Introduction
Bali is a popular overseas holiday destination for families travelling from Australia. The flight is relatively short compared with many international destinations, and there is plenty to enjoy, from beaches and family-friendly accommodation to local restaurants and relaxing spa treatments.
However, planning a family trip to Indonesia involves more than booking flights and accommodation. You also need to prepare your travel documents, organise airport transfers, arrange mobile data, and decide how to manage your money.
During our family’s recent Bali holiday, we experienced a few things that made the trip easier, along with some unexpected challenges. In this guide, I’ll share practical lessons from our experience to help other families travelling from Australia prepare for their own Bali getaway.
Entry requirements, prices, and services can change. The information below reflects our travel experience and is intended as a planning guide, not a guarantee of current conditions.
1. Flights & Accommodation: Choose Your Location Carefully
When planning a Bali holiday, flights and accommodation are two of the biggest decisions affecting your budget and daily convenience.
Book flights with your travel dates in mind
Booking three to four months ahead can be a useful starting point when comparing flights, particularly if you are travelling during Australian school holidays. However, there is no guarantee that booking within this window will produce the cheapest fare.
Compare different travel dates, baggage allowances, flight times, and total costs before booking. A cheaper flight may not be the best option if it arrives very late at night or requires additional transport arrangements.
Choose accommodation within a practical walking distance
One of the biggest lessons from our trip was how much the location of your accommodation can affect the holiday.
We stayed at two different Airbnb properties. The first was approximately a five-minute walk from the town centre, making it easy to visit nearby shops and restaurants.
Our second property was only about a five-minute drive away. However, walking took around 30–40 minutes because of narrow roads, heavy scooter traffic, and a lack of footpaths along parts of the route.
With children, that difference mattered considerably. A short drive does not necessarily mean a convenient or safe walk.
My tip: Before booking a villa or Airbnb, check the walking route using a map and, where possible, recent street-level imagery. Look for footpaths, road conditions, nearby restaurants, supermarkets, and access to transport.
Grab and other local transport services can be convenient, but repeated trips can add to your holiday expenses and take up time.
The best location is not necessarily the one closest to the centre on a map. It is the one that works best for your family and the activities you plan to do.
2. Indonesia Entry Requirements: e-VOA, Arrival Card & Airport Immigration
Before travelling to Bali, check the current entry requirements for every person in your family.
Visa eligibility and entry conditions depend on factors such as passport nationality, travel purpose, and length of stay. Living in Australia does not automatically mean you qualify for the same visa as an Australian passport holder.
Apply online where eligible
Eligible travellers may be able to apply for an electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) before departure. Others may have different visa requirements.
Indonesia also requires travellers arriving at international entry points to complete the applicable arrival declaration. The current All Indonesia system provides the arrival card process and access to e-VOA services.
Official websites:
Use official government websites and check the requirements before paying any application or processing fees. Be cautious of unofficial websites that charge additional fees.
Our airport experience
During our arrival in Bali, the immigration queues were surprisingly short. However, one family member experienced a problem when their e-Visa QR code scanner did not work as expected, causing a small delay.
This was a useful reminder not to assume that a digital document will always scan perfectly. Keep access to your visa confirmation and passport details available, and follow airport staff instructions if a problem occurs.
Even after immigration, there can be unexpected delays. On our trip, the baggage conveyor broke down, and we waited more than an hour for our luggage to arrive.
If you are travelling with young children, allow some flexibility in your arrival schedule rather than booking activities immediately after landing.
Remember Bali’s tourist levy
Foreign tourists visiting Bali are generally subject to a separate tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person, although exemptions may apply.
This levy is separate from the visa fee. Check the current rules and payment instructions through the official Love Bali website before travelling.
3. Download WhatsApp Before Leaving Australia
If there is one app I recommend preparing before a Bali trip, it is WhatsApp.
During our holiday, WhatsApp was useful for communicating with accommodation hosts, drivers, and local businesses.
We could message service providers, confirm arrangements, and ask questions without having to make international phone calls.
Is a data-only eSIM enough?
For many travellers, a data-only eSIM is sufficient if they mainly need internet access for messaging and online services.
You do not necessarily need an Indonesian phone number just to use WhatsApp, provided your account is already set up and you have an internet connection. However, individual businesses may have their own requirements for contact or booking.
Before leaving Australia:
- Install and set up WhatsApp.
- Check that your existing account works.
- Confirm that your phone supports eSIM if you plan to use one.
- Check that your phone is unlocked if required.
- Compare data allowances and coverage before purchasing an eSIM.
- Keep important booking details accessible offline in case your connection is unavailable.
We also contacted local massage shops through WhatsApp before travelling and arranged appointments for the evening of our arrival.
Having those arrangements in place helped us settle into the holiday without spending too much time searching for services after landing.
4. Airport Transfers: Accommodation Driver vs Grab
Many Bali hotels, villas, and Airbnb hosts can arrange airport pick-up services.
Although a private transfer may cost more than arranging transport yourself, we found that using an accommodation-arranged driver made our arrival much easier.
Why we preferred a pre-arranged driver
After a flight with children, the last thing you want is to work out transport while carrying luggage and trying to navigate an unfamiliar airport.
With a pre-arranged transfer, you can confirm the pick-up instructions with your accommodation host before departure. The driver can then tell you where to meet and how to identify them.
This can be particularly useful when arriving late at night or travelling with several suitcases.
What to confirm before booking
- The total price and payment method.
- Whether the price includes airport parking or other charges.
- The number of passengers and suitcases the vehicle can accommodate.
- The meeting point and driver’s contact details.
- What to do if your flight is delayed.
We communicated with our driver through WhatsApp, which made it easier to coordinate after clearing the airport.
Grab and other transport services may still be convenient alternatives. Compare the total cost and pick-up arrangements rather than assuming one option is always cheaper or better.
5. Money in Bali: Wise Card, Cash & Referral Link
Managing money overseas is easier when you understand how you will pay for everyday expenses before leaving Australia.
During our Bali trip, we used a Wise card for card payments and withdrew Indonesian rupiah for smaller purchases.
Using a Wise card overseas
The Wise card can be useful for travellers who want to spend in supported foreign currencies. Wise provides currency conversion using its stated exchange-rate methodology and displays applicable conversion fees before a transaction.
However, the total cost depends on the transaction, your account, and the applicable fees. ATM operators may also charge their own fees, and not every merchant accepts cards.
Before travelling, check:
- Your available balances and supported currencies.
- Wise’s current currency conversion fees.
- Your card’s ATM withdrawal allowance and applicable fees.
- Whether the merchant or ATM offers to convert the transaction into AUD.
When a payment terminal or ATM offers a choice of currencies, compare the options carefully. Choosing to pay in the local currency, IDR, will generally avoid the merchant’s own AUD conversion rate, although Wise’s applicable fees may still apply.
How much cash should you bring?
During our trip, we withdrew approximately AUD $300 worth of Indonesian rupiah, but we found that around AUD $100 worth of cash would have been enough for our needs.
That was our personal experience, not a recommended amount for every family.
Your cash requirements will depend on your accommodation, planned activities, shopping, transport, and whether you visit businesses that do not accept cards.
We mainly needed cash for smaller vendors and occasional tips. Tipping is discretionary, so there is no need to include it as a fixed expense unless you want to.
My advice is to carry a reasonable amount of local cash while keeping most of your spending money in a secure payment method. Avoid carrying more cash than you are comfortable losing.
A safety reminder about airport cash requests
When we were near the BNI ATMs after leaving customs, a stranger approached us and said they had lost their wallet or cards. They asked whether we could give them cash in exchange for an online transfer.
We did not proceed with the request.
I cannot confirm the person’s intentions, but I would treat an unexpected request like this with caution. Do not transfer money, hand over cash, or disclose banking information to strangers based on an unverified promise of repayment. If you feel uncomfortable, move to a staffed area and seek assistance from airport personnel.
Wise referral link
If you are considering Wise for your own trip, you can also check whether my personal invitation link offers a suitable sign-up benefit.
https://wise.com/invite/ilpc/younghok59
Wise invitation offers and qualification requirements can vary by region and referral programme. Check the terms shown on the official Wise page before signing up.
I use Wise as one of the payment options when travelling, but it is not the only way to manage money overseas. Compare the fees, exchange rates, card acceptance, and ATM conditions that apply to your own circumstances.
6. Travel Insurance: Arrange Cover Before Departure
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for an overseas family holiday. Medical treatment, unexpected hospital stays, travel disruptions, and cancellations can result in significant expenses.
Before choosing a policy, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and confirm that the cover matches your family’s needs.
In particular, check:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital expenses.
- Medical evacuation or repatriation, where included.
- Trip cancellation and travel disruption.
- Cover for children travelling with you.
- Pre-existing medical conditions and relevant exclusions.
- Activities you plan to undertake.
- The insurer’s emergency contact process.
What about Bali Belly?
Digestive illnesses and other health problems can occur during overseas travel. Having insurance does not mean every illness or expense will automatically be covered, so understand the policy’s exclusions and requirements.
Keep your insurer’s emergency contact details accessible and seek appropriate medical care if someone in your family becomes unwell.
For official guidance, see the Australian Government’s Smartraveller travel insurance advice.
Conclusion
Planning a Bali family holiday from Australia involves more than finding a good flight and accommodation deal. Our experience taught us that choosing a practical location, preparing entry documents, setting up WhatsApp, and organising airport transfers in advance can make the trip much smoother.
We also found it helpful to combine card payments with some local cash, while keeping an eye on fees and staying cautious around unexpected requests for money.
Every family travels differently, so use these tips as a starting point and adjust them to your own itinerary and budget.
In Part 2, I’ll share more about our experience in Sanur, Ubud getting around Bali, and dealing with unexpected health issues during the holiday.
References & Further Reading
- Indonesia e-Visa official portal
- All Indonesia official portal
- Love Bali — Official Tourist Levy Information
- Wise Help Centre — How to Invite Friends
- Australian Government Smartraveller — Indonesia Travel Advice
- Australian Government Smartraveller — Travel Insurance
Disclaimer
This article is based on our family’s personal travel experience and is provided for general information only. Entry requirements, visa eligibility, tourist levies, exchange rates, fees, transport arrangements, and insurance terms may change without notice. Requirements can also vary according to passport nationality and individual circumstances.
Always verify current entry requirements through official Indonesian government websites and check the relevant terms with your travel providers, payment services, and insurer before making decisions. This article is not immigration, financial, medical, or insurance advice.
Wise referral disclosure: This article contains a personal Wise invitation link. If you sign up using the link and meet the applicable programme conditions, I may receive a referral reward, and you may be eligible for a sign-up benefit. The available offer and eligibility conditions are determined by Wise. Please review the terms before signing up.
Travel-content reminder: If you plan to create content for revenue, sponsorship, or other commercial purposes while physically in Indonesia, check the current visa conditions and official Australian travel advice before doing so. Indonesian tourist visa conditions may restrict certain commercial content-creation activities, even where content is published after departure.
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