Key Takeaways
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Bali is a dream destination for many, with its unique Hindu culture, temples, beaches, and nature. If you’re planning your first trip from India, deciding when to visit, how much to budget, and how to manage flights, entry requirements, and local transport can take some planning.
This guide explains how to plan a trip to Bali, from setting your budget and booking flights to sorting out entry requirements, choosing accommodation and planning your itinerary.
How to Plan a Trip to Bali from India: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to plan the perfect Bali holiday around your schedule, budget, and interests.
1. Choose When to Visit and How Many Days to Spend
Bali’s dry season runs roughly from April through October, making these months a good time for beach days and outdoor activities. Consider May, June or September if you want reliable weather without the peak-season crowds and prices of July and August.
For a first trip to Bali, plan at least seven days. This gives you time to visit Ubud and southern Bali, with a day trip to Nusa Penida. If you have 10-14 days, you can add East Bali, including places such as Sidemen, Tirta Gangga and Amed, without rushing between areas.
2. Set a Realistic Budget for Your Trip
Flights and accommodation will make up a big part of your Bali trip costs, along with visa fees, Bali’s tourist levy, meals, transfers, entry tickets and boat trips. Include travel insurance in your budget too, as it is highly recommended for trips to Bali.
Here’s an approximate budget estimate for 7 days per person:
| Expense | Budget Trip (INR) | Mid-range Trip (INR) |
| Round-trip flights | 30,000 – 50,000+ | 30,000 – 50,000+ |
| Accommodation | 8,000 – 16,000 | 18,000 – 35,000+ |
| Visa fees | ~ 2700 | ~ 2700 |
| Bali Tourist Levy | ~ 800 | ~ 800 |
| Food and drinks | 5,000 – 8,000 | 10,000 – 18,000 |
| Local transport | 4,000 – 7,000 | 6,000 – 12,000 |
| Sightseeing and activities | 5,000 – 9,000 | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| SIM, insurance and other expenses | 2,500 – 5,000+ | 3,000 – 6,000+ |
| Total | 58,000 – 98,500+ | 78,500 – 1,39,500+ |
3. Book Flights from India to Bali
Bali’s only international airport is I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), near Denpasar. Nonstop flights take around 7 hours from Bengaluru and 8 hours from Delhi; all other Indian cities require a connection.
Before booking, compare round-trip fares, total journey time, baggage allowance and arrival times and check the final cost after adding baggage fees and other charges.
For connecting flights, also check the layover duration and confirm if the journey is covered by one ticket or requires a self-transfer.
Book flights 2-4 months in advance, or even earlier for peak travel seasons like July-August, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year.
4. Sort Out Visa and Entry Requirements
Indian passport holders can get an Indonesian B1 Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport or an electronic visa (e-VOA) through the official Indonesian Immigration portal before the trip.
The visa costs IDR 500,000 (approx. INR 2,700), is valid for a stay of up to 30 days, and can be extended once for another 30 days.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, and you’ll need a confirmed return or onward ticket and accommodation details for your visa application.
Although e-VOAs can be approved within 24 hours, apply at least 3-5 days before departure in case processing takes longer.
Bali charges a separate levy of IDR 150,000 (approx. INR 800) per tourist. Pay through the official Love Bali portal and save the QR code receipt.
All international travellers arriving in Bali must also complete the free All Indonesia arrival declaration within three days before arrival and keep the QR code ready for immigration.
5. Plan Your Itinerary
Here’s a sample 7-day Bali itinerary with three nights in Ubud and three in Seminyak, which you can tailor to your interests and travel plans:
Day 1: Arrival in Bali and Ubud
- Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Ubud
- Check in and rest after your flight
- Visit Ubud Palace and Ubud Art Market if time permits
Day 2: Tegallalang and Ubud
- Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace early in the morning
- Head to Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring
- Return to Ubud for sightseeing around the town centre
Day 3: North Bali
- Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Beratan
- Stop at Handara Gate for photographs
- Return to Ubud in the evening
Day 4: Tanah Lot Temple and Seminyak
- Check out of your Ubud hotel
- Visit Tanah Lot Temple in the late afternoon
- Continue to Seminyak and check in to your hotel
Day 5: Nusa Penida
- Take an early morning fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida
- Visit Kelingking Beach viewpoint
- See Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
- Return to Bali
Day 6: Melasti Beach and Uluwatu Temple
- Spend the morning at Melasti Beach
- Visit Uluwatu Temple in the late afternoon
- Watch the Kecak fire dance around sunset
Day 7: Seminyak and Departure
- Check out and leave your luggage at the hotel if needed
- Spend the morning at Seminyak Beach or shop for souvenirs
- Head to Ngurah Rai International Airport for your return flight
6. Choose Accommodation
Choose where to stay based on the places you plan to visit and the type of accommodation that fits your budget. The table below compares Bali’s main areas and stay options.
| Place to Stay | Best For | Accommodation Options Available |
| Kuta | Budget-conscious travellers, shopping & only about 5 kilometres from the airport | Backpacker hostels, guest houses, & family-friendly hotels |
| Ubud | Temples, rice terraces, Balinese arts, wellness & inland sightseeing | Family-run homestays, guesthouses, boutique hotels, private-pool villas & river-valley resorts |
| Seminyak | Restaurants, shopping, beach clubs & nightlife | Budget and mid-range hotels, furnished apartments, boutique hotels, private villas & luxury resorts |
| Sanur | A quieter coastal stay and boat trips to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan | Guesthouses, small beachfront hotels, luxury beachfront resorts & private pool villas |
| Uluwatu | Surf beaches, cliff views, Uluwatu Temple & sunset views | Surf guesthouses, boutique hotels, private villas & clifftop resorts |
| Nusa Dua | Family-friendly beach days & resort stays | Large beachfront resorts, family hotels & luxury properties |
| Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan | Travellers wanting to stay longer than a day trip, beach stays, snorkelling & diving | Homestays, guesthouses, bungalows, boutique hotels & beachfront resorts |
Hostels, guesthouses and homestays are usually cheaper, while most mid-range hotels include breakfast and have their own restaurants.
Private villas give families, couples and groups more space and sharing the cost can be more cost-effective than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Book accommodation soon after booking your flights, ideally 2-4 months before your trip. For July-August and Christmas-New Year periods, try to book 4-6 months ahead, especially if you want a specific villa or resort.
Before booking, check the property’s location, recent guest reviews, total price including taxes, breakfast inclusions, cancellation terms and check-in details.
7. Plan Local Transport
Public transport is limited in Bali, and traffic can be heavy, especially around Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu. Most travellers use taxis, ride-hailing apps, private drivers or scooters, but should allow extra time for journeys.
Private Drivers: Hire a private driver for full-day sightseeing around Ubud or longer trips through northern and eastern Bali. A standard car costs around IDR 600,000-900,000 (approx. INR 3,000-5,000) for 8-10 hours. Ask your hotel or resort for trusted driver recommendations and confirm fuel, parking and other charges before booking.
Grab and Gojek: Useful for short trips around Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Sanur. Some tourist areas restrict pickups, so check the designated meeting point in the app.
Taxis: Authorised Bluebird taxis are another option for short trips around Kuta, Seminyak and Denpasar, and you can book one through the MyBluebird app. For street pickups, make sure the meter is running and confirm the fare before setting off; app bookings have a minimum fare of about IDR 30,000 (approx. INR 150).
Renting Scooters: Costs around IDR 50,000-100,000 (approx. INR 260-500) per day. You must have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle authorisation. Wear a helmet and check that your insurance covers scooter riding.
Boat Trips: Fast boats connect Sanur with Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Book ahead for July-August and the Christmas-New Year period, and confirm your return sailing with the operator, as schedules can change due to weather.
Airport Transfers: Arrange a pickup through your hotel before arrival or get a taxi from the airport’s official taxi counter at a fixed fare. Grab and Gojek also have designated airport pickup points.
8. Figure Out the Practical Details Before Departure
Finish these tasks once your bookings are confirmed:
Travel Insurance: Choose a policy that covers medical expenses and your planned activities, including scooter riding, scuba diving or adventure sports. Check the exclusions before buying.
Money: Indonesia uses the rupiah (IDR). Carry cash for small purchases and use a forex card where possible. You can buy IDR in India before your trip or carry USD to exchange in Bali. Compare exchange rates and fees to see which option costs less.
Connectivity: Get an eSIM before departure and set it up in advance, or buy a local SIM from an authorised airport counter after landing. Download offline maps and save hotel addresses and transfer contacts on your phone.
Documents: Keep your passport handy and save offline copies of your e-VOA, arrival declaration QR code, Bali levy receipt, return ticket, hotel bookings and travel insurance.
Conclusion
Planning a Bali trip from India starts with choosing your travel dates, setting a budget, sorting out entry requirements and building an itinerary that fits your interests and available time. Group nearby attractions to spend less time in traffic and avoid changing hotels too often.
You can plan independently for more control over your hotels and activities, or choose a customised Bali travel package to simplify transport and sightseeing bookings.
Even with a customised package, confirm the hotels, transfers, sightseeing activities, meals and cancellation terms. Check whether flights, visa fees, Bali’s tourist levy, travel insurance and boat transfers are included and ask about any additional charges.
FAQs About How to Plan a Bali Trip from India
1. Is Bali a good choice for a first international trip from India?
Yes, Bali can be a great choice for a first international trip from India. Direct flights take only about 7 hours from Bengaluru and 8 hours from Delhi, and Indians are eligible for a Visa on Arrival or e-Visa. Bali can also fit every budget, from affordable trips to luxury holidays.
The Balinese Hindu culture, temples, rice terraces, rugged coastlines, beaches and water activities give you plenty to experience. But be prepared for heavy traffic and limited public transport, as travelling between attractions can take longer than expected.
2. How far in advance should I plan a trip to Bali from India?
Start planning 2-4 months before your trip to find suitable flights and accommodation. For busy periods like July-August, Diwali, Christmas and New Year, plan further ahead, ideally 4-6 months. You can apply for your e-VOA 3-5 days before departure.
3. How many days are best for a first Bali trip?
With 7 days, you can experience Bali’s main highlights, and with 10-14 days, you can travel at a slower pace and add eastern areas such as Sidemen, Tirta Gangga and Amed.
4. Is it better to plan a Bali trip independently or book a travel package?
Planning independently gives you more control over your hotels, activities and daily schedule, but you must coordinate the bookings and transport yourself.
A travel package can simplify transfers and sightseeing arrangements, and many packages can be customised to fit your budget and interests.
