Bali (Indonesia in general) [NOT] to be Visa free for Australians from Jan 2015

[SydneySwan]

But I've got to say I find it a strange move by the Indonesian government. They will gain very little extra visitors (I imagine), but lose a shedload of money!

I am not sure I agree. Our family had skipped Indonesia in recent years after our last experience of queuing for over 90 mins at Jakarta for VOA on a Sunday night and then the official trying to overcharge us. Happy to put it back on our list of possible holiday destinations now. I know of one family who has already booked a trip to Bali in Sep / Oct school holidays instead of going to coughet again because of this change.

 

[theblank]

That's a surprise, I go to Jakarta often and never experienced any queues or hassles. So much better than bali. I have since learnt to avoid Bali arrivals on Saturday, 2 hours in the customs line seems standard.

 

[SydneySwan]

That's a surprise, I go to Jakarta often and never experienced any queues or hassles. So much better than bali. I have since learnt to avoid Bali arrivals on Saturday, 2 hours in the customs line seems standard.

This was about 5 or 6 years ago. We haven't been back since.

 

[Austman]

That's a surprise, I go to Jakarta often and never experienced any queues or hassles. So much better than bali. I have since learnt to avoid Bali arrivals on Saturday, 2 hours in the customs line seems standard.

How recent is your information? There have been huge improvements at DPS since the major tourism owners (eg major hotels) campaigned to make it better. They were losing business. The airport was also somewhat corrupt with many pay-for-express arrival service offerings that have now largely disappeared.

 

[Awesom Andy]

How recent is your information? There have been huge improvements at DPS since the major tourism owners (eg major hotels) campaigned to make it better. They were losing business. The airport was also somewhat corrupt with many pay-for-express arrival service offerings that have now largely disappeared.

It can still take 2 hours to go through customs in peak hours, as I've witnessed 3 months ago. It just means that now we can't throw money and be served quicker - everyone needs to queue. And then, if you don't have transport booked, you can play roulette with the taxi desk once you get to landside.

 

[Austman]

It can still take 2 hours to go through customs in peak hours, as I've witnessed 3 months ago. It just means that now we can't throw money and be served quicker - everyone needs to queue. And then, if you don't have transport booked, you can play roulette with the taxi desk once you get to landside.

OK. I go a couple of times per year and have noted big improvements. The last was January 2016 - straight through. And similar in 2015. If it's really 2 hours at times it's become worse than it used to be when everyone complained!

 

[Cynicor]

OK. I go a couple of times per year and have noted big improvements. The last was January 2016 - straight through. And similar in 2015. If it's really 2 hours at times it's become worse than it used to be when everyone complained!

Agree, always straight through, short queue. I take early arrivals though, eg Garuda PER-DPS am flight.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Guess it's probably just the day then, it was a very busy time and season after all.

 

[theblank]

How recent is your information? There have been huge improvements at DPS since the major tourism owners (eg major hotels) campaigned to make it better. They were losing business. The airport was also somewhat corrupt with many pay-for-express arrival service offerings that have now largely disappeared.

All my flights inbound were on Virgin from BNE, which lands about 2pm, I arrived DPS Nov 2015, and I arrived on a Thursday, and I got through customs in 15 seconds!
Not really sure what happened there, I certainly wasn't first off the plane, and there was 5 custom guys and absolutely nobody even being processed.

The previous two trips I arrived on Saturday mid afternoon and was more than 2 hours in the queue, and I think that was Oct 2014 and Dec 2013.

It stands to reason Saturdays will be a busier day than a weekday anytime of the year, so if I can avoid it, I will.

 

[Daver6]

Agree, always straight through, short queue. I take early arrivals though, eg Garuda PER-DPS am flight.

Good to hear that as I'm taking this flight in a couple of months. You don't happen to know which PER lounge Garuda use by any chance?

 

[Cynicor]

QF lounge.

 

[AnnaB]

It can still take 2 hours to go through customs in peak hours, as I've witnessed 3 months ago. It just means that now we can't throw money and be served quicker - everyone needs to queue. And then, if you don't have transport booked, you can play roulette with the taxi desk once you get to landside.

I agree that can be a hassle, that desk alters the price however they like. BUT, if you walk around and take the elevators up to the check in desks, just go outside and grab a taxi that is dropping off passengers instead. Quick and easy and you can either get a fixed price or Blue Bird with meter.

 

[theblank]

Quick and easy and you can either get a fixed price or Blue Bird with meter.

or just book an Uber, there is plenty hanging around the airport. I only did that once, dont remember the wait time but I walked up to the *public pick up/drop off zone, booked it and it was only a few mins.

* that was the domestic terminal though, but I guess there is a public pickup spot at international.

 

[Austman]

I agree that can be a hassle, that desk alters the price however they like. BUT, if you walk around and take the elevators up to the check in desks, just go outside and grab a taxi that is dropping off passengers instead. Quick and easy and you can either get a fixed price or Blue Bird with meter.

There's a taxi monopoly at DPS. Blue Bird is not permitted to pick up passengers. Of course, some drivers will still do it, if they can! Cost wise, for most destinations within say 10 kms of the airport, it makes little difference (a few $A) if you use the taxi desk. And it's a fixed fee - so the price is the same regardless of traffic jams - which can be pretty bad around eg Kuta at times.

or just book an Uber, there is plenty hanging around the airport. I only did that once, dont remember the wait time but I walked up to the *public pick up/drop off zone, booked it and it was only a few mins.

* that was the domestic terminal though, but I guess there is a public pickup spot at international.

The free wifi in the international terminal is (or can be) terrible! So you'd need to have a data service to use Uber.

 

[theblank]

There's a taxi monopoly at DPS. Blue Bird is not permitted to pick up passengers. Of course, some drivers will still do it, if they can! Cost wise, for most destinations within say 10 kms of the airport, it makes little difference (a few $A) if you use the taxi desk. And it's a fixed fee - so the price is the same regardless of traffic jams - which can be pretty bad around eg Kuta at times.

True, and after a long flight,and walking into that heat. it's probably not worth quibbling over a couple of dollars.

The free wifi in the international terminal is (or can be) terrible! So you'd need to have a data service to use Uber.

Good point, I forgot about that as most people won't have mobile internet on arrival. Sim card sellers at the airport outside of domestic are scamming just as much as in kuta. Asking $20 for a card that has an RRP of 50 cents to a dollar.

 

[wandering_fred]

Any chance of an thread with comments about entry at Indonesian points other than DPS and CGK?

Sumatra has some interesting bits... for

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Cynicor]

Any chance of an thread with comments about entry at Indonesian points other than DPS and CGK?

Sumatra has some interesting bits... for

Happy wandering

Fred

Indonesia has other cities; surely you jest?

One day I'll make it out there but I use DPS as a nearby transit point with a sunny pool holiday now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How recent is your information? There have been huge improvements at DPS since the major tourism owners (eg major hotels) campaigned to make it better. They were losing business. The airport was also somewhat corrupt with many pay-for-express arrival service offerings that have now largely disappeared.

Oh! We've used the arrival service - excellent. Meet at the plane, whisk you through all the formalities and pop you into a taxi or waiting car outside. Well worth the $30pp and just a couple of minutes sitting while they did everything for you.

Not sure of the corruption element? Many airports allow this type of meet and greet.

 

[Austman]

Oh! We've used the arrival service - excellent. Meet at the plane, whisk you through all the formalities and pop you into a taxi or waiting car outside. Well worth the $30pp and just a couple of minutes sitting while they did everything for you. Not sure of the corruption element? Many airports allow this type of meet and greet.

When was that? It was completely stopped a few years ago. The IC hotel even had their own arrivals lounge while they did all the formalities. They had to discontinue it. Perhaps it's back?

Of course there's no corruption at DPS. I've only been asked for bribes by officials at DPS twice. I paid one, when sitting in an office opposite a customs official, after being put under some pressure.

 

[theblank]

When was that? It was completely stopped a few years ago.

there were none running about in November.

and I think, no porters running about in the luggage area grabbing bags either.