Bali Tourists Advised to Allow Extra Travel Time Amid High Season Traffic Congestion
June 30, 2025 – Bali, Indonesia
As Bali ushers in its bustling high season, officials are urging tourists to plan ahead and allocate additional travel time on the island’s roads and at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. With school holidays underway globally, a surge of families and travelers heading to the “Island of the Gods” is expected to place considerable strain on Bali’s transport infrastructure over the next two months.
Airport Prepares for Major Passenger Increase
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia’s second busiest, anticipates handling over 1.6 million passengers from June 23 to July 14, spread across nearly 10,000 flights. General Manager Wahyudi shared insights into the airport’s preparations during a recent press briefing, highlighting the implementation of new technologies designed to shift operations from reactive to predictive and proactive service models. These advancements aim to reduce lines and congestion inside both domestic and international terminals.
“The increase in passenger numbers has been visibly climbing over the past ten days, reaching daily counts between 70,000 and 78,000 travelers,” Wahyudi noted. The airport’s busiest travel day this season is forecasted for July 6, 2025, when about 78,000 passengers are expected to pass through on approximately 460 flights. This contrasts with normal daily averages of 61,000 passengers and 378 flights.
New Flight Routes Boost Connectivity
Bali Airport has expanded its network recently, including a new service connecting Adelaide and Denpasar operated by Indonesia AirAsia. The inaugural flight from Adelaide arrived on June 26 to warm celebrations. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Economy, expressed optimism that this route would attract more high-quality tourists from Australia to Bali and other regenerative tourism destinations such as Lombok, Labuan Bajo, Medan, and Yogyakarta.
“We expect AirAsia’s expanded domestic and international routes to significantly contribute toward the government’s target of 1.9 million Australian visitors this year,” Marthini said.
Road Congestion Expected to Intensify
Beyond the airport, Bali’s notoriously congested roads are expected to face increased pressure. Tourism hotspots including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur will likely experience heavy traffic, especially during peak travel times. Visitors are strongly advised to leave ample time when traveling to and from the airport, as actual journey times often exceed those suggested by GPS and online maps.
Authorities recommend using the Bali Mandara Toll Road where possible to help alleviate congestion on routes leading to the airport and key resort areas.
Additional Travel Considerations
Travelers should also stay informed about potential disruptions caused by external factors. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and volcanic activity from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the Flores Islands have led to flight delays, cancellations, and changes in schedule.
Tourists are encouraged to monitor updates from Bali Airport and their airlines before departure to avoid unexpected issues.
By planning ahead, staying informed, and allowing extra time for travel, visitors can better enjoy Bali’s unique attractions and hospitality despite the high season’s increased demand and transportation challenges.
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The Bali Sun Editorial Team
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