Indonesia unveils $20bn Bali Metro project to transform Travel and tackle Tourism woes

Bali, Indonesia (Metro Rail Today): Bali, Southeast Asia’s most visited island, is taking bold steps to reshape its future. With over 15.4 million visitors annually, the island paradise has long been celebrated for its stunning beaches, sacred temples, emerald rice terraces, and Instagram-worthy waterfalls. However, its skyrocketing popularity has brought growing pains—severe traffic congestion, overcrowded infrastructure, and increasing concerns about unruly tourist behavior.

To address these issues and preserve the island’s cultural heritage, Bali has launched the $20 billion Bali Mass Rapid Transit project, also known as the Bali Urban Subway. This underground railway is expected to dramatically reduce commute times and support sustainable tourism, while adhering to Bali’s strict architectural laws that prohibit buildings from exceeding the height of a coconut tree.

The ambitious project officially broke ground in September 2024 and will be constructed in four phases, with completion targets extending through 2031. Once finished, the subway will provide a direct underground link between I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and major resort destinations in southern Bali, transforming the way both tourists and locals navigate the island.

“In Bali, we face a unique challenge. We cannot build upward due to cultural regulations, and road expansion is limited by the presence of sacred temples. The only solution is to build downward,” explained Evan Maksum of Indonesia’s National Planning Agency.

Key Features of the Bali Metro (Urban Subway)

The Bali Urban Subway will initially serve the Denpasar metropolitan area, home to a dense population and the island’s major commercial and cultural hubs. At full capacity, it is expected to handle more than a million commuters daily, significantly easing the road traffic that currently leads to two- to three-hour journeys to the airport during peak times.

• Transit Type: Rapid underground transit

• Lines: 2 under construction, 2 in planning

• System Length: 18.3 miles (under construction), 37.3 miles (planned)

• Top Speed: 62.14 miles per hour

The subway will be developed in four progressive phases:

• Phase 1 (16 km): Airport – Sentral Parkir Kuta – Seminyak – Berawa – Cemagi (completion target: 2028)

• Phase 2 (13.5 km): Airport – Jimbaran – Unud – Nusa Dua (completion target: 2031)

• Phase 3: Kuta Sentral Parkir – Sesetan – Renon – Sanur (currently under feasibility study)

• Phase 4: Renon – Sukawati – Ubud (currently under feasibility study)

A Cultural and Economic Turning Point

Bali’s commitment to underground transit reflects both a respect for tradition and a forward-thinking approach to tourism management. The underground system ensures that sacred sites remain untouched while giving locals and tourists a modern, efficient transportation alternative.

Post-COVID, Bali has experienced a rapid resurgence in travel. Tourism revenue is expected to reach $22.1 billion in 2025, a 26% increase from 2024, underlining the urgency of infrastructure that can match rising demand.

Beyond reducing traffic, the new subway system is also anticipated to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the overall travel experience—making airport-to-resort transfers smoother and faster than ever before.

As Bali prepares to open its underground railway to the world, this massive infrastructure effort promises to make the island more accessible, sustainable, and culturally preserved—securing its place not just as a tropical escape, but as a global model for smart tourism development.