Direct answer: Bali Ngurah Rai (DPS) airport has two terminals side by side: the domestic terminal and the international terminal, where most overseas visitors land. Pre-booked transfer drivers wait at the official meeting point past customs in the arrival hall, behind the railing, holding a nameboard. Grab/Gojek pick up from a separate signposted zone a short walk away.
DPS Terminal Layout
Ngurah Rai International Airport is compact by hub standards: the international and domestic terminals sit next to each other on the same airfield, connected by a walkway, with shared landside roads and parking. That compactness is good news for travellers — transfers, taxis, and rideshare all leave from the same small footprint, and nothing is more than a few minutes’ walk once you know the layout.
International Terminal — Where Most Travelers Land
The international terminal is the larger, newer building. Arrivals are on the ground floor, departures upstairs.
Arrival flow: aircraft → jet bridge → immigration (with e-Gates for eligible passports) → baggage claim → customs → arrival hall.
Arrival hall layout: you exit customs into a wide public hall. ATMs, money changers, SIM kiosks, and the official taxi counter are inside the hall; food outlets and an information desk are close by. Ahead of you is the railing where pre-booked transfer drivers stand with name signs. The exit doors lead outside to the taxi pickup kerb, with the separate “Online Transport” rideshare zone a further walk past the parking area.
Where transfer drivers wait: behind the railing just past the customs exit. They hold A4-size nameboards — every booking with us includes a meet & greet nameboard as standard, so look for your name, not a logo.
Domestic Terminal — For Inter-Island Flights
The domestic terminal is the older, smaller building serving Garuda, Lion, Citilink, Batik and other inter-island flights. It’s lower-slung and faster to move through: a short walk from the aircraft (sometimes across the tarmac), a smaller baggage hall, then straight out to the pickup area.
Where transfer drivers wait: at the “Lobby Penjemput” (pickup lobby) — the open-air waiting area immediately outside the baggage claim exit. Less crowded than international, and easier to spot your driver.
Connecting Between Terminals
The two terminals are within walking distance via a connecting walkway — allow around 5–10 minutes with luggage. If you have an international-to-domestic connection (or vice versa), allow at least 90 minutes between flights: you’ll re-clear security, and international onward connections involve customs formalities too.
Where Each Transport Type Picks Up
| Transport | International Pickup | Domestic Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private (us) | Arrival hall, behind the rail, nameboard | Lobby Penjemput |
| Official airport taxi | Counter inside arrival hall, vehicle outside | Curbside at exit |
| Hotel shuttle | Hotel desks near the exit doors | Curbside |
| Grab/Gojek | “Online Transport” zone, a walk past parking | Designated zone, shorter walk |
| DAMRI bus / Kura-Kura | Bus stop at the parking exit | Same shared bus stop |
What’s Inside the Arrival Hall
The international arrival hall covers the essentials around the clock: bank ATMs, money changers (rates are noticeably worse than in town), SIM card kiosks, familiar coffee and fast-food outlets, a convenience store, restrooms with baby-changing facilities, a prayer room, and free airport WiFi. The domestic hall is a slimmed-down version — a few ATMs, a SIM kiosk or two, and a small food court.
Common Layout Confusions
Confusion 1: Hunting the arrival hall for a rideshare pickup point. There isn’t one inside — the Grab/Gojek zone is outside, past the parking structure, and drivers can’t come to the kerb.
Confusion 2: Missing your driver because you expected a company logo. Look for your name — pre-booked drivers hold nameboards at the railing, not branded placards.
Confusion 3: Looking for the hotel shuttle inside the hall. Most hotel reps wait outside the exit doors at their own desks.
Confusion 4: Underestimating a domestic-to-international connection. Allow 90 minutes minimum even though the terminals are neighbours.
Departure Side at DPS
International departures (upper floor): airline check-in counters, immigration, security, then a generous retail-and-dining stretch with several paid lounges. If you enjoy airport shopping, arriving on the early side of the standard three-hour window is no hardship. Domestic departures are simpler — smaller check-in area, basic food options, no premium lounges. Booking a departure transfer with a traffic-aware pickup time is the easy way to hit that window without stress.
Pro Tips
1. Free luggage trolleys are plentiful landside — grab one even for short walks. 2. Skip the airport money changers; ATMs inside the hall give fairer rates. 3. If you need data immediately, the kiosks work but overcharge — our SIM-on-arrival guide covers cheaper options. 4. Landing late at night? The meeting point works exactly the same at 2 AM, and pre-booking beats hunting a taxi — see the midnight transfer guide. 5. The lost-luggage desk is inside the baggage hall — report missing bags before you exit customs, not after.
FAQ
Is there a third terminal coming?
A separate North Bali airport has been discussed by the government for years. Nothing changes at DPS for now.
Is there WiFi in the arrival hall?
Yes, free airport WiFi covers the terminals. It’s fine for messaging; don’t count on it for video calls.
Is smoking allowed in the terminal?
No. Designated smoking areas are outside the buildings.
Are there luggage storage options?
Yes, paid left-luggage services operate at the airport. Rates depend on bag size and duration — check at the information desk.
Is there a prayer room?
Yes — a musholla in the international terminal, and Hindu offerings are a daily sight throughout the airport.
Book a Transfer With a Terminal-Aware Driver
Tell us international or domestic at booking — your driver waits at the correct meeting point with a nameboard. Fixed USD pricing, flight tracking, free cancellation up to 24 hours. WhatsApp +62 811 2859 0000, see rates for every route, or read the complete arrival guide.