💰 When is the cheapest time to fly from San Francisco to Bali?
This month: July fares sit near the year's top tier as dry-season demand and US summer break overlap completely.
Fares swing more than $500 across the year on this route. April and October price lowest, in the shoulder gap between wet-season crowds and peak dry-season demand. July, August, and the December holiday window price highest, as US summer break and Southern Hemisphere winter travelers compete for seats. Booking 3-4 months out captures most of the available discount without chasing last-minute risk.
Here's a month-by-month look at prices on this route:
✈️ What are the best ways to get from San Francisco to Bali?
Five airlines connect San Francisco to Bali, all requiring one stop in Asia — no carrier flies this route nonstop. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific lead on comfort and layover cities; EVA Air and China Airlines lead on baggage allowance and value; Korean Air leads on price and Delta SkyMiles bookability.
The most polished product on this route, priced like it. Singapore Airlines' A350 flies nonstop into Singapore, then a short regional hop into Denpasar — a 2-4 hour Changi connection, one of the few airports worth lingering in. Economy pitch runs about 31 inches, average for this group, but meal service and crew consistently outrate the field. Skip Singapore Airlines if budget rules — Korean Air undercuts it by $300-$500 round trip for a broadly similar journey.
Best for: travelers who want the newest cabin and a resort-style Changi layover
A dependable middle ground between Singapore Airlines' luxury and Korean Air's bargain fares. The Hong Kong leg runs about 15 hours westbound, then a roughly 4-hour HKG-Denpasar hop — long enough on both ends to feel like two manageable flights, not one grind. Cathay's 32-inch economy pitch beats Singapore Airlines' by an inch. The 3-4 hour Hong Kong layover suits families needing a stretch break without risking a missed connection.
Best for: families wanting a moderate, not-too-short Hong Kong layover
Shortest total travel time here, and the only carrier checking two free economy bags. The Taipei leg runs roughly 13 hours westbound, notably shorter than the Hong Kong or Seoul options, with a 2-2.5 hour Taipei connection. That combination makes EVA Air the practical pick for divers or surfers checking gear, since a second bag runs $100-200 each way on Singapore Airlines or Korean Air.
Best for: divers, surfers, and anyone checking a second bag
The best value-to-comfort ratio on this route. China Airlines' A350 flies the Taipei leg with a 33-inch economy pitch — the roomiest of the five carriers here — while pricing $200-400 below Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific. The Taipei-Denpasar connection mirrors EVA Air's routing closely, since both share the same Taipei hub. Anti-rec: book through an OTA — China Airlines' own site is clunkier than the rest.
Best for: budget-conscious travelers who still want a full-service cabin
Consistently the cheapest of the five, with a real points-booking upside. Korean Air and Delta's transpacific joint venture makes this route's business cabin bookable with Delta SkyMiles — the most attainable business redemption here for a US flyer. The tradeoff: the Seoul-Denpasar final leg runs close to 7 hours, pushing total travel near 24 hours westbound, the longest of the five. Anti-rec: skip a 1am-4am Denpasar arrival, common on this routing — immigration counters back up hard then.
Best for: budget travelers and Delta SkyMiles points redemptions
Mubboo verdict: Korean Air's Seoul connection wins on price, but Singapore Airlines' Changi layover and A350 cabin are worth the premium for business or premium economy flyers.
Prices shown are approximate averages based on recent searches (April 2026). Actual fares vary by date, class, and availability.
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Compare all flights →📅 When should you book San Francisco to Bali flights?
Book 3-4 months before departure for the best fares — prices firm up inside 60 days and spike inside 3 weeks. April and October price lowest, around $680 round trip, in the gap between wet-season crowds and peak dry-season demand. Avoid late December through early January; fares climb into the year's priciest tier as US and Australian holiday travelers compete for seats. Midweek departures consistently undercut weekend flights across all five carriers. Set a fare alert 5-6 months out — last-minute tickets under 3 weeks rarely dip below $1,200.
July delivers Bali's most reliable surf swell and driest skies of the year — and charges peak-season prices for both.
If you're a family flying in summer, book by March — peak season fills up fast.
Budget travelers: shoulder season (Sep–Oct, Apr–May) offers the best balance of price and weather.
💡 This Jul: Book 5-6 months out; July sells through its cheaper fare classes earliest.
🏙️ Why visit Bali?
Bali earns its reputation through range: Ubud's rice terraces and jungle temples sit less than two hours from Uluwatu's cliffside surf and Nusa Dua's calm resort coastline. Recent traveler discussion consistently highlights Ubud's rice fields and Monkey Forest, alongside the island's dramatic, turquoise-water coastline.
That same feedback carries a real warning: Bali's main tourist zones have grown busier and pricier over the past several years, with some visitors describing once-quiet spots as feeling closer to Kuta's traffic and crowds. The workaround, per the same discussion, is heading north — Kintamani's cool highland air and coffee plantations, and North Bali's quieter coastline, both draw praise as an antidote to the south's crowding, alongside a Gili or Nusa Islands add-on for a slower final leg. Budget for higher prices than a pre-2020 Bali trip.
What makes Bali worth the flight:
Ubud anchors the cultural circuit — rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, and dense art villages. Seminyak and Canggu split the beach-and-nightlife crowd; Canggu's surf breaks and cafes draw a younger, longer-stay traveler. Nusa Dua's gated resort strip is the calmest, most family-friendly coastline. For water clarity and diving, Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands sit a short boat ride from Bali's east coast. North Bali and Kintamani round out the island with cooler air and far fewer visitors.
Best neighborhoods to explore:
Rice terraces, temples, and art villages define Ubud, though the main strip has grown busier lately — the backroads and rice-field walks still deliver the quieter Ubud most visitors picture.
Cafes, co-working spaces, and consistent surf anchor Canggu, alongside traffic and rising costs recent traveler reports flag as a downside.
Upscale boutiques and beach clubs line Seminyak's strip, a more polished alternative to Kuta's backpacker density just south.
Calm, protected water and gated resort grounds make Nusa Dua the lowest-hassle base, trading local texture for consistency.
Cool highland air, volcanic lake views, and an untouched coastline give this region a genuinely different Bali — the antidote to southern crowding.
Don't miss:
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Ubud's iconic stepped rice paddies; entry runs around $1-2 donation-style, best visited early morning.
Browse Tegalalang Rice Terrace tours →Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Ubud's forest temple complex with resident macaques; entry is about $6-8 for adults.
Browse Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary tours →Private Balinese cooking class, Ubud
Hands-on home-kitchen classes run around $75 for a 3-hour private session.
Browse Private Balinese cooking class, Ubud tours →Nusa Penida two-tank dive
Certified-diver boat trips to Nusa Penida's current-heavy sites run around $130 for two dives.
Browse Nusa Penida two-tank dive tours →Uluwatu Temple and cliffside surf breaks
Clifftop temple views pair with consistent reef-break surf, best during the May-through-September dry season.
Browse Uluwatu Temple and cliffside surf breaks tours →Mubboo Verdict:
Bali delivers on the postcard, but book the north and the outer islands alongside Ubud and Seminyak — that's where the island still feels like it did before mass tourism caught up.
🎟️ Top activities in Bali
Ranked by traveler ratings and recent booking volume.
Best of Ubud Private Day Tour with All Inclusive
$37.00Bali Instagram Private Tour: Best Spots (All-Inclusive)
$89.00Source: Viator · Prices in USD · Affiliate links.
🧳 What do you need to know before flying to Bali?
🛂 Do Americans need a visa for Bali?
US citizens need Indonesia's e-Visa on Arrival, applied online before departure for about $35. It covers a 30-day stay, extendable once for another 30 days. Passports need two blank pages and six months of validity beyond arrival.
🕐 What's the time difference?
Bali runs on WITA (UTC+8) year-round — 15 hours ahead of San Francisco during Pacific Daylight Time, 16 hours ahead during Pacific Standard Time, since Bali doesn't observe daylight saving.
🚇 How do you get from the airport to the city?
Denpasar Airport (DPS) to Bali's tourist areas: Kuta/Seminyak 10-20 minutes, Canggu 30-40 minutes, Ubud 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer ✅ | Matches drive time above | ~$15-30 | First arrival after 20+ hours flying |
| Grab / Gojek ride-hail | Matches drive time above | ~$5-15 | Budget travelers using an app |
| Airport taxi counter | Matches drive time above | ~$10-25 | No-app travelers |
| Scooter rental | Self-timed | ~$5-8/day | Confident riders, multi-day stays |
| Private driver, full/half-day | Self-timed | ~$35-55/day | Multi-stop sightseeing, families |
Editor's pick: pre-book a private transfer for arrival — after 20+ hours of travel, negotiating a taxi fare in the arrivals crowd is the wrong first task.
💷 What about money and tipping?
Bali runs on Indonesian rupiah, trading around 17,800 IDR to 1 USD in 2026. ATMs in tourist areas dispense rupiah reliably — use bank-branded machines over standalone tourist-strip ATMs, which often carry higher fees. Cards work at most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for markets and warungs.
Bali currency snapshot
1 USD = 17,789 IDR
1 IDR = $0.0001 USD
Indonesian Rupiah
Source: open.er-api.com · Updated Jun 22, 2026 · Rates fluctuate — check before booking.
📱 Will your phone work?
US phones need an Indonesian SIM or eSIM for local data — international roaming adds up fast over a multi-week trip. WhatsApp is the default communication method for tour operators, drivers, and villa hosts island-wide, more than calls or email.
☁️ Bali climate overview
Avoid: Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Nov, DecHistorical highs, lows, and rainfall by month. Plan packing and outdoor time around the extremes.
Jan
79°/70°F
19.9″ rain
Feb
80°/71°F
12.5″ rain
Mar
81°/71°F
11.4″ rain
Apr
80°/70°F
5.0″ rain
May
79°/70°F
17.7″ rain
Jun
77°/69°F
5.4″ rain
Jul
75°/67°F
9.2″ rain
Aug
76°/67°F
6.7″ rain
Sep
77°/68°F
8.6″ rain
Oct
80°/70°F
9.7″ rain
Nov
80°/70°F
14.2″ rain
Dec
80°/70°F
10.0″ rain
Source: Open-Meteo Archive API · 2025 historical data · Updated June 2026
Ready to lock in your fare? Search live prices below:
✈️ Ready to book? Compare San Francisco to Bali flights
Search flights →🛫 Flying from San Francisco — airport tips
SFO International Terminal A (Singapore Airlines)
- Gates A1-A5, near the Global Entry priority lane
- Evening departure, roughly an 11pm-midnight bank
SFO International Terminal A (Cathay Pacific)
- North-end check-in, oneworld lounge access nearby
SFO International Terminal G (EVA Air)
- South-end counters, Star Alliance Gold expedited security
SFO International Terminal A (China Airlines)
- SkyTeam check-in island near Gates A2-A8
SFO International Terminal A (Korean Air)
- SkyPass desk also answers Delta SkyMiles questions
- Longest connection of the five — confirm Seoul minimum-connect time
🚐 Skip the hassle? Book a private airport transfer
Fixed price, meet & greet at arrivals, door-to-door service
💡 Insider tips: San Francisco to Bali
Land before 6pm to skip Denpasar's visa-queue crushMubboo original data
Multiple SFO-connecting flights land in Denpasar within the same afternoon-into-evening window, backing up e-VOA and immigration counters by 45+ minutes. Arrivals before 6pm local time consistently clear faster, based on landing-bank patterns across all five carriers. If your connection forces a later arrival, budget the extra time rather than book a tight ground transfer.
Book midweek for the lowest faresMubboo original data
Across all five airlines, Tuesday and Wednesday departures price $80-$150 below Friday-through-Sunday flights for the same dates, based on fare patterns tracked across multiple booking cycles. The gap holds in both peak and shoulder season. If your dates flex by even a day, shifting off a weekend departure is the easiest fare cut on this route.
EVA Air and China Airlines check two free bags
Most carriers here allow one free checked bag in economy, but EVA Air and China Airlines both include a second bag at no charge on the Taipei routing. That matters for divers hauling gear or surfers checking a board bag — a second bag with Singapore Airlines or Korean Air runs $100-200 each way.
Korean Air's Seoul layover earns Delta SkyMiles
Korean Air and Delta run a transpacific joint venture, so Korean Air flights on this route can be booked and earned through a Delta SkyMiles account. That opens the Seoul connection to Delta elite flyers who'd otherwise have no US-carrier option, often pricing below a comparable Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific business redemption.
Turn a long layover into a free stopover
Singapore Airlines and Korean Air both allow a multi-day stopover in Singapore or Seoul at no extra airfare in many fare classes. A flexible traveler can turn a long connection into a 2-3 day add-on, effectively visiting two destinations on one Bali-bound ticket.
Avoid the 1am-4am arrival bank into DenpasarMubboo original data
Cross-referencing all five carriers' typical arrival windows shows three of five routinely land in Bali between 1am and 4am — the worst slot for ground transport, hotel check-in, and alert immigration processing. Carriers routing through Taipei or Hong Kong more often land in the afternoon-to-evening window instead.
👥 Who flies this route — and what they should know
Surfer chasing Uluwatu/Canggu breaks
Featured this monthRecommended: China Airlines' SFO-Taipei-Denpasar routing in economy — its two free checked bags cover a board bag without the oversize fee Singapore Airlines and Korean Air both charge. Total travel time runs about 21 hours westbound with a roughly 2-hour Taipei connection. Mubboo Pick: fly the May-through-September dry season for the most consistent Uluwatu and Canggu swell, and confirm board-bag dimensions against China Airlines' oversize policy before departure. Base out of Canggu or Bingin for the shortest ride to the surf breaks; Seminyak and Nusa Dua both add 30-45 minutes each way to Uluwatu's reef breaks.
First-time Ubud culture-seeker
Recommended: EVA Air's evening SFO-Taipei-Denpasar routing in economy or premium economy, landing Bali by mid-afternoon with time to reach Ubud before dark. The Taipei layover runs about 2 hours — enough for the lounge, not so long jet lag compounds. Budget 60-90 minutes by car from DPS to central Ubud depending on traffic. Mubboo Pick: stay near the rice terraces rather than the main strip — Ubud's tourist center has grown busier and pricier over recent years, while the quieter backroads still deliver the calm, jungle-adjacent Ubud most first-timers picture. Book Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Monkey Forest for day one, and set aside a half-day for a private cooking class.
Honeymoon couple, Nusa Dua luxury
Recommended: Singapore Airlines' SFO-Singapore-Denpasar routing in premium economy, timed to land by early evening for a golden-hour resort check-in. The Changi layover is Singapore Airlines' strongest sell — spa access and shower suites break a 20+ hour trip into two manageable legs. Nusa Dua's gated resort strip trades Ubud and Canggu's crowds for calm water and quiet shoreline, per recent traveler feedback on Bali's busier zones. Mubboo Pick: extend the Changi layover to 6-8 hours instead of the minimum connection — Jewel Changi's waterfall and gardens turn a layover into a mini-honeymoon stop. Skip December 24-January 2 entirely; peak pricing pushes premium economy well past typical rates.
Budget solo backpacker, Canggu
Recommended: Korean Air's SFO-Seoul-Denpasar routing in economy — consistently the cheapest of the five carriers for the same dates. The tradeoff is total travel time, near 24 hours door to door, with a longer Seoul-Denpasar final leg than the Hong Kong or Taipei alternatives. Mubboo Pick: land in Canggu, not Kuta — its digital-nomad cafes, co-working spaces, and hostels give solo travelers an easy social on-ramp, though recent traveler reports flag Canggu's traffic and rising costs compared to a few years back. Anti-rec: skip an arrival scheduled between 1am and 4am — Denpasar's e-VOA counters back up hard in that window, adding real time versus a daytime arrival.
Family with kids, Seminyak resort
Recommended: Cathay Pacific's SFO-Hong Kong-Denpasar routing in economy, booked with a 3-4 hour Hong Kong layover — long enough for kids to stretch without becoming an overnight stopover. Cathay's baggage allowance and hot-meal service matter more with children than a marginally cheaper fare. Mubboo Pick: Seminyak over Kuta for families — the beach clubs skew adult, but the boutique-lined streets and quieter northern beaches suit a family pace better than Kuta's backpacker density. Book an afternoon arrival so kids nap through the final segment. Anti-rec: skip sub-2-hour Hong Kong connections with young kids — a missed transfer means an unplanned overnight without luggage.
Points traveler flying business class via Seoul
Recommended: Korean Air's SFO-Seoul-Denpasar routing in business class, bookable with Delta SkyMiles through the Korean Air-Delta transpacific joint venture — the most attainable business redemption of the five carriers for a US-based flyer. Mubboo Pick: transfer Amex Membership Rewards or Capital One Venture miles into a SkyTeam partner program rather than paying Korean Air's often-inflated cash business fares. The Seoul layover works well as a 6-8 hour stopover using Korean Air's lounge rather than the minimum connection. Anti-rec: don't chase Singapore Airlines business awards here — its program prices SFO-Denpasar redemptions well above Korean Air's.
Diver heading to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands
Recommended: EVA Air's SFO-Taipei-Denpasar routing in economy, landing Bali with enough day left to reach Sanur or Padang Bai for a same-week Nusa Penida or Gili crossing. EVA's generous baggage allowance absorbs a dive-gear bag without the fees Singapore Airlines charges past the first checked piece. Mubboo Pick: book your Nusa Penida two-tank dive for day 2 or 3 after arrival, not day 1 — a 20+ hour connection plus a fast boat crossing back to back leaves most divers under-rested. Certified divers should confirm cert-card requirements before booking; several operators require proof of Advanced Open Water for the current-heavy sites.
⚖️ Flight delayed or canceled?
Indonesia isn't an EU261 jurisdiction, so European denied-boarding compensation rules don't apply here. The US DOT's 3-hour tarmac-delay rule covers only the SFO departure segment; the Asia-to-Denpasar connecting legs fall under each carrier's own conditions of carriage, which vary between Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Korean Air.
📱
Free option: Free option: most Ubud and Seminyak villas and cafes offer free WiFi if you're staying put.
Skip the airport SIM counter line — activate an Indonesia eSIM before landing and go straight to the e-VOA counter.
🛡️
Free option: Free option: check if your credit card already covers trip delay and emergency medical before buying a standalone policy.
A 20+ hour connection means more can go wrong — a missed Seoul or Hong Kong connection, a canceled dive trip, or a scooter mishap in Ubud.
Emergency contacts in Bali
What Travelers Are Saying About Bali
Based on recent discussions from r/travel, r/flights, and bali community subreddits • Updated June 2026
👍 What Travelers Love
- r/travel · 3 posts
Ubud offers serene rice terraces, lush jungles, and a calming cultural atmosphere.
— “Ubud's rice fields and monkey forest bring tranquility.”
- r/travel · 4 posts
Bali's diverse coastline features stunning beaches and turquoise waters.
— “Cliff-lined beaches and clear blue water captivate visitors.”
- r/travel · 2 posts
Less-traveled northern areas provide peaceful escapes from crowds.
— “North Bali and Kintamani offer quiet, authentic experiences.”
⚠️ Common Concerns
- r/digitalnomad, r/travel · 3 posts
Tourist density has spiked, leading to overcrowding and lost charm.
— “Once laid-back spots now feel like Kuta's chaos.”
- r/travel, r/digitalnomad · 2 posts
Hotel prices are surging while service quality declines.
— “Prices doubled, but service and value dropped.”
- r/digitalnomad · 3 posts
Digital nomad life in Bali is financially strained and less idyllic.
— “Many nomads work multiple gigs just to break even.”
💡 Trending Tips
- r/travel · 2 posts
Seek out less-crowded regions like North Bali and Kintamani.
— “Head north for a quieter, more authentic stay.”
- r/travel, r/digitalnomad · 3 posts
Budget for higher costs than expected, as Bali’s prices are up.
— “Don't expect cheap; costs have risen significantly.”
- r/travel · 2 posts
Explore nearby islands like Nusa and Gili for a relaxing break.
— “Island-hop to Nusa and Gili for calm waters.”
Themes synthesized from public Reddit discussions. Quotes are paraphrased — never copied verbatim.
Frequently asked questions about San Francisco to Bali flights
No airline currently flies nonstop between San Francisco (SFO) and Denpasar (DPS). Every ticket connects through an Asian hub — Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, or Seoul — adding 2-4 hours of layover time on top of two long-haul segments.
Singapore Airlines' Changi connection and EVA Air's Taipei routing tend to run the shortest total door-to-door time, typically 20-22 hours, while Korean Air's Seoul connection often runs closer to 24 hours because of a longer final leg. See the airline comparison above for exact ranges.
Researched by Mubboo Editorial Team · Reviewed by Richard Lee, Founder
Prices from Aviasales. Seasonal advice updated: July 2026 · Last editorial review: 2026-07-01 · Government info: travel.state.gov
Prices last updated just now · cached fares aggregating 800+ airlines and agencies · Check current prices →
M verdicts are based on editorial research — not pulled from a database.