The insider's guide, from travelers who've actually been through.
There is no rail link from the airport. Your main ground options are metered taxis, ride-hailing apps, or a private transfer. Bluebird taxis operate from the official rank outside arrivals and run on meters: Kuta is around 15 minutes and costs roughly Rp 75,000; Seminyak is 30 minutes and Rp 150,000; Ubud is a 90-minute ride at about Rp 350,000. Grab and Gojek are generally cheaper, but their pickup point is the parking garage rather than curbside, so factor in the extra walk after arrivals.
Before your layover here
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The international terminal is functional rather than memorable. You will find food outlets, duty-free shopping, and lounges accessible by airline status or a day pass. It serves a high-volume resort destination, so expect it to feel crowded during peak arrivals waves, and immigration lines on foreign passports can be long.
The math is unforgiving on short layovers. Transit to the nearest neighborhood takes 15 to 20 minutes each way. Immigration on a foreign passport runs up to 60 minutes during busy PM waves, and you need a 30-minute security buffer on return. That is 90 minutes of fixed time before you see anything outside the terminal. On a layover under 3 hours, stay put. From 3 to 6 hours, a quick trip to Kuta is realistic. Six to 10 hours opens up Seminyak and the southern beach strip comfortably. Ubud is 90 minutes each direction and requires 10 hours or more to be worth attempting. If you hold a foreign passport, apply for an e-VOA before you fly. e-VOA holders use a faster immigration lane, which matters a lot when the queues are running long.
Currency is Indonesian Rupiah. ATMs in the arrivals hall give a competitive rate and are the most straightforward way to get cash before you head out. Most transport drivers and local vendors price in IDR, so arriving with some local currency avoids friction.
