Travel Checklist for Bali from Singapore: Everything You Need Before You Fly

Bali from Singapore: Close Enough for a Long Weekend, Rich Enough for Much Longer

Bali is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Singapore travellers, and for good reason. It is roughly two and a half hours by direct flight, significantly cheaper once you land, and packed with experiences that range from world-class surf and spa treatments to ancient temples, terraced rice fields, and some of the most vibrant cafe and restaurant scenes in Southeast Asia.

Whether you are heading to Bali for a quick four-day escape or a proper two-week adventure across Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, and Nusa Penida, the trips that go smoothly are always the ones where a bit of preparation happened before the flight. This checklist covers everything a Singapore traveller needs to sort before flying to Bali.

Before You Book

Check Your Passport Validity

Indonesian immigration requires your passport to be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival in Bali. Check this before you book flights. A passport renewal in Singapore takes a few weeks, so do not leave it until the last minute.

Visa on Arrival for Singapore Citizens

Singapore citizens can enter Indonesia on a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. The VoA costs IDR 500,000 (approximately SGD 36) and is valid for 30 days. It can be extended once for another 30 days. You can also apply for the e-VoA online before you fly at molina.imigrasi.go.id to save time at the immigration queue.

Choose Your Travel Season

Bali has two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from approximately April to October and is the most popular time to visit, with sunny days ideal for beach activities, surfing, and temple visits. The wet season runs from November to March and brings afternoon rain showers, greener landscapes, and fewer crowds. Both seasons have their appeal depending on what kind of trip you want.

Book Flights Early

Direct flights from Singapore to Bali (Ngurah Rai) are available from Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Lion Air, and Batik Air. Prices vary significantly depending on how far in advance you book, and peak periods like school holidays and long weekends fill up quickly. Booking at least six to eight weeks out typically gives you the best fares.

Accommodation and Getting Around

Book Accommodation in Advance for Peak Periods

Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud are popular areas that fill up during school holidays and high season. If you have a specific villa, hotel, or area in mind, book early. For budget travel, guesthouses and homestays in quieter areas offer excellent value and can be booked closer to your departure date.

Understand the Transport Situation

Bali does not have a reliable public transport network. Your main options are Grab (available in south Bali and Ubud), ojek (motorbike taxi), hired drivers by the day, or renting a scooter if you are comfortable riding one. Having data on your phone is essential for using Grab and navigating. A hired driver for a full day typically costs IDR 500,000 to IDR 700,000 and is excellent value for day trips across the island.

Plan Your Zones

Bali is bigger than it looks on a map. Seminyak and Canggu are on the west coast, Ubud is in the centre, Uluwatu is on the southern peninsula, and Nusa Dua is in the southeast. Moving between these areas takes time, especially with Bali's traffic. Plan your itinerary to minimise unnecessary crossing of the island.

Sort Your Money

Carry Indonesian Rupiah

Bali is still largely a cash economy outside of tourist-facing restaurants and shops. Local warungs, street food stalls, temple entrance fees, market shopping, and many smaller villas and guesthouses are cash only. Withdraw IDR from ATMs in Bali using your Singapore debit or credit card. ATMs from BCA, Mandiri, and BNI are reliable and widely available. Notify your Singapore bank before you travel to avoid blocked transactions.

Be Aware of Currency Exchange Rates

Avoid changing money at the airport or at unofficial money changers. Use legitimate licensed exchange shops (look for ones with official signage and a calculator for transparent calculations) or withdraw directly from ATMs. The airport rate is typically poor.

Connectivity: One of the Most Important Things to Sort

Get a Bali eSIM Before You Fly

Having data in Bali is not optional. You need it for Grab rides, Google Maps, restaurant discovery, WhatsApp, and keeping in touch with family back in Singapore. Roaming with your Singapore SIM in Indonesia is expensive and eats into your travel budget fast. Steady eSIM offers Indonesia plans starting from just $4.99, which is a fraction of what Singapore carrier roaming charges for even a single day in Bali. Buy your plan at steadyesim.com before you leave Singapore, receive your QR code in under 2 minutes, and land already connected.

Install Your eSIM at Home

Always scan and install your Steady eSIM QR code before you fly. You need a WiFi connection to install an eSIM, so home is far easier than troubleshooting at the airport. See our full setup instructions for step-by-step details.

Download These Apps Before You Fly

• Grab: for rides in south Bali and Ubud
• Google Maps: download offline Bali maps before you depart
• Google Translate: download the Indonesian language pack for offline use
• XE Currency: for quick IDR to SGD conversions
• Gojek: an alternative ride app that also covers Bali

Health and Safety

Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance that covers medical evacuation before you go. Bali's hospitals can be expensive for foreigners without insurance, and if you are surfing, riding a scooter, or doing any adventure activities, the risk of injury is real. Check that your policy covers the activities you plan to do.

Bali Belly

Bali belly, or traveller's diarrhoea, is common among visitors and is typically caused by contaminated food or water. Drink bottled water at all times, avoid ice in drinks at local warungs, and be mindful when eating street food. Bring oral rehydration sachets and basic medication in your travel kit.

Sun Protection

The Bali sun is intense, especially between 10am and 3pm. Pack high-SPF sunscreen (note that some reef-damaging sunscreens are now restricted in Bali's marine areas), a wide-brim hat, and UV-protective swimwear if you plan to spend extended time outdoors or snorkelling.

Temple Dress Code

All temples in Bali require visitors to wear a sarong and sash to enter. Many temples provide these for rent at the entrance, but bringing your own lightweight sarong is easy to pack and respectful. Shoulders and knees should also be covered.

What to Pack for Bali

• Lightweight, breathable clothing (linen and cotton work well)
• A light rain jacket or travel umbrella (wet season or afternoon showers)
• Comfortable walking sandals and flip flops
• A sarong (doubles as beach cover-up and temple wear)
• Sunscreen, after-sun lotion, and insect repellent
• A portable power bank for long days out
• Type C plug adaptor (Indonesia uses Type C and F plugs)
• Basic first aid and medication kit
• Your Steady eSIM already installed on your phone

On the Day of Your Flight

Check in online the night before to avoid queues at Changi. Arrive at the airport with enough time for immigration if you have not applied for an e-VoA online. Your Steady eSIM should already be installed on your phone. On landing at Ngurah Rai, turn off airplane mode, enable data roaming, and switch your data line to Steady eSIM. You will be connected before you reach the immigration hall.