Quick summary
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) closes completely from 6:00 AM March 18 to 6:00 AM March 19, 2026, for Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence—canceling all 250 daily flights and stranding approximately 40,000 passengers. No commercial arrivals, no departures, no exceptions. Airlines including Garuda, Qantas, and Singapore Airlines offer fee-free rebooking to March 17 or 19 with 14+ days’ notice.
The 2026 closure overlaps with Eid al-Fitr congestion (March 20–21), compressing the entire March 16–22 window into peak disruption territory. Rescheduling costs, hotel compliance requirements, and diversion protocols for delayed flights all factor into the decision.
If your Bali itinerary includes a March 18, 2026 arrival, your flight will not land. Ngurah Rai International Airport shuts down for 24 consecutive hours—6:00 AM March 18 to 6:00 AM March 19—eliminating all 250 daily flights serving the island. This is not reduced capacity or delayed operations. It is a total commercial aviation blackout affecting roughly 40,000 passengers, enforced annually for Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu Day of Silence.
The fix is straightforward: land on March 17 or depart on March 19. Airlines operating DPS routes—Garuda Indonesia, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, Lufthansa—confirm fee-free rebooking when requested 14 or more days before departure. Wait longer, and change fees of $200–500 apply. For travelers departing from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand between now and mid-March 2026, the window to reschedule without penalty is closing.
Air Traveler Club’s route disruption monitoring across 60+ Asia-Pacific destinations flagged the 2026 Nyepi overlap with Eid al-Fitr as an elevated-risk period, with March 16–22 showing 25% higher passenger volumes than typical March weeks.
What happens on the ground during Nyepi
Nyepi is not merely an airport closure—it is an island-wide standstill. Bali Provincial Regulation mandates complete silence: no vehicle movement, no outdoor activity, no visible lights after dark. Traditional security officers called pecalang patrol streets to enforce compliance. Even tourists already checked into hotels must remain on property for the full 24 hours.
Internet and mobile service face 50–80% throttling during the observance period. Hotel WiFi may function at reduced speeds, but cellular data becomes largely unusable. Download offline maps, entertainment, and any essential documents before March 18.
Major resorts in Nusa Dua, Seminyak, and Ubud—roughly 85% of internationally branded properties—provide 24-hour room service and on-site dining throughout Nyepi. However, independent villas and smaller guesthouses in village areas frequently lack backup generators, full kitchens, or sufficient food stocks. Confirm your hotel’s Nyepi compliance directly before booking. If your accommodation cannot guarantee meals and power for 24 hours, switch properties.
Zero violations in modern history
Bali’s Nyepi airport closure has maintained a 100% compliance record across every year of implementation. No commercial flight has ever been granted an exception. The 2025 closure on March 29 proceeded identically, with airlines canceling all scheduled services and diverting any aircraft still airborne to Surabaya (SUB) or Lombok (LOP).
The Eid overlap that compounds everything
In 2026, Nyepi falls just two days before the estimated start of Eid al-Fitr (March 20–21), creating a compressed travel surge across Indonesian aviation. Daily passenger volumes at DPS spike from a typical 25,000 to approximately 31,000 during March 16–22, as both cultural events drive simultaneous demand. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation Nyepi advisory, travelers should expect elevated congestion on all domestic and international routes through the region during this period.
This overlap means March 19 departures—the first flights after Nyepi reopens—face a 30% capacity surge as stranded passengers, Eid travelers, and rescheduled itineraries converge simultaneously. Booking March 19 departures early is critical; waiting until the week before guarantees inflated fares and limited availability.
For travelers with flexible schedules, our analysis of Asia flight pricing trends in 2026 shows that departing March 15 or arriving March 23 yields 15–20% lower fares compared to the congested March 16–22 window.
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Rescheduling by route: what to expect
The cost and ease of rescheduling varies significantly depending on your origin. Long-haul flights from North America and Europe require 18–22 hours of travel time, meaning a March 17 arrival demands departing your home city on March 15 or 16. Factor this into your adjusted plans.
| Route | Arrive Mar 17 (USD) | Depart Mar 19 (USD) | Seat Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAX–DPS (Qantas) | $1,250 | $1,280 | High |
| SYD–DPS (Jetstar) | $450 | $470 | Medium |
| LHR–DPS (Garuda) | $1,100 | $1,150 | Low |
| YVR–DPS (Air Canada) | $1,400 | $1,420 | High |
| FRA–DPS (Lufthansa) | $950 | $980 | Medium |
London–Bali shows the tightest availability because Garuda operates fewer weekly frequencies on this route. European travelers may find better options routing through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, where carriers like Singapore Airlines and Scoot offer more flexible scheduling with daily DPS connections.
Australian travelers have the easiest adjustment. SYD–DPS and MEL–DPS routes operate multiple daily frequencies on Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia, with sub-$500 roundtrips still available for March 17 arrivals.
When rescheduling gets complicated
March 17 arrivals landing after midday face a secondary problem. Ground transport and local services in some areas begin winding down by early evening on March 17 as Nyepi preparations intensify. Travelers on long-haul flights arriving at DPS after 4:00 PM on March 17 should pre-arrange airport transfers directly through their hotel—ride-hailing apps become unreliable by evening.
If your March 17 flight is delayed into March 18, the aircraft will be diverted. Historical precedent shows diversions route to Surabaya’s Juanda Airport (SUB) or Lombok’s Zainuddin Abdul Majid Airport (LOP). Airlines rebook diverted passengers onto the first available March 19 service, but expect 24–48 hours of ground time at the diversion airport with limited accommodation options.
Medical emergencies represent the only exception to the total closure. Private medevac flights can operate with prior approval from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, but these permits are rarely granted and require coordination through embassy channels. Standard travel insurance medical evacuation clauses do not override the NOTAM closure.
Your pre-Nyepi checklist
- Reschedule immediately if arriving March 18. Contact your airline for fee-free rebooking to March 17 or 19. The 14-day fee waiver deadline for March 18 flights is March 4, 2026.
- Confirm hotel Nyepi compliance. Call your property directly and ask about 24-hour meal service, generator backup, and guest activity policies. Villas in rural areas are highest risk for service gaps.
- Download everything offline. Maps, translation apps, entertainment, boarding passes, hotel confirmations. Cellular data will be heavily restricted for 24 hours.
- Book March 17 airport transfers in advance. Pre-arranged hotel shuttles are the only reliable option after mid-afternoon. Do not rely on Grab or Gojek availability.
- Avoid the March 19–20 departure crush. If departing Bali, consider March 21 or later to bypass the combined Nyepi reopening and Eid surge that floods the airport with 30% above-normal passenger volumes.
Questions? Answers.
What happens if my March 17 flight is delayed and lands during the closure?
Your aircraft will be diverted to Surabaya (SUB) or Lombok (LOP). Airlines rebook passengers onto the first March 19 departure from Bali, but you may spend 24–48 hours at the diversion airport. Travel insurance covering trip interruption can offset hotel and meal costs at the diversion point.
Do Bali resorts actually stay open during Nyepi?
Yes—approximately 85% of internationally branded resorts provide room service, buffet dining, and indoor activities throughout the 24-hour period. However, pools are typically closed after dark, exterior lights are switched off, and no beach access is permitted. Confirm specific policies with your property before arrival.
Does the closure affect other Indonesian airports?
No. Nyepi is a Bali-specific observance. Jakarta (CGK), Surabaya (SUB), Yogyakarta (YIA), Lombok (LOP), and all other Indonesian airports operate normally on March 18. Only Ngurah Rai (DPS) suspends operations.
Can I fly a private jet or charter into Bali during Nyepi?
No. The NOTAM covers all commercial and general aviation. Private charter operations require a special DGCA permit that is rarely granted. Cargo flights are also suspended for the full 24 hours.
When is Nyepi in 2027?
Nyepi follows the Balinese Saka lunar calendar and shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year. The 2027 date is expected around March 8, 2027. Build a 2-day buffer around the projected date when planning future Bali trips.
Should I avoid the entire March 16–22 week in 2026?
Not necessarily, but expect congestion and elevated fares. The Nyepi-Eid overlap creates peak demand across all Indonesian routes. Arriving by March 15 or departing after March 23 avoids the worst of the surge and typically saves 15–20% on airfare compared to mid-week bookings.
