Note: Airport, Terminals and Ports in Bali Close on This Date
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The government has implemented operational adjustments to transportation in Bali ahead of the observance of Hari Raya Nyepi, the Hindu New Year (Saka 1948), which coincides this year with the Lebaran exodus period. Various transportation services, including flights, ferry services and bus terminals, will be temporarily suspended to honour the observance of Catur Brata Penyepian (the Balinese Day of Silence).
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the operational adjustments to transportation are being made to ensure public mobility continues smoothly before and after Nyepi without disrupting the sacred observance of Bali’s Hindu community.
“These transportation operational adjustments are being implemented to ensure public mobility continues effectively before and after Nyepi, whilst simultaneously honouring the observance of Catur Brata Penyepian, which is an important part of Bali’s local wisdom. We urge the public to plan their journeys in advance so that travel can proceed in an orderly, safe and comfortable manner,” said Dudy in a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March 2026.
These transportation operational adjustments are the result of coordination between the national government, local authorities, security personnel, relevant agencies and Balinese traditional community leaders. The government hopes that the schedule arrangements will help the public plan their journeys better whilst maintaining order throughout the Nyepi celebration period.
During the Nyepi period, several key transportation hubs in Bali will suspend operations for 24 hours. One of these is Ngurah Rai International Airport, which will close all flight operations, both domestic and international.
Airport operations will be suspended from Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA (Western Indonesia Time) until Friday, 20 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA. Following the end of the Nyepi period, flight operations will resume normally.
Similar arrangements have been applied to ferry services connecting Bali with surrounding regions. For the main route between Ketapang Port and Gilimanuk Port, ferry services departing from Ketapang will be suspended from Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at 17:00 WIB (Central Indonesia Time). Meanwhile, ferry services from Gilimanuk to Java will be closed from Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 05:00 WITA.
Ferry operations on this route will reopen on Friday, 20 March 2026 at 06:00 WITA following the conclusion of the Nyepi celebration.
Additionally, adjustments also apply to other shipping routes connecting Bali with West Nusa Tenggara via the Padang Bai Port to Lembar Port route. Shipping activities on this route will also be temporarily suspended during the Nyepi period.
In the land transportation sector, operational restrictions are also being implemented at bus terminals. Mengwi Terminal, the main type A terminal in Bali, will restrict intercity and interprovincial bus departures until midday on the day before Nyepi. Subsequently, terminal operations will be suspended during the Nyepi observance day and resume normally thereafter.
Dudy also requested that all transportation operators ensure the readiness of their fleets and human resources during the period of operational adjustments.
“We request all transportation operators to continue coordinating with relevant agencies in the field and ensure that all transportation services operating before and after Nyepi continue to meet safety standards and service quality for the public,” said Dudy.
The government has also urged members of the public travelling to or from Bali to take note of the changes to transportation operational schedules and to plan their journeys in advance so as not to be affected by the service closures during Nyepi.