2012-07-28

Going to Bali from Surabaya

Undoubtly, Bali is the most famous tourist place in Indonesia, even before I was born.
Fortunately, Bali is not that far from Surabaya.

Below I summarize options to go to Bali from Surabaya.

1. By Airplane

Undoubtly, this is the most recommended way to go to Bali from Surabaya.
The actual flight takes about 40 minutes, even though it officially shows 1 hour.
With the price reduction by many airlines, one-way flight to Bali can cost as low as Rp.200,000 (about USD 20), or maybe less.
Try following low cost airlines:
- Air Asia (www.airasia.com), the best LCC in the world also serves
Indonesian domestic flights.
- Lion Air (http://www.lionair.co.id/), Indonesian economic airline
company, delay flights are often.
- Citilink (http://www.citilink.co.id/), Indonesian oldest airline Garuda
Indonesia's subsidiary.

There are also other airline companies. You can ask IKIRU staff for details.

2. By Train

At the time of writing, there are 2 trips per day, departs from Surabaya Gubeng Station (about 15 minutes ride from IKIRU):
- Mutiara Timur Pagi, departs at 9:00 and arrives in Bali at 20:52, costs Rp.180,000 for Executive Class and Rp.150,000 for Business Class; on weekends costs Rp.195,000 for Executive Class and
Rp.160,000 for Business Class.
- Mutiara Timur Malam, departs at 21:30, and arrive at Denpasar, Bali at 10:17, costs Rp.180,000 for Executive Class and Rp.150,000 for Business Class; on weekends costs Rp.195,000 for Executive Class and Rp.160,000 for Business Class.

At the east edge of Java island in Banyuwangi city, you will be switched to bus (included in the ticket), cross Bali Strait by 2 hours ferry and continue with another bus ride for 4 hours to reach Denpasar.

Check Indonesian train website (in Indonesian language) for updated information on schedule and price:
http://kereta-api.co.id/

3. By Bus

You can go by big bus, which also cross the Bali Strait at Banyuwangi (Java island to Gilimanuk (Bali island).
It departs from Surabaya bus terminal (named Bungurasih or Purabaya), about 30 minutes ride from IKIRU.
They will drop you to bus terminal in Denpasar or Kuta beach.
There are several departure times and companies doing the route:
- departing about noon
       > Zena, ticket price Rp.110,000
       > Jawa Indah, departs earlier than Zena
- departing between 17.00 and 18.30
       > Gunung Harta, ticket price around Rp.130,000 - Rp.150,000
       > Restu Mulya, ticket price around Rp.120,000 - Rp.130,000
       > Setiawan, ticket price around Rp.130,000
- departing after 20.00
       > Zena,
       > Santoso
       > Utama
       > Madjoe Group

4. By Minibus from Travel Agent

This option is more popular than the big bus, since they can pick you up
to IKIRU and drop you to any places in Bali.
You can ask IKIRU staff for reservation.
It departs about 17:00 or 18:00 from IKIRU, and arrives in Bali about 7:00 or 9:00 in the morning.
Car with 10 passengers costs Rp.175,000 and car with 7 passengers cost Rp.225,000.