The Bali Practical Guide: Getting There, Moving Around, Not Getting Ripped Off

The logistics of Bali are genuinely easy once you know what you’re doing — and genuinely frustrating when you don’t. This covers what actually matters.

Getting to Bali

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is well-connected across Asia-Pacific. Direct routes from Singapore (2.5 hours), Kuala Lumpur (2.5 hours), Sydney (6 hours), Melbourne (6 hours), Hong Kong (5 hours), Tokyo (6.5 hours), and Dubai (9.5 hours). From Europe and the Americas, you’re connecting via one of these hubs — Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are the most efficient connections. AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar, and Garuda Indonesia are the primary carriers for regional routes. Use Google Flights to track prices — Bali fares fluctuate significantly and booking 6–8 weeks out typically hits the sweet spot.

The airport is 13km from Kuta and 25km from Canggu. Officially metered taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab) operate from the designated zones. Ignore anyone who approaches you in arrivals — they’re touts. Walk to the official taxi counter or open Grab once you’re outside the terminal building.

Getting Around Bali

Scooter

The practical default for most people who stay longer than a week. Renting costs Rp80,000–120,000 per day or Rp600,000–900,000 per month from a local owner (cheaper than shops). You need an international driving permit (IDP) that includes category A (motorcycles) — technically mandatory, practically important if you’re stopped by traffic police, who do check tourists. Wear a helmet. Every year, scooter accidents are the primary cause of serious tourist injury in Bali. This is not an exaggeration. Ride sober, ride defensively, and do not assume traffic will behave predictably.

Grab

Southeast Asia’s dominant ride-hailing app works reliably across Bali. Fares are fixed and displayed before you confirm — typically Rp25,000–70,000 for most tourist-area journeys. The app is essential for nights out and for navigating the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak corridor where scooters are more stress than they’re worth. Note: in parts of South Kuta, local taxi cartels have informal agreements with Grab limiting its operation — if your driver asks you to walk 50 metres to meet them, just do it.

Private Driver

For day trips outside your immediate area, hiring a private driver and car (typically a Kijang Innova) is excellent value: Rp550,000–750,000 for a full day including fuel. Your accommodation can arrange this, or ask other guests for recommendations. Agree on the itinerary, the start time, and whether the day includes lunch and parking fees before you leave.

SIM Cards and Data

Buy a local SIM on arrival — it’s cheap, fast, and solves all connectivity issues immediately. Telkomsel (brand: Simpati or AS) has the best coverage across the island including more remote areas. XL Axiata is a solid alternative. Both are available at the airport arrivals hall and at every convenience store (Indomaret, Alfamart). Bring your passport — registration is required by law. A SIM with 30 days of data costs Rp80,000–130,000 depending on the data package. Top-up (pulsa) is available at any convenience store. If you need a data solution before arrival, Airalo’s eSIM for Indonesia works well.

Money

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The mental conversion that works: divide by 16,000 to get USD. Rp320,000 ≈ $20. Always carry cash — warungs, markets, smaller shops, and most transport are cash-only. ATMs are widely available in tourist areas. Use BCA or BNI machines; they’re most reliable for foreign cards and accept higher withdrawal amounts (Rp2,500,000–3,000,000 per transaction). Use a card with low international fees — Wise and Revolut are the standard choices among expats. Avoid the money changers with giant “Best Rate” signs on the main tourist strips; they use sleight-of-hand counting and short-change tourists. Use authorised money changers (look for Bank Indonesia authorisation) or simply use ATMs.

When to Go

Safety — The Actual Risks

Bali is safe relative to most destinations. The risks worth knowing about: scooter accidents (serious and common — see above); stomach illness from food hygiene (don’t drink tap water, ever; be cautious with ice in non-tourist establishments; street food in busy warungs is generally fine, empty ones less so); petty theft in crowded areas; and volcanic activity — Mount Agung and Batur are both active, and eruption alerts occasionally affect access. Check the Indonesian Volcanology Agency (PVMBG) updates and your government’s travel advisory for current status.