BALI, Indonesia — Traveling between two of Southeast Asia’s most iconic island destinations is about to become much easier.
Indonesian airline TransNusa has announced a new non-stop route between Bali and Phuket, giving travelers a direct connection between Indonesia’s cultural heart and Thailand’s largest island without the need to transit through another city.
The new service, scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026, reflects growing demand for multi-country travel across Southeast Asia as more visitors combine several destinations into a single trip.
“With the launch of this new route, TransNusa now operates four scheduled international services from Bali, connecting the island with Perth, Singapore, Guangzhou, and now Phuket,” said Datuk Bernard Francis, Chief Executive Officer of TransNusa Group.
Linking Two of Asia’s Most Popular Island Destinations
For decades, Bali and Phuket have ranked among Asia’s most visited island escapes, each attracting millions of international travelers every year.
While Bali is celebrated for its centuries-old Hindu culture, rice terraces, volcanoes and wellness retreats, Phuket has built its reputation around white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, island-hopping adventures and vibrant nightlife.
Until now, traveling between the two destinations often required lengthy connections through cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok.
The new direct service is expected to make twin-destination holidays significantly more convenient for international visitors exploring Southeast Asia.
Designed for Modern Travelers
TransNusa said the route is expected to appeal to a wide range of travelers, including holidaymakers, families, business travelers, digital nomads and adventure seekers looking to experience two of the region’s most distinctive tourism destinations.
Beyond tourism, the airline believes the new connection will strengthen business ties and cultural exchanges between Indonesia and Thailand.
Flight Schedule
The new Bali–Phuket service will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Flight 8B541 will depart Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 8:50 a.m. (WITA) and arrive at Phuket International Airport at 11:50 a.m. local time.
The return service, Flight 8B542, departs Phuket at 1:50 p.m. local time, arriving back in Bali at 6:50 p.m. (WITA).
Flights will be operated using an Airbus A320 configured with 174 seats, with a journey time of approximately four hours.
Tickets Already on Sale
Tickets for the new route have been available since July 3, with introductory one-way fares starting from Rp2,999,000.
Passengers can choose from several fare options, including standard seating, upgraded seating and the airline’s Flexi-Pro package, which includes additional checked baggage, complimentary meals and drinks, priority boarding, seat selection, and greater flexibility for flight changes.
Bali Continues to Expand Its International Connectivity
The Phuket announcement follows TransNusa’s recent launch of a Jakarta–Bangkok route, which is scheduled to begin operating in August.
According to Bernard Francis, additional international and domestic routes are expected before the end of 2026 as the airline continues expanding its network.
“Our strategy is to continue strengthening Bali as one of TransNusa’s key international hubs,” he said.
For travelers, the new route offers more than just another flight. It creates a faster and more convenient way to combine two of Southeast Asia’s most sought-after island destinations in a single journey.
