Getting Around in Bali

Before booking your trip to Bali - especially when you like to travel around the island and visit several places - it's always a good idea to check out what your options are when it comes to transportation. There are numerous means of transportation in Bali and your choice will probably depend on your budget and the level of comfort you prefer! Before diving into all the different options, it's only fair that we give you a heads up about traffic in Bali.

Honestly, there is not a better feeling in the world than driving your scooter between the lush, green rice fields, with a gentle breeze, the wind in your hair, enjoying the beautiful nature around you. Once you push through the traffic of more populated areas, the roads are beautiful and endless. Exploring waterfalls, hidden gems, culture and scenery on the back of a scooter is an awesome experience not to be missed!

But there is also a different side to driving around in Bali... Bali traffic - mostly in bigger towns - is known to be heavy, chaotic, unpredictable and totally different from driving anywhere else in the world! First of all, keep in mind that people drive on the left hand side of the road (if you didn't know already) and that driving yourself in Bali can be a challenge. Balinese’s driving habits are mostly based on reflexes rather than established rules.Therefore traffic accidents often involve travellers who are not used to driving 'the Balinese style' . On top of this you might be facing long traffic jams, random pedestrians and animals on the road!  Let's not forget that when it rains...it pours and many streets will be flooded! However, don't let this scare you away! We just wanted to make sure you know what's going on and that you are mentally prepared! ;)

Traffic jams are common in the densely populated southern and central parts of the island, the usual hangout for travelers and tourists. But when going to the less crowded, rural areas and small villages, the winding paddy field lanes and valleys make the island a pleasure to explore!

ARRIVING IN BALI

First things first! After a long flight, you probably just want to get to your hotel and leave the airport as soon as possible! Let us walk you through your options and get you on your way the quickest way possible!
There are plenty of options:

THE EASIEST WAY TO GET AROUND- RENT A SCOOTER

Riding a scooter in Bali is by far the quickest, cheapest and easiest way of getting around!
Pro's:

THE MOST COMFORTABLE WAY TO GET AROUND - HIRE A PRIVATE DRIVER OR BOOK A GUIDED TOUR

Getting a private driver in Bali might sound posh, but it's really not weird at all, in case you’re wondering. Especially when you travel with your family or a group of friends and you want to take a day trip to somewhere and visit a lot of places in one day, it’s a very easy and cheap option. You can get a driver for around 600.000 Rupiah for a whole day (depending on where you go of course). You can find them everywhere, just ask the frontdesk of your hotel or homestay and they’ll set you up!

When it comes to taking an all included guided tour in Bali, this is something that we really encourage! It's like having a private driver but it comes with many advantages: the guides will act as your personal guide (and photographer!) and they will take you to everywhere you'd like to go. The best thing is they will wait for you so when making stops, you have plenty of time to visit all the attractions that you like without having to worry about anything, because everything is already included (car, English speaking guide, food, water, entrances fees etc)

GOJEK/GRAB

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of driving in Bali, don't worry! The next best thing is a motorbike taxi! There are 2 apps that we recommend downloading on your phone: Gojak and/or Grab. Both apps will allow you to 'order' scooter (and car) rides - hell, you can even order food!-,  just like Uber. It's a super good and cheap option for those who are on a budget but don't like driving themselves! In most bigger towns (Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak etc) you will find it easy to catch one of them, only when you go more remote, chances are lower of finding them.

TAKE A TAXI

Of course there is still such a thing as taking taxis!  We recommend giving priority to the Blue Bird taxis because they belong to the official Indonesian taxi company named “Blue Bird Group”. Blue Bird is now considered as the most reliable taxi company in Indonesia. They have a taxi meter and are easily identifiable thanks to their light blue bodywork, the drawn little blue bird on the rooftop and the big “Blue Bird Group” logo on the windscreen. Other taxis are an option too, but you might get ripped off.

RENT A CAR

If you like being in control and you are comfortable with the Bali traffic, you can of course hire a car in Bali. If you rent from a reputable car company, you can have the benefit of driving your own vehicle to Bali's less-traveled destinations, with your range being limited only by your gas budget (which isn't expensive!)

Although this is an option, it's not one of the most popular options, we need to be honest. Keep in mind it can be hard finding parking spots in Bali, the streets are small, congested and dominated by scooters zipping in and out of the traffic flow. It can easily take two or three times longer to get to where you’re going in a car. If you’re mainly staying in the Canggu area, renting a car is a pretty bad idea.

Also: when you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s a better option to rent a driver. It isn’t expensive and takes a lot of stress off your shoulders!

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Last but not least: public transportation. It isn't a secret that public transportation isn't as well developed in Bali as it is in other southeast Asian countries. If you are on a budget, you can take some local buses but to be honest there are better,more comfortable and equally cheap ways to get around in Bali. But if you are looking to discover Bali by public transportation regardless, these are a few options:

• The Perama Tourist Shuttle bus: it operates between most of the tourist spots such as Lovina to Ubud and from there on to Sanur and Kuta. They even have routes to the airport.
• The Bemo minibuses: they are the cheapest transport available and tend to cost less than US$2 for each hour of traveling. They connect the villages during the day, following a predetermined route. Itineraries are rarely fixed, and schedules are erratic. With a maximum of around ten seats, they generally transport edible goods and sometimes even animals. The downside: it is often tricky to find a bemo, the travel time can be long and you will not get inside if there are no available seats
• Kura Kura bus: Kura-Kura is a tourist-class bus service that operates a dozen routes around southern Bali and up to Ubud. You can buy a ticket via the Kura-Kura app, on the company’s website or paying when you hop on. 

So whatever it is you want to do in Bali, you have plenty of transportation options to choose from! And  whatever option you will choose, you will never break the bank doing it! Safe travels and enjoy the beautiful island that Bali is!