The I Ghusti Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport has improved tremendously, especially since the recent implementation of auto gates reducing the lines at the customs by a lot! There are a few tips we would like to share which can make your arrival in Bali even smoother.
- Double check for the correct luggage belt: After the passport check at customs you will arrive into the luggage collection hall with the usual luggage belts. There are the usual screens that show which luggage from which flight can be found at which belt number. This information is very often wrong, best way is to ask the luggage handlers if you are waiting at the correct belt. They will know as it is litterally their bread and butter to know. Another tested way to know if you are not burning daylight at the incorrect belt, is to check the labels on the luggage already on the belt. these labels will show the flight number which you in turn can compare to your own flight number. If the same then you are at the correct belt.
- Get the customs declaration QR in advance: After collecting your luggage you will go through the customs gate where your luggage might get screened. There are a number of booths where custom officers ask you for the QR code which is issued through the online portal of the Indonesian Customs. This QR code you get after filling in all information through this link https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/ We find that the easiest way is to do this before boarding your flight on a mobile device while you are waiting to board the plane. When you forget and arrive at the a.m. customs booth, the customs officer will send you back with all the luggage to your own frustration and that of surrounding passengers who are ready to go home or start their holiday after a long flight.
- Taxi's / Transportation at the Bali International Airport: For various reasons, there is a consistent mob of unofficial taxi drivers at the Bali airport trying to attract travellers in a very uninviting way by basically hassling them. Our tip would be to simply ignore them and walk past them as there are better and official ways to get to your final destination in Bali. Easiest is to have a driver to pick you up at the airport. Villa Ronggo Mayang, for example, offers a complimentary one way transfer from the airport to the Villa. Grab https://www.grab.com/global/airport-rides/i-gusti-ngurah-rai-international-airport/ and Gojek https://www.gojek.com/blog/gojek/gocar-from-airport both have official desks at the airport with helpfull staff to assist you to book an official driver to bring you safely to your final destination. After a long flight and jumping through the various hoops inherent to travel it is great to just get in a car and relax without having to negotiate taxi fares.
