TransNusa has upgraded its Bali–Phuket service to daily operations from 3 October 2026, adding one frequency to the four-times-weekly schedule it launched on 9 September. The route makes Bali one of the most directly connected Indonesian islands to mainland Southeast Asia, with a straightforward hop that avoids transiting through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
The Route Details
Flight 8B541 departs Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar at 11:30 and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 14:35 on an Airbus A320. The return service leaves Phuket at 15:15 and lands back in Bali at 20:20.
The upgrade to daily frequency follows strong load factors during the initial launch period. The route is operated under a memorandum of understanding between TransNusa and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, with both sides aiming to grow traffic in the wellness, cruise, and MICE segments alongside leisure travel.
What This Means for Travellers
Until September 2026, no airline flew Bali–Phuket as a standalone nonstop - the standard option involved connecting through Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok, adding three to five hours to journey times. The new daily schedule offers a genuine option for combining both islands in a single trip without long stopovers.
The Bali–Phuket pairing is well established among independent travellers. The route also opens a one-stop Asia loop: fly into Bali, travel overland through Indonesia, then exit from Denpasar to Phuket and continue north through Southeast Asia, or reverse it.
TransNusa also operates a twice-daily Jakarta–Bangkok service launched in August 2026, giving Indonesia two direct city pairs with Thailand for the first time.
Booking and Planning
Fares on the new route start from around IDR 1,200,000 (approximately $75) one way, depending on how far ahead you book. Tickets are available through TransNusa’s website and the main booking aggregators.
If you are arriving from another Indonesian island to connect in Denpasar, check our Bali airport transfer guide for transfer options between domestic and international terminals. Ngurah Rai handles both in the same complex, with a roughly 10-minute walk between arrivals halls.
For travellers planning their way into Indonesia from abroad, our flights to Indonesia guide covers the main international gateways and typical booking windows for the best fares.