Bali has extended odd-even petrol rationing to Friday 23 October after a week of queues; purchases are capped at 20 litres per car and 3 per motorcycle.
Cover image: A Pertamina filling station in Bali (file photo) — photo by Yoshi Canopus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bali has extended odd-even fuel rationing to Friday 23 October, after more than a week of petrol queues disrupted travel across the Indonesian resort island. The rule, which limits when each vehicle may buy subsidised Pertalite petrol, began on Saturday 17 October and was due to end on Monday 19 October, Antara reported, adding that it would stay under review. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on 19 October that the fleet carrying fuel to Bali had risen from three ships to seven, and that reserves covered 11 to 12 days of demand against his 15-day target.
As of 19 October 2026, queues were easing. The Jakarta Post said lines shortened on Sunday in Denpasar and Badung but stayed long in Buleleng and Jembrana, in the north and west. Governor Wayan Koster said on 16 October that "so far, tourism is safe", but conceded the disruption "has reduced activity".
What are the fuel rules in Bali now?
The odd-even rule covers cars and motorcycles across the province, Bali Discovery reported, citing the state fuel distributor Pertamina Patra Niaga. Plates ending in an odd digit may buy Pertalite on odd-numbered dates, and even plates on even dates. Under the odd-even rule, even plates may buy on 20 and 22 October and odd plates on 21 and 23 October.
Fills are capped at 20 litres per car and 3 litres per motorcycle. The Jakarta Globe reported on 17 October that the caps would stay until supplies return to normal.
| Measure | Detail | Status as of 19 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Odd-even plate rule | Pertalite purchases by plate digit; cars and motorcycles | Extended to Friday 23 October; under review |
| Purchase caps | 20 litres per car; 3 litres per motorcycle | Until supplies return to normal (reported 17 October) |
| Goods trucks | Refuel at night only | End date not disclosed |
| 24-hour stations | 66: 42 in Denpasar, 24 in Badung | End date not disclosed |
How are visitors and tour operators affected?
The worst disruption was reported in Denpasar, Badung and the tourist areas of South Kuta, Canggu and Ubud, the Jakarta Globe said on 15 October.
For ground operators, the rules bite on every vehicle that runs on Pertalite: a car can buy it only on alternate days, 20 litres at a time, and a scooter 3 litres.
Koster said the government had "not yet calculated the impact, but it is certainly affecting activities". AP reported that he also blamed road congestion for slowing deliveries, on an island where registered vehicles now outnumber residents. The province moved affected civil servants to remote work and classes online from 15 to 17 October. Our guide to whether Bali is safe in 2026 covers the island's other risks.
What caused the Bali fuel shortage?
Officials call it a distribution problem, not a lack of fuel. "This is purely a distribution issue," Laode Sulaeman, the energy ministry's director-general of oil and gas, told AP on 14 October.
He said a tanker had an anchor problem while preparing to unload, and rough seas slowed shipments to the Sanggaran terminal in Denpasar and the Manggis terminal in east Bali. AP added that panic-buying of subsidised Pertalite worsened the strain. According to Antara, Koster said a ship carrying 18 million litres was due on the morning of Sunday 11 October but arrived around 10pm, and that limited tanker trucks and staff slowed the recovery.
AP noted Indonesia's wider difficulty securing fuel imports amid shipping disruption linked to tensions in West Asia, but officials said Bali's queues were not caused by global energy markets.
Is Bali's fuel supply returning to normal?
Partly. By Sunday queues had "gradually eased", according to the Jakarta Post. "We have seen positive developments on the first day of the odd-even refueling policy," said Ahad Rahedi of Pertamina Patra Niaga.
Pertamina Patra Niaga delivered an extra 48 million litres of Pertalite between 7 and 17 October, Antara reported, and about 100 soldiers and police were helping to staff stations, according to the Jakarta Globe.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Bali during the fuel shortage?
Governor Wayan Koster said on 16 October that "so far, tourism is safe", while acknowledging that the queues had reduced activity. As of 19 October 2026, queues were easing, though on 18 October the Jakarta Post still reported long lines in Buleleng and Jembrana. Visitors who drive or ride themselves face purchase caps and the odd-even rule.
Can tourists on rental scooters buy petrol in Bali?
Yes, within limits. The odd-even rule covers motorcycles across the province, so a rental scooter can buy Pertalite only on dates matching the last digit of its plate: odd digits on odd dates, even on even dates. Each motorcycle fill is capped at 3 litres.
How long will Bali's fuel rationing last?
The odd-even rule began on Saturday 17 October and was due to end on Monday 19 October, but it has been extended to Friday 23 October, Antara reported. The Jakarta Globe reported on 17 October that the 20-litre and 3-litre caps would stay in place until fuel supplies return to normal.
What caused the fuel shortage in Bali?
Officials blame distribution, not supply. The energy ministry's oil and gas chief told AP that a tanker had an anchor problem while preparing to unload and that rough seas slowed shipments. AP reported that panic-buying of subsidised Pertalite added to the strain.
Sources
- AP via The New Indian Express, Fuel crisis hits Indonesia's Bali, triggers long lines in gas stations for days
- Antara, Bali Governor assures tourists despite fuel queues at gas stations
- Jakarta Globe, Bali orders three days of remote work, online classes amid fuel shortage
- Bali Discovery, Pertamina imposes odd-even fuel purchasing scheme and fuel rationing for Bali
- Jakarta Globe, Bali fuel queues persist despite odd-even license plate rule
- The Jakarta Post, Soldiers, policemen operate fuel stations to reduce queues in Bali
- Antara Bali (in Indonesian), Menko Bahlil kerahkan tujuh kapal pengangkut BBM ke Bali
- Antara, Indonesia deploys seven more ships to boost Bali's fuel supplies
