Bali-Java Return Migration Route Paralysed, Passengers Wait 16 Hours Before Boarding Ferry

Severe congestion on the return migration route on Monday, 16 March 2026 created long queues heading towards Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana. The queues were dominated by four-wheeled vehicles trapped for hours before they could cross to Banyuwangi.

One traveller experiencing the lengthy queue was Kholil, a resident of Negara in Jembrana. He had to wait 16 hours before finally being able to board the ferry to Banyuwangi.

“I left Negara at 00:30 in the early morning. I only managed to board the ferry at 16:13 in the afternoon,” he said.

Kholil reported that the congestion had begun at the Banyubiru junction, specifically in front of Bidadari Restaurant. From that point onwards, vehicles heading from Denpasar to Gilimanuk barely moved.

According to him, the congestion worsened because many drivers cut across opposing lanes or used illegal bypasses.

“Many vehicles were using illegal lanes throughout the congested route,” he said.

Motorcycles Moving Faster

Meanwhile, Alberto, a migrant worker in Bali returning to Banyuwangi, said he did not experience severe congestion because he was travelling by motorcycle.

However, he observed that four-wheeled vehicles had formed long queues since the Sumberklampok area, approximately three kilometres before Gilimanuk Port.

“I left Singaraja at 1 p.m. There was congestion for cars from Sumberklampok onwards,” he said when met by detikBali.

Alberto explained that motorcycles could enter the port parking area directly and therefore did not need to queue for as long as cars.

“Motorcycles go straight into the port parking area. This return migration period has the worst congestion yet,” said the 29-year-old man.