Bali for 10 Hour Stop over

TimOfEastBNE on 12/06/2023 - 14:57
Last edited 15/06/2023 - 11:33

I'm travelling through Bali with a 10 hour stopover. I'm trying to decide if it's worth leaving the airport. 2 passengers, will only have hand luggage. Departing for SIN on KLM in J. Arrive around 11am, depart around 9.30pm.

Pros:
*10 hours is a long time to pass in an airport
*KLM uses the Premier Lounge as it's business lounge. This lounge gets poor reviews for it's food, drinks and seating.
*I'm guessing, as I cannot find anywhere that actually says, that we would only be able to access the lounge say 3 hours before the flight anyway

Cons:
*$50 each for visa, $50-ish for a driver, some cost for food and drinks landside
*Unless paying for a hotel for the day, nowhere to be based
*No desire to see Bali, it's beaches, temples or waterfalls

I'm interested in anyone's experience with long stay at Bali international airport.

Poll Options expired

  • 2
    Yes, you should leave the airport
  • 32
    No, you should stay at the airport
  • 2
    Hmm, I have no idea
Travel Bali Indonesia

Comments

  • elgrande on 12/06/2023 - 14:59
    +3

    I'd stay, you will constantly be counting down to check-in time, wont be enjoyable..

    • TimOfEastBNE on 12/06/2023 - 15:07

      Very true, do you have experience passing the time in Bali international?

  • onetwothreefour on 12/06/2023 - 15:29
    +1

    I had a 10 hour layover in Hong Kong once and left the airport and went to a local shopping centre, much better than sitting in an airport for that long.

    It's been more than 10 years since I went to Bali and I can't remember what is close to the airport, look it up and see what's around and whether it's worth it to you.

    • foxmulder on 12/06/2023 - 15:42

      Kuta beach is 4km away.

      • Cyphar on 12/06/2023 - 18:01
        +2

        But the traffic will take you an hour to get there.

  • Tech5 on 12/06/2023 - 15:32
    +3

    10 hours is fine. Itll take you 1-2 hours to get out, 1-2 hours to get in, 1 hour travel total. So you got 5 hours to spend somewhere close by like Seminyak or Kuta if you really want.

  • star-ggg on 12/06/2023 - 17:06
    +1

    If it was me, I would use the time to relax and see what 150AUD can be used to at the airport to achieve that.

  • Stewardo on 12/06/2023 - 17:07

    Are both flights on the one ticket?

  • payless69 on 12/06/2023 - 17:48
    -2

    The new visa fees are going to hurt the locals more than the visitors.
    I would not risk the argument of being at their mercy to be back in time.
    Sign of times, either make proper time or do not pay such exorbant visa fees.
    Even Singapore is not bending over backwards for just 2 extra visitors. Overcrowding past its fun.

  • El cheepo on 12/06/2023 - 18:54
    +4

    Why waste your own time and money leaving if theres nothing you want to see and do there.

    Stay in the airport and put the money towards relaxing inside.

    • TimOfEastBNE on 12/06/2023 - 20:08

      Sure, based on your experience, what can you do for 10 hours at Bali international?

      • El cheepo on 12/06/2023 - 21:14

        The longest I’ve ever done there was around 5 hours (including wasting 1-1.5hours going through the check in process)

        I can’t remember of the top of my head, but I’m pretty sure there are a few lounges you can pay to enter.
        There should be somewhere to get a massage within the terminal too (cant quite remember international side, but domestic side does, so can’t imagine why international wouldn’t have one)

  • thatonethere on 12/06/2023 - 19:41
    +1

    https://www.sleepinginairports.net/

    Good reviews of airports (maybe not good)

  • Almost Banned on 12/06/2023 - 22:59

    yeah, that's a bit longer than ideal.
    I had something similar a few years back.
    Rented a cheap room just to have a base and store bags and crap while we wandered around.
    However, Bali took a good whack from COVID, things are not back to normal. The costs are higher now, and I'm not sure its worth it.
    But ten hours in an airport isn't great either.
    Tough one. Good luck.

  • Lunarboogie on 12/06/2023 - 23:11

    I spent 4 hours at the airport in Bali in February and it was painful. The Premier Lounge was cramped, noisy and had little food or beverages. Outside was worse. Take a long book or maybe write one. Good luck!

  • Sawtell on 13/06/2023 - 07:03
    +1

    The free time is really only 6 or 7 hours.

    Personally, I would leave the airport.

    The Harris Hotel at Tuban is a 10 minute walk from arrivals and they do day rates. Dump you bag, have a swim in the pool, shower, nap and then a quick cab ride to somewhere like Jl Kartika Plaza. Some nice restaurants there like Bamboo Bar and Grill for a meal then back to Harris and the airport for the next flight.

    Harris also have a free airport shuttle if you don't want to walk back.

    • TimOfEastBNE on 14/06/2023 - 07:59

      Thanks, that's useful thoughts

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 13/06/2023 - 22:27
    +1

    You will spend an hour or 2 each way just organising/getting from the airport to anything worth getting to, then another hour or 2 getting back again. After leaving the airport you might lose something (phone, wallet, etc.), get ripped off, or have some other sort of unpleasant experience; causing you to wish you'd just stayed at the airport. Bali is a lovely place, but only if you have time to explore it in a relaxed manner.

    It's definitely not worth leaving Denpasar airport unless it's for at least a potentially relaxing/enjoyable overnight stay somewhere.

  • wordplay on 15/06/2023 - 20:17

    I'd just go to Sari club memeorial and pay respects, should be enough time to get there and back.

  • mccaj09 on 23/06/2023 - 17:20
    +1

    Was recently in Bali (last week), and could not imagine spending 10 hours at the airport. Taxi's through Grab or GoJek (Asia's Uber equivalents) are reasonably priced ~$20 to go to Seminyak from the airport for a 35 minute ride something to consider if you even wanted to go to a Cinema!

    One another note, I did the KLM Business Class flight SIN to DPS and thought it was great for the price of points - enjoy!

    • TimOfEastBNE on 23/07/2023 - 11:08

      flying in on Jetstar, so I guess that it will be a couple hours late, so that will help :-P

  • pennae on 30/06/2023 - 23:22

    The Novotel at the airport is great and they often offer day room deals, not just overnight. The restaurant, spa, and pool are decent and there’s a direct entry to the check-in area with its own security screening so you don’t need to line up outside the airport. If you have Accor Plus, your dining and beverage discounts are valid there too.

    • TimOfEastBNE on 23/07/2023 - 11:07

      I guess it's ground side, so I'd have to pay for the Visa to get there?

      • pennae on 25/07/2023 - 20:46
        +1

        Yes, unfortunately. There is not much at all in the airport - very boring, even with lounge access.

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