How to Travel in Bali
This is your guide to understanding the different methods and recommendations as you travel in Bali.
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Options for Travel in Bali
There is not a public transportation system and car rentals are not commonplace. Within one city, Bali is very walkable and this is the easiest way to get around. For longer distances, however, you’ll want to upgrade from your own two legs. Here are the best transportation options for getting around Bali.
Scooters
Scooters run the road in Bali. They are by far the most common transport vehicle, and it’s what most Indonesians use to get around. You’ll see entire families piled on one scooter. They are inexpensive to rent and relatively easy to park.
If you feel comfortable driving in Bali, you can rent a scooter and travel around the city or between cities (shorter distances) on your own terms. Scooters offer the most freedom with your travel plans.
That said, here is my advice: be honest with yourself. Assess your abilities, your directional skills, and your travel insurance coverage before renting. The driving culture is more aggressive than in most Western parts of the world so it won’t be forgiving for newbies learning to drive in heavy traffic.
Taxis
Taxis, or cabs, are an option for getting around short distances within a city. You won’t find taxis everywhere in Bali, just the more
Some travel blogs will warn you not to use the cabs at all, but I’ll tell you that we did use cabs on multiple occasions in Seminyak and it went just fine. The concern for some is about drivers who agree to one fare and then demand more once you get to the destination. I’m sure it has happened, but this is the exception rather than the norm. Just use your best judgment for whether the car looks safe, never ride alone, and ensure the driver is using a meter.
Hire a Driver with a Car for Travel in Bali
This is the best option for longer-distance travel between cities. While it isn’t the cheapest option, it is the most convenient with luggage and is still certainly affordable due to the currency exchange rates. You can work with the driver to arrange a pick up time and location and they will drive you to the destination. This was our preferred method when moving from Seminyak to Senur ferry port, from Senur to Ubud and such for the various legs of our Bali adventure.
A driver with a car is the best way to travel from the airport. You can message your Airbnb or hotel host prior to your stay to set this up.
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Ferry
Ferries will be the only mode of transportation between Bali islands like Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida. There are a number of ferry terminals in Bali, but you’ll likely be going through Sanur as it is closest to the main tourist hubs in Bali and connects to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. There are several ferry lines so you can choose when you arrive, but my preference is to arrange this ahead of time though one of your accomodations hosts.
It’s important to know that ferries do not park at docks. Instead, they pull up close to shore and passengers wade out in a few feet of water and climb aboard. Keep this in mind when planning your outfit for a ferry day. You will also need to carry any luggage with you as you wade out to the boat – one of many reasons I recommend packing light for Bali.
Read this next: How to Travel with Only a Backpack
How to Arrange Transportation in Bali
When arranging transportation, the best place to start is with your accommodations host. Whether it’s hiring a driver with a car or renting a scooter, the staff of your hotel or Airbnb is the best point of contact. Because they have a vested interest in you having a great stay, it’s a trusted contact.
In my experience, the hotel or Airbnb host will proactively reach out to you and offer to arrange transportation or other activities for you. If they don’t, just ask about this when checking in or send a message prior to your trip.
Directions When Traveling in Bali
Whether you plan to rent a scooter and drive yourself or hire a car, it’s always important to know where you are. Download an offline map of any cities you’ll visit. This is standard safe-traveler advice for anywhere, but critical in Bali as you may not always have cell phone service.
Here’s how to download offline maps with Google Maps:
- Open the Maps App on your phone.
- Search the location you’d like to download. [Seminyak Bali link here]
- Swipe up on the lower page
- Tap the menu icon in the upper right
- Tap ‘Download Offline Map’
- Select the area of map you wish to download. Note the amount of space the map will take up at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap Download
Planning Time for Travel in Bali
Traffic jams are common, but not necessarily predictable, so plan for a lot of buffer time with any travel. If you’re traveling for something important and inflexible, like to the airport for a flight or to a ferry, I recommend planning several hours of extra travel time just in case.
Check this out next: Everything You Need to Pack for Bali
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