Planning a Trip to Bali in 2025
I always assumed that going to Bali was as easy as showing up with your passport and resort wear, but I was a little surprised at how many steps were required, given that I know so many Australians who go to and fro form the area for a holiday.
Granted, I believe you can do the visa on arrival and wait in a couple of lines if you don’t want to make the effort of doing everything online, but I like the certainty of knowing ahead of time that I’ve got everything I need.
If you’ve never been to Bali before, or it’s been a few years, here are some logistical tips for traveling to the region in 2025. I’ve included a little checklist at the end for your overall trip. Well, it’s the one I use, anyway. For the record, I travel on an Australian passport to Indonesia. There may be slight variations for you of what needs to be done but this is a good starting point for asking more questions of the web.
Documents you need to complete before entering Indonesia and Bali
There are a few new requirements for entering Bali in 2025 and one of them is a health declaration form that needs to be completed electronically before you arrive, but no earlier than 48 hours before.
When I travelled in January I needed to complete:
1. Visa application and payment
I did the visa application on my laptop because there were so many working pieces required including uploading a copy of your passport page and a separate photo portrait. You will also need to have your flight information ready, so be sure to do this after you have already booked flights.
Because I find it difficult to verify the official websites from a Google search for other countries (usually private travel companies game the search to be quite high up on the results) I go straight to the Australian government travel website for the links. I know that it is a legit website, and this is where I’ve grabbed the links above for you.
How to apply online for a visa to visit Bali, Indonesia and pay the fee
You can apply for a visa online to visit Bali, Indonesia. The Visa application requires you upload a photo page of your passport and also a photo of slightly different dimensions than your passport photo (kinda inconvenient but I was able to snap one myself and it was accepted);
· Keep a printed copy with you or download a copy on your phone
· Once you submit your application you’ll get a screen that tells you it’s pending and there’s a button that links to the payment page.
· If you create a profile, don’t be worried if you login and it hasn’t shown up yet. It took a little bit of time, but it was still under an hour for it to show up for me.
· My visa was granted almost instantaneously after I sent the payment.
· Costs about $30 USD to apply for the visa and you’ll be given a link to go to that payment portal.
How to complete the customs declaration to visit Bali and Indonesia
You can complete your customs declaration no earlier than three days before your arrival. I got a reminder email about this to the email that I used to complete my visa application.
Fill out the details of your trip and can keep a screenshot or copy of the QR code on your phone.
How to complete the health declaration to visit Bali and Indonesia
The health declaration should be completed no earlier than 48 hours before arriving in the country. You can fill this out electronically.
Be sure to answer all questions and when you have finished keep a screenshot or copy of the QR code on your phone.
Special considerations as you plan your travel to Bali
The bad stuff:
· Check that your medication is legal. Indonesia is warm and welcoming but also strict when it comes to prohibited substances.
· Think twice about driving mopeds. At least get travel insurance that will cover you for this activity. I’ve known an unusual number of people personally who have had accidents on these vehicles. I haven’t decided if it’s the terrain, the holidaymakers, or the unwritten rules of the road that make it more challenging, but I’d leave the roads to professionals if you’re doing a short visit.
· Methanol poisoning from ingesting poorly made alcohol at some of the dodgier resorts has been more prominent in the news lately. I don’t drink alcohol, but I would stick to reputable places.
The good stuff:
· People here are kind, be sure to exchange some money into smaller bills so you can tip. I haven’t perceived that it is a MUST here but it’s a thoughtful gesture and greatly appreciated.
· Try all the tropical fruit, including snake fruit, with is native only to the island.
· Make room in your luggage to bring back beautiful homewares, whether that’s the beautiful prints or ceramics. There are such gorgeous artisan pieces everywhere.
Below are a few helpful planning checklists that will help keep you on track with all of the preparation before travel. Please add and adjust depending on what your itinerary requires, this is to give you a rough idea of what I did.
Vacation planning checklist for Bali, one month (or more) before:
· Book flights.
· Decide where you want to stay.
· Book accommodation at your desired location.
· Get travel insurance.
· Curate your packing list.
Before you travel to Bali, 2 weeks before:
· Apply for visa online.
· Pay visa fee online.
· Finalize your packing list and purchase anything missing.
Before you travel to Bali, 2 days before:
· Complete your health declaration form online and print or save QR code to your phone.
· Complete customs declaration form online and print or save QR code to your phone.
· Pack your check-in luggage.
· Pack your carry-on.
· Arrange for a transfer from the airport to your accommodation.