Transport in Bali: all the nuances, prices, tips

For many, the phrase “transport in Bali” has an association with honking mopeds, scooters and colored rickshaws that dart around in the chaos of local traffic. But in fact, the transport and infrastructure in Bali is much more diverse, with a large number of providers and carriers. One of the main reasons is the steady flow of tourists who come here not just to sit in a hotel, but to explore the local exotic. Now the island can offer them public transport, tourist buses, docars, rental of various vehicles, from a bicycle to a limousine, and that's not all. So, let's figure out what the Balinese transport system is.

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Public transport

The main transport hub of the island is the southern city of Denpasar. It is here that there are 4 main bus stations and a bemo terminal (local minivan minivans):

• Ubuntu Terminal - buses in the northern and western directions of Bali and a bemo terminal.
• Tegal Terminal - here look for buses to the south of the island.
• Kereneng Terminal - for those who are in the direction of the beaches of Sanur.
• Batubulan Terminal - buses depart from here to the central and eastern part of Bali.

Also, in every big city there is at least one bus station where bemo also stops. In smaller communities, buses and bemos stop at separate stops.

Among the population the most popular and cheapest means of transport are bemo or "angkot". Usually they connect areas of large settlements and individual villages. Their routes change periodically and are determined by the local authorities, covering almost the entire territory of the island. We recommend that you check the current information in the terminal Ubung. The movement starts early in the morning and continues until approximately 8 pm. Usually bemo don't have a fixed schedule, they ship when full.

To get into such transport, it is enough to stand at any point of its route and raise your hand at the sight of bemo. When entering, you need to tell the driver where you are going and he will tell you the fare. For locals, this is usually about 4,000 rupees ($0.3), but tourists are charged more. And for large luggage you will have to pay extra. By the way, about luggage. Be prepared that the locals here can transport anything: animals, food, baskets of goods and much more.

To exit bemo, just loudly ask to stop at the place you need. We recommend using such transport only for short distances, as it is rather slow, stuffy and not very comfortable.

Buses are available for long journeys between large cities (Denpasar, Singaraja, Amlapura and Gilimanuk). They are more comfortable, faster and only stop at certain places: terminals or bus stops. But they also often have deviations from the schedule due to the fact that they do not depart from the bus station until they are filled with passengers to the maximum.

Tickets for public transport cannot be booked or purchased in advance.

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Tourist buses

For tourists on the island there is a more comfortable alternative in the form of tourist shuttle buses. There are several carriers that operate on the most popular tourist routes. For example, Perama Tour & Travel or Kura-Kura Bus shuttle. The latter has 12 routes with stops: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, South Nusa Dua, Ubud and others. Their buses are equipped with air conditioning, wifi, audio guide . On the website or in the application, you can see the schedule for each route, the fare and buy tickets.

Taxi

Taxis in Bali. It is quite comfortable and inexpensive, but has many nuances. You can catch a taxi just on the streets or use the car call service. Bluebird has the best rating among companies Taxi. It is believed that its drivers are the most honest, since representatives of other services may sin by deceiving customers. This is usually done by refusing to use the taximeter, arguing that it does not work, or by lengthening the route. Be careful, in Bali, many taxis can be painted blue and called Blue taxi, but they are not the same. Bluebird has a handy app that will provide the most comfortable travel experience. Grab and Go-Jek services with lower rates are also popular here.

There are 2 types of trip pricing on the island: using a taximeter (about $ 0.5 per call + $ 0.25 for each next km) or a fixed cost. As a rule, at distances up to 5 km it is better to use the first option. Whatever taxi service you use, it is very important to make sure that the taximeter turns on from the start of your trip. Be sure to ask the driver about it. If he unconditionally agrees, it already deserves a reward in the form of a tip.

There are several circumstances that will 100% make your taxi ride more expensive:

• distance over 5 km;
• rush hour trip (from 15:30 to 19:00);
• trip from / to attractions;
• night trip.

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Car rental in Bali

If you plan to explore the island to the maximum in its various parts, then renting a car will be the best solution. Moreover, most companies immediately offer the services of a driver or even a guide. You can organize such pleasure for yourself through:

• the hotel where you stayed,
• tourist offices,
• local car rental services (for example, Bali Island car rental),
• online services (Klook, Grab, Go-jek and others).

The cost of a daily rental of a class C car will be about $20. You will have to pay extra for gasoline, approximately $ 0.5 per liter. Driver services for a day will cost approximately 2 times more. At the same time, you will still need to provide the driver with food and, if this is a trip for several days, accommodation.

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Motorcycle, scooter, bike rental

Another cool way to get around all the most interesting places in Bali is to rent a scooter, moped or bike. It will be several times cheaper, but at the same time, more dangerous than a car. Therefore, be sure to wear a helmet, because the traffic on motor vehicles here is really crazy. There will definitely not be any problems with finding a rental point in Bali, they are everywhere here.

The average cost of a day's rental of a motorcycle (mainly Honda or Yamaha) is about 4 dollars, a moped and a bicycle - 3 dollars. If you rent more than 3 days, you can ask for discounts.

Also in Bali you can rent Ojek - a moped with a driver, for one trip, hourly or daily. This feature is usually available in cities and their surroundings.

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Dokar

Dokar - this is how the locals call a two-wheeled carriage drawn by horses, with a capacity of up to 5 people. It used to be the main transport on the island. But with the advent of motor vehicles, it has become more used as an attraction for tourists. Tours are often held on it. The cost of a docar ride is not fixed and depends on the distance and how well you bargain.

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Water transport

For those who want to visit the neighboring islands of Bali, there is a water transport system. It includes public ferries and private speedboats such as Perama Tour & Travel or Blue water express. They depart from several local ports:

• Sanur
• Padangbai
• Benoa harbor
• Amed

There are flights from Bali to Lombok, Gili, Noosa Penida and other islands. Tickets can be bought on the websites of transport companies or at the piers. Check the cost and routes also on the websites or at the tourist offices.

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Helpful hints

• Bali drives on the left.
• Beware of pickpockets in public transport, keep an eye on valuables.
• It is better not to call a taxi directly from the beach, supermarket or other popular places. Usually services that work on call do not have access to these areas and local drivers become monopolists there, who will ask for exorbitant prices.
• In some areas in Bali, a local taxi mafia is operating, which is ousting official companies from the market. That is why it is not always possible to use the services of the same Grab, Go-Jek or Bluebird Taxi.
• If you run out of fuel and you are not in the south of the island, then most likely you will have to buy gasoline from the locals. Therefore, make sure that you have local currency with you in such a case.
• Bali police have no right to charge you a ticket for violating traffic rules right on the road. If you are convicted of a violation, you must issue a document describing and indicating the amount of the fine that you will have to pay through state authorities. So the authorities are trying to fight bribery.
• Roads in the Kuta area are considered the best not only in Bali, but throughout Indonesia. Although most of the island cannot boast of high-quality road coverage.

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