Bali Ngurah Rai Airport Guide 2026: SIM, Money & Taxi Pickup

Bali Ngurah Rai Airport: SIM, Money Exchange & Taxi Pickup – A Real Review!

Looking back, our arrival at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) was a bit of a whirlwind, but we managed to sort out all our essentials efficiently!

From buying an eSIM or local SIM, exchanging currency at the bank, withdrawing cash from an ATM, and arranging a pre-booked taxi pick-up to our accommodation – we checked all the boxes!

Here’s our honest review and tips for navigating Bali Airport's SIM options, currency exchange (including ATMs), and taxi pickups!

1. Arriving at Bali Airport

To make your internet use in Bali seamless, it's highly recommended to arrange your SIM card or eSIM in advance.

I had pre-ordered an eSIM from home, but my husband’s physical SIM card didn't arrive in time (blame the public holiday delivery delays!). So, we had no choice but to purchase a SIM at the airport – a true nightmare for a meticulous planner like me!

I'll detail that experience below!

As you arrive at Bali Airport, this majestic dragon welcomes you. 🐲

Hello, Bali! 🚶‍♀️

After collecting your luggage, your first stop should be currency exchange!

2. Bali Money Exchange / ATM

When it comes to exchanging money in Bali, you generally have two main options:

Airport exchange booths / Local exchange offices.

I opted for the airport exchange booth, which is generally considered more reliable.

‼️ As a side note, converting your home currency directly to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) in your home country, or doing a double exchange via USD, isn't always the best rate. XX

These days, using a travel card like Revolut or Wise for ATM withdrawals is often the best option O.

It's usually the method that minimizes losses (and often comes with zero fees! 😇).

Since my father-in-law gave me some US dollars for the trip, I needed to exchange some cash. As soon as you exit customs, you'll see a row of banks. I went to the one on the right – honestly, they all offer similar rates.

Feeling confident that I wouldn't be scammed here, I converted my dollars to Rupiah. 💸

* Be cautious at some smaller local exchange offices, as they sometimes try to shortchange you or engage in other scams (a friend who traveled to Bali around the same time shared a vivid story! 😢).

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Whenever possible, it's best to handle your main currency exchange right at the airport.

4. Bali Airport ATM

I withdrew the rest of our travel funds from an ATM. I actually thought I wouldn't need much cash, thanks to my useful travel wallet card, but it turns out quite a few places still only accept cash in Bali.

So, you'll likely find yourself using an ATM more often than you expect.

The process is straightforward: Insert your card, select 'CREDIT', then 'WITHDRAW', and choose your desired amount. The cash comes out quickly!

It was a fast and convenient way to get local currency.

5. Bali SIM Card & eSIM

While getting your Bali eSIM or physical SIM in advance is always the ideal scenario, if you have to buy one at the airport, Telkomsel is widely recommended.

You'll spot their booth right after exiting customs. Here's a tip: it was incredibly crowded when we arrived, so we were directed to a booth further ahead. We ended up waiting for about 30 minutes due to system issues! The Bali staff were apologetic, but some tourists were visibly frustrated. It was quite a chaotic scene!

A 7-day SIM card typically costs around 100,000 to 150,000 Rupiah.

Even without system glitches, setting up each SIM individually takes time, so expect some waiting.

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5. Bali Airport Taxi Pickup

While you can certainly try to hail a Grab or local taxi upon arrival, for first-timers, especially with a late-night or early-morning flight, pre-booking your airport transfer to your accommodation is incredibly convenient.

Instead of navigating to the taxi stand, if you book through a service like Klook, your driver will be waiting for you at a designated meeting point inside the airport.

The price wasn't more expensive either; it seemed comparable or even slightly cheaper than what you might pay directly.

After purchasing your SIM, just follow the path straight ahead, and you'll easily spot the large Klook counter.

Simply tell them your booking name, wait comfortably, and your driver will come to collect you.

Our driver was super helpful, carrying our luggage. He seemed very kind and gentle.

6. How to Book a Pickup Service

By clicking the link below, you can search for 'airport pickup' and enter your accommodation name to see various price options.

It seems that booking earlier can result in a better price. I booked almost two weeks in advance and paid around ~$23.

Considering the drive from Bali Airport to the city can take over an hour, this is a pretty reasonable fare.

(Especially if you're traveling with multiple people! 🤑)

Plus, the driver will wait for over two hours after your flight's scheduled arrival time, which offers great peace of mind.

🔻🔻🔻

Book Bali Airport Taxi Pickup Here

Off we go in the taxi! I snapped a picture of my shy companion's back. 😄

Ngurah Rai Airport felt quite grand and impressive.

Our driver loaded our luggage for us.

We arrived at our accommodation safely! Phew, what a relief.

7. Summary & Review

Here’s a quick recap of our Bali Airport SIM, Money Exchange (ATM), and Taxi Pickup experience:

1. It's always best to get your Bali SIM card or eSIM arranged before you arrive. Our experience buying a SIM at the airport (due to a system error) was very time-consuming and tiring.

2. For currency exchange in Bali, stick to the airport. Using a travel card for ATM withdrawals is the most cost-effective method, with no extra fees.

‼️ Be extremely careful of scams at small money changers in the city! ‼️

3. Pre-booking a Bali Airport taxi means your driver will meet you directly at the airport, eliminating the need to find a ride. Our driver was incredibly friendly, and having the pickup pre-arranged significantly reduced our stress upon arrival.

➡️ Book Bali Airport Taxi Pickup Here

Plan well and have a fantastic Bali trip!

📍 Ngurah Rai International Airport
Jalan Raya Gusti Ngurah Rai, Tuban, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80362 Indonesia