Major city · Indonesia
Padang BaiPadangbai
Stay 1 night only if you dive or take the ferry to Lombok; otherwise pass through Padang Bai in 2–3 hours on the way to Candidasa or Amed.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rain and rough seas)
- Airport
- DPS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Padang Bai is a small port town in East Bali with a population of about 3,300. Its main job is moving people: slow ferries to Lombok, fast boats to the Gilis, and bemos up the east coast. The town itself is a compact bay with two quiet coves, five temples and a cluster of dive shops. Accommodation is mostly budget and mid-range, and there is no nightlife beyond a few reggae bars. Most travellers spend one night before or after a crossing, or use it as a base for diving and snorkelling.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Padang Bai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyThe town itself is calm and safe for walking day and night.
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDPS Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) (About 90 min by taxi; pre-paid coupon around Rp 400,000 (≈ US$25)).
- Getting aroundThe town is 1–2 km end to end and everything is walkable.The town is 0.6–1.2 mi end to end and everything is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or fresh juiceRp 15,000–35,000 (≈ US$1–3)
- BeerLarge Bintang beerRp 30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedFan room, cold shower, a night, per roomRp150,000 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedFan room, cold shower, a night, per roomRp250,000 (≈ US$16)
- High-end bedFan room, cold shower, a night, per roomRp350,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp300,000 (≈ US$19) · Mid Rp600,000 (≈ US$40) · High Rp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DPS Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) (About 90 min by taxi; pre-paid coupon around Rp 400,000)
Weather and climate
Padang Bai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
19 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
14 rd
Apr
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
May
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
Jun
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
5 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
3 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
4 rd
Oct
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
7 rd
Nov
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Dec
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is 1–2 km end to end and everything is walkable. Motorbike and car rental are available for East Bali day trips. Bemos and minibuses stop at the port entrance; they are less frequent than they used to be, so have a taxi or ride-hailing fallback.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Candidasa
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car or scooter along the coast road
Quieter beach town with restaurants; easy half-day.
Tirta Gangga
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or scooter via Amlapura
Water palace and rice terraces; go early to beat tour buses.
Taman Ujung (Ujung Water Palace)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via Amlapura
Pair with Tirta Gangga in one loop.
Lempuyang Temple
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car or scooter, then shuttle
Long queues for the Gate of Heaven photo; go at opening or skip.
Amlapura
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bemo or car along the coast road
East Bali's main town; useful for ATMs and supplies.
Klungkung
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or bemo via the main road
Kertha Gosa painted ceilings and old court complex.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car along the coast road
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jl Silayukti (beach road)
Dive shops, bars, restaurants and most guesthouses; walkable to the jetty.
Behind the port / Gang Segara
Quieter lanes a few minutes from the ferry pier; mid-range rooms and homestays.
Hill above the market
Breezier budget rooms with sea views; a 5–10 min walk down to the beach.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp 250,000–450,000 (≈ US$16–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp 450,000–900,000 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
- High
- Rp 900,000 (≈ US$55)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Air-con double room1 × 1 night × Rp550,000 | Rp550,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp600,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Fast boat Padang Bai → Gili Trawangan, one way2 × Rp660,000 | Rp1,320,000 |
| Slow ferry Padang Bai → Lembar, one way2 × Rp40,000 | Rp80,000 |
| Two guided dives2 × Rp1,500,000 | Rp3,000,000 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × Rp80,000 | Rp160,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp661,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp3,636,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp7,271,000≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi or mie goreng at a warung | Rp 25,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Grilled fish or seafood plate | Rp 60,000–120,000 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Large Bintang beer | Rp 30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Coffee or fresh juice | Rp 15,000–35,000 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Snorkel gear rental, one day | Rp 50,000–100,000 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Scooter rental, one day | Rp 70,000–100,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi to/from DPS airport | About Rp 400,000 (≈ US$25) pre-paid coupon |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The slow public ferry to Lembar has a poor safety record and can run hours late in bad weather.
- Fast-boat prices are negotiable in low season but firm in high season; buy from a counter, not a tout on the street.
- Some ATMs run out of cash or reject foreign cards; Bank Mandiri near the harbour takes Visa and pays out more than the BRI machine.
- Swimming at Bias Tugal can be dangerous when currents are strong; ask locally before you go in.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Padang BaiPadangbai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Padang Bai; most are in Denpasar or Jakarta. The Australian consulate-general is in Denpasar.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DPS airport → Padang Bai, taxi: about Rp 400,000 (≈ US$25) pre-paid coupon, 90 min
- Padang Bai → Lembar, slow ferry: about Rp 40,000 (≈ US$3), 4 h
- Padang Bai → Gili Trawangan, fast boat: about Rp 660,000 (≈ US$45), 2 h
Say or show
- Permisi — Excuse me / Sorry (per-mee-see)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (ter-ee-ma ka-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Bisa bayar dengan kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bee-sa ba-yar de-ngan kar-too)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let)
- Tidak, terima kasih — I don't want it, thank you (tee-dak, ter-ee-ma ka-see)
Ferry and fast-boat timetables change with the season; confirm the day before you travel.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Padang Bai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Dec–Mar (rain and rough seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DPS: taxi coupon and last-boat cutoffs field-checked, with a Sanur fallback rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the beach road, the jetty and market, Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugal.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Blue Lagoon, Bias Tugal, Pura Silayukti, the ferry pier) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and fast-boat disruption fixtures so gates A–D can go green.