From the airport to the city centre Bali
Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is generically called Denpasar airport, but it is actually located well south of the city, closer to Kuta and Jimbaran than to the capital, and is situated on the strait connecting Bali and the Bukit peninsula. So to stay near the airport, choose accommodations in Tuban/Kuta. The airport has ATMs for Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus inside and outside. When you arrive you can connect to the airport's free Wi-Fi. Arrivals are on the first floor and departures are on the third floor. Restaurants and fast foods are waiting for you and, next to them, several Indonesian restaurants in the open air serve a correct and cheap cuisine. Currency exchange offices are available, the rate is less interesting than in Kuta or in the city. You can also mail your mail there
Practical: since July 2015, French tourists no longer need an entry visa, provided they stay less than 30 days in the country
from the airport to Denpasar, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. At the airport, the official cab counter (with a table indicating the rates for the main destinations of the island) is located just to the right of the exit of the international terminal. You can buy your cab ticket there. You can also negotiate with a private person in the parking lot, but it is better to know the prices beforehand, because they often ask for exorbitant sums. The airport is about ten kilometers from the capital, you can travel between the two by cab (about 200 000 Rp - but prices vary with the price of oil - buy a coupon at the counter where they are indicated) or cab with taximeter from Denpasar. Count 20 minutes in off-peak hours, double in normal time
If you already have a reservation with a hotel, negotiate a better transfer
Arrival by boat Bali
There are regular ferry services between Lombok, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. It is very easy to get from one island to another. From Bali, you can reach Java (from Gilimanuk) in half an hour and Lombok in 5 hours by public ferry or 2.5 hours by fast boat
Public transport Bali
By plane. There are no domestic flights to Bali, the island is too small. To reach Lombok, you can nevertheless take one of the reliable Indonesian companies such as Garuda.
Bémos. In Bali, public transport was mostly composed of bémos and some minibuses. Bémos are minibuses (Nissan Vanette style), usually quite old, which hold about 15 passengers. It is now very difficult to find them, because many lines have been suppressed by the government. It is possible to see them occasionally in the local markets. If you are tempted, it is difficult to know the local fare, as drivers always try to charge tourists more! Observe what other travelers are paying or ask them discreetly. In front of the driver, act as if you know the fare
Tourist buses. In Bali, given the distances, large tour buses are rare. They are relatively comfortable; you will have air-conditioning, toilets and, if you are lucky, a television with karaoke tunes sung by your neighbor... These buses leave at a specific time, you buy your ticket in advance from a travel agency that organizes the whole trip
Bike, scooters & co Bali
Motorcycle/scooter. The motorcycle remains the best way to get around for travelers who love discovery and surprises. It allows you to slip into traffic jams, to stop everywhere, to take the less passable paths, to get stuck in the mud too.
Nevertheless, you should know that driving a motorcycle requires dexterity, reflexes and always anticipation, especially in Bali. First of all, we drive on the left side of the road. The rental company will ask you for your international driving license. Most travelers are not used to motorcycles and imagine that driving them will be simple and easy. But it is not! On the contrary, it requires a lot of precision. The main disadvantages of motorcycles are the traffic risks. When you pass a car, the latter will take the whole width of the road to overtake and will not turn back until the last moment. Riding a motorcycle is therefore a difficult and tiring exercise. The vigilance of every moment becomes exhausting. Wearing a helmet is compulsory, even if Indonesians don't usually wear it (or it is a nut shell that doesn't protect anything). So don't follow their example, don't forget that you are not immortal. Rain, wind, intense heat will make you see all the colors. Don't forget the exhaust pipe: it gets hot very quickly and when you have to tilt the bike for an untimely reason, it is there, in the calf, that the burn hurts...
Look around you and you will see that many inattentive foreigners keep a nice scar... The international permit is compulsory, under penalty of fine if you are controlled by the police
Bicycle. The little queen is not really used in Indonesia, but tourists use it a lot in Bali. The bicycle is a pleasant way to visit a city and its surroundings. Its moderate pace allows you to take your time and enjoy the landscapes and situations of Indonesian daily life. Of course, the slopes of the roads, the hills and the small paths will require effort and caution. Avoid cycling in Denpasar, it is very dangerous. You can rent bicycles in the main tourist centers in Bali for Rp 50,000 per day
With a driver Bali
Many incoming agencies offer to rent a vehicle with driver. This is the safest and most comfortable way to visit Bali without hassle. For a price of Rp 550,000 per day, you can be driven to the four corners of the island. However, it is important to agree on the price and route at the beginning of the day to avoid any misunderstanding
Generally speaking, cabs are equipped with a meter. When there is no meter, you must agree on the fare with the driver in advance. This is imperative, otherwise you may be surprised when you arrive at your destination. The best cabs in Bali are the Blue Bird, recognizable from afar by their sky blue color and with a meter
Areal revolution in Indonesia's transportation, the Gojek application allows you to book your motorcycle cab or your car with driver in a few clicks. At a price defying all competition, you can use this application very easily in major cities
Since April 2018, Uber has sold its Asia branch to its competitor Grab. So, it is also very useful to download this app in order to get chauffeured in big cities. It's reliable and at the right price. The fare is calculated by the application, it is usually half the price of a cab. To use it, you need to download the application and have an Internet connection
How do I do it? Download one (or both) applications - Indicate the destination and where to pick you up - Check the fare and validate the order. You pay directly online and the application asks you to rate the driver at the end of the trip
By car Bali
In Bali, it is extremely easy to move from one place to another: the road infrastructure is good (if you don't take into account the driving style of some drivers...), and you can easily find a car with a driver (on every street corner). Otherwise, you can contact any travel agency that will take care of everything. You just have to enter the first one, state your destination and off you go. However, always negotiate the price. There is one factor to take into account: traffic jams, numerous on this densely populated island, especially in the Kuta area where you can get stuck for long periods during rush hour. Thus, the day of your departure, think of leaving in advance...
Road network. The road network is the least expensive means of communication, but by far the most tiring. Bali's roads, although paved, are simply exhausting. The only exceptions are the By Pass or Sunset Road in the south of the island around Denpasar, and the brand new 12 km long "highway on the water", which connects Benoa to Nusa Dua.
Driving. In Bali, road accidents are the leading cause of death for tourists. In Indonesia, people drive on the left side of the road, but trucks and buses drive in the middle when they overtake, sometimes in third position. If you are on a scooter, the only recourse is to run into the ditch. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse-drawn carriages are constantly throwing you off and your heart races when someone overtakes in third position and eats the curb or when your driver, without any visibility, follows the wheels of his colleagues who are already overtaking in a line. Accidents are frequent and are always blamed on strangers. So be careful. You have to take into account unlit vehicles at night, dogs or chickens that make you swerve. Other dangers: children playing on the side of the road, motorcycles that suddenly start up or disengage. Beware of road works and of the signage which is sometimes different from ours in Europe, or even absent. A badly lit hole or a pile of gravel can quickly become deadly. Mountain roads sometimes have steep slopes and the surface is badly treated by runoff water. In case of a flat tire, bengkel (garages) will be able to repair it, but beware of the charges. If you rent a car, ask if there is a deductible or read the contract carefully between the lines. In case of an accident, go immediately to the nearest police station. Drive slowly so as not to run someone over (this cannot be repeated enough)!
It isbetter to have an international permit - especially for insurance purposes. Ideally, apply early, at least three months in advance. You can apply online.
Tourist traps Bali
Hitchhiking. Not recommended, you never know who you will meet. In any case, it is not in the national culture; hitchhiking will generally mean stopping the first cab that goes in your direction... and paying for your trip like everyone else
