Bali is Indonesia’s only majority Hindu province. As a country, Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim nation, and as such, Eid al-Fitr is the biggest religious festival of the year.
This year, Eid al-Fitr will be observed in Indonesia on the 21st March, and millions of people will be moving throughout the country to spend time with loved ones.
In Indonesia, the mass movement of people for Eid al-Fitr is referred to as ‘homecoming,’ and it is estimated that as many as 1.7 million people will be departing from Bali to travel home to celebrate with their loved ones. Bali is home to more than a million Indonesian people who hail from other islands and provinces.
The outgoing flow of people is expected to start on the 17th March. For domestic travellers, both departing from or travelling to Bali for Eid al-Fitr, there are some more factors to consider. On 19th March, Bali will fall still and silent to observe Nyepi Day.
From 6 am on 19th March through to 6 am on the 20th March, no one will be permitted to leave their homes or accommodation, unless in a medical emergency, to observe the Balinese Hindu holy day of silence.
While Nyepi only lasts 24 hours, the impact on transport and travel can be felt from the night before. Typically, transportation services and village road closures start to come into effect from 3-4 pm, though some facilities close as early as midday the day before Nyepi.
Speaking to reporters in Denpasar this week, the Head of the Bali Transportation Agency, Kadek Mudarta, told reporters, “The number of people leaving Bali for Eid al-Fitr 2025 was 1.658 million, this year (2026) it will increase by approximately 4 percent (to 1.724 million), and we predict the peak of the homecoming flow will be 17th March.”
Mudarta explained that based on the annual travel patterns, the peak of the homecoming flow on March 17th will see the number of passengers and vehicles entering and leaving the city increase by 4 percent compared to 2025, with 30,000 vehicles and 170,000 passengers, or approximately 31,200 vehicles and 176,800 people.
Mudarta told reporters that both I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Bali’s Gilimanuk Harbour will be impacted by this increased movement of people. He explained, “The peak at Gilimanuk Harbor began on 16th March and then on 17th March. “
“There’s a slight difference nationally because in Bali, Nyepi is a holiday that people anticipate, so it tends to be earlier than in other places where Nyepi isn’t celebrated, especially with the Pengerupukan series, so there’s already movement.”
He confirmed that the Eid al-Fitr Transportation Post will be in place until 29th March 29, with total movement in and out of Bali projected at 365,000 vehicles and 2.468 million passengers.
Mudarta noted that contingency plans and traffic flow buffer zones have been put in place to help ease any potential traffic congestion.
Mudarta concluded, “Buffer zones are in place in several areas, including the logistics port, Cekik, and the terminal. Several buffer zones have been prepared. A delay system is also in place, with travelers being diverted to alternative routes to prevent congestion on national roads.”
Traffic jams in Bali already have a huge impact on local people and tourists every day of the week. With this in mind, tourists who are set to be in Bali over Eid al-Fitr are advised to be prepared for even more traffic and to plan their travel accordingly.
Local police forces have already confirmed that more traffic officers will be stationed at the most congestion-prone areas. Badung Police, who oversee destinations like Canggu, Uluwatu, and Seminyak, told reporters this week that increased patrols will take place over Nyepi and over Eid al-Fitr.
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