Cheap Flights to Bali from the UK

Most UK travellers fly via the Gulf: Emirates through Dubai, Qatar Airways through Doha and Etihad through Abu Dhabi, with onward flights to Denpasar. Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines connect through Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, and Thai Airways via Bangkok.

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Garuda Indonesia, which flies from some European hubs, add more choice. Gulf carriers usually offer the best balance of price, comfort and frequency. Our pages on Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific explain what each offers.

Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow have good Gulf connections with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, and these can be cheaper than flying from London. They also save a trip to Heathrow.

Compare fares from your nearest two or three airports. Heathrow and Gatwick have the widest choice, including Singapore, Cathay and Thai services, and sales appear regularly. The cheapest itinerary is not always the one with the shortest total time, so check layover lengths.

The dry season runs from April to October, with sunny days, lower humidity and the best conditions for beaches, surfing and hiking. The wet season, from November to March, brings heavy afternoon rain, humidity and higher waves, with fewer crowds and lower prices.

July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, together with Christmas and New Year. May, June and September are a sweet spot, with good weather and moderate prices. January and February are the cheapest, but wet.

British citizens can get a visa on arrival in Indonesia for tourism, valid for 30 days and extendable once, for a fee that is around 500,000 rupiah, or you can apply online in advance through the e-VOA system. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival.

Bali also charges a foreign tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah, about £7 to £8, paid online before or on arrival, and you will need a customs and health declaration form. Fees and rules change, so check the official Indonesian and Bali government websites before you travel.

Seminyak and Canggu have beach clubs, restaurants and nightlife, and Canggu is a hub for surfers and digital nomads. Ubud is the cultural heart, with rice terraces, yoga and art, and a calmer feel.

Uluwatu has clifftop views and surf, Sanur is calm and family-friendly, and Nusa Dua has big resort hotels with private beaches. The east and north are quieter and less developed.

Traffic is heavy, so distances look short on the map but can take a long time by road. Base yourself in one or two areas, not four, and book transport in advance.

Bali is cheap by UK standards. Meals at local warungs cost a few pounds, a good hotel room can cost £40 to £80, and a private driver for a day is about £30 to £45. Luxury villas and beach clubs cost much more.

The flight is the largest single cost, so the saving you make there matters. Tourist areas have prices that are higher than elsewhere, and eating where locals eat reduces costs.

Bali is predominantly Hindu, and temples, offerings and ceremonies are part of daily life. Wear a sarong and sash to enter temples, do not step over offerings on the ground, and do not climb on sacred sites or pose inappropriately.

Nyepi, the Day of Silence in March, closes the airport and the island for 24 hours, and everyone must stay indoors. Check the date if you travel in March, since flights do not operate.

Bali is one of the world's top honeymoon destinations, with private villas, spa treatments and beautiful settings. Many couples combine Ubud and a beach area, with a night or two on Nusa Lembongan or a trip to the Gili islands.

Our honeymoon travel service can help plan flights, hotels and transfers, and group bookings can be arranged for wedding parties.

Bali is a world-famous surfing destination, with beginner waves at Kuta and Canggu and advanced breaks at Uluwatu. Lessons are cheap and widely available. Ubud and Canggu have many yoga studios and wellness retreats, from drop-in classes to week-long programmes.

If you plan a retreat, check the reviews and the qualifications of teachers, and read the cancellation terms. Choose a retreat that matches your level and goals, and allow time to adjust to the time zone first.

The Indonesian rupiah is the local currency, and the numbers are large, so check amounts carefully. Cards are accepted in tourist areas, and ATMs are common, though skimming happens, so use machines inside banks or malls.

Money changers with unusually good rates are often scams. Use authorised dealers, count your notes and avoid street changers. Agree prices before getting into taxis, and be wary of anyone who offers free help at tourist sites.

Long itineraries are more vulnerable to delays, and a missed connection can cost a day. Book on a single ticket, so the airline must rebook you, and allow at least two to three hours at the connection.

Under UK rules, a long delay or a cancellation can mean care, a rebooking or a refund, and compensation depending on the cause. You can read what you are entitled to in our guide to delay and cancellation rights.

Send us which UK airport suits you, your dates and whether you want a stopover, and a specialist can compare airlines, routes and packages, and find the best price. We can also arrange hotels, drivers and domestic flights.

Have a play with the live fares below, shifting the dates by a day or two each time. Found a fare you like? A quick call lets us check the baggage terms and change conditions before any money leaves your account.