Bali’s Transportation System Reopens as Eid al-Fitr Tourists Arrive
Bali has returned to its usual hustle and bustle after Nyepi on Thursday, 19th March.
Despite a couple of people who disobeyed the rules, Nyepi 2026 was observed without a hitch.
Now all focus is on Eid al-Fitr, which will be celebrated this weekend, across Indonesia and by muslims around the world.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, 20th March, the Head of Communications for PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, shared, “I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali reopened its operations on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 06.00 WITA after the implementation of the Holy Day of Nyepi. In general, the situation during Nyepi was safe and conducive.”
He confirmed that the first flights served after Nyepi were from both domestic and international routes, both for arrivals and departures. For domestic routes, the first arrival flight was served by Citilink airline with flight number QG 692 on the Surabaya–Denpasar route, which landed at 06.52 WITA. The first departure was served by Citilink QG 691 with the Denpasar–Surabaya route, which took off at 08.10 WITA.
In terms of international routes, the first flight to arrive was Hong Kong Airlines HX 707 on the Hong Kong–Denpasar route, which landed at 06.58 WITA. The first international departure was served by Hong Kong Airlines HX 706 on the Denpasar–Hong Kong route at 09.00 WITA.
He concluded, “All airport services are ready to operate fully to serve the needs of passengers, both domestic and international.”
Normal transport services have also been reopened at Benoa Port after Nyepi. Benoa Port is Bali’s biggest harbor and receives the majority of the island’s large cruise ships and luxury yachts.
The General Manager of Pelindo Pelabuhan Benoa Agung Mataram told reporters that all activities were halted at Beona Harbour and aboard the docked vessels over the duration of Nyepi Day.
He noted, “Pelindo fully respects the implementation of Nyepi Day as part of the local wisdom of the Balinese people. Operational adjustments are made while prioritizing safety, security, and smooth ship and passenger services.”
In terms of traffic congestion, things on Friday were moving pretty normally throughout Bali. Which is to say, there were traffic jams in the usual places, but nothing too significant in the resorts around the central south of Bali.
Over the coming days, however, tourists travelling to West Bali, towards Gilimanuk Harbour, should be aware that there will be additional vehicles on the roads. Over the last seven days alone, just under half a million people have traveled between Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi in East Java and Gilimanuk Harbor in West Bali.
The Deputy President Director of ferry company Perserso, Yossianis Marciano, told reporters that traffic jams in the area have been kept to a minimum this year.
He noted, “Thank you for the public’s patience and the synergy of all parties that allowed the queues to shorten to zero kilometers before Nyepi closed. This demonstrates that solid collaboration can deliver real solutions quickly.”
Tourists in Bali are reminded that many of the island’s top beaches and cultural attractions will feel busy this weekend as families celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Many top attractions and shopping centres, like ICON Bali Mall in Sanur, have put on special Eid al-Fitr programming to celebrate the occasion.
Tourists traveling to top attractions, cultural landmarks, and to Bali Airport, as well as the sea ports over the coming days, are advised to leave more time than usual to travel by road.
Traffic congestion at bottleneck junctions such as in Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud, and Kuta is expected to be a little more congested at peak times; however, thousands more officers will be out on patrol to help keep everyone safe and moving this weekend and into next week.
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