How to Fly to Bali From the U.S. in 2026: Best Routes, Airlines, Layovers, and Denpasar (DPS) Arrival Tips

Jet lag does funny things to a person. Somewhere around hour 37 of my “money-saving adventure” to Bali—after multiple layovers, a questionable nap in an airport corner, and an unforgettable run-in with airport sushi—I had one clear thought:

There had to be a better way to fly from the United States to Bali.

Good news: there is.

This updated guide walks you through the most common (and least painful) flight paths to Bali, which airlines tend to deliver the smoothest long-haul experience, how to make layovers actually enjoyable, and exactly what to do when you land at Denpasar / Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)—including the newest arrival requirements and fees.

First things first: There are still no nonstop flights from the U.S. to Bali

As of early 2026, you should plan on at least one stop (often two), because nonstop routes from the U.S. to Bali aren’t available on major booking engines and airline routings.

That sounds annoying, but it’s also your secret weapon: the best Bali trips start with a smart connection city—one with a comfortable airport, reliable airlines, and enough amenities to keep you feeling human.

The best flight routes to Bali from the United States

Most routes funnel you through a major hub in East Asia or the Middle East, then continue on to Bali (DPS).

What this looks like in real life

A common example: Los Angeles → Hong Kong → Bali, with total travel time around the low-to-mid 20-hour range depending on the layover. Cathay Pacific

From the East Coast, routes are often closer to 24–30+ hours depending on connection time (and whether you’re stuck doing the dreaded “two long layovers” combo).

Best airlines to fly to Bali (comfort + reliability + long-haul sanity)

You’ll see plenty of itineraries sold by U.S. carriers, but many are actually operated by international partners. In practice, you’ll usually be happiest prioritizing the airline operating the long-haul segments.

Here are some consistently popular options for U.S. → Bali routings:

Singapore Airlines (often via Singapore)
Korean Air (often via Seoul)
Cathay Pacific (often via Hong Kong)
Qatar Airways (often via Doha)
EVA Air (often via Taipei)
Emirates (often via Dubai)

If you’re choosing between two similar prices, my personal rule is simple:

Pick the itinerary with the better connection airport and the fewer total hours “in transit.” Your vacation begins the minute you’re not miserable anymore.

Layover strategy: how to stop hating airports

A long layover can be a curse… or it can be the moment you grab a shower, eat something decent, and reset your brain.

The sweet spot for layovers

2–4 hours: enough buffer for delays without becoming a whole second trip
6–10 hours: only if the airport is great or you plan to leave the airport (tour/stopover)

Make your layover fun (yes, really): transit tours & stopovers

Doha (Qatar): If you route through DOH, you can book official Discover Qatar transit tours, and there’s even a physical transit tour desk in Hamad International Airport to help with bookings/meetups. Discover Qatar
Qatar Airways also continues to market its Qatar Stopover program, which can turn your connection into a quick mini-vacation. qatarairways.com

Brunei: If you’re flying a routing that passes through Brunei, Royal Brunei Airlines still promotes a Stopover in Brunei option designed to break up long journeys. Brunei

Bottom line: if you’re stuck with a long layover anyway, consider leaning into it—stretch your legs somewhere interesting, eat real food, and board your next flight feeling like a functioning person.

Booking tips that can save your whole trip

A few practical rules that dramatically improve your odds of a smooth journey:

Avoid self-transfer itineraries (separate tickets) unless you really know what you’re doing. If your first flight is delayed, no one will rescue you.
Choose longer connection times when entering a new country (extra passport control/security can crush tight layovers).
Try to arrive in Bali in the afternoon or early evening if possible—easier check-ins and less “I haven’t slept in two days” chaos.
Hydrate like it’s your job (planes are dry; Bali is humid; your body will notice).
Eat carefully on travel day. You don’t want your first Bali memory to be “airport sushi revenge.”

Bali arrival requirements (DPS): what to do before you land

Bali’s arrival process is very doable—especially if you complete the online steps ahead of time.

1) Passport rules (don’t gamble)

Indonesia is strict about entry requirements. You’ll want:

At least 6 months validity on your passport
A return or onward ticket (often requested for visa eligibility) Travel State

2) Visa: e-VOA / Visa on Arrival (30 days, extendable once)

For many travelers, the simplest option is the Visa on Arrival / e-VOA:

Valid for 30 days
Cost: IDR 500,000
Extendable once for an additional 30 days (IDR 500,000)

The official Indonesian immigration site maintains the e-VOA info and pricing.

Want to stay longer than 30–60 days? Indonesia’s official eVisa portal lists tourist visa options with longer stays (for example, up to 60 days and extendable depending on visa type). eVisa

3) Bali tourist levy (tourism tax)

Bali also requires a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person, and the Bali provincial government provides an official payment site. Love Bali

4) The “All Indonesia” Arrival Card (QR code)

Indonesia has been rolling out a consolidated digital arrival process (often described publicly as the All Indonesia Arrival Card) that generates a QR code after you submit your details online.

5) Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD)

Indonesia Customs provides an official electronic customs declaration (e-CD) submission site.

Pro tip: Screenshot/save your QR codes (arrival card + customs) and keep them accessible offline.

Quick scam-avoidance note

Visa/arrival processes attract scam sites. Stick to the official immigration portals and government payment pages. (This is one of those “boring precautions” that can save you a ton of pain.) eVisa

Bali airport (DPS) step-by-step: what happens after landing

Here’s the typical flow once you step off the plane at Denpasar:

Immigration (passport + visa/e-VOA)
Baggage claim
Customs (declare items if needed; e-CD QR ready)
Exit into the arrivals hall (welcome to the driver-sign jungle)

The airport experience is manageable—just don’t arrive unprepared and then try to do everything on shaky airplane Wi-Fi.

Money + SIM cards + WhatsApp reality

Cash & ATMs

You can exchange money at the airport, but airport exchange rates are rarely great. If you use an ATM, your bank may flag it unless you’ve set travel notifications—so it’s smart to warn your bank beforehand (or have a backup card).

SIM / data

Many travelers grab data immediately because you’ll likely need WhatsApp for:

your driver
your hotel/villa
tour operators
basically… everyone

If you don’t want to buy a SIM at the airport, consider arriving with:

roaming enabled (even temporarily), or
an eSIM plan, or
a plan to connect to Wi-Fi at your accommodation first

Getting a ride from the airport without stress

When you exit DPS, you’ll see a crowd of drivers holding signs. This is normal, but it can feel like a video game level if you’re jet-lagged.

The easiest option

Pre-arrange pickup through your hotel/villa. It’s usually the smoothest “land → car → shower” pipeline.

Ride-hailing apps (Grab/Gojek)

Grab and Gojek are widely used in Bali, but airport pickup rules can involve designated pickup areas that require a short walk (and sometimes confusing signage). Virgin Australia

If you’ve just crossed half the planet, you might decide that paying a bit more for a pre-arranged driver is worth every penny.

One serious (but friendly) warning: drugs and prohibited items

Indonesia treats drug offenses extremely seriously. U.S. government travel guidance explicitly notes that convictions related to illegal drugs can result in heavy fines, long jail sentences, or the death penalty, and that some medications legal in the U.S. can be illegal in Indonesia. Travel State

So: bring only what you’re legally allowed to bring, keep prescriptions documented, and don’t mess around with anything sketchy “because you’re on vacation.”

What to do on your first day in Bali (when jet lag hits)

Once you arrive, you have two very classic Bali choices:

Option A: Massage first, plans later

A massage on day one is the ultimate “reset button.” It’s a relaxing way to shake off the long-haul stiffness before you start exploring.

Option B: Sunset + something cold

Yes, you can find Bintang and beach drinks quickly if that’s your vibe. Sometimes the best cure for travel fatigue is a calm sunset, a warm breeze, and the realization that you made it.

Either way, Bali tends to reward you quickly: friendly locals, great food (go easy if you’re prone to Bali Belly), and an atmosphere that makes you slow down—in a good way.