Bali fuel shortage: how to reach the airport and not miss your flight

Bali is short of gasoline. According to Tourprom on October 27, 2026, citing The West Australian, travelers leave the resorts three days before their flight and stay near Ngurah Rai airport, because taxis have become almost impossible to find, and those who agree to go ask 5 to 20 times the normal price. Here is what is known, how to act if you are on the island or about to come, and what flights cost.

What is happening on the island

According to I Wayan Karias, head of the regional branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), visitors can no longer spend their last days calmly: the main task is now reaching the departure terminal. From the publication:

• Fuel stocks on Bali last a few days, and gasoline arrives by tanker from Java and Borneo.
• The disruption began with a damaged anchor cable on a cargo ship and a storm in the strait: unloading a tanker was delayed by only 15 hours.
• At Pertamina stations, queues stretch for several kilometers, and scooters and cars stall at intersections with empty tanks.
• Authorities switched about 100 stations to 24-hour operation and introduced a plate rule: on even days cars with an even last digit are served, on odd days odd.
• On the black market a 1.5-liter bottle of gasoline in the Canggu area reaches 200,000 rupiah, about 16 dollars.
• Authorities promise to close the gap with a delivery of 58 million liters of fuel, but queues, the outlet estimates, will last for some time.

This is a single source retelling a foreign publication, so follow your hotel and host: they know the situation by district better than any article.

If you are already on Bali

The main rule from the advice quoted by the outlet: do not count on catching a car quickly on departure day.

1. Book the transfer in advance. Arrange it through the hotel or a trusted carrier a few days ahead and confirm the price is fixed.
2. Consider moving closer to the airport. Many travelers book a hotel near Ngurah Rai 2 to 3 days before the flight. For an early flight this is especially sensible.
3. Do not buy roadside bottled gasoline. According to the outlet, it is diluted with water, the scooter engine fails and the rental company charges a large fine.
4. If you rented a bike, return it early and use a transfer afterward instead of tempting fate with the last liter.
5. Allow extra time for the road. Queues around stations clog the roads, so arrive at the airport with a big margin before check-in. See online check-in guide.

If you are only planning to come

You do not have to cancel because of this one report, but a few decisions are worth adding to your plan:

• Choose accommodation close to the places you will actually go, so you do not depend on long taxi rides.
• Do not rent a bike for the whole stay in the first days. First see how refueling goes in your area.
• Book the last night near the airport: insurance against the worst scenario, missing the flight.
• Check that your travel insurance covers costs when a flight is missed for reasons beyond your control. See travel insurance for trips abroad.

If the flight is missed or delayed anyway, know your rights: flight delay and cancellation compensation.

Planning Bali

See Bali areas and where to stay, Bali: when to go and what to see and Ubud things to do. Most flights to Bali involve connections, so read flights with a layover and allow enough time between legs. If logistics put you off, compare cheap flights to Thailand. Check dates in the HotTrip flight search.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a gasoline shortage on Bali?

According to Tourprom, the island receives fuel by tanker from neighboring islands, and stocks last a few days. A damaged anchor cable and a storm delayed the unloading of a tanker by 15 hours, which was enough to create queues at stations.

How much did taxis go up?

Tourists report fares 5 to 20 times higher than normal, and some drivers refuse to go at all.

How early should I leave for the airport?

Many travelers move to hotels near Ngurah Rai 2 to 3 days before the flight. For a morning flight or a tight connection this is the most reliable.

Can I rent a scooter?

Yes, but refueling is restricted: an even and odd plate rule applies, and bottled gasoline sold by hand may be diluted.

When will the situation normalize?

Authorities promise a delivery of 58 million liters of fuel, but the outlet names no dates and writes that queues will last for some time. Follow your hotel and carrier.

Cover: photo by Lexi Lauwers on Pexels