Holidaying in Bali is a no-brainer if you live in Perth. The flight is around three to four hours, and regardless of your budget, it’s an exotic escape from life as we know it. From the moment you land, the humidity forces you to slow down, and by the time you breeze through immigration (assuming you’ve organised your eVisa in advance), you’re already in holiday mode. So, when I heard a new airline was flying between Perth and Bali, I had to try it out.
TransNusa has entered the market as a low-cost carrier on this well-travelled flight route, competing against several airlines you’ve probably flown with. Transnusa is now flying daily between Perth and Bali, to meet the growing demand, even during the low season. TransNusa flights can be as low as $169 one way, depending on when you fly, with flights leaving Perth at a convenient time of 13.55pm – potentially having you at your accommodation with a Bintang or mojito as the sun sets. The return flight to Perth leaves Denpasar at 9.10am and returning home in the afternoon is a leisurely way to travel.
I’m going to get real with you now. The Airbus A320 I flew on was compact, and even with my vertically challenged height, my legs threatened to touch the seat in front. But the good news is that you can request a seat with more leg room if you book a Seat Plus (+$55) or Flexi Pro (+$97) seat, which also includes a free meal, the option for a flight change, free travel insurance and up 7kg hand luggage, plus up to 20kg and 30kg check-in luggage for the Seat Plus and Flexi Pro seats, respectively. A standard Seat fare allows for 7kg of hand luggage, up to 15kg of checked luggage, and an optional flight change. Although you can’t select your seat on a standard fare, you might get lucky on the day with more leg room.
The hot meal of Honey Glazed Baked Fish was a generous serving, especially considering it was a short mid-afternoon flight. Typical of Indonesian hospitality, I found the cabin staff helpful and friendly, and overheard the other passengers thanking them for the excellent service when we disembarked.
From Denpasar, Transnusa flies direct to Singapore, Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya and Johor Bahru, and Guangzhou in China, as well as Indonesia’s Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Manado, Morowali and Ambon. With time to spare, you could easily add an affordable side trip to any of these destinations.
Bali’s well-trodden tourist trail has unlimited options, but if you’re looking for a quick getaway, the southern peninsula has the added benefit of being close to the airport. In fact, from the Sunset Bar at the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran, or any of the beachside seafood restaurants, you can watch planes landing and taking off, especially as the sun slips away. As part of the IHG Hotels and Resorts brand, and featuring 425 rooms, a range of dining options and pools, beachfront access and Spa Uluwatu in over 14 hectares of tropical grounds, no one would blame you if you never left the resort.
Also falling under the IHG brand, the Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu is another option if you want to get into the thick of the action in this beachside enclave, a short stroll from Batu Bolong Beach. From personal experience, Canggu’s accommodation can be hit and miss, but the Holiday Inn Canggu hits the mark perfectly with its chic coastal vibe and surf-inspired wooden accents across all 144 rooms. Not to mention the ocean or mountain views from the balconies and comfy beds, with even more impressive vistas from the rooftop bar and pool, particularly striking as the sun sets or a tropical storm rolls in. Roomah Restaurant’s extensive menu of Indonesian and Western dishes caters well to a wide spectrum of diners, and very much on brand for the Holiday Inn’s trusted ethos.
Falling under the Marriott Bonvoy brand, Bali’s southern peninsula also features The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa in Nusa Dua. It lives up to its name while blending into the tropical grounds as several pools snake through the resort. My Studio room, adorned with a luxurious king bed and abundant gifts, epitomises Laguna’s generosity. I was fortunate to visit the day before Earth Hour where all the electricity was turned off for one hour. Celebrations for the global event kicked off the day before with a candle-lit ceremony of fire dancers on the beach alongside a sand sculpture of endangered deer. Although you’ll probably encounter a lot of wildlife in Bali, this is an unlikely animal you’ad expect to find, but was indicative of the kind of immersive cultural experience you will be invited to partake in as a guest at the Laguna.
Regardless of the kind of tropical break you’re craving, TransNusa’s affordability and convenient flight times are a fantastic option for a cheeky jaunt over to Bali.
Carmen Jenner was a guest of TransNusa, InterContinental Bali Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu and The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali.
