How to Execute a Bali Visa Run & Have a Short Holiday in Singapore

If you’ve been to Bali, Indonesia for long-term stays or holidays, you are probably familiar with Visa Runs; which is to fly or get out of the country any way you can to renew your visa. I have been asked many times about Bali Visa Runs before by fellow travellers and friends due to my long-term affection for Bali.

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If you plan to do it for the first time, let me guide you through the process of executing a Bali Visa Run while having a Short Holiday Getaway in Singapore.

Why do you need to do Visa Runs?

Whatever your Visa is, you will need to do a Visa Run if your Visa is expiring and you want to stay longer in Indonesia. A Bali Visa Run is basically crossing borders and visiting the Indonesian embassy or an agent to renew a Visa. In the 17 000 islands archipelago though, the only land borders are with Malaysia in Borneo, Timor Leste or with Papua New Guinea.

Usually, foreigners who stay for a long period of time in Bali will fly to surrounding countries, most of the time to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The number 1 advantage of coming to Singapore is that you can renew your Visa in half a day using the services of an agent.

Check the Visa regulations that apply to your country on the Indonesian embassy website. Several kinds of visas are available, including Visa on Arrival, 2-month tourist visa, 2-month Social Visa if sponsored by an Indonesian national, working visas, or even a 1-month free stay for some countries.

You might be able to extend it for a limited time within the country, but do note that regulations change quite often and that overstaying can cost you a lot of money. There have been rumours that the Indonesian Government is raising the fine for a 1 day overstay from 300 000 Rupiahs to a million Rupiahs a day!

How much time do you need?

Usually, visa agents will welcome you in their office in the morning around 9 am, and you can pick up your passport with the renewed Visa on the same day by 5 PM.

Some people would just go on the earliest flight and return back to Bali on the last flight within the same day. It is doable unless your flights are delayed. As for me, I would rather spend one night in sunny Singapore to do a little shopping & sightseeing and not take any risks.

• Tip: The Indonesian Embassy will be closed on Singaporean and Indonesian holidays. Avoid Saturday and Sunday as it will be closed too. It might sound silly, but trust me it happens on a regular basis to the people I know!

I have used the services of the visa agency Hana Express, they are very efficient and professional. They are located in the CBD area of Singapore on Tras Street.

• Tip: Prepare all your documents in advance and make sure you come early in the morning to meet the deadline. Hana Express opens at 8.30 am and there is an 11 am deadline if you want your Visa renewed before 5 pm.

Flights from Bali to Singapore

Many airlines fly daily from Bali airport (DPS) to Singapore (SIN). The most commonly used are AirAsia and Jetstar. You can find return flights for around 150 SGD on budget airlines but keep in mind that in high season such as in July, August and Singapore Public Holidays, prices can skyrocket.

Compare flights on the Jetradar widget above, to find cheap flights with low prices.

A few weeks ago, I flew with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and enjoyed a full meal, in-flight entertainment, checked in baggage as well as a hand carry which costs significantly cheaper than all the other budget airlines. I guess I was lucky though.

For the adventurous ones with little budget but have loads of time, here is a well-kept secret: you can take a domestic flight from Bali to Batam island, which is part of Indonesia that is very close to Singapore, and then hop on a 45-minute ferry.

It might save you some money, but will definitely be more time-consuming.

Getting around in Singapore

The Lion City has a very efficient subway service or better known as MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). The map is clear, trains are frequent and clean. You can top up your ticket before each trip, with the exact amount needed for your ride.

From the airport, you can take the Green Line to Tanah Merah, and then change to the other branch of the green line to go downtown.

Alternatively, if you arrive late at night, you can grab a taxi from the airport, or use the Grab app.

• Tip: If you’re on a budget, use the GrabShare option, to share the ride with users you don’t know. Or the GrabHitch (book it at least 10 minutes in advance) options, that will lower the cost of your ride

Where to sleep in Singapore

Booking.com


For backpackers or easy travellers, the free solution is to sleep at the airport. I have done it a few times. All you need to do is find some comfortable corner at the many resting areas at the Changi Airport to grab a few winks.

Avoid resting or sleeping at the Arrivals, security officers would wake you up to escort you to the immigration counter.

Hotel 81 Palace

If you are looking for a cheap hotel room, I recommend the Hotel 81 chain. Nothing luxurious, rooms are very basic and small, but clean enough, with air conditioning and a window for around 50 USD. I stayed at Hotel 81 Palace and Hotel 81 Geylang before.

• Do Note: Geylang is the Red Light District of Singapore. It is relatively a very safe area filled with cheap 24-hour eateries and an area that never sleeps. I love to hang out here for food and enjoying the sights. If you are uncomfortable, the Hotel 81 chain has many other hotels in different areas of Singapore. 🙂

There are also hostels scattered around Singapore notably in Little India. Hostels are a cheap option, however, it can be noisy sometimes with the constant movement of people throughout the day and night!

Note that Airbnb is pretty much illegal in Singapore, other options are crashing at a friend’s place or taking your chances on the Couchsurfing website.

Where to eat

If you are Singaporean, you will probably be surprised to know that whenever one of our friends goes to Singapore on a Visa Run, we don’t greet them with “Have a safe trip” but “Enjoy the food!”

To expats or long-term tourists in Indonesia, Singapore is a food paradise. Go to Little India to enjoy a tasty cheap Indian meal, or to one of the many food centres around the city for more variety. Chicken rice to Chilli Crab, you will be spoilt for choice.

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Basically, you can find almost anything your tummy desires. From sushi to raclette, vegan options to high-end fine dining, Singapore can satisfy any cravings!

What to do and where to go shopping

You could visit the city, but most of the time, I will spend my day to eat and do a little shopping.

Alternatively, you can go to the cinema, it is a nice way to kill time in an air-conditioned place in humid Singapore! There are many cinemas around the city.

For shopping, just head to Orchard road, where you will find loads of malls, for clothes, beauty products or pharmacies.

For groceries, you can visit Cold Storage Supermarket, where you can buy products from the French supermarket brand Casino, (for a French lady who is missing some of her favourite snacks 😛 ) or NTUC FairPrice, where you will find Tesco products, highly recommended if you want to bring good and cheap chocolate back to Indonesia! You will often find either supermarket in one of the many malls in Singapore.

Among the many malls in Singapore, I love to visit City Square mall that has among others a Decathlon, Uniqlo and a Cotton On. The plus point is that there is the famously low prices Mustafa Centre next door which you can shop for almost anything from jewellery to electronics as well as groceries. Mustafa Centre is also 24 hours and there are travel related services as well as a money changer there too.

There is a saying, “If you can’t find it at Mustafa, it doesn’t exist.”

To round it all up, here are my tips and experiences in executing a Bali Visa Run. Ready for yours? Hope my tips have been useful and informative.

• Related: Our Guide to Canggu
• Related: How to Execute a Thai Visa Run & Have a Short Holiday in Penang

Enjoy Singapore….and the Food!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are the author’s and in no way reflect the views and/or opinions of Fat Starfish.

Featured image by Erwin Soo