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Bali Fuel Shortage October 2026: What Visitors Need to Know
Heading to Bali or already there? Here is a simple guide to the October 2026 Bali fuel shortage, what it means for your holiday, and easy tips for families and older travellers. Information current as of 16 October 2026. Conditions are changing quickly, so please keep an eye on official updates.
Bali Style Tours
10/16/20264 min read
Heading to Bali or already there? Here is a simple guide to the October 2026 Bali fuel shortage, what it means for your holiday, and easy tips for families and older travellers.
Information current as of 16 October 2026. Conditions are changing quickly, so please keep an eye on official updates.
If you are holidaying in Bali right now, or you have a trip coming up soon, you might have seen photos of long queues at petrol stations popping up online. It can be a bit worrying, especially with little ones in tow. The good news is that supply is improving, flights are normal, and with a bit of planning you can still have a lovely, relaxed holiday.
Quick facts
What: A shortage of Pertalite and Pertamax petrol across parts of Bali
When: Started around 11 October 2026
Flights: Running as normal at Ngurah Rai airport
Getting around: Taxis, Grab, Gojek and transfers may be slower, and some rides get cancelled
National supply: Not a national shortage. Reserves are reported as enough for 18 to 20 days
Latest: Supply is improving as of 16 October, though some servos may still run short
Advice: Do not cancel your trip. Keep outings to a minimum and allow extra time
[Image: massive scooter queue at a Pertamina servo in Bali, credit South China Morning Post (SCMP)]
What Is Happening
Since around 11 October 2026, many petrol stations across Bali have been running low on Pertalite and Pertamax, the two most common types of petrol on the island. Locals rely on scooters and cars for everything, so queues formed quickly. Some have stretched for over a kilometre.
Schools in Denpasar moved their classes online from 15 to 17 October, and Udayana University along with some other universities also switched to online learning to cut down on travel.
Why It Happened
There was not just one cause. A few things came together at the same time:
A tanker problem: A fuel tanker had a technical problem with its anchor, which delayed unloading at the Manggis and Sanggaran fuel terminals.
Bad weather: Rough seas and poor weather made deliveries by ship harder.
Higher demand: Daily use of subsidised Pertalite rose to about 2,200 kilolitres, up from about 2,000 to 2,100 kilolitres.
Panic buying: As photos of the queues spread online, more people rushed to fill up, which made the shortage worse.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has urged people not to panic buy. He also said the MotoGP event in Lombok was not the cause of the shortage, despite some talk online.
Which Areas Are Affected
Queues have been reported in many parts of the island, including:
Denpasar
Badung (which covers popular spots like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua)
Tabanan
Gianyar, including Ubud
Klungkung
Jembrana
Not every servo is affected at once, and things change daily.
What It Means for Your Holiday
For most visitors, the biggest change is that getting around takes longer.
Flights are running as normal
Flights at Ngurah Rai airport have not been affected. Aviation fuel comes through a separate supply, so planes are still coming and going as usual.
Taxis, Grab and Gojek may be slower
There have been reports of Grab and Gojek rides being cancelled, and taxis can be harder to find. Drivers may be stuck in fuel queues themselves, so waiting times can be longer than usual.
Transfers may take longer
Airport and hotel transfers may take longer than normal. Build in extra time, especially on the day you fly home.
Your plans might need a little shuffle
Longer day trips might need to be moved or swapped for something closer, so keep your plans flexible.
[Image: police officer managing the crowd at a Pertamina servo queue in Bali, credit Terra Cultura]
Practical Tips for Families and Older Travellers
Whether you are wrangling school aged kids or enjoying a slower trip with friends, these tips will help keep things calm.
Keep things simple and local
Keep outings to a minimum for now and stick to the trips that really matter to you.
Stay close to your hotel and explore what is nearby. Many areas have great cafes, beaches, shops and spas within a short walk or quick drive.
Enjoy the pool and the resort. A few lazy days by the water is never a bad thing, and the kids will love it.
Skip long scooter trips. Fuel can be hard to find out on the road, and you do not want to get stuck with an empty tank.
Plan ahead and allow extra time
Plan your travel ahead where you can, especially airport runs and any booked activities.
Allow extra time for every trip. Leaving early takes the stress out of delays.
Pack for possible delays
Keep water and snacks handy in case a trip takes longer than planned. Stick to bottled or filtered water.
Bring kids' entertainment like books, colouring, cards or a tablet with downloaded shows.
Keep phones charged and carry a power bank so you can stay in touch and check updates.
Stay informed
Follow official updates from local authorities and trusted news outlets.
Do not rely on rumours shared on social media, as these can spread worry and lead to more panic buying.
Should You Cancel Your Trip?
In short, no. Officials have advised tourists not to cancel their plans, and supply is improving. This is not a national shortage, and reserves across Indonesia are reported as enough for 18 to 20 days. Hotels and resorts are open, and Bali is still the warm, welcoming place you love.
If you are a nervous traveller, it is completely understandable to feel a bit uneasy. The best approach is to go ahead with your holiday, keep your plans flexible, and choose a slower pace for the first few days while things settle down.
Latest Update and Outlook
Pertamina, Indonesia's state fuel company, has been running deliveries around the clock and has added extra tanker trucks to get petrol out to the servos. Police have also escorted tanker convoys to help them get through safely. Extra fuel shipments arrived on 12, 14 and 16 October.
As of 16 October, supply is improving across the island. Some individual servos may still run short from time to time, so a little patience is still needed. Things are moving in the right direction, and every new shipment helps.
A Final Word
The Balinese have been doing it tough this week, so a bit of patience and kindness from visitors goes a long way.
Let's hope the condition gets better very soon. In the meantime, take it easy, stay close to home base, enjoy the slower pace and look after each other. Take care, and enjoy your time on this beautiful island.