How to Get to Timor-Leste: Flights, Ferries and Land Border

Flights to Dili at a glance

Four cities have direct flights to Dili: Darwin, Denpasar (Bali), Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Everything else connects through one of them. The schedule below is as of September 2026; smaller airlines change their timetables often, so check before you book.

Aero Dili also flies to Xiamen and Fuzhou in China, and domestically to Oecusse.

Which route should you take?

From Australia, fly via Darwin; from almost anywhere else, Bali is the easiest connection. Bali has the most flights to Dili and the most connections onwards to Europe, Asia and Australia.

• Australia: Darwin is the shortest hop. From the east coast, compare Darwin with Bali, as Bali can be cheaper.
• Europe, the Middle East, South Asia: Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, or any hub to Bali.
• North Asia: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Aero Dili's China flights.
• Budget travellers already in Indonesia: fly Bali–Dili, or take the bus from Kupang.

Arriving at Dili airport

The airport is about 15 minutes from the centre and a taxi costs USD 15 or more. Have USD 30 in cash ready for the visa on arrival if you need one, and your arrival declaration QR code on your phone. The Dili airport guide covers what happens after you land.

Overland from Indonesian West Timor

Buses run daily from Kupang to Dili and take 12 to 14 hours, crossing at Mota'ain (Indonesia) and Batugade (Timor-Leste). The border is open in daytime only.

You cannot get the visa on arrival at the land border. Most nationalities must first get a Visa Application Authorisation from a Timor-Leste embassy or consulate, such as the consulate in Kupang. Our Kupang to Dili overland guide explains each step.

A Kupang–Dili flight by Wings Air was announced for 2026 but was not confirmed as operating when we checked.

By sea

There are no scheduled international passenger ferries to Timor-Leste. Cruise ships and private yachts arrive at Dili seaport, where the visa on arrival is available.