How to get to Bali

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Sea

Java

You can reach Java, just west of Bali, and Sumbawa, just west of Lombok, via ferries. Through buses can take you all the way to Jakarta. Longer distance boats serveIndonesia’s eastern islands.

Ferry Running constantly, ferries cross the Bali Strait between Gilimanuk in western Bali and Ketapang (Java). The actual crossing takes under 30 minutes, but you’ll spend longer than this loading, unloading and waiting around. Car rental contracts usually prohibit rental vehicles being taken out of Bali.

From Ketapang, bemo (small minibuses) travel 4km north to the terminal, where buses leave for Baluran, Probolingo (for Gunung Bromo), Surabaya, Yogyakarta andJakarta. There’s a train station near the ferry port, with trains to Probolingo, Surabaya,Yogyakarta and Jakarta. Contact the Train Information Service (0361-227131;www.kereta-api.com) for more information (on the website, Jadwal means schedule).

Lombok

To/From Lombok

Pelni ships link Lembar with other parts of Indonesia. The Awu heads to Waingapu,Ende, Kupang and Kalabahi; the Kelimutu goes to Bima, Makassar and Papua; and the Tilongkabila to Bima, Labuanbajo and Sulawesi. Tickets can be bought at the Pelni office (0370-637212; Jl Industri 1; 8am-noon & 1-3.30pm Mon-Thu & Sat, 8-11am Fri) in Mataram.

Other Indonesian Islands

Services to other islands in Indonesia are often in flux, although Pelni is reasonably reliable. Check for other services at the harbour in Benoa.

PELNI

The national shipping line is Pelni (www.pelni.co.id), which schedules large boats on long-distance runs throughout Indonesia.

To/From Bali

Three ships from Pelni stop at the harbour in Benoa as part of their regular loops throughout Indonesia. Dobonsolo with Java, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and northern Papua; and Awu and Tilongkabila with Nusa Tenggara and southern Sulawesi. Prices are dependent on the route and the class of travel, and this can range widely in price. Check for details locally but in general, fares, even in 1st class, are very low, eg Benoa to Surabaya on Java is US$35.

You can inquire and book at the Pelni offices in Tuban (0361-763963, 021-7918 0606;www.pelni.co.id; Jl Raya Kuta 299; 8am-noon & 1-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm Sat) and at the harbour in Benoa (0361-721377; h8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-12.30pm Sat).

Land

Java

To/From Bali

The ferry crossing is included in the services to/from Ubung terminal in Denpasaroffered by numerous bus companies, many of which travel overnight. It’s advisable to buy your ticket at least one day in advance from travel agents in the tourist centres or at the Ubung terminal. Note too that fierce air competition has put tickets to Jakarta andSurabaya in the range of bus prices.

Fares vary between operators; it’s worth paying extra for a decent seat and air-con. For a comfortable bus ride, typical fares and travel times are Yogyakarta, usually travelling overnight. Some companies travel directly between Java and Singaraja, via Lovina, on the north coast of Bali.

Air

Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) is just south of Kuta. It is named after a hero of the struggle for independence from the Dutch.

The airport is spacious and modern and is well-served with international flights. It has a hotel-booking counter, a left-luggage room, several moneychangers, an expensive duty-free shop and many souvenir shops, ATMs and lots of familiar fast-food places.

The domestic terminal (0361-751011) and international terminal (0361-751011) are a few hundred metres apart.

International airlines flying to and from Bali include the following:

Air Asia (airline code AK; 0361-760116; www.airasia.com) Hub Kuala Lumpur.

Cathay Pacific Airways (airline code CX; 0361-766931; www.cathaypacific.com) Hub Hong Kong.

Continental Airlines (airline code CO; 0361-768358; www.continental.com) Hubs Newark and Houston.

Eva Air (airline code BR; 0361-751011; www.evaair.com) Hub Taipei.

Japan Airlines (airline code JL; 0361-757077; www.jal.co.jp) Hub Tokyo.

Korean Air (airline code KE; 0361-768377; www.koreanair.com) Hub Seoul.

Malaysia Airlines (airline code MH; 0361-764995; www.mas.com.my) Hub Kuala Lumpur.

Qantas Airways (airline code QF; 0361-288331; www.qantas.com.au) Hubs Sydney and Melbourne. Plans to rebrand its service as Jetstar.

Singapore Airlines (airline code SQ; 0361-768388; www.singaporeair.com) Hub Singapore.

Thai Airways International (airline code TG; 0361-288141; www.thaiair.com) Hub Bangkok.

Domestic services in Bali seem to be in a constant state of flux. The best thing to do is to go to the airport and shop at the airline ticket offices. Often you’ll come close to long-distance bus and ferry fares. Places served often from Bali include Jakarta, Surabaya, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Bima, Maumere, Bandung, Kupangand more.

Garuda Indonesia (airline code GA; 0361-227824; www.garuda-indonesia.com) Hubs Bali and Jakarta.

Lion Air (airline code JT; 0361-763872; www.lion airlines.com)

Merpati Nusantara Airlines (airline code MZ; 0361-235358; www.merpati.co.id)

Mandala Airlines (airline code RI; 0361-751011; www.mandalaair.com)

Pelita (airline code 6D; 0361-762248; www.pelita-air.com)