South Bali, Indonesia Travel Guide
About Getting Around Attractions Hotels Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Transportation in Bali
Cabs in Bali
Overview: In Bali, if you’re in a wheelchair, you’re restricted to cabs and hired drivers because attractions so spread out. Take a cab from the airport to your hotel unless you can arrange a good rate from a personal driver in advance of your arrival. I unfortunately could not locate any vans with power lifts for large motorized wheelchairs. There are, however, vans for hire.
CABS
Overview: There are a lot of taxis and transportation hawkers in the southern part of Bali – in the main tourist areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Sanur. The largest and most legitimate cab company is the Blue Bird Group and the cabs are blue. The drivers turned on their meters and appeared to take direct routes in my experience. I didn’t need to point to their meters to turn them on.
Cab Company: Blue Bird Group
Website: www.bluebirdgroup.com
Ph: 62 0361 701 111
Cost: Initial cost is Rp5000 (about 50 cents)
- Airport to Kuta: Rp55,000
- Kuta to Sanur: Rp100,000
- Kuta to Ubud: Rp150,000
Cab Locations at Airport: Outside the international arrival hall to your right. You first have to stop by the taxi service counter and grab a taxi voucher.
HIRE DRIVERS
Overview: Hiring a driver is the best way to see Bali because tourist sights in Bali are spread out. I strongly recommend hiring a driver for a good part of the day and hit up two or three attractions. You do not have to purchase lunch or dinner for the driver during the hired hours. When you get approached by drivers – and you will – negotiate with them half of the cost they ask for. In Bali, everyone is out to make a buck, especially in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak. The larger your group, the more money they are going to charge you. As kind as Bali folks seem to be, they are all business. As the saying goes, it’s about the money, honey. The drivers and their friends will of course start really high. Cut down their offer by at least 50 percent. Walk or wheel away if they don’t go lower. As you will see, they will be standing around anyway without business because they charge so much.
Here’s a general rule of thumb as far as prices for drivers go.
Cost: 4 to 5 hours a day should cost around Rp200,000, Rp400,000 to Rp450,000 ten hours (four or five in your party)
Driver Recommendations
Putu Sudiana: www.yourbalidriver.com, email: sudiana_goazonk@yahoo.com, ph: 62 081 856 2867
This gentleman seemed very fair and professional in my communications with him.
Jalan Legian: This street in Legian and Kuta have all sorts of hawkers, especially transportation ones. A good landmark is the White Rose hotel on Jalan Legian. All of these guys charge anywhere from Rp100,000 to Rp300,000 more than you should pay. Just be very clear on what you want to pay. If they don’t want to negotiate, then get a cab. But, walk away. The other guys on the street will meet your price.
SCOOTERS & MOTORCYCLE RENTALS
Overview: Lots of tourists rent motorcycles, scooters, vepas or motopeds while in Bali. You can rent motorcycles at any of many motorcycle shops (and/or tourist agencies, etc.). They cost anywhere from Rp50,000 to Rp60,000. Motorcycle rental shops, car rental shops and/or tourist services shops are all intertwined and they have a presence everywhere on the streets. Just be careful of the traffic and congestion.
Cost: Rp50,000 to Rp70,000
Tips: Use common sense. Test out the scooters or motorcycles first, be careful of the traffic and road conditions, wear a helmet (maybe your own), check into insurance.