Bali Frontier · Plan your trip

Plan your trip

The practical groundwork for a smooth Bali trip, when to go and what the weather does, visas and safety, how to get to the island and around it by driver and scooter, and what it all costs.

30 days: visa on arrival for many
Rupiah: an affordable island
Apr to Oct: the dry season
WITA: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Bali is a rewarding island to travel once a few basics are in place. These short reads walk through the decisions that matter before you book, timing, entry, staying safe, getting to the island and around it by driver and scooter, and setting a realistic budget.

Best Time to Visit Bali When to go to Bali: the dry season April to October, the wet season November to March, peak crowds, Nyepi, and the best times for surf and the sea. Bali Weather and Climate Bali's humidity and temperature month by month, measured at Denpasar airport: about 80% humidity all year, highs of 29 to 31.5 C, and when it is hottest. Getting to Bali Flying into Ngurah Rai airport (DPS): long-haul routes via the Gulf and Asian hubs or direct from Australia, visa on arrival, and transfers to your base. Getting Around Bali How to get around Bali: scooters and their risks, private drivers, Bluebird taxis, Grab and Gojek, car rental, and fast boats to the Nusa Islands. Bali Visa and Entry Entering Bali: the visa on arrival for many nationalities, the e-VoA, passport and onward-ticket rules, the customs declaration, and the tourist levy. Is Bali Safe? Bali is generally safe and welcoming; the real risks are traffic, the sea, petty theft, monkey bites and stomach upsets. A factual, practical guide. Bali Tourist Levy The Bali tourist levy is IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip. How to pay it online or on arrival, the voucher, the payment methods, and who is exempt. Bali on a Budget What Bali costs: sample daily budgets in rupiah and rough US dollars for backpacker, mid-range and comfortable trips, plus meals, transport and tips. Month by month Every month's measured rainfall and temperature, and what the averages do not tell you. Where to stay The twelve bases compared by what the airport run costs, what each is for, and who it is wrong for. Villas What a villa costs in each part of the island, and when a hotel room is the better buy. Airport transfers What the drive from Ngurah Rai costs to each area, how long it takes, and when a taxi or an app is the better call.

When to go and what to expect

The dry season, from April to October, is the reliable window for most trips, with sunny days and calmer seas that suit the beaches, diving and the temples. July and August are the driest and busiest stretch. The wet season, from November to March, is warmer and cheaper, with short heavy downpours rather than washed-out days. See the best time to visit and the month-by-month weather for the detail.

Entry, visas and staying safe

Many nationalities, including visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and much of the EU, can buy a visa on arrival for up to 30 days, extendable once, with a passport valid for at least six months. Bali is a well-trodden island and most trips pass without trouble; the risks that matter are everyday ones, heavy traffic and scooter accidents, strong currents on some beaches, and an upset stomach from unfamiliar food or water. Take the usual care, ride only if you can, respect the flags in the sea and drink bottled or filtered water. The full picture is on the visa page and the guide to whether Bali is safe.

Getting there, getting around and the cost

Most visitors arrive by air into Ngurah Rai International Airport near Kuta, the island's only airport, with direct and connecting flights from across Asia, Australia and the Gulf. Once you are on Bali it is roads rather than flights: hiring a driver for the day is affordable and easy, a scooter suits short hops for confident riders, and Grab and Gojek cover the south. Boats run from Sanur to the Nusa islands. The rupiah stretches a long way, which keeps Bali affordable once drivers and a few day trips are booked. Read getting to Bali, getting around and the budget guide to put numbers on it.

Planning a trip to Bali: common questions

When is the best time to visit Bali?+

The dry season, from April to October, is the reliable window, with sunny days and calmer seas that suit the beaches, diving and the temples. July and August are the driest and busiest months. The wet season, from November to March, is warmer and cheaper, with short heavy downpours rather than all-day rain, so it is still a workable time to travel if you do not mind the odd wet afternoon.

Do I need a visa to visit Bali?+

Many nationalities, including visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and much of the EU, can buy a visa on arrival that allows a 30-day stay, extendable once for a further 30 days, with a passport valid for at least six months. It is paid for at the airport or online beforehand. Check the current rules for your nationality before you travel.

Is Bali safe for tourists?+

Bali sees millions of visitors a year and most trips pass without trouble. The bigger practical risks are everyday ones: heavy traffic and scooter accidents, strong currents and rip tides on some beaches, and an upset stomach, often called Bali belly, from unfamiliar food or water. Take the usual care with belongings, hire scooters only if you can ride, respect the sea and the flags, and drink bottled or filtered water.

What is the best way to get around Bali?+

Bali is a single island, so it is roads rather than flights. Most visitors hire a driver for the day, which is affordable and takes the strain out of long trips, or rent a scooter for short hops if they are confident riding. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek work in the south for cars and bikes. Traffic in the Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu area is heavy, so allow more time than the distance suggests.

How much does a trip to Bali cost?+

Bali is an affordable island, and the rupiah stretches a long way on warung meals, local transport and simple guesthouses. Beach clubs, resorts and villas in the south, along with day trips and drivers, are where the budget adds up. A day tour with a private driver, entries and lunch is still modest by international standards, and booking a few things ahead in the dry season keeps prices and options open.

What is the cheapest time to visit Bali?+

The wet season, from November to March, brings the lowest fares and room rates, at the trade-off of more rain and humidity. For a better balance, the shoulder weeks either side of the dry season, in April and October, offer lighter crowds, lower prices and mostly settled weather.