Breathtaking destinations to travel to from Bali
Have you ever heard of the saying “Indonesia is more than just Bali”. Among travellers, this is a common sentence. Especially after exploring more of the country, many want to convince future visitors to travel more in Indonesia. Of course, this should never cover the beauty of Bali (the island is one of the places to be in South East Asia and nothing changes that!). There are a few destinations to travel to from Bali that you should definitely put on your list.
If you are travelling to Bali, you should definitely plan a few trips to see more of Indonesia. The good news is that many of these trips can easily be done from Bali and last no longer than a few days. Bali is the ideal base for some shorter travels around Indonesia. But which trips are really worth it and which show you Indonesia from a totally different side? Which destinations from Bali are easy to travel to and canno tbe missed? Get all your information in this guide and start planning to see more of this beautiful country!
The Nusa Islands – explore the islands
One of the most common destinations to travel to from Bali is Nusa Penida. For many tourists, it seems as Bali and Nusa Penida is the exact place rather than two different islands. The Nusa Islands can easily be reached by boat in just about 30 to 40 minutes.
The most popular island, Nusa Penida, is home to the beautiful Kelingking Beach and the stunning Diamond Beach. Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan are connected by a small yellow bridge leading over the water. Both are smaller than Nusa Penida and have some beautiful beaches and luxury hotels.
You can either do them on a day trip or stay on the islands for a few days. The latter can actually be highly recommended as you get the chance to experience a more remote and quieter side of Indonesia. Especially Nusa Penida is a traveller´s favorite and place you should see.
Recommended length for the trip: 2-4 days
You are looking for the best intinerary for the Nusa Islands? Check out this 4-day guide.
Your trip to Lombok from Bali
Lombok is often referred to as the sister of Bali. Lombok is a little smaller than Bali but not less a part of the beautiful Indonesian paradise – the best reason to visit this destination from Bali. The island is mainly known for surfers and adventure lovers. The deep jungles call for some hikes to hidden waterfalls, on the south coast you can start hitting your first waves or you could hike the Mount Rinjani on a multi-day trekking adventure.
Lombok can be a diverse and exciting island. Especially shortly after and during the rainy season, travellers have a blast on the island. The fields and hills are freshly green and you can witness Lombok during the best time.
But how do you get to Lombok from Bali? Compared to the Nusa Islands, it is not recommended to do Lombok on a day trip. The journey is much longer and there is quite a lot to see. Therefore, if you decide to explore Lombok, make sure to plan a few days on the island.
It can easily be reached by plane from Bali, which only takes about 20 minutes. Another opportunity is to take the ferry, which can be quite a hassle. Still, going by boat is a popular way to reach Lombok and it is much cheaper than the plane. You might need to get ready for a day of travelling though.
Recommended length for the trip: 5-6 days
The Gili Islands – travelling to a small paradise from Bali
Who hasn´t heard of the beautiful Gili Islands? The archipelago is located on the north-western coast of Lombok. The three main islands are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Each island is known for different qualities and each attract thousands of visitors each month.
The Gili Islands can as well easily be travelled to from the mainland of Lombok. The harbor in Bangsal is the best starting point for a short journey on the boat.
Another way is to travel to the Gili Islands as a destination from Bali. You can either book your boat from Padang Bai or Amed. From there it will take you about three hours to arrive at the Gili Islands.
For most travellers, the most popular island is Gili T. It is known as a little party paradise for anybody. More relaxed is Gili Air, while Gili Meno is for the lovers on honeymoon!
Of course, if you want to explore both the Gili Islands and Lombok from Bali, you should connect the trips.
Recommended length for the trip: 4-6 days
East of Java – an adventurous destination to travel from Bali
Are you looking for a more exciting trip from Bali? Are you on for an unforgettable adventure? About a trip to the East of Java from Bali? If you need a break from your life at the beach and would like to see a totally different area of Indonesia, Java is a good choice. Java is one of the best destinations to travel to from Bali and invites you into a new adventure.
The east of the Java Island can be reached from Bali quite easily. One of the main destinations are the Mount Bromo National Park and Mount Ijen. Both volcanoes are getting more and more attention in tourism and a trip from Bali calls for an adventure. In order to reach the volcanoes, you need to spend around 3 days in Java.
You can either leave from Bali by bus and travel all the way to the Bromo National Park. Another way is to take a flight to Surabaya Airport from which you will continue your journey into the southeast. Both routes are quite common and you can choose depending on your time or budget.
East Java is rough and remote. You will feel like entering a whole new country if you start comparing it to Bali. Java is mostly Muslim and these areas do not see as many tourists as Bali or Lombok. But that should only be another reason to visit the area, right?
Mount Bromo calls for an unforgettable sunrise while Mount Ijen invites you to hike into its active crater. This really is an experience for a lifetime.
A trip to East Java is your best choice, if you want to see more of Indonesian´s incredible nature. The volcanoes and the unique landscapes in Java are really impressing and it reminds you of how wide and varied the country is.
Check out the Guides on how to travel to Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen without a tour and all by yourself.
Recommended length for the trip: 2-3 days
Travelling to the Komodo National Park from Bali
One of the most memorable trips to do from Bali is the Komodo National Park. The Park is part of East-Nusa Tenggara and West-Nusa Tenggara. It mainly became popular due to the unique Komodo Dragons living on the islands.
To get to the Komodo National Park, you need to drive to the airport first. From Bali, take a flight to Labuan Bajo to the Komodo International Airport. Every cruise through the National Park starts from Labuan Bajo which means you might need to stay in the area for one more night before boarding to your cruise.
If you want to explore the Komodo National Park, you either need to rent a full boat or to join a tour. During the high season this can mean sharing your cabin with a few other people. During the low season, you got pretty good chances to travel with a smaller group.
Of course, there are cruises available for any budget. From luxury ships to basic boats – define your budget and find a good offer.
Most cruises are for two days. Two days of sailing through the National Park and enjoying some of the most unique views of Indonesia. Make sure to hike to Padar Island, look out for mantas while snorkeling and spend some time at the Pink Beach.
Komodo National Park is the best choice of trips from Bali, if you want to see a more remote area of Indonesia. This is your chance to see a totally different perspective and visit one of the most impressive National Parks worldwide.
Recommended length of the trip: 3-4 days
Why you should travel to different destinations from Bali
But why even travel to the different destinations from Bali? The answer is simple: because you can. Indonesia has many different angles and opportunities to fascinate you. As a traveller, you want to see as much as you can from a country and experience as many different aspects of a culture as possible. Bali makes travelling through the country quite easy.
Of course, you always need to be aware of how much time you got on your trip and how to use it wisely. But if you have a couple of days, make sure to leave Bali for some days and explore more parts of Indonesia. You will for sure not regret it!
