Touching down at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is the moment your Bali trip becomes real. This calm, parent-first guide walks you through arrivals, immigration, baggage, SIM cards, money, transport and departures—so you know exactly what to expect with kids before the plane doors even open.
Quick tools that make DPS days calmer
- ✈️ Lock in family-friendly flight times: use this Bali flight planner to choose routes that align with your kids’ sleep windows and avoid brutal layovers.
- 🏨 Pick airport-convenient bases: combine your Bali stays search with the Bali Neighborhood Guide for Families to choose hubs (Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Sanur) with smoother transfers.
- 🚐 Pre-book a pickup if you want zero decisions: compare options on curated Bali airport transfer listings so your driver is waiting with a sign at arrivals.
- 🚗 Thinking of renting a car at DPS? price and compare vehicles via this Bali car comparison, then read Getting Around Bali With Kids (Taxi, Scooter, Driver).
- 🛡️ Back everything with simple coverage: flights, bags, kids and connections feel calmer when you have a safety net via SafetyWing.
Read this alongside the Ultimate Bali Family Logistics & Planning Guide and Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide to keep your airport days aligned with your bigger plan.
What to sort before you land at DPS with kids
A little quiet prep at home turns DPS from “overwhelming” into “we know what’s next.” Use your last planning session to make a few key decisions.
- Time of arrival: aim, if possible, for daytime or early evening with young kids so you’re not navigating a brand-new airport at 2am. Play with timing on the Bali flight planner.
- First base: decide your first neighborhood using the Bali Neighborhood Guide—shorter transfers mean fewer car meltdowns.
- Pickup plan: choose between a pre-booked transfer, hotel driver, trusted taxi or rental car. The pros and cons of each are laid out in Getting Around Bali With Kids.
- First-night sleep: if your long-haul lands late, consider one “crash night” closer to the airport before heading onward.
Check that your plan still makes sense with weather and crowds using the Best Time To Visit Bali For Families and the Bali Weather & Seasons Guide.
Bali (DPS) arrivals with kids: step-by-step
Every family’s route is a little different, but the general arrivals flow at Ngurah Rai International Airport is the same. Here’s what to expect once you step off the plane.
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Disembark & follow “Arrivals.”
You’ll walk through corridors or take a short bus to the main terminal. This can be a good moment for a quick bathroom stop if there’s no line and your kids are antsy. -
Immigration / passport control.
Depending on your nationality, you may have:- Visa on arrival (VOA) or pre-arranged e-visa.
- Different queues for foreigners vs Indonesian citizens.
- Passports together.
- Printed or digital visa confirmations.
- Return/onward flight details.
- Address of your first stay (screenshot from your Bali booking makes this easy).
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Head to baggage claim.
Follow the signs down to baggage. There are luggage carts to help with bags + kids + strollers. While you wait:- Refill water bottles if you see fountains or buy sealed bottled water.
- Offer simple snacks from home to keep blood sugar steady.
- Let bigger kids help spot your suitcases on the carousel.
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Customs & exit.
Once you have bags, you’ll pass through customs. Keep your forms handy (if required) and follow the green/red channel rules. Have one adult lead with paperwork while the other focuses on kids. -
Enter the arrivals hall.
Doors open into a busy arrivals hall with:- Driver pickup signs.
- Taxi desks.
- Money changers and ATMs.
- SIM card stalls.
For a gentle “first day in Bali” that matches this flow, pair this guide with your chosen neighborhood guide (for example Jimbaran for easy beach dinners or Sanur for flat stroller walks).
Money, SIM cards & WiFi at Bali airport
You do not need to do everything at once in the arrivals hall. The goal is: enough cash for the ride, a plan for data, and then out of the building.
Money
- Airport ATMs are convenient if you have a card that plays well with international withdrawals.
- Many families grab just enough cash for the first 24 hours, then use better-rate ATMs or exchanges in town.
- Keep cash split between adults and in different spots for safety.
Use the Bali Budget Guide for Families to estimate how much you’ll need for that first day or two.
SIM cards & data
You’ll see stands for local SIM providers in the arrivals area. You can:
- Buy a tourist SIM at the airport for instant data (often a bit more expensive but convenient), or
- Wait and buy in town where prices can be lower and options wider.
Decide based on how much you rely on maps, messaging your driver and keeping kids occupied with downloaded vs streamed shows. Your overall connection plan works hand-in-hand with your Bali Packing List for Families and your usual tech habits.
WiFi & keeping in touch
- DPS has airport WiFi; some families connect briefly to message their driver or accommodation.
- Once you’re at your stay, you can reassess whether you also want a local SIM for smoother navigation and ride-hailing.
If having data from the moment you land calms your mind, lean into that. Small comforts make big differences on travel days.
Getting from DPS to your hotel or villa with kids
This is the moment most parents worry about: stepping out of the airport with tired kids and bags and needing to find a ride. The easiest way to handle it is to choose your path in advance.
1. Pre-booked airport transfer 🚐
Easiest for first timers and late-night arrivals. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign, and you walk straight past the noise to your car.
- Browse and book via curated Bali airport transfer options so you know the price and inclusions before you fly.
- Look for options that mention “family” or “child seats” if that matters to you (and cross-check with your stance in the Car Seats in Bali Guide).
2. Hotel or villa driver
Many family-friendly stays offer their own airport pickup for a set fee.
- Message your stay (from your booking details) and ask: “Do you offer airport pickup for a family of [X]?”
- Confirm price, meeting point and whether they’ll wait if your flight is delayed.
This pairs especially well with first stops in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak or Sanur.
3. Private driver for airport + first day
Some families combine pickup and a mini day trip if they land early. For example: DPS → lunch in Seminyak → check-in.
If you like this idea, arrange it before you arrive using the step-by-step guide in How To Book a Private Driver in Bali and browse route ideas through Bali private driver tours.
4. Taxi or rideshare from DPS
Official airport taxis and app-based rides are also possible, depending on the current local rules.
- Have your accommodation name and pinned location ready.
- Agree on the fare before you get in if you’re using a set-fee taxi.
- Check how this option fits into your overall transport plan inside Getting Around Bali With Kids.
5. Rental car pickup at the airport 🚗
If you’re confident driving in Bali and want a car from day one, you can arrange airport pickup with a rental company.
- Compare offers via this Bali car comparison.
- Check seatbelt availability, car size and insurance coverage.
- Balance convenience against jet lag; sometimes it’s wiser to start with a driver and move to a rental later in the trip.
Departing Bali (DPS) with kids: what to expect
Your last memory of Bali is often the airport day—so it’s worth making it gentle instead of frantic.
How early to arrive
- For international flights, many families aim for 3 hours before departure.
- Add extra buffer if you’re checking multiple bags, returning a rental car, or traveling in peak holiday periods.
- Coordinate your departure time with your last neighborhood using the Neighborhood Guide so your drive time is realistic.
Inside the terminal
- Check-in, clear security and passport control, then find your gate area.
- Give kids one last “move your body” window before boarding—walks, stretches, quiet games.
- Use your final rupiah on snacks or small souvenirs if you like.
For long-haul departures, think of this as “Phase 1” of your journey home. Phase 2 is layover strategy; Phase 3 is home landing and reset.
DPS with toddlers vs bigger kids
The airport is the same, but how you move through it can look very different depending on who is in your stroller or in your aisle seat.
With toddlers
- Use a carrier or lightweight stroller for long walks between gates and baggage claim.
- Plan one small “job” per adult: one handles documents, one handles the toddler.
- Have a simple “airport snack kit” and one surprise toy or book ready for lines.
- Keep your first night in Bali low-key; your toddler will thank you the next morning.
For a fuller picture of toddler realities, read Bali With Toddlers vs Bigger Kids and Stroller or Baby Carrier in Bali.
With bigger kids
- Give them age-appropriate roles (gate spotter, bag watcher, document helper).
- Talk through the airport steps ahead of time so it feels predictable.
- Use airport downtime to review your first few Bali days together, using the Attractions Guide and neighborhood posts.
Have them help choose one or two experiences from Bali family activities—ownership can make the long travel day feel more exciting.
Common Bali airport mistakes (and how to skip them)
- Waiting to decide on transport until after baggage claim.
Fix: choose your route (transfer, hotel driver, taxi, rental) before you leave home and write it down. - Over-scheduling your arrival day.
Fix: treat arrival as its own “light day.” Save bigger adventures for once everyone has slept—use the Packing List and Health, Safety & Food Tips to keep it simple. - Doing all the money and SIM decisions in a rush.
Fix: decide your “good enough for today” plan (cash for first 24 hours, one data option) and handle the rest later from your stay. - Not having backup if things go sideways.
Fix: make sure someone in your family has coverage through SafetyWing so delays, missed connections or medical needs aren’t entirely on you.
What to read next for Bali logistics with kids
Once DPS feels familiar on paper, you can zoom back out and finish shaping the whole trip.
- Big-picture planning: Ultimate Bali Family Logistics & Planning Guide and the Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide.
- Where to base your family: Bali Neighborhood Guide for Families (Full Island Breakdown) and the individual neighborhood posts.
- Movement beyond the airport: Getting Around Bali With Kids (Taxi, Scooter, Driver) and How To Book a Private Driver in Bali.
- Timing & weather: Best Time To Visit Bali For Families and the Bali Weather & Seasons Guide.
- Comfort & resilience: Bali Packing List for Families, Health, Safety & Food Tips in Bali, and Bali Budget Guide for Families.
- Experiences to attach to your flights and bases: the full Ultimate Bali Family Attractions Guide and its spin-offs (beaches, waterfalls, temples, animals, pools, markets, day trips).
If this made “Bali airport with kids” feel less like a gamble and more like a plan, it’ll do the same for another parent.
Share it with your travel buddy or family chat so everyone knows what happens between landing and that first swim or shower.
When you’re home, leave a quick note with your airline, arrival time and how long the whole process took. Those details quietly sharpen this guide for the next wave of families.
Some of the links on this page support Stay Here, Do That at no extra cost to you. They help keep these family-first guides calm, practical and focused on what actually matters on travel days.
© 2025 Stay Here, Do That — Family Travel Guides. Written for the parent who is mentally three steps ahead so everyone else can just follow their lead.
