If you’re looking for a quiet, laid-back vibe during your Bali holiday, then Sanur is the place to be without having to stray too far from civilization. It’s a vibrant coastal village with calm blue waters and awesome sunrises.
Since Sanur is slowly growing in popularity, you’ll have several options of getting there. Here are some expert tips of getting from Bali Airport to Sanur without having to suffer from a headache when you land.
1. Arriving at Bali Airport
Before arriving at Bali Airport, you’ll need to gather all the necessary documents to decrease the amount of time you spend at the airport. This is the last place you want to spend time in while on holiday in Bali.
Visa on Arrival
First, check if you need a Visa for Bali. Unless you’re traveling from a VEA country (Visa Exemption Agreement), you will very likely need to apply for an Electronic Visa on Arrival.
Bali Tourist Tax
The new Bali Tourist Tax is effective as of February 2024. It’s a small tourism levy – IDR 150k per person – and can be paid online or at Bali Airport.
Indonesia Health Pass
All international arriving passengers who are entering Indonesia (including Bali) must complete the SATUSEHAT Indonesia Health Pass form. It’s a very short form that declares your recent travel history and health conditions.
2. How far is Sanur from Bali Airport?
This depends on what part of Sanur you’re headed. But generally speaking, your journey from Bali Airport to Sanur will stretch about 18 – 22 kilometers.
In some scenarios, your accommodation may be labelled as “Sanur” but is actually either in Renon (immediately west of Sanur), or in Batubulan (a little further north). Getting to both takes about the same time.
3. Bali Airport to Sanur Transfer
Book yourself a Bali Airport Transfer to Sanur and save yourself the headache of having to find transportation when you land. You’ll be in a private, air-conditioned SUV with a friendly, English-speaking driver.
I personally vetted all the drivers I work with, who all receive excellent reviews from our guests. Your driver will update me directly when they arrive at Bali Airport, again when they’re with you, and once more after you’re been dropped off safe and sound.
This is also a great option if you’re arriving at night. You can book my Bali Airport Transfer service for any time of the day. Even if you’re arriving at 2:00 am, you can rest assured that your driver will be patiently waiting for you at the exit.
4. Hotel Shuttle Service to Sanur
Some hotels and villas in Bali offer an in-house airport shuttle service from Bali Airport to Sanur. While some of these are excellent, they tend to vary in terms of quality of service.
The downside to some hotel shuttle services is that they are sometimes shared. Depending on the size of the hotel’s corporation, you may be sharing the journey with others. Not the most ideal scenario to be crammed in a car with strangers after a long flight.
An important note: If you’re booking a hotel shuttle service to Sanur, make sure they’re clear on their terms. Some hotel or airport shuttle services have a time limit in regards to how long they will wait for you. So, if your flight is delayed, you’ll be screwed for transportation and will need to settle for something at the airport.
If you’re one of the lucky ones that booked an accommodation in Sanur that already has an airport shuttle service included, then I recommend going for it. Save the extra cash for some Bintang!
5. Bali Airport to Sanur with Scooter
If you’re traveling to Bali alone or relatively light, renting a scooter in Bali can be the perfect option to make your way from Bali Airport to Sanur.
Go for a trusted Bali scooter rental like Bikago. They’re affordable, trustworthy, and can deliver your scooter to the airport. You’ll also have the options of a few add-ons, and 2 free helmets during your rental.
The benefit to getting a scooter is that it will give you the freedom to get to Sanur from Bali Airport at your own pace. Stop for food, grab a photo by the beach, take your time!
However, if this will be your first time riding a scooter in Bali, I suggest choosing another form of transportation for the airport trip. Riding a scooter with luggage includes a different challenge.
6. Bali Airport Taxi to Sanur
Inside of the arrivals area at Bali Airport, close to the main exit doors, you can find Airport Taxi kiosks. The booking process is simple but odd: you request a taxi and the staff goes outside to get a driver.
The benefit to booking at the Bali Airport Taxi kiosk is that you can establish a solid price before you agree to book the taxi. This avoids the pain of having to negotiate with drivers – which is an absolute headache.
Bali Airport Taxi prices tend to range anywhere between AUD $30 – $50 from Bali Airport to Sanur.
The major problem with this is if you receive bad service or had a bad journey with a rude driver, there’s no platform to leave a review or file a complaint.
7. Bali Airport GrabCar to Sanur
One of the most popular ridesharing services in Bali is Grab. It works very similar to Uber or Lyft (both of which are not available in Bali).
After clearing immigration, you can make your way to the official Grab Lounge – bright green corner spot. The on-site staff can help you with booking a GrabCar from Bali Airport to Sanur.
Keep in mind, if Bali Airport is busy and several flights have just arrived, you’ll need to wait for your GrabCar booking because there is a first-come first-served priority queue. This can take some time.
GrabCar to Sanur from Bali Airport generally costs AUD $20 – $30 and will depend on the demand and time of day.
8. Freelance Airport Taxis to Sanur
One of the major headaches of arriving at an airport in any touristic destination is having to weave your way through the taxi vultures.
These taxi drivers are usually independent / freelance drivers that wait for arriving passengers outside of international arrivals. You will quickly be pitched a taxi offer with a “Taxi boss?” or “I help you with your luggage, where you want to go?”
If this is your method of getting to Sanur, then I suggest practicing your negotiation skills. They almost always start the price high and you’ll need to bring them down.
I wouldn’t recommend this to the average traveller as it’s quite the migraine after a long flight. These airport taxi drivers also operate without any meters. If you’re not familiar with common taxi rates, you can easily get ripped off.
9. Blue Bird Taxi at Bali Airport
Blue Bird Taxi is the largest taxi fleet in Bali. You will come across these blue vehicles almost anywhere in Bali. They are so common you might even find fake ones with the exact shade of Blue.
Blue Bird Taxis can drop off passengers at departures but they have some restrictions regarding picking up passengers at arrivals.
The common hack: walk over to departures area after arriving at Bali Airport and hail a cab from there. If you’re traveling with a bunch of suitcases, perhaps not the best option.
10. Public Bus to Sanur from Bali Airport
If you’re traveling to Bali on a tight budget and looking to cut back on some expenses, head to the public bus terminal at Bali Airport. Here you will find the Teman Bus, a red coach bus fleet. There is currently no clear sign for the bus stop so you will need to ask around for look for the red bus.
There is no direct public bus to Sanur. You will need to catch the public bus to Central Kuta Terminal first – the K6B line. You will then need to transfer to the K5B line which will take you to Sanur. You trip should cost you around IDR 5k (AUD $0.50)
I wouldn’t recommend this for families or those with several luggages and bags – especially if your bus stop in Sanur is not the most ideal walking distance from your hotel or villa.
11. Bali Airport to Sanur at night
Compared to Canggu or Ubud, getting from Bali Airport to Sanur at night is a breeze, even with some traffic. Sanur is relatively close to the airport.
There isn’t much late-night activity in Sanur so if your flight has landed late at night, expect to be passed out in your hotel or villa bed within 30 minutes after you clear immigration.
If you’ve already booked your Bali Airport Transfer, then you don’t need to worry. Your driver will be there waiting for you regardless of the time of night you’re landing.
However, if you’re planning to get an airport taxi, keep in mind there will be less available at night. If you’re thinking about getting a public bus to save some cash, forget about it. There are no public buses from Bali Airport to Sanur after 5:00 pm.
12. Travel time from Bali Airport to Sanur
This is purely dependent on the time of day you’re arriving at Bali Airport. Expect your journey to be anywhere between 30 minutes to 45 minutes to get to Sanur.
If you’re landing at the airport at night – let’s say after 9:00 pm – you likely won’t face any traffic congestion and can get to Sanur with ease. Getting to Sanur with a scooter takes about the same amount of time, more or less.
13. Bali Airport to Sanur Travel Costs
The travel costs for getting from Bali Airport to Sanur will depend on which transportation method you choose.
Our Bali Airport Transfer service will cost you about AUD $50 / USD $30. It’s a private transfer with a well-maintained vehicle and English speaking driver. You’ll also have the options to add on child seats or surfboards. After booking, you driver and vehicle details will be emailed to you. It’s slightly more expensive than the options below but you’re guaranteed to receive excellent service. Read our reviews!
Hotel or Villa Shuttle Service (if not included in your hotel booking), can cost anywhere between AUD $30 – $40 / USD $20 – $25 to get from Bali Airport to Sanur.
Freelance taxis at Bali Airport range anywhere from AUD $30 – $70 / USD $20 – $45 depending if the taxi driver feels like ripping you off or not.
A GrabCar from the Grab Lounge at Bali Airport can start anywhere from AUD $20 – $30 / USD $13 – $20. Sometimes higher depending on the time of day or demand, and sometimes less.
Scooters rentals from Bikago will set you back about AUD $10 – $20 / USD $6 – $12 per day, purely depending on the type of scooter you choose to rent. Read my breakdown on different types of scooters in Bali.
The public bus is the cheapest option of making your way from Bali Airport to Sanur but the longest. Your journey will set you back a measly IDR 5k / AUD $0.50 / USD $0.30.
14. Get WhatsApp
Regardless of how you choose to make your way to Sanur from Bali Airport, I highly recommend downloading WhatsApp on your phone – before you even board your flight.
WhatsApp is the main app used in Bali to communicate. Whether you need to message your driver to find each other’s location, or to make a reservation at a restaurant, WhatsApp comes in very handy.
15. Bali Airport Transfer and Day Tour
To make the most out of your time in Bali, considering booking a Bali Airport Transfer plus Day Tour.
You’ll be picked up from Bali Airport and taken to destinations of your choice in South Bali like Ubud, Sanur, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua. Your car and driver is all yours for 10 hours until drop-off.
The itinerary is up to you – you choose to visit restaurants, beach clubs, shopping malls, or beaches. Your driver will wait for you with your luggage in the car.
Here are some other useful resources for your time in Bali:
- Transfer to Bali Airport
- Get a WISE Debit card for Bali
- Book a private car and driver
- View our day tours
FAQs about Sanur
What is Sanur?
Sanur is a small coastal town in South Bali. Unlike the party-filled Canggu, Kuta, or Seminyak, Sanur is more laid-back with a relaxed atmosphere – perfect for families and couples looking to enjoy a quieter holiday.
It’s also home to Sanur Harbour, giving you easy access to the neighbouring islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. You can also grab fast boats to the Gili Islands from here.
Is Sanur Safe?
Sanur is one of the safest areas in Bali for tourists. Although, Bali is generally crime-free (with the exception of random petty crimes), Sanur has a reputation for having a calm and respectful community.
Is Sanur only for old people?
In the past, Sanur built a reputation for itself for being the preferred town for retirees and older expats. This is due to the quiet island vibe. But Sanur is slowly beginning to shift to a more diverse crowd and becoming a preferred destination among younger folks as well.
How to get around Sanur?
You can book a private car and driver to get around Sanur with ease and comfort. If you’re on holiday in Bali with your family or group of friends, this is a convenient and fun way to get around without having to split up.
Is Sanur worth staying in?
Sanur is absolutely worth staying in if you’re looking for a quiet, laid-back Bali holiday with a charming coastal vibe.
What to do in Sanur?
Among the many things to do in Sanur, you’ll have beautiful sunrises by the beach, a scenic boardwalk, tons of local food to try, a shopping mall, and some of the best restaurants to choose from.
Is the traffic in Sanur bad?
Traffic in Sanur isn’t as bad as Seminyak, Canggu or Ubud. Although there’s traffic during peak hours, you’ll find it relatively light.
How much does it cost to get from Bali Airport to Sanur?
Your travel costs to get from Bali Airport to Sanur will range anywhere between AUD $20 – $60 depending on which transportation you prefer to use.
What if I’m arriving at Bali Airport with a large group?
Easy. Book a Bali Airport Transfer with Minivan. You’ll have a 13-seater Toyota Hiace which can fit up to 9 passengers with luggage.
Can I walk from Bali Airport to Sanur?
Yes, it’s possible. No, I don’t recommend it. It’s a 4-hour walk to Sanur and Bali’s roads are known to not have the most foot-friendly sidewalks (if there are any on your route).
