Denpasar International Transit (Airside and Landside options)

[henrus]

Hi All, I've come across the following flights, they'd all be on the same ticket (UA award ticket) with just a 2hr 5min transit in Denpasar. Is there even an airside transit facility in Bali? and is this too risky? The other option is a 9am flight from Singapore that leaves a 9hr layover in Bali.

 

[daveS]

An update on what happened with my 1:40 transit. Hand luggage only, and when flight ex SYD was delayed and my 4:05 layover became 1:40 I sought out Qatar rep in Sydney airport.

Qatar were brilliant. Emailed thier DPS ground staff. I was met on aerobridge, escorted to a seating areas, my passport taken away and returned 15 minutes later with my boarding pass, and then escorted through staff only lifts etc to lounge with 10min there before boarding. Carrry on only.

I did have an overnight layover there on the return flights. Despite G20 starting, and a large area of the airport set aside for arriving participants, the queues at immigration, and customs, were quick (even after X-ray revealed I had 3 bottles of wine (vs 1 litre Indonesian limit). A short chat, proof of outbound flight the next day, and only 1 nights accomodation, and they let me, and my winers, on my way. Overall a great experience at both transits.

The transit desk was staffed (2 out of 6-8 desks as shown in photos above). Which airlines, and when, would always be a gamble.

 

[Bell21]

Helpful thread - I'm on connecting flights from SYD-DPS-DXB-TLV tomorrow - SYD-DPS is QF and the remainder is EK. QF tells me that my luggage will be checked through to my destination. Reading above and tripadvisor, I'm unclear if I will need to clear customs in DPS? (I believe if you have to clear customs, there's an online customs declaration form and potentially a visa to pay)

 

[sudoer]

Is this all on the one PNR, or two separate bookings?

You shouldn't need a VOA or ECD QR code unless Qantas refuses to check you through for some reason.

If QF refuse to check you through to TLV and you aren't pressed for time in DPS, I'd just fill the ECD form but not bother with the VOA. On arrival, you can access the transit desk area before immigration to see if they can help you first, and if not, you can go to the VOA payment desk to clear immigration, pick up your bags, clear customs, and check back in (hopefully not needed)

If you are pressed for time on the transit, I would suggest setting up an eVOA application in advance until you get to the "waiting for payment" status. Should QF refuse to through-check, you can login and make payment and once your visa is approved (took a few minutes for my application) print out the A4 page at the airside lounge.

I noticed on a recent trip to DPS that the transit area appears to have been reworked and there's now some stairs that lead up to a transit area at the back of the immigration hall.

 

[Bell21]

Is this all on the one PNR, or two separate bookings?

You shouldn't need a VOA or ECD QR code unless Qantas refuses to check you through for some reason.

If QF refuse to check you through to TLV and you aren't pressed for time in DPS, I'd just fill the ECD form but not bother with the VOA. On arrival, you can access the transit desk area before immigration to see if they can help you first, and if not, you can go to the VOA payment desk to clear immigration, pick up your bags, clear customs, and check back in (hopefully not needed)

If you are pressed for time on the transit, I would suggest setting up an eVOA application in advance until you get to the "waiting for payment" status. Should QF refuse to through-check, you can login and make payment and once your visa is approved (took a few minutes for my application) print out the A4 page at the airside lounge.

I noticed on a recent trip to DPS that the transit area appears to have been reworked and there's now some stairs that lead up to a transit area at the back of the immigration hall.

Sorry Sudoer - for some reason, the site didn't alert me to your reply - thanks for your very quick reply. I wondered about filling in the ECD form before I leave, but thought probably best to wait for arrival in DPS.

It is one PNR, not 2 separately bookings and I have 4 hours in DPS (which sounds fine, but will probably be eaten up quickly if I have to go through customs)

I will look at the eVOA application now - great idea.

thanks very much - this is why AFF is great, isn't it!

 

[sudoer]

It is one PNR, not 2 separately bookings and I have 4 hours in DPS (which sounds fine, but will probably be eaten up quickly if I have to go through customs)

If it's one PNR I feel confident you'll be checked through, and if the check-in agent suggests it's not possible for any reason, I would ask them to confirm with a supervisor and show this page:

Interline and Through Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances are determined according to the itinerary and provided at the time of booking. Different baggage allowances may apply each time baggage is checked in. This page contains information on Interline - International Journeys and Through Checked Baggage.

www.qantas.com

But four hours should be plenty regardless. I had an eVOA and was HLO, but got through DPS arrivals during the evening rush a few weeks ago in about 35 minutes

 

[Bell21]

If it's one PNR I feel confident you'll be checked through, and if the check-in agent suggests it's not possible for any reason, I would ask them to confirm with a supervisor and show this page:

Interline and Through Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowances are determined according to the itinerary and provided at the time of booking. Different baggage allowances may apply each time baggage is checked in. This page contains information on Interline - International Journeys and Through Checked Baggage.

www.qantas.com

But four hours should be plenty regardless. I had an eVOA and was HLO, but got through DPS arrivals during the evening rush a few weeks ago in about 35 minutes

That's great thanks so much!!

 

[sudoer]

That's great thanks so much!!

No problem - if you have a chance, please take a few pics of your transit journey and let us know how it goes!

 

[exLXCXFF]

Totally different story at CGK

1. no line at Vax cert desk
2. eVOA now purchased online
3. no line at immigration
4. no line at customs
5. QF41 door to outside in less than 10mins....

@pmdg7444 - do you by any chance know whether the transfer desk is manned in CGK for Qatar Airways?

I sought out Qatar rep in Sydney airport

@daveS - was this when Qatar check-in was open for one of their flights or outside these hours? if outside, where did you find this person? I am asking as I am having one QF reward booking on QF from SYD 2 CGK and then a revenue booking on a separate ticket / separate PNR on QR. While I am convinced that luggage will be checked through, I am still unsure whether QF staff can/will check me in for the onward flight on QR out of CGK and issue boarding passes in SYD. Obviously, I want to avoid doing immigration and buying a VoA.

 

[clifford]

Obviously, I want to avoid doing immigration and buying a VoA.

Unfortunately, based on past experience, I think this is what you will have to do.

 

[sudoer]

I am still unsure whether QF staff can/will check me in

The million dollar question - they absolutely can, but whether they will is hit and miss.

It sounds like you're already across it, but separate QF to oneworld award/revenue PNRs should be checked through and boarding passes issued. The problem is when you get an agent that isn't aware of this. The only thing you can do is stay polite and jovial while showing them the interline page linked above, and pointing out the ^ at the bottom.

I've also told a white lie in the past "I called and was advised I would be checked through" to give the agent an easy way to "make an exception just this time" without needing to admit defeat.

I can't imagine there would be a QR staff member at the airport before a 2pm departure given the only SYD QR departure at the moment is quite late in the evening.

Unfortunately, based on past experience, I think this is what you will have to do.

What were the specifics? QF award to Oneworld revenue booking?

 

[Bell21]

Hi all - thanks for your support - an update on my experience yesterday.

1) Sudoer - apologies, I forgot to take photos, but they are exactly as you posted earlier on in this thread - the transit area is very easy to find and hasn't changed.

2) As you suggested, I had no difficulty having my baggage checked through to TLV (and it arrived promptly!) and I did not have to check through customs at DPS, although it was a bit of a strange process at the Transit Desk - a DPS representative was waiting for transit people as we disembarked, which was great and guided us to the Transit Desk - however, we then waited 1 hour for an Emirates representative to arrive and give us our onwards boarding tickets (and even then, it took about 15 minutes each to process the 2 passengers, including myself, onward boarding passes!)

3) The other passenger was travelling CHC-SYD-DPS-DXB, but DPS-DXB was not a connecting flight (QF-QF-EK) --- although he asked multiple times during the one hour wait, if he should exit customs to get his bags, given his need to buy a visa, customs declaration, check back in, etc, they told him to wait for the EK rep, who after 75 mins told him that 'yes, that's what he should do' (!) - he lost a valuable 1.25 h out of 4 hours layover time to navigate clearing customs, but thankfully for him, DPS was not particularly busy at that time!

4) As an aside, the lounge in DPS for Emirates J travelling is one of the least nice lounges I've ever encountered (air con not really working, food is average at best, quite run down, although the staff were nice and responsive)

 

[sudoer]

Thanks for the report!

4) As an aside, the lounge in DPS for Emirates J travelling is one of the least nice lounges I've ever encountered (air con not really working, food is average at best, quite run down, although the staff were nice and responsive)

Say no more - must be the Premier Lounge. It's also used by Qantas, Malaysia, Cathay, Qatar, Singapore, and other full-service airlines. Truly the worst lounge I've ever been in. I noticed there's a brand new "Concordia Lounge" next door which hopefully opens up for Priority Pass/Plaza Premium and some airline partners.

Unfortunately the TG Lounge (which looked excellent when it opened just before covid) appears to be permanently closed.

 

[Bell21]

Loll absolutely and Concordia not yet PP or plaza

 

[chiken_nugets]

Loll absolutely and Concordia not yet PP or plaza

I'm seeing Concordia on Priority Pass as of today.

I'm flying DMK - DPS, DPS - BNE on two separate PNRs with 3 hours 10 minutes transit time.

Carry on only.

Is there a chance I can transit through the transit desk? Both flights are low cost carriers (Thai AirAsia, JQ).

 

[sudoer]

I'm seeing Concordia on Priority Pass as of today.

The one listed on PP is in the domestic terminal. The one mentioned above is at International, the old TG lounge. When I went through in November I asked at Concordia about PP, the receptionist said no and wasn't aware of any plans to implement access.

 

[chiken_nugets]

The one listed on PP is in the domestic terminal. The one mentioned above is at International, the old TG lounge. When I went through in November I asked at Concordia about PP, the receptionist said no and wasn't aware of any plans to implement access.

Well damn, that is a sad revelation.

 

[marks]

I'm seeing Concordia on Priority Pass as of today.

I'm flying DMK - DPS, DPS - BNE on two separate PNRs with 3 hours 10 minutes transit time.

Carry on only.

Is there a chance I can transit through the transit desk? Both flights are low cost carriers (Thai AirAsia, JQ).

I'd give it a go. Have all your paperwork ready. There is never a large queue (or any queue) at the desk normally.

 

[dajop]

Well have an award booked in mid-Feb SIN-DPS-SYD (3K->QF with 2:50 connection), will report back on latest experience. All on same PNR, but who knows what will happen, In any event I have APEC BTC so may be able to get through immigration relative quickly if I need to.

Also does anyone know if access to Premier Lounge is via a separate invitation? I'm guessing that without one no luck accessing using QF gold status (I could with Priority Pass, but unless there's been a post-COVID miracle, I tend to find DPS lounges not worth wasting a visit on).

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Well have an award booked in mid-Feb SIN-DPS-SYD (3K->QF with 2:50 connection), will report back on latest experience. All on same PNR, but who knows what will happen, In any event I have APEC BTC so may be able to get through immigration relative quickly if I need to.

Also does anyone know if access to Premier Lounge is via a separate invitation? I'm guessing that without one no luck accessing using QF gold status (I could with Priority Pass, but unless there's been a post-COVID miracle, I tend to find DPS lounges not worth wasting a visit on).

How did you go with this? I am flying SIN-DPS-SYD all on a single Jetstar itinerary next week. Hoping like hell not to have to go through customs. The stop is 4 hours. According to Jetstar, on an international to international transit, they tag the bags all the way to the final destination.

 

[chiken_nugets]

How did you go with this? I am flying SIN-DPS-SYD all on a single Jetstar itinerary next week. Hoping like hell not to have to go through customs. The stop is 4 hours. According to Jetstar, on an international to international transit, they tag the bags all the way to the final destination.

I doubt Jetstar does airside transfers at DPS. In my opinion, expect to have to clear customs.