying to make sense of flights, here’s the real tea.

The best time to book flights to Bali (money-wise) is about 2 to 4 months before departure. That sweet spot tends to be where the deals live. And if you’re flexible? Even better. Flying mid-week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays especially) usually shaves off a few hundred bucks. I once saved $280 just by flying out on a Wednesday instead of Saturday.

Now, the actual cheapest months to fly to Bali are usually February, May, and early November. Why? It’s shoulder season. Fewer tourists, decent weather, and airlines drop prices to fill up planes. Meanwhile, July, August, and Christmas/New Year? Yeah, that’s high season and flights are bananas. Like, 2x the price bananas.

Here’s the deal though: you don’t always want the cheapest ticket. That $500 flight might include a 14-hour layover in Guangzhou with no shower access. Not cute.

Which Airlines Fly to Bali – And Which Ones Don’t Suck

What to Expect From Major Airlines to Bali

So here’s where experience pays off. I’ve flown with all sorts: Singapore Airlines (the best, no cap), Emirates, Qatar, Jetstar, Scoot, Garuda Indonesia, even AirAsia on one of those “what was I thinking?” trips.

If you’re flying from the U.S. or Europe, chances are you’re connecting in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Tokyo, or Dubai. Most flights end up at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar.

Here’s a rough airline breakdown from someone who’s suffered enough to know:

• Singapore Airlines – Worth every penny. The layover in Changi Airport is a dream: free movie theaters, showers, butterfly garden (no joke). Food is actually edible, legroom is reasonable, and flight attendants don’t disappear mid-flight.
• Qatar Airways – Long route but very comfy. Doha airport is bougie. Solid for European travelers.
• Garuda Indonesia – The local carrier. Pretty decent actually. Good food, service feels warm. Not the cheapest, but more direct options from Australia or Jakarta.
• Scoot & Jetstar – Budget options. Don’t expect more than a seat and maybe a cup of water if you beg. Bring your own snacks. Scoot is rough on long-hauls.
• AirAsia – Dirt cheap but be mentally prepared. Bring a neck pillow and download 5 movies. No frills. But if you’re flying within Asia, it’s a budget lifesaver.

If you’re coming from Australia (especially Perth, Sydney, Melbourne), you’ve got way more non-stop options. That’s probably why so many Aussies are in Bali all year round. Perth to Bali can be as short as 3.5 hours, which is shorter than my commute some days.

How to Score Cheap Flights to Bali Without Selling a Kidney

Let’s talk tactics.

I live on Google Flights and Skyscanner. Google Flights is great for tracking prices and spotting dips. Set alerts for your destination – you’ll get emailed when prices drop. But don’t stop there. Once you find a good price, check directly on the airline’s website. Sometimes you’ll get better seats or free baggage when booking direct.

And then there’s my guilty trick: use a VPN. Sometimes, flights are cheaper when you search from a different country. Like, searching from Thailand instead of the US shaved $120 off one booking. I don’t know why. Magic or algorithm chaos.

Also – try multi-city searches. Once, I flew from LAX to Singapore (round trip, $680) and just booked a separate flight to Bali from there on Scoot for $60. The whole thing was $300 cheaper than a direct route.

Don’t forget to clear cookies or use incognito mode too. Some say it’s a myth, but I’ve watched prices jump after multiple searches. I’m not risking it.

Oh, and credit card points? If you’ve got ‘em, this is the time to use them. A friend of mine scored a round-trip on Emirates (LAX-DPS) for $80 + points. The dream.

How Long Is the Flight to Bali? And Will You Survive It?

So yeah, flights to Bali from North America are loooong. Like, 20 to 30+ hours long depending on your route. That’s including layovers and timezone shifts. I’ve done a 38-hour hellscape once and thought my spine would never recover.

Typical flight durations:

• LAX to Bali: ~22-26 hours (1 or 2 stops)
• JFK to Bali: ~24-30 hours
• London to Bali: ~17-22 hours
• Sydney to Bali: ~6.5-7 hours

Layovers can make or break you. Changi (Singapore), Hamad (Doha), and Incheon (Seoul) are tolerable, even enjoyable. But if you’re stuck in Manila, KLIA2, or Guangzhou with nothing but instant noodles and plastic seats? It’s rough.

What helps: neck pillow (a real one, not that $8 foam thing), compression socks, noise-canceling headphones, and hydration. I drink water like I’m prepping for a marathon. Helps with jet lag too.

And don’t underestimate the power of downloading offline Netflix shows. Some flights still don’t have working entertainment (I’m looking at you, Scoot).

When Is the Best Time to Fly to Bali Based on Weather and Crowds?

Now let’s tie this into actual trip planning.

So Bali has two seasons: dry season (April to October) and wet season (November to March). Dry season is sunny, warm, and just overall pleasant. But it’s also high season, especially July and August – everything is more expensive, from villas to flights.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds but still want good weather, shoot for May, early June, or late September. It’s sunny but not packed. That’s my favorite window, honestly.

Wet season isn’t terrible – it doesn’t rain all day, every day. It’s more like afternoon downpours or random tropical storms. Still, if you’re planning to surf, hike, or chill on the beach, dry season wins.

Oh, and flying during Bali’s Nyepi (Day of Silence)? Big no-no unless you want to be stuck in your hotel for 24 hours doing nothing. Airports close. Shops shut down. Even the internet gets turned off. It’s cool to witness, but terrible if you didn’t plan for it.

Read also: Where is Bali located

Local Tips from Someone Who’s Flown to Bali Too Many Times

Let’s talk post-flight reality. You land in Denpasar after 20+ hours of travel, and then boom—customs line for 90 minutes. DPS airport has gotten better, but during peak hours it’s chaos.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Get a visa online (e-VOA) before you land. It’ll save you a chunk of time. $35 USD, valid for 30 days. You can extend it too.
• Avoid flights that land between 3 PM – 7 PM. That’s peak arrival time and customs can be brutal.
• Book your airport transfer in advance. Yes, you can get a Grab or GoJek (local ride apps), but the pickup zones are a bit chaotic. Having a guy with your name on a sign feels luxurious after that flight, trust me.
• Currency exchange at the airport is meh. Better rates in Seminyak or Canggu. Just pull enough IDR to get you by (roughly 500,000 IDR should cover SIM card + transport + snacks).

And speaking of SIM cards, there’s a Telkomsel booth in arrivals. $10-15 gets you 25-30GB, which is plenty for maps, Instagram, and Google Translate fails.

Other Airports You Can Use If Flights to Bali Are Wildly Expensive

Sometimes, flights directly to Bali are just not affordable or logical. If prices are too steep, I look at Jakarta (CGK) or Singapore (SIN). From there, you can grab a short budget flight into Bali.

• Jakarta to Bali: 1.5 hours.
• Singapore to Bali: 2.5 hours.
• Kuala Lumpur to Bali: ~3 hours.

And with airlines like Lion Air, Citilink, Batik Air, and AirAsia, you can often fly for $30-80 USD if you book early. Yep, that’s cheaper than dinner in Ubud.

I once flew LAX → Singapore → Bali and spent two nights in Singapore just to split up the travel. Gave me time to chill, eat laksa, and actually arrive in Bali fresh-ish. Highly recommend if you’ve got the flexibility.

Real Talk – What I’d Do Differently With Flights to Bali

Alright, if I could go back and talk to my past self before booking all those flights to Bali, here’s what I’d say:

1. Don’t be seduced by the lowest fare. A 40-hour flight with 3 layovers is a soul crusher.
2. Invest in the airline that makes the journey part of the vacation. Singapore Airlines has saved my sanity more than once.
3. Use those alerts. Let Google do the work for you. Just be patient.
4. Build in a buffer day. If you land in Bali at 11 PM, don’t plan an 8 AM snorkeling tour the next morning. Rookie mistake.
5. And maybe—just maybe—splurge on premium economy for once. Your knees will thank you.

Getting to Bali isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. The flight’s long, sure, but once you step out into that warm Balinese air and smell the incense drifting from every little shrine? You’ll forget all about that middle seat from hell.

Read also: How Much Should You Tip Your Bali Tour Guide

What No One Tells You About the Return Flight from Bali

Okay, so you’ve had your amazing time in Bali—sunsets in Uluwatu, smoothies in Canggu, rice fields in Ubud, maybe even an ATV ride in the countryside—and now it’s time to fly home. Honestly, this part gets ignored a lot, but it matters just as much as getting there.

Here’s the deal: flights leaving Bali are usually super early in the morning or late at night. I’m talking 1 AM, 3 AM, 5 AM departures. It’s brutal if you don’t plan for it.

What I’ve learned the hard way? Don’t check out of your villa at noon if your flight isn’t until 1 AM. You’ll be wandering malls or killing time in cafes trying to stay awake and not sweat through your clothes. Either book one extra night so you have a room to rest and shower—or find a good “transit hotel” near the airport with hourly rooms.

Also, getting through security at DPS airport can take longer than expected, especially late at night when multiple international flights are leaving. There’s a bit of a bottleneck at immigration and even getting to your gate. I recommend arriving at the airport a solid 3 hours before your flight—yes, even if it’s 2 in the morning.

And FYI: the airport shops and restaurants mostly stay open 24/7, but prices are insane. Water bottles? $3-4. A basic wrap? Nearly $10. If you’re short on IDR or forgot to grab snacks, you’ll be kicking yourself.

Oh—and double-check baggage allowance on your return airline. A lot of travelers leave Bali with more than they came with (been there, bought too many sarongs and coffee beans). Budget airlines will slap you with extra charges if you’re over even by a kilo. Some don’t even let you pay at the counter—you have to do it online. It’s a weird system, so read the fine print.

One Last Thing About Airport Taxis in Bali (Yes, It’s Still a Thing)

I wasn’t gonna get into this, but I have to. When you land at DPS, especially if it’s your first time, prepare for the infamous Bali taxi hustle. It’s still a thing. Drivers crowding around, offering you “cheap price” and insisting on cash-only fares that are double or triple what they should be.

Avoid it if you can. Book a Grab or GoJek using the airport’s designated pickup zone (it’s near the parking area—follow the signs). Or better yet, pre-arrange a private driver through your hotel or Airbnb host. Most will gladly help, and you’ll walk out of arrivals like a boss, not a lost tourist.

Honestly, it’s such a better vibe to start your trip with someone waiting for you and helping with your bags. Plus, after 25 hours of travel, you just want someone who knows where they’re going.

Okay, I think I’ve unloaded enough flight wisdom for now. If this helped, awesome—happy to make your Bali travel smoother. If you’re still overwhelmed, just remember: it’s all part of the journey.