Prices last checked: Oct 27, 2026
Cheapest US departure cities for Bali right now
Every route into DPS we checked in the last week, cheapest first. Each fare is for the month and sample dates shown.
| From | Round trip | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAXLos AngelesCHEAPEST | $1,243 | Oct 27 | Set a free alert |
| ATLAtlanta | $2,247 | Oct 27 | Set a free alert |
Observed fares from Wildly's daily check, snapshot Oct 27. Round trip, economy, for the sample dates shown; not an estimate and not a bookable offer. How we check fares
Origin guides: flights from Los Angeles, flights from Atlanta
When to go to Bali and what it costs
The next twelve months. Weather and crowds are from our destination research; the fare is the lowest round trip we observed for that month on any US route we check.
- October 2026no observation yet
- Weather
- 89°F high, 73°F low, 8 rain days
- Crowds
- medium
Late dry season blending into shoulder season. A few more rain showers start appearing but the vast majority of days are still mostly sunny and pleasant. - November 2026no observation yet
- Weather
- 88°F high, 74°F low, 13 rain days
- Crowds
- low
Wet season ramps up with increasing afternoon rains. Rates drop significantly, rice terraces start greening up again, and the tourist crowds thin to their annual low. - December 2026Worst month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 88°F high, 75°F low, 17 rain days
- Crowds
- medium
Heavy rains return alongside a brief Western holiday crowd spike around Christmas and New Year, driving up prices for those specific weeks. Most of the month is wet and less ideal for beach activities. - January 2027Worst month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 88°F high, 75°F low, 20 rain days
- Crowds
- medium
Peak wet season with heavy afternoon downpours that can last hours. Mornings are often clear but humidity is oppressive; expect flooding in low-lying areas of Kuta and Seminyak. - February 2027Worst month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 87°F high, 75°F low, 19 rain days
- Crowds
- low
Still solidly wet season — the wettest month of the year. Rice terraces are a brilliant green and waterfalls are at full power, but outdoor activities are frequently disrupted. - March 2027no observation yet
- Weather
- 89°F high, 75°F low, 15 rain days
- Crowds
- low
Rain begins tapering off noticeably by mid-March. Humidity stays high but the window of sunshine each day grows, making this a transitional month that's decent value. - April 2027no observation yet
- Weather
- 90°F high, 74°F low, 9 rain days
- Crowds
- medium
The shoulder season sweet spot begins — rain drops significantly, prices haven't hit peak yet, and the island feels noticeably less crowded than July–August. Excellent time to visit. - May 2027no observation yet
- Weather
- 89°F high, 73°F low, 6 rain days
- Crowds
- medium
Dry season is underway with mostly clear skies and low humidity by Bali standards. Water visibility for diving picks up around Amed and Nusa Penida. - June 2027Best month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 87°F high, 71°F low, 4 rain days
- Crowds
- high
The best weather of the year kicks in — lower humidity, cool evenings, and reliable sunshine. Crowds start picking up, especially in Seminyak and Ubud. - July 2027Best month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 86°F high, 70°F low, 3 rain days
- Crowds
- very high
Peak dry season and peak tourist season simultaneously. Weather is genuinely perfect — clear, breezy, low humidity — but Seminyak and Ubud are absolutely packed with European and Australian tourists. - August 2027Best month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 87°F high, 70°F low, 3 rain days
- Crowds
- very high
Mirrors July — stunning weather but the island is at its most crowded and expensive. Book accommodations 3+ months out and expect traffic jams in Canggu and Seminyak. - September 2027Best month per researchno observation yet
- Weather
- 88°F high, 71°F low, 4 rain days
- Crowds
- high
Crowds thin out considerably as European summer ends while weather stays excellent. This is arguably the best overall month — perfect conditions, lower prices, more breathing room.
Observed fares from Wildly's daily check, snapshot Oct 27. Round trip, economy, for the sample dates shown; not an estimate and not a bookable offer. How we check fares
Weather, crowds and best months: Wildly destination research.
Routes we watch into DPS
Each route page has the daily fare, a fare-by-month calendar and price history where we have it.
- LAXLos Angeles$1,243
- ATLAtlanta$2,247
- JFKNew Yorkno fare this week
- MCOOrlandono fare this week
- MSPMinneapolisno fare this week
- DTWDetroitno fare this week
- SFOSan Franciscono fare this week
- PDXPortlandno fare this week
- DFWDallasno fare this week
- CLTCharlotteno fare this week
- BOSBostonno fare this week
- SLCSalt Lake Cityno fare this week
- BNANashvilleno fare this week
US departure cities for Bali
Origin guides for the cities with a tracked route to DPS. Each lists the cheapest live fares from that airport.
Estimate: modelled from route distance and region, not an observed fare. Observed fares, where we have them, are in the sections above.
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Estimated prices from all US cities (estimate)
Estimate: modelled from route distance and region, not an observed fare. Observed fares, where we have them, are in the sections above.
| From | Airport | Est. Price | Flight Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LOWEST EST.Seattle | SEA | $755 | ~17h | View → |
Portland | PDX | $757 | ~17h | View → |
San Francisco | SFO | $772 | ~18h | View → |
Los Angeles | LAX | $798 | ~18h | View → |
San Diego | SAN | $806 | ~18h | View → |
Las Vegas | LAS | $810 | ~19h | View → |
Salt Lake City | SLC | $814 | ~19h | View → |
Phoenix | PHX | $831 | ~19h | View → |
Denver | DEN | $848 | ~19h | View → |
Minneapolis | MSP | $871 | ~20h | View → |
Chicago | ORD | $901 | ~20h | View → |
Dallas | DFW | $905 | ~21h | View → |
St. Louis | STL | $908 | ~21h | View → |
Austin | AUS | $911 | ~21h | View → |
Detroit | DTW | $912 | ~21h | View → |
Houston | IAH | $923 | ~21h | View → |
Boston | BOS | $932 | ~21h | View → |
Nashville | BNA | $933 | ~21h | View → |
Newark | EWR | $939 | ~21h | View → |
New York | LGA | $939 | ~21h | View → |
New York | JFK | $939 | ~21h | View → |
Philadelphia | PHL | $942 | ~21h | View → |
Baltimore | BWI | $944 | ~21h | View → |
Washington D.C. | DCA | $945 | ~21h | View → |
Atlanta | ATL | $953 | ~22h | View → |
Charlotte | CLT | $956 | ~22h | View → |
Tampa | TPA | $987 | ~22h | View → |
Orlando | MCO | $989 | ~22h | View → |
Fort Lauderdale | FLL | $1005 | ~23h | View → |
Miami | MIA | $1006 | ~23h | View → |
San Juan | SJU | $1087 | ~25h | View → |
About Bali
Bali is one of those rare destinations that actually lives up to the hype — but only if you know where to go. The island of 4.2 million people packs in rice terraces, surf breaks, Hindu temple culture, and some of Southeast Asia's best restaurant scenes into an area roughly the size of Delaware. Americans typically land expecting 'Eat Pray Love' and find something more complex: a genuinely spiritual Hindu island culture that coexists with a global tourism economy, where a $3 nasi goreng cart sits two blocks from a $200-a-night infinity pool villa. The trick is that these two worlds can coexist beautifully in your itinerary if you plan right.
The island divides roughly into distinct zones that feel like different countries. Seminyak and Canggu in the southwest are cosmopolitan beach towns with world-class restaurants and surf; Ubud in the center is the cultural and wellness hub with rice terraces and art galleries; the Bukit Peninsula in the south has dramatic clifftop temples and premium surf at Uluwatu; and the north and east (Amed, Lovina, Munduk) are quieter and cheaper with excellent diving. Most first-timers try to do everything and end up spending half their trip in a rental scooter on congested roads. Pick two zones and go deep rather than bouncing around the whole island.
For Americans, the value proposition is exceptional. A genuinely excellent villa with a private pool in Canggu runs $80–150/night. A sit-down dinner at one of Seminyak's best restaurants is $25–40 per person with drinks. A 90-minute traditional Balinese massage costs $12–18. The catch is the flight — no nonstop service from the US means 18–25 hours of travel including a connection in Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, or Seoul. That makes Bali a trip worth doing for at least 10 days, ideally two weeks. The flight pain fades fast once you're sitting on a rice terrace at sunrise.
The biggest practical issue Americans face is that Bali has no functional public transit — you need a ride-hailing app (Grab or Gojek) or a private driver. Renting a scooter is common but responsible for hundreds of tourist hospitalizations per year. Hire a private car with driver for around $40–60/day for longer excursions; it's worth every dollar. Also note that Bali operates on Indonesian time culturally — things run late, 'nanti' (later) is a lifestyle, and the pace is deliberately unhurried. Fighting it will ruin your trip. Leaning into it is half the point.
Best Time to Fly to Bali
Click any month for the destination guide's weather, crowd, and festival notes.
Airport to City: How to Get There
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is 8 miles from Seminyak and 12 miles from Canggu. Option 1: Grab or Gojek (ride-hailing apps) are cheapest — download before you land and use airport WiFi to order; expect Rp 80,000–150,000 ($5–10) to Seminyak, Rp 120,000–200,000 ($8–13) to Canggu, 25–45 minutes depending on traffic. Option 2: Pre-booked airport taxi through the official taxi counter inside arrivals — fixed rates around Rp 150,000–250,000 ($10–16) to Seminyak, legitimate and hassle-free but pricier than Grab. Option 3: Private driver arranged by your hotel — typically Rp 200,000–350,000 ($13–23) but seamless, especially for late arrivals with lots of luggage. Avoid: aggressive touts outside arrivals offering rides — highly overpriced and sometimes unsafe.
Neighborhoods & Where to Stay
Bali's most polished beach neighborhood with a legitimate world-class restaurant and bar scene — Sarong, Ku De Ta (now SKYE), and Mama San are the kind of places that would hold their own in NYC or London. Streets like Jalan Petitenget and Jalan Kayu Aya are lined with boutiques, spas, and villas. It's expensive by Bali standards but genuinely elegant; expect to pay $120–300/night for a villa and $20–40/head for dinner.
The digital nomad and surf capital of Bali — Canggu has displaced Seminyak as the hippest base for under-40 travelers. Batu Bolong and Berawa beaches have consistent surf, The Lawn and La Brisa are iconic sunset spots, and the coffee shop density is absurd (Revolver, Sensorium, and Crate are top picks). Budget $60–150/night for a good private villa with pool; traffic on Jalan Raya Canggu is the island's worst.
Bali's cultural heartland, 45 minutes inland from the coast — this is where you come for the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang rice terraces, Ubud Palace dance performances (nightly, Rp 100,000/$6.50), and the wellness scene at places like COMO Shambhala. The main street (Jalan Raya Ubud) is very touristy, but walk five minutes in any direction and you're in genuine village life. Best base for hiking Gunung Batur at sunrise ($35–50 with guide).
Dramatic limestone clifftops dropping into the Indian Ocean, home to Bali's most famous surf breaks (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin) and the spectacular Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple. Single Fin bar at the cliff's edge is unmissable at sunset. Accommodation ranges from surfer hostels in Bingin ($15–25) to Six Senses Uluwatu ($900+/night). The warung scene in Bingin and Padang Padang serves excellent cheap food right on the beach.
A string of black-sand fishing villages on Bali's east coast, three hours from Seminyak but a world away in atmosphere — no clubs, no traffic, extraordinary diving and snorkeling with Japanese WWII shipwrecks and Liberty wreck accessible from Tulamben nearby. Accommodation runs $20–60/night at simple guesthouses and small dive resorts. This is where you come if you want to see what Bali looked like before Instagram found it.
The old-school expat neighborhood on Bali's southeast coast — calmer beach, no surf break, slower pace, and skews toward families and repeat visitors over 35. The beachfront promenade is genuinely pleasant for morning walks. Fast boat connections to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan ($5–8 each way, 45 minutes) make it a practical base. Hotels run $40–120/night and it's genuinely less stressful than Seminyak or Canggu.
Daily Budget: What to Expect
$12 dorm or cheap guesthouse room, $15 food (warungs for every meal — nasi goreng Rp 20,000, mie goreng Rp 18,000, fresh fruit juice Rp 15,000), $8 transport (Grab rides and one scooter rental day at Rp 70,000), $10 activities (temple entry fees, free beach time)
$70 private villa room with pool (shared villa), $40 food (mix of warungs and sit-down restaurants like Locavore Nusantara or Motel Mexicola), $20 transport (Grab, one private driver half-day), $20 activities (surf lesson, Tegallalang rice terrace, massage Rp 180,000)
$250 private pool villa (COMO Uma Ubud, Potato Head Suites, or Katamama), $100 food (dinner at Locavore $45pp, lunches at quality spots), $60 transport (dedicated driver for the day), $90 activities (spa at COMO Shambhala $120, cooking class, guided temple tour)
What to Eat in Bali
Babi guling at Ibu Oka (Ubud) — Bali's iconic spit-roasted suckling pig served with crispy skin, lawar, and rice for Rp 60,000–80,000. Arrive before 1pm or it sells out. This is the dish Anthony Bourdain made famous and it fully delivers.
Nasi campur at a proper warung — a plate of steamed rice surrounded by small portions of 6–8 dishes (tempeh, grilled fish, vegetables, sambal). At Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen in Seminyak or any roadside warung, this costs Rp 25,000–40,000 ($1.60–2.60) and is the most honest representation of everyday Balinese eating.
Jimbaran seafood grilled at the beach — at the Jimbaran Bay warungs (Menega Cafe or Lia Café are the most reliable), you pick live fish, prawns, and clams from ice beds, they grill them with bumbu Bali spice paste, and you eat at low tables on the sand at sunset. Budget $20–35pp with drinks.
Bebek betutu at Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner, Ubud) — slow-cooked duck in a complex paste of 11 spices and herbs, wrapped in banana leaf and steamed for hours. The original Ubud location is still the best; full duck is Rp 250,000, half duck Rp 150,000. One of the definitive Balinese dishes.
Locavore in Ubud for contemporary Indonesian tasting menu — the best restaurant in Southeast Asia by several accounts, using hyper-local Balinese ingredients in a 5 or 7-course format for around $60–90pp. Reservations book out 3–4 weeks in advance; the Nusantara format (standing bar, Indonesian street food riff) next door is walk-in only and similarly brilliant.
Flying from the US to Bali
Airlines & Routes
- →Singapore Airlines via Singapore (SIN) — best overall option with excellent service and competitive prices from LAX, SFO, JFK, EWR, IAH, and SEA
- →Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (HKG) — strong LAX, SFO, JFK routings with good business class
- →Korean Air via Seoul Incheon (ICN) — solid LAX, SFO, JFK, SEA, and DFW connections
- →ANA via Tokyo Narita (NRT) — good from West Coast; long Tokyo layover but excellent airport
- →Japan Airlines (JAL) via Tokyo Narita or Haneda — reliable option especially from LAX and JFK
- →China Airlines via Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) — often cheapest option from West Coast, worth considering for economy
- →EVA Air via Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) — highly rated service, competitive prices from LAX, SFO, JFK, SEA
- →Qantas via Sydney (SYD) — works well from LAX with an Australia stopover option
Flight Duration
Safety Tips
Bali is generally safe for tourists but a few specific risks are worth knowing. Scooter accidents are the number one cause of tourist hospitalizations — if you ride, wear a helmet (always), don't ride at night, and never ride drunk. Roads are unmarked and chaotic. The fake 'tourist police' scam in Kuta involves men in vests claiming to fine you for minor infractions; real police don't do this — walk away calmly. ATM skimming happens, especially in Kuta — use machines inside banks or malls (BCA and Mandiri are safest). Don't get into unmarked taxis outside of Grab/Gojek app orders; Blue Bird is the only legitimate metered cab. At temples, always wear a sarong (usually available to rent/borrow at entrance for Rp 10,000–20,000) and never enter if you're menstruating — this is a genuine religious prohibition, not a suggestion. Drink only bottled water and be cautious of ice at very cheap warungs. The Bali belly is real — the culprit is usually dodgy ice or undercooked seafood, not spicy food itself. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is non-negotiable; the BIMC hospital in Kuta and Siloam in Denpasar handle tourist emergencies competently.
Book a private driver for $45–55/day instead of renting a scooter or cobbling together Grab rides for temple-heavy days. Ask your hotel to recommend their trusted driver (not a random agency) — this person becomes your translator, cultural guide, and temple-protocol advisor simultaneously. A good driver will know which temples are worth the entrance fee, which warungs the tour buses haven't found yet, and how to time Tegallalang rice terrace to avoid the 10am–2pm Instagram mob. The money you save on Grab rides alone covers half the cost, and you'll see five times more in a day than you would navigating yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US city has the cheapest flights to Bali right now?
Los Angeles (LAX): $1,243 round trip for December on Asiana Airlines / Korean Air, checked Oct 27. That was the lowest of 2 US routes into DPS in our daily check.
What is the best time to visit Bali?
June, July, August, September per Wildly destination research, based on weather and crowd levels rather than airfare. The months it rates worst are January, February, December.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Bali?
US passport holders get a free Visa on Arrival (VoA) at DPS airport, valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days (total 60 days possible) for approximately $35 at the airport. Extension is done at the Denpasar immigration office or through any local visa agent for $25–40 fee. As of 2026, Indonesia's new Social Cultural visa (B211A) allows stays of up to 180 days for remote workers and long-stay tourists, requiring a sponsor letter (many Bali visa agents provide this for $50–100). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry. No vaccinations are required but Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and updated routine vaccines are recommended by the CDC. Source: Wildly destination research; verify with the destination's official immigration authority before booking.
How long is the flight from the US to Bali?
East Coast: 22-26 hours total with connection via Singapore, Tokyo, or Taipei (no nonstop service). Midwest: 21-25 hours total with connection via Singapore or Tokyo; Chicago O'Hare (ORD) has good Singapore Airlines connections. West Coast: 18-22 hours total with connection via Tokyo, Taipei, or Singapore; LAX and SFO have the most connection options and shortest total travel times. Source: Wildly destination research.
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