Current Situation at Gilimanuk Port: Homebound Travellers Face 20-Hour Queues

The exodus of homebound travellers at Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali, intensified on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. The queue stretching towards Gilimanuk Port reached approximately 20 kilometres, extending to the Tuwed area from the port. Many homebound travellers became trapped in queues lasting between 17 and 20 hours.

According to official data from Gilimanuk Command Post from 10 days before Eid through to 5 days before Eid (11 to 16 March), a total of 309,135 passengers crossed to Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, East Java. This figure showed a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the same period last year, which recorded 306,839 people.

“For total vehicles that have crossed (from 10 days before through to 5 days before), 97,787 units were recorded, an increase of 2.8% compared to the same period last year’s realisation of 95,080 units,” said Bintang Felfian, Public Relations Manager of ASDP Ketapang Branch, when contacted by detikBali on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Specifically during the period 5 days before Eid (16 March 2026), 76,495 people left the Island of Gods within 24 hours. Whilst the flow of private vehicles showed a fluctuating trend, bus transport actually demonstrated significant growth.

“The realisation of motorcycles on 5 days before Eid reached 14,398 units. Meanwhile, private cars reached 6,350 units. For the number of trips at Gilimanuk Port on 5 days before Eid, 251 trips were recorded,” Bintang explained.

The increase in bus numbers, which reached nearly 25%, indicates that many homebound travellers are switching to mass public transport to return to their hometowns.

Not only the outbound flow, but movement from the opposite direction, from Java to Bali via Ketapang Port, was also monitored dynamically. On 5 days before Eid alone, 21,200 people entered Bali, a figure that increased 6% compared to last year.

“In total from 10 days before through to 5 days before Eid, the number of vehicles entering Bali from Ketapang reached 29,580 units, up 4% from last year’s realisation of 28,446 units,” added Bintang.

Congestion on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk route is predicted to persist until the peak of the upcoming homebound rush. Motorists are urged to remain vigilant and ensure their physical condition and vehicles are in good working order.