Bali Travel Checklist for Australians

If you're planning a trip to Bali, a little preparation before you leave Australia can save you time, stress and unexpected costs. This checklist covers the practical things to sort before you fly — from passports and entry requirements to money, mobile data and packing.

It's not legal, immigration or medical advice. Requirements can change, so always check current official sources before you travel.

Bali pre-flight checklist

Here's a quick overview of the main things to organise before your trip:

✓ Passport
✓ Current Indonesian entry requirements
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Flights and accommodation
✓ Airport transfer / first-night transport
✓ Money and payment options
✓ Mobile data / eSIM
✓ Useful apps
✓ Medication and health preparation
✓ Copies of important documents
✓ Chargers and travel essentials

Not every item applies to every traveller — think of this as a starting point, not a legal requirement list.

1. Check your passport

Before booking anything, check that your passport meets the current Indonesian entry requirements.

Passport validity rules can change, and the requirements may depend on your citizenship, not just where you live. Don't assume that because you're travelling from Australia, the rules are the same for everyone on your passport.

Check the current passport requirements on the Australian Government's Smartraveller website and official Indonesian immigration sources before you travel.

2. Check the current Bali and Indonesia entry requirements

Entry requirements for Indonesia can include visa arrangements, customs declarations, tourism levies or other immigration formalities. These can change without much notice.

Don't assume requirements based on past trips or what friends have told you. Check the current requirements before each trip.

Reliable sources for current entry information include:

• Australian Government Smartraveller — Indonesia
• Official Indonesian immigration and government sources

We don't link to unofficial visa sellers as a source of entry requirements. Always verify directly with official government sources before you travel.

3. Organise travel insurance

Travel insurance is worth considering for any overseas trip. Medical treatment overseas can be expensive, and a good policy can help cover unexpected costs.

Things to check when comparing policies:

• Overseas medical expenses — including hospital stays and emergency treatment
• Cancellation cover — if you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances
• Luggage and belongings — for lost, stolen or damaged items
• Activities — some policies exclude certain activities (like scooters, surfing or hiking)
• Scooter/motorbike coverage — if you plan to ride, check whether your policy covers it. Many policies exclude scooter use unless you hold a valid licence
• Excesses and exclusions — know what you'd pay out of pocket and what's not covered

We don't recommend a specific insurer. Compare a few options and choose a policy that suits your trip.

4. Sort your money before you go

It's a good idea to have more than one way to pay while you're in Bali:

• Cards — most hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas accept cards, but not everywhere does
• Cash — having some Indonesian rupiah is useful for small purchases, markets and local transport
• Backup — keep a spare card or payment method separate from your main wallet in case one is lost or stolen

Check with your bank about overseas transaction fees and ATM withdrawal fees before you travel. We don't provide exchange rates because they change — check a reliable source like your bank or a currency app for current rates.

5. Sort your mobile data before leaving Australia

Staying connected in Bali is easier than ever. The main options are:

• Australian international roaming — convenient but can be expensive depending on your plan. Check your carrier's current roaming rates before you travel.
• Local Indonesian SIM — can be purchased after arrival, but requires finding a shop and swapping your SIM
• Travel eSIM — a digital SIM you can buy and install before you leave Australia

If your phone supports eSIM, a Bali travel eSIM lets you organise your data before you fly. On a compatible dual-SIM device, you can generally keep your Australian SIM installed alongside the travel eSIM — useful for receiving calls and SMS on your usual number while using the eSIM for data.

A Bali eSIM is handy for Maps, Grab, Gojek, WhatsApp and other data-based apps you'll rely on while travelling.

For more on this topic, see our related guides:

• Bali eSIM vs SIM Card — which option is right for you
• How much data do you need in Bali? — data usage guide
• How to avoid roaming charges in Bali — keeping costs down
• Keeping your Australian number with a Bali eSIM — dual SIM explained
• How to set up your Bali eSIM before departure — step-by-step setup

You can browse Bali eSIM plans here.

6. Download useful Bali apps before you fly

Having the right apps on your phone before you land makes the first few hours in Bali much smoother:

• Google Maps — navigation, finding your hotel and discovering restaurants. You can also download Bali maps for offline use.
• Grab — book rides, food and groceries in many parts of Bali
• Gojek — similar to Grab, widely used for rides, food and other services
• WhatsApp — messaging and calls over data, widely used in Bali for communication with hotels, drivers and contacts
• Your airline app — for check-in, boarding passes and flight updates
• Your banking app — to monitor transactions and transfer money if needed
• Your travel insurance app — if your insurer has one, for accessing policy details and emergency assistance

App availability and services can change. We don't guarantee any third-party app's availability or performance.

7. Plan how you're getting from the airport

After a long flight, the last thing you want is figuring out transport on the spot. Think about your first transfer before you arrive:

• Pre-arranged transfer — some hotels and villas offer airport transfers, check with your accommodation
• Hotel transfer — many hotels can arrange a driver to meet you at arrivals
• Licensed transport — authorised airport taxis and transport options are generally available
• Ride-hailing — Grab and Gojek operate in many parts of Bali, though airport pickup arrangements can vary

We don't publish specific airport transport prices or rules because they can change. Check current options before you travel.

8. Save your important travel documents

Keep accessible copies of key documents on your phone and backed up securely:

• Passport details page
• Flight itinerary
• Accommodation booking confirmation
• Travel insurance policy details and emergency number
• Emergency contacts (family, embassy, insurance)
• Relevant entry documentation
• eSIM setup instructions

Having both digital copies on your phone and secure backups (like email to yourself or a secure cloud service) means you're covered if your phone is lost or stolen.

9. Medication and health preparation

If you take prescription medication, check the current rules for bringing it into Indonesia before you travel.

Rules for medication can vary by country and can change. Some medications that are common in Australia may be restricted or require documentation in Indonesia.

Check the current guidance on:

• Smartraveller — Indonesia for general travel health advice
• Relevant Indonesian authorities for specific medication rules

We don't provide medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, speak to your doctor before you travel.

10. Pack the easy-to-forget tech

✓ Phone
✓ Charging cable
✓ Power bank (check airline rules before packing)
✓ Travel adaptor if required
✓ Earphones
✓ Camera equipment if relevant
✓ eSIM installed before departure
✓ Offline copies of essential information

Check your airline's current baggage and electronics rules before you fly.

11. Things to do the night before your flight

✓ Check flight status
✓ Check passport/document bag
✓ Confirm airport transfer
✓ Download boarding passes where available
✓ Charge phone and power bank
✓ Check travel insurance documents
✓ Install eSIM using reliable Wi-Fi
✓ Save accommodation address
✓ Save important contacts
✓ Check current entry requirements one final time

Bali phone checklist

✓ Check eSIM compatibility
✓ Install travel eSIM before departure
✓ Label Australian and Bali SIM lines
✓ Check which line will provide mobile data
✓ Review roaming settings
✓ Save installation instructions
✓ Download Maps / Grab / Gojek / WhatsApp

For more, see our Bali eSIM setup guide and how to avoid roaming charges in Bali. You can also check your phone's compatibility here.

ROAMZA TIP

Install your eSIM while you're still at home with reliable Wi-Fi. Then follow the activation instructions for your selected plan when you reach your destination.

Final Bali checklist before you leave home

✓ Passport checked
✓ Entry requirements checked
✓ Travel insurance sorted
✓ Money and payment options organised
✓ Mobile data sorted
✓ Useful apps downloaded
✓ Airport transfer planned
✓ Documents saved and backed up
✓ Medication and health preparation done
✓ Tech packed
✓ eSIM installed

Passport? ✓ Insurance? ✓ Phone sorted? ✓

Now go enjoy Bali.