Shuttles and Buses from and to Bali Airport
Truth be told, Bali airport buses aren’t a popular transit method. DPS passengers usually rent a vehicle (a scooter in the majority of cases) or opt for a taxi ride once they land at the airport. Verily, buses in Bali tend to be unreliable and highly dependent on the notorious traffic jams. Hence, all bus rides are time-consuming. That being said, they are cheap, being the number one choice for travelers on a really tight budget.
Our Tip: Each town has a bus terminal. However, since the roads inside most of Bali towns are extremely narrow, buses are too large to maneuver in the town centers. Hence, the terminals are usually located in the surrounding areas. Thus, you may have to walk or catch a taxi from the bus terminal to your journey’s end.
The Public Bali Airport Bus: the Trans Sarbagita Routes
The Trans Sarbagita Buses are regulated by the government. They are very cheap yet their services are questionable. Verily, they are often delayed, run scarcely, don’t have luggage storage space, and their stops, as well as their timetable, constantly change. Moreover, they tend to get crowded. Thus, they aren’t a recommended option if you want to schedule your airport ride to your hotel in advance (as a matter of fact, all buses aren’t the ideal choice if you like to keep things fully organized in advance).
In any case, there are three routes (corridors) departing from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Route 1 runs from Bali Airport to Tabanan and costs 7K Rp (0.41€/0.45$), while Route 2 links the airport to Nusa Dua. Finally, Route 3 travels from DPS Bali Airport to Batubulan. The ticket for routes 2 and 3 is priced at 3500Rp (0.21€/0.23$). Overall, Trans Sarbagita Buses operate from 06:00 am to 08:00 pm (depending on the chosen line) and depart from the Arrivals area of both terminals (on their Ground floors). Moreover, a bus counter is to be found inside the terminal buildings. Thus, you can pay for your bus ticket in cash at the desk, using a QR code inside the bus, or (onboard as well) via a rechargeable money card issued by one of the Indonesian banks (e-money, Flazz, Brizzi, etc.). They can be bought from minimarkets and cost 20K Rp to 50K Rp (1.19€-2.97€/1.30$-3.24$).
The Bali DAMRI Airport Shuttle
The Bali DAMRI Airport Shuttle is also available at the airport. Please note that DAMRI Corporation manages Trans Sarbagita Buses as well. As far as the DAMRI Buses are concerned, you’ll find two available itineraries from Bali Indonesia Airport. Thus, one bus heads from DPS Airport to Singaraja (Buleleng) via Ubud and Kintamani, and the other travels from the airport to Amed (Karangasem). The bus lines are claimed to not have fixed stops. That being said, there are pre-determined disembarking locations. Still, drivers seem happy to stop wherever they may be asked to as long as the stop is en route. Buses depart from the same stops as Trans Sarbagita Buses at Bali International Airport. The bus ride from Bali Airport to Amed lasts around 3.5 hours, whereas the journey to Buleleng takes about 4.5 hours. The ticket for both bus lines is 35K Rp (2.08€/2.27$).
The bus ceased its operation temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, for the time being, it is still out of operation.
Our Tip: You’ll find charging points at Bali DAMRI Airport Shuttles.
The Local Bemos
Alternatively, you can opt for a more traditional (and certainly less convenient) option. The local minibuses, the bemos, are either small shuttle vehicles or vans that cover short distances. They don’t have a specific timetable but begin their journey when they are full. Moreover, they don’t call at specific locations, but passengers are free to disembark wherever they want on the way. Similarly, passengers can pick up a passing-by vehicle simply by standing at the end of the road and raising their hands. Although they are the cheapest transit alternative, drivers often overcharge tourists (or force them to hire the entire vehicle). In that case, they end up as pricey as local taxis. What’s more, bemos aren’t air-conditioned and usually get congested, facilitating pickpocketing.
Trans Metro Dewata (The Bali Airport Teman Buses)
Trans Metro Dewata Buses is another option for your ride from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to your destination. They have 5 available routes. Still, Route 2 (K02) departs from Bali Airport. Thus, the Trans Metro Dewata Bus leaves from the airport, heading to Kuta and Denpasar and terminating its route at Terminal Ubung. It operates from 04:30 am to 09:23 pm and costs 4400Rp (0.27€/0.29$) no matter the disembarking location. Buses make lots of intermediate stops (at pre-determined locations). As a matter of fact, the stops are announced onboard the buses. Furthermore, they are equipped with security cameras, making journeys considerably safer. You can use a QR code to pay for your ticket inside the bus or buy a reloadable e-money, Flazz, or Brizzi Card (there are various options, as each bank provides its own debit card) from a minimarket. Their price varies from 20K Rp to 50K Rp (1.19€-2.97€/1.30$-3.24$). In any case, cash payments aren’t accepted.
FAQs
Are there buses from Bali Airport?
Although the bus isn’t a popular transit method in Bali, buses are departing from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Verily, Trans Sarbagita Bali Airport Buses and Trans Metro Dewata Buses are available at DPS Airport, while the Bali DAMRI Airport Shuttle also calls at the airport terminals. Moreover, the local mini-buses (bemos) provide transit services from the airport as well.
What is the cheapest mode of transport in Bali?
The bus is the cheapest transit option in Bali. As a matter of fact, it is the only public means of transit in Bali Airport. Nevertheless, despite being affordable, buses are time-consuming, and their services are often unreliable.
How much is a bus in Bali?
The bus is a cheap way to travel around Bali. Still, although there are Bali airport bus lines linking DPS to various Bali areas, most Bali destinations aren’t well-connected (if connected at all). In any case, depending on the destination and the chosen bus operator, bus tickets cost from 3500Rp (0.21€/0.23$) to 35K Rp (2.08€/2.27$).