Denpasar airport in Bali: description, reviews, photos

Many dream. Those lucky ones whose dream will soon become a reality should get acquainted with useful information regarding the operation of the local airport.

A small excursion into history

The airport received the name "Ngurah Rai International Airport" in memory of the deceased local hero I Gusti Ngurah Rai, who fought for the state independence of Indonesia with the Dutch army (died in 1946). The monument to the hero still stands on the territory of the air station.

In 1931, the first runway was built in Ngurah Rai. At that time it was a military airfield, the construction of which was carried out by the Dutch. It occupied a small area, which included hangars for aircraft and a runway, which was only 700 meters long. With the arrival of the 40s, the Japanese captured the airfield.

During the occupation, it was significantly expanded: the Japanese doubled the runway, the airport expanded and flourished, and after a while it turned into a civilian. Thirty years later, the authorities decided to expand the airport, disfiguring the runway by 1.2 kilometers. Today it is 3000 meters.

Denpasar has undergone many reconstructions throughout its history. In 2013, a new international terminal was launched here, after which the reconstruction of the building for domestic flights was carried out.

In 1960, it was decided that it was necessary to expand the airport and the runway. It was extended into the ocean by 1.2 thousand meters. Today its length is equal to three kilometers. Since then, Bali's air gate has undergone many renovations and renovations. The new international three-story terminal began receiving visitors in 2013. After that, the building was reconstructed for domestic flights.

Rapid growth of air passenger traffic

Bali's air gates are located 13 kilometers from Denpasar (the capital). The airport is the island's key transport hub. It is modern, well-equipped and well-equipped, and serves huge flows of passengers.

Ngurah Rai International Airport has two terminals for domestic and international flights. The first is a small building with a "modest" meeting area. But it is here that all kinds of ATMs are located, including the most popular Citybank among our compatriots, famous for the lowest commission fees.

Passenger traffic is growing very rapidly. For example, in 2005 it was about 6.5 million people a year, and already in 2011 it doubled. Since the number of tourists is steadily increasing, in the next 5-7 years the passenger traffic can exceed 25 million people a year. It is not surprising that the local authorities decided to build a second airport. It is assumed that it will be located in the north of the country.

Arrivals area

Since 2015, many countries have received the opportunity to arrive in Bali within 30 days without a visa. Visitors who are going to stay here longer are required to apply for a visa upon arrival (VOA - Visa on Arrival). Its cost is 35 US dollars. Having received it, you can stay 30 days longer.

When arriving in Bali, you must fill out and present a tax return during passport control. It is often given to passengers on the plane. But you can take it and fill it out while in the queue for passport control.

The arrivals area is located on the ground floor. Hotel workers with signs in their hands meet their future customers here. There are also several exchange offices here, but it is not worth changing all the available money in them, since they offer very unfavorable conditions.

Infrastructure of "Ngurah Rai International Airport"

The terminal for international flights is decorated in the national style. On its territory work:

duty free shops;
cafeterias and restaurants;
small shops;
massage rooms;

The recently built terminal is comfortable in all respects - besides the fact that its throughput has increased, it has twenty windows in which visas are issued. Nearby there is a high-speed highway connecting the most popular cities and resorts, such as:

Denpasar;
Sanur;
Kuta;
Nusa Dua.

The terminal for domestic flights is much more modest, but even here passengers are provided with very comfortable conditions for waiting for their aircraft to take off. They work here:

snack bars and cafes;
Spa;
lounge area.

Also at the airport there are:

luggage storage;
cinema;
stalls with souvenirs;
playgrounds.

Tax-free registration

For non-residents who, within 30 days, purchased goods for a total amount of more than 500,000 IDR and issued a tax-free form in the store, there is a tax refund service at the airport. By presenting a passport, a form and a check at customs, and going up to the counter with the inscription "VAT Refund for Tourists", buyers are refunded the amount owed to them.

How to get to the hotel and back to the airport

Of course, all passengers need to get from the airport to their destination. Most often, tourists initially go to the capital of Bali, the city of Denpasar, or to the city of Kuta, which is the most popular resort among tourists. There is no public transport from the airport, and therefore there are options such as: friends or acquaintances, taxi and transfer.

There are no private cabs here, and taxi drivers have a fixed price for all directions. In order not to "fly in" a huge amount of money, it is necessary to negotiate with the taxi driver directly at the transport order counter, or even better, to use the services of official city services. One of the best in terms of value for money is Trans Sarbagita.

This company offers both light transport and comfortable buses and minibuses for 15 passengers. Carries out bus transportation from 5 am to 9 pm. Buses run on schedule, route: airport - city bus station.

Almost all hotels provide their guests with a round trip transfer (from the airport and back). Every person traveling to Bali has the opportunity to book a suitable car in advance. In this case, the driver with a nameplate will be waiting for him at the airport at the agreed time. The cost indicated during registration will remain unchanged, it will not be affected by either the waiting time or the idle time of the car in traffic jams.

Departure from Bali

Sooner or later, but every traveler comes back. The departure area is located on the third floor of the airport. There are many different cafeterias and shops on its territory, where you can buy your favorite souvenirs. It should be borne in mind that the cost of all products sold here is much more expensive than in ordinary city stores and other establishments, therefore, in order not to waste money "down the drain", it is advisable to make purchases earlier.

Bali has an "interesting" tax in the form of an airport tax. Previously, it was paid at the airport before flying to another country. Today the amount of this tax is included in the air ticket price, therefore it is not paid separately. Travelers can expect other, not entirely pleasant surprises.

For example, if a tourist is so carried away by viewing iconic sights, and there are a huge number of them, and did not renew his visa in time, then upon departure he will have to pay about two US dollars for every “overdue” day. Travelers also need to have a certain amount of money in order to be able to take advantage of such useful and useful services as storing their belongings in a luggage room or packing their luggage.

All who are waiting for their flight can use high-quality and free Wi-Fi internet. For this, there are two well-equipped desks in the departure area of the international terminal. Those who have just arrived in Bali, but want to quickly connect to the global web, need to purchase and connect a Simpati SIM card. At the airport, it is sold at a much higher price, especially if it is purchased on the territory of an international terminal.

The following airlines serve passengers:

Garuda Indonesia;
Lion Air;
Singapore Airlines;
China Eastern;
Korean Air.

The building of "Ngurah Rai International Airport" is practically buried in various green spaces. Passengers boarding is carried out through corridors, the walls of which are made of glass and decorated with floral arrangements. Luggage passes through fifteen lines, 16 air bridges operate and about a hundred check-in counters.

How long does it take to go through passport control?

This issue is mainly of concern to those who, having looked at the local beauties, arrive at the airport, literally before the very departure of the plane. There is no definite answer to it, since it all depends on the time of arrival and the number of flights. Indeed, even after the reconstruction and the opening of many windows for passport control, the queues are still long. As a rule, there are a lot of people during the day, and in the evening, and even more so at night, the airport is practically empty. True, there are not very many open windows and workers either.

Other useful information about the services provided

Arriving tourists who are interested in renting a car should contact Thrifty, Toyota, Hertz for services. Their offices are available both in the international terminal and in the domestic one.

The territory of the terminals is adjoined by a parking lot for 2 thousand cars. You can leave your transport here for a very different period of time, at least for an hour, at least for a few days.

There are many bars, cafeterias and restaurants at the airport. Visitors are offered the most varied, including national and European cuisine.