DENPASAR TRANSIT and FEES (EXPENSIVE)

[davistev]

My family and I just returned from a trip from Australia to the Philippines via DPS (Bali). We changed planes from Jetstar to Cebu Pacific (same day). However we were told that we had to get a Visa on Arrival, collect bags and check in again. While this is not in itself unusual when changing from one LCC to another LCC, what was unusual were the fees as noted below:

3 AUS Passport holders VOA x $47 = $141
3 DPS Airport Tax x $20 = $60

Return trip = grand total of $402 AUD


No Transit Visa exists or even the old 7 day visa exists. We incurred this as we had to change airlines and other airline check in was not open yet. There is a sign that direct Transit Passengers but when we asked we were directed to the VOA desk. When we asked there, they insisted no such transit facilities exist. Is this true?

We just paid the fees as we were tired both ways.

 

[N860CR]

Unfortunately it is all correct. DPS is not a great place to transit, especially on LCCs where they won't assist with onwards connections.

How much cheaper was it than just flying directly to MNL on one of the three airlines that serve it directly?

 

[dajop]

especially on LCCs where they won't assist with onwards connections.

Unless booked on same ticket. My brother flew ADL-DPS-SIN on Jetstar a couple of weeks ago (booked through Jetstar website) and upon arrival in Bali, there was someone waiting with a sign for them and whisked them to the departures hall with minimum of fuss. Bags also transferred without problem.

Going between different LCCs is bound to be a problem, the only way I can imagine transferring via transit desk and avoiding fees is hand luggage only with OLCI printed boarding pass for onward sector, but even then it may depend on airport procedures for the OLCI BP.

 

[Pushka]

Unless booked on same ticket. My brother flew ADL-DPS-SIN on Jetstar a couple of weeks ago (booked through Jetstar website) and upon arrival in Bali, there was someone waiting with a sign for them and whisked them to the departures hall with minimum of fuss. Bags also transferred without problem.

Going between different LCCs is bound to be a problem, the only way I can imagine transferring via transit desk and avoiding fees is hand luggage only with OLCI printed boarding pass for onward sector, but even then it may depend on airport procedures for the OLCI BP.

Indeed. Air Asia wont even transfer from one of their flights to another leg (in KL hub) unless you book their special service fare to do this.