A comprehensive guide to the best ways to get to Bali, including flight details, route tips and airline options for travellers from Europe, UK, USA, Asia and Australia.
Flights from the UK (London, Manchester, etc)
· Typical routing: All flights require at least one stop, which is a convenient way to incorporate a stopover if required. The most common layovers and airlines are Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
· Total travel time: Expect 16–19 hours, including layovers. For example, London to Bali via Doha is close to 18 hours and London to Singapore can be done in a little over 16 hours.
· Cheapest fares typically start from £440–£600 return, varying by season. Christmas and mid-year will be the most expensive.
· Pro Tips:
o Consider booking flights that depart from smaller airports such as Leeds, Birmingham, or Manchester. These will still go via the main hubs but are often cheaper than flights from London.
o Best airlines for comfort: Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines (all frequent Skytrax winners).
Flights from Germany, France, Italy
· These follow similar patterns to UK departures.
· Main hubs are Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Istanbul, or Amsterdam (KLM).
· Expect 16–20 hours travel time including stops. Note there are no direct flights from Europe to Bali.
· Fare ranges are similar to UK routes: €500–€800 return.
Flights from USA
There are no direct flights from the US to Bali, but the route is well-serviced via Asia and the Middle East. Most travellers transit through hubs like Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Doha, or Seoul, depending on departure city and airline.
· Typical Routing: All flights require a stop, often two from smaller US cities. Most common layovers and airlines include:
o Singapore (Singapore Airlines)
o Tokyo (ANA or Japan Airlines)
o Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific)
o Doha (Qatar Airways)
o Seoul (Korean Air / Asiana)
o Taipei (EVA Air / China Airlines)
o Manila (Philippine Airlines)
· Total Travel Time: Will vary by departure point, however the main times would be – from Los Angeles or San Francisco about 20 to 24 hours including one layover; from New York or Chicago about 23 to 28 hours total depending on routing. The west coast routes tend to be faster and cheaper due to their proximity to Asia-Pacific hubs.
· Cheapest Fares: Return fares from major US cities generally range from USD $800–$1,400. Fares are lower in the shoulder seasons (Feb–May, Sept–Nov) and peak around Christmas and the US summer.
· Pro Tips:
o West Coast flyers (Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle) get the best deals and most convenient routes—look for flights via Tokyo, Taipei, or Singapore
o Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Qatar Airways offer great service and smooth transits
o Consider open-jaw tickets if exploring multiple countries (for example fly into Bali, out of Bangkok or Singapore)
o If you have points, this is a great route to redeem with frequent flyer programs like KrisFlyer, MileagePlus, or AAdvantage
o Overnight layovers can be turned into mini stopovers in cities like Singapore or Tokyo, perfect if you do not mind breaking the journey.
Flights from China
· Frequent connections are available with Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), China Southern, China Eastern, and Scoot (via Singapore).
· Typical travel time: 6 to 12 hours, depending on stops.
Flights from India
· Direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with AirAsia, Scoot, and Garuda Indonesia.
· Travel time ranges from 8 to 10 hours.
· Fares are budget friendly; especially via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur connections.
Flights from Malaysia & Singapore
· Shortest and cheapest international routes to Bali, and these are also favoured by people seeking to renew their Indonesian visas offshore.
· Singapore Airlines and Scoot flight durations are less than 4 hours direct.
· AirAsia Malaysia flights are around 3 hours; often under RM800 one way.
· These hubs are excellent jump-off points due to frequent, affordable connections.
Flights from Australia
Australia offers direct flights to Bali from nine major airports, served by both budget and full-service airlines.
· Airlines include:
o Jetstar
o Qantas
o Virgin Australia
o AirAsia
o Garuda Indonesia
| Departure Airport | Airlines | Approximate Flight Time |
| Sydney (SYD) | Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin, Garuda | 6 h 30 m |
| Melbourne (MEL) | Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin, Garuda | 6 h |
| Brisbane (BNE) | Jetstar, Virgin | 6 to 6.5 h |
| Adelaide (ADL) | Jetstar, Virgin | 6+ h |
| Gold Coast (OOL) | Virgin, Jetstar | 6 h |
| Perth (PER) | Jetstar, AirAsia, Batik Air, Trans Nusa | 3 h 40 m |
| Cairns (CNS) | AirAsia, Jetstar | 4 h 55 m |
| Darwin (DRW) | Jetstar, AirAsia | 2 h 40 m |
| Newcastle (NTL) | Jetstar | 6 to 6.5 h |
· Flight Costs:
o From Perth: One-way from AUD 114–266, return ~AUD 270–380
o From Melbourne/Sydney: Return from AUD 400–650 depending on season and airline
o Other ports have less flights and competition so are generally higher priced, however both Jetstar and Air Asia, as low cost carriers, have regular specials in off peak periods.
· Pro Tips:
o Cheapest fares are commonly promoted at least 18 weeks ahead; and booking around 8 weeks out will often be rewarded with mid-range deals.
o Beware of peak travel spikes which are generally for travel periods of December and July as well as Australian school holidays (vary by State). Expect prices to be around 30% higher.
Suggested Stopovers by Country
· UK/Europe: Plan 2–3 hour layover in Doha, Dubai, or Singapore. These are all sophisticated hubs with large terminals filled with great restaurants, shopping and amenities such as showers to freshen up.
· USA: Will vary by port and whether coming from the west or east coast as follows:
o From Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle – Singapore, Tokyo and Taipei
o From New York, Boston and Miami – Doha, Seoul and Tokyo
o For cheapest fares go via Manila or Taipei
o For best layover experience go via Singapore, Tokyo or Doha
· China/India: Depending on the airline chosen layovers can vary. For example Cathay Pacific is via Hong Kong and Singapore Airlines via Singapore.
· Malaysia/Singapore: Quick 1-2 hour turnaround flights are common.
· Australia: Most flights are direct, but regional connections via most Australian capital cities as well as Cairns are possible. It is also possible to fly via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore with full-service airlines or codeshares.
Final Tips and Useful Websites
· Set an alert on Skyscanner, KAYAK, or Google Flights for best prices.
· For Australians, direct flights are simplest; with Darwin and Perth offering the fastest journey.
· UK/Europe: suggested routes are 17 to19 hours with one stop.
· Seat selection, baggage, inflight meals vary widely. You should check individual airline policies prior to finalising your booking.
· Volcano ash from Indonesian eruptions (like Lewotobi Laki-laki) can cause unexpected delays or cancellations. Travel insurance should be considered and pay particular attention to “known events” and do not automatically assume you will be covered.
· Check the section “Getting Into Bali” to make sure you will be eligible.
