Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Indonesia

Direct flight routes to Indonesia

Multiple non-stop routes connect major Australasian cities with Indonesian destinations.

• Perth to Denpasar: Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar – 3h 45m


• Darwin to Denpasar: Jetstar, Indonesia AirAsia – 2h 45m


• Sydney to Denpasar: Jetstar, Garuda Indonesia – 6h 15m


• Melbourne to Denpasar: Jetstar, Garuda Indonesia – 5h 55m


• Brisbane to Denpasar: Virgin Australia – 6h 35m

Layover/stopover options

Singapore Changi (SIN): Main hub for Singapore Airlines, offering reliable connections to multiple Indonesian cities. Average connection time 2-3 hours. Features free city tours for longer layovers and world-class terminal facilities.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia hub. Budget-friendly connections with typical 3-hour layovers. Offers convenient shuttle services between terminals.

Jakarta (CGK): Garuda Indonesia’s main hub. Minimum connection time 2 hours. Provides access to extensive domestic Indonesian network.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Layover options through Southeast Asian hubs often reduce costs by 20-40% but extend journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book direct flights 6-8 months ahead for best rates, especially during peak season (July-August, December-January)


• Consider overnight layovers in Singapore or KL to break up long journeys and explore additional cities


• Mid-week departures typically offer lower fares for both direct and layover options


• Combine different airlines for outbound and return flights to access better deals


• Morning arrivals in Indonesia generally face shorter immigration queues

• Scoot’s Perth-Bali route offers consistently low fares at 30-40% below market average, operating Boeing 787s with decent 31-inch pitch in economy. The downside is basic service with all extras charged separately, but upgrading to ScootPlus provides 38-inch pitch and meals for still less than full-service carriers.
• Flying via Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia X from Melbourne or Sydney to Indonesian destinations offers excellent value, with premium flatbed seats available for the price of regular economy on direct flights. Their A330-300s feature upgraded cabin products since January 2024, and connection times in KUL are typically under 3 hours.
• For Western Australia residents, Batik Air’s new Perth-Jakarta service launched in February 2024 provides direct access to Indonesia’s capital with competitive fares and full-service amenities. Their A320neo aircraft offer 32-inch pitch in economy and hot meals included.
• Jetstar’s Adelaide-Denpasar route is consistently priced 25% below market average, operating Boeing 787s with better-than-budget 31-inch pitch. The thrice-weekly frequency means less schedule flexibility, but morning departures allow convenient same-day connections to other Indonesian destinations.
• Consider Garuda Indonesia’s Brisbane-Denpasar service, which often has promotional fares matching low-cost carriers while providing full service and generous 34-inch pitch in economy. Their Airbus A330-300s offer superior comfort, and the route is currently underutilized, resulting in frequent fare sales.

1. Defaulting to Denpasar as the only gateway Travelers often overlook other Indonesian airports like Jakarta (CGK) or Surabaya (SUB) which can offer better connections and cheaper fares, especially when planning to visit other parts of Indonesia.
2. Booking during peak season without planning ahead The July-August and December-January periods see dramatically higher fares from Australia/NZ to Indonesia, yet many travelers wait until the last minute to book these popular times.
3. Ignoring transit time in Jakarta When connecting through Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport to other Indonesian destinations, passengers frequently book tight connections without considering the significant time needed to transfer between terminals.
4. Choosing the wrong airline alliance Many travelers stick to Qantas/Jetstar routes when Garuda Indonesia’s full-service offering or connecting flights through Singapore Airlines can provide better value and more comfortable service.
5. Not accounting for visa processing time Travelers often arrive at Australian or New Zealand airports without arranging their Indonesian visa in advance, not realizing that visa-on-arrival queues can take hours during peak periods.

Garuda Indonesia

Best for: Direct flights from most Australian cities with exceptional service quality and reliability.

Operates from 7 Australian/NZ airports to Indonesia, with Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth being the major hubs. Known for spacious Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and high-quality Indonesian and Western meals. Consistently rated above 4/5 by passengers for their attentive crew and punctuality. Most flights connect through Jakarta or Denpasar, offering minimal layover times.

Qantas

Best for: Premium Economy experience and extensive domestic connections within Australia.

Serves 5 departure points in Australia/NZ to Indonesia, primarily from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Economy passengers appreciate the superior meal quality and generous baggage allowance. Their partnership with Jetstar provides additional connection options. Average passenger rating of 4/5 for Indonesia routes, with particular praise for entertainment systems and crew professionalism.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior transit experience and highest-rated inflight service.

Operates from 8 Australasian airports, mainly Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with efficient connections through Singapore. Features award-winning catering and one of the newest aircraft fleets. Economy Class offers 32-inch seat pitch and extensive entertainment options. Despite the layover in Singapore, total journey times remain competitive, and the airline maintains a 4.5/5 passenger rating.

Jetstar

Best for: Budget-friendly direct flights with most frequent scheduling.

Services 6 departure cities in Australia/NZ, primarily from Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth. While operating as a low-cost carrier, it offers reasonable comfort with 29-30 inch seat pitch and options to purchase meals. Maintains 3.8/5 passenger rating for Indonesia routes, with highest marks for value for money and schedule reliability. Most flights are direct to Denpasar (Bali).

Regional airlines offer smart savings for Indonesia travel

Savvy travelers from Australia and New Zealand can significantly reduce their travel costs to Indonesia by strategically using regional APAC carriers instead of major airlines. This approach often saves 30-40% on standard fares while providing more routing options.

Key money-saving strategies

1. Break the journey in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur – Use budget carriers like Scoot or AirAsia to these hubs, then connect to Indonesian destinations via regional carriers like Lion Air or Batik Air
2. Mix and match airlines – Book separate tickets on different carriers rather than using a single airline’s connection, potentially saving hundreds of dollars
3. Utilize secondary airports – Consider flying into alternative Indonesian airports like Lombok instead of Bali, or Medan instead of Jakarta, often at lower costs
4. Time your bookings – Regional carriers typically release their best fares 3-4 months before departure, particularly for routes from Singapore and Malaysia to Indonesia

While this approach requires more planning and potentially longer travel times, the savings can be substantial. Remember to factor in baggage fees and connection times when calculating total costs, as regional carriers often have stricter policies than full-service airlines.