1. Getting from the Airport to the City

Your Bali adventure begins the moment you touch down at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). To make your journey to the city center smooth, you have several options:

• Taxi: You’ll find official airport taxis readily available. Traffic from the airport can be very heavy and unpredictable, a 10-minute trip could easily turn into 60 minutes, which could result in paying a lot more than the price without traffic. This is simply not a risk we were willing to take knowing how heavy Bali traffic can be.
• Ride-Sharing Apps: Popular ride-sharing apps like Grab and Gojek are widely used in Bali. You can book a ride with these apps for a hassle-free transfer, however, be aware during peak arrival times the prices may be surged.
• Airport Shuttle: Hotels may offer complimentary airport shuttle services. Be sure to check with your accommodation if this service is available.

2. Private Shuttle

We found the cheapest and most convenient option to hire a private shuttle that tracks the flight when it lands and holds a sign with our names on it as soon as we arrive. You can pre-book your driver in advance for peace of mind and was the cheapest option when we didn’t have a hotel transfer.

Bali’s public transportation system is not as extensive as in some other destinations, however, we found it very convenient to use Ride-Sharing Apps like Grab and Gojek which are similar to Uber.

Download the apps on your smartphone in advance. You will enter basic personal information and an international credit card for cashless service.

We downloaded both and often checked both apps for the most cost-effective option. The cheapest option will be Gojek Bike, or Grab Bike in any given situation. That is only if you’re comfortable riding on the back of a scooter with a local driver! We used the bikes for shorter distances, and Gojek Car and Grab Car because we weren’t comfortable riding the scooters ourselves or taking the risk.

We always tipped the drivers their such hard workers and were so kind, always making sure we were comfortable.

Getting a taxi in Bali is relatively easy. If you’re going to use a local taxi, It’s very important to ensure it’s an official bluebird taxi (light baby blue taxi)! Always make sure the meter is running to avoid the risk of being overcharged. The dark blue taxis which appear to be bluebirds are not official taxis and from our experience, they don’t run the meters.

Scooter rentals are a popular mode of transportation around Bali, especially in areas like Ubud, but make sure you’re comfortable with local traffic and road conditions before opting for this mode of transport. It can cost anywhere from 5 USD to 10 USD per day for a scooter rental in Bali. You can try negotiating terms with the vendor or pre-book a rental online.