With the rise of the multi-stop vacation in Bali and around Indonesia, tourists are always on the lookout for more affordable and efficient ways to travel.
Typically, the most popular way to travel around Bali is with a private driver or on a motorcycle taxi; for those braving between islands, fast boats are the best option too. Long-distance bus journeys are not really on the radar of many Bali tourists, but these bus services keep Indonesia moving, and tourists travelling longer distances would be wise to give them consideration.
Many tourists are unaware that bus travel is even an option in Bali. The Trans Metro Dewata service operates six routes all across the island, and focuses on serving commuter routes around Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud, and Sanur, which also makes the routes useful to budget-conscious tourists who are happy to take the bus.
In reality, most tourists and long-stay visitors in Bali either hire a local driver for the duration of their trip, or rely on taxis, or rent a motorcycle and self-drive from A to B and back again.
It is possible to take long bus trips all around Indonesia, and with tourists always looking for ways to save money and to have more authentic travel experiences, there is not much more authentic than travelling by bus in Indonesia.
The team at Bali’s biggest bus terminal, Mengwi Bus Terminal, has been talking to reporters about the rising demand for bus travel right now. With travel trends changing, tourists in Bali seeing a good deal and accessible public transport options could see more long-haul bus routes open up.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of Mengwi Terminal, Dewa Gede Tantara Tesaputra, said, “Traffic conditions at Mengwi Terminal remain calm so far, although there has been an increase in the number of arriving passengers compared to departing passengers.”
According to data from the bus terminal, the number of arriving passengers in April 2026 reached 72,001, an increase from 41,360 in March 2026. This increase was attributed to passengers from East Java heading home from Bali after celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday on the island.
Tesaputra noted that with travellers increasingly concerned about rising fuel prices, more and more people are looking to overland alternatives.
He explains, “For long-distance trips like Jakarta, Semarang, and Yogyakarta, it’s starting to have an impact. Passengers are increasingly considering cost and comfort.” The sleeper bus network in Indonesia is reliable and affordable. For those planning a vacation or travel adventure between Bali and Java, the sleeper bus routes may be a viable option.
It is possible to travel from the Mengwi Bus Terminal in Bali to the top destinations in Java, including Banyuwangi, Probolinggo, Surabaya, Malang, Jember, Blitar, Kediri in East Java, as well as Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Magelang, Tegal, and Brebes in Central Java. Long-haul buses even travel as far as West Java from Bali, with services heading to Jakarta (Terminal Pulo Gebang/Kampung Rambutan), Bandung, Bekasi, and Tangerang. All of these routes include the ferry crossing from Bali’s Gilimanuk to Banyuwangi in East Java.
The long bus services are ideal for backpackers and travelers with time to travel slowly, or who are perhaps working with super-tight budgets. Though concerns about fuel costs are valid for both domestic and international travellers to Bali, there is help at hand.
Indonesia has cut VAT on domestic flights until the end of June 2026, to help encourage travel nationwide amidst the uncertainty of the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on jet fuel prices.
Tourists who are planning shorter trips to Indonesia and want to hop on the multi-stop vacation travel trend can easily explore top destinations in Java and around Indonesia affordably.
Daily flights from Bali to Jakarta cost as little as USD 100, and from Bali to Labuan Bajo, aka Komodo National Park, it’s possible to snap up deals for USD 80 if you’re lucky!
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