Ngurah Rai International Airport (or DPS is its international airport code for flight bookings) serves over 25 million passengers each year, so it can be very busy, as they struggle to implement expansions to cater for the ever increasing number of holiday makers. But that said, as far as airports go, its quite nice, and fairly easy to navigate.
- Customs – Once you depart the plane, and navigate the arrival corridor (or bus, should your flight not get a fixed gangway to dock at), the grand customs hall is your first major obstacle. Generally it is adequately manned, theres been times where I’ve been in line for only 2-3 minutes, and others that have been 15+ minutes. DO not take selfies or photos in this area, there are always guards keeping watch, and you will get a visit from one if you are seen doing this. Have your passport and boarding pass from your flight ready to present, ensure your visa is in order (if you need one, double check this BEFORE arriving), smile at the official and be patient/ polite,
- The baggage claim – Check the screens as you arrive into this hall for your flight and belt number your bags will go to. Hot tip, just because it says belt 5 for example, doesn’t always mean your flights bags will end up on this belt! There have been 3 or 4 times my bag has been on a completely different belt, so keep an eye on those around you, if theres many bags on the belt, but no one is picking any up, chances are theres been an unexpected change! For over size bags such as surf boards and prams/ strollers, these WILL be brought to the nominated belt number, but be patient, sometimes my boards have come out before the bags on the belts, other times I’ve waited up to 45 minutes. This is your first taste of casual Indonesian time frames, it will happen when its happens! 😀
- Passenger arrival forms – If I don’t get one of these on my flight, which is happening more and more often, these can be found at the opposite end of the baggage claim hall. You do not hand these in at the first stop, customs! So put them away until AFTER you collect your luggage. These are handed to officials passed the baggage hall, be sure to not got to the first line you see, this is for locals only, and is sign posted as such, keep walking around the corner and you will see the international passenger line, this is usually fairly quick at no more than 5 minutes, just be sure to have the form ready to hand in, all sections completed.
- Final bag screen – 50% of the time, you will be funnelled through to an area to have your bags x-rayed before leaving the airport, its slightly annoying, but usually quite quick.
- Arrivals exit area – This area has had extensive upgrades in 2018, and you’ll be able to find banks, currency exchanges, transport and places to get an Indonesian SIM card. Top tips here are to bring money to get changed, this saves you on bank fees if using ATMs. And I would recommend getting a local SIM here, as they insert the SIM and activate it for you, which is not a simple process, and having phone access and cash by this point is very important. Passed this point, prepare to be harassed! Taxi drivers by the hundreds await new arrivals, they will seek out those who look the most lost, as this is a sure sign you are new, and will be able to be over charged! My tip here, if your accomodation can arrange transfers, do it! Your driver will have a sign with your name, so keep focused looking for that sign, and tell the masses pestering you for a ride that you already have a driver. Failing this, seek out recommendations for a driver you can pre-arrange, I have my own go to guy, amazing driver and my favourite Balinese person ever! (you rock Putu!). If you have arrived completely unprepared, and needing to take one of these drivers circling the arrivals hall, please skip to the section containing fare averages/ estimates, to ensure you don’t get ripped off! And if your driver was really awesome, and didn’t give you any drama, give him a 50k tip, as good travel karma is always something to have on side 😀
- Freedom! You have navigated DPS, successfully I trust, with my great tips to guide you through! 😉
Mick's travel guide 