Taxis in Bali
Most travellers will get there first experience of taxis in Bali as soon as they arrive and it’s generally from the airport to their accommodation. After recently spending 10 wonderful days in Bali, we came to realise a common catch phrase shouted through the open window of a Balinese Taxi was “How much to Seminyak Town House?” We had heard many different stories on the pros and cons on catching a taxi in Bali and whether we should barter for the fare or go by the meter. 
I’m sure anyone who’s been to Bali has a taxi story to tell, this is mine.
Try walking down any Balinese road without the constant “beep, beep” from passing cars. What we thought was just annoying traffic noise turned out to be taxis looking for a fare. So you can be pretty much be assured you’ll be able to find taxis in Bali anytime. We stayed at the Seminyak Town House Bali which was a little distance from Seminyak, Legian and Kuta. 
After a day of walking, eating and drinking the thought of having to walk back to the Town House was a little daunting. So more often than not, it was a taxi ride home.
The fares seemed quite reasonable and from North Kuta back to Seminyak Town House would cost 50,000Rp (~AUD$5.00) and because of the traffic grid lock would take about 30 minutes to travel 2kms. Central Kuta to the Town House was 70,000Rp (~AUD$7.00) and was a 45 minute ride. One thing I forgot to mention was that the traffic was appalling, so the idea going on the meter would have been very expensive. The other thing we found, if you didn’t go on the meter the driver would find “a back way” which was generally a lot faster and bumpier. We got a surprise one day, we couldn’t walk another step so we caught a taxi from Tuban (South Kuta) to Matahari, the driver didn’t want to charge us for such a short trip, I gave him a fiver anyway.
During the day we would organise a driver (Komang Gardi), pickup at 8:30am for a day’s sightseeing and drop off in Kuta/Legion for dinner, all this for 600,000Rp (~AUD$60.00) and it doesn’t hurt to tip. You can negotiate, but in all reality why would you, we got really good value for money. Having a local person telling you their story, about their country, is priceless. You only need to give the driver a rough idea of the sites you want to see and they will organise your tours for the next few days, longer if you want.
That’s my experience, have you a similar experience you’d like to share?
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Sounds like a great experience, I was worried you’d mention being ripped off, but I’m glad that wasn’t the case. Have you taken a tuk tuk too?
Vlad recently posted…GoEuro: Your New Favorite Travel Planning App
Interesting story, Lyn. It seems to me that you can get a good taxi deal in Bali, one way or another. Each country is different when it comes to cabs, that’s why it’s better if you know the ropes before you get there. I guess that except for London, you can expect to be ‘taken for a ride’ almost anywhere in the world. In some places you can be cheated big time, that’s why most of the time I prefer public transportation, walking or Uber.
Anda recently posted…Medieval Castles and Fortresses of Transylvania
It all sounds quite an adventure! And it reminds me of my trip to Bangkok where the tuk-tuks weave in and out of the traffic and no-one bats an eye as a elephant saunters along the slow lane of the motorway!! Don’t you just love travel for giving us these wonderful experiences eh? Great post as always and thanks for the link-up!! :o)
liz recently posted…Banksy street art : a new exhibition in Rome
You’re right, taxi drivers can be a fount of local knowledge and often know the best stories! Good tips for Bali. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…A Photo Tour of the Suffolk Coast
On our last trip to Bali we discovered Bimas. A beat up green mini bus, that were generally used by locals. Anyway my son loves exploring all the different types of transport when we travel, so we decided to try one. They cost about half the price of a taxi, there is no air-conditioning and so the rear door is left open whilst you sit on wooden benches. You have to hold on tight as the little bus meanders through the back streets to reach your destination. They were quite good for short journeys.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…My BIG4 Beachlands Holiday Park Review
What a mad house! Taking a taxi in any city can be quite challenging. I hate the prospect of getting stuck in traffic with the meter running. In Europe we often use Blacklane as we can say our destination in the app, and we know immediately what the cost is. When we were in Paris last summer we used them and as we wove in and out of all the tiny streets of the Marais it was comforting to know that no matter how long it took we were still only paying a set price.
Arnie recently posted…Advantages of Dive Training
Great tips! I’ve only been to Bali once (ironic as I live just a 2-hour flight away) and it was on a work retreat. Basically just a holiday with colleagues 🙂 So all our transportation was arranged. That was great! I do remember the horrible traffic jams though. We were hours late for lunch thanks to that. I guess we all have to just accept that’s part and parcel of being in Bali.
Michelle | michwanderlust recently posted…Pompeii: A Peek into 1st Century Roman Life
Bluebird taxis are the most renowned and recommended. That said I still love getting about on bemos. Even though you stop every 100 yards it is a great way to see and feel the island.
Tim recently posted…Population One
Tim, thanks for your sharing your thoughts on the Bali Bemos.
Smart to agree upon a price beforehand! I think the highlight for me would have been the conversation with Komang Gardi! What an incredible experience!
Andrea recently posted…Neuschwanstein, and that time I hiked the Alps
After bartering the price down I tended to have a change of heart and end up paying the original price, the drivers are very friendly and very good story tellers.
Definitely sounds like an interesting experience! Are tuk tuks popular in Bali, too?
John recently posted…7 essential sites for travel planning in 2015
Tuk Tuks are prominent in Thailand, Bali’s main mode of tourist transport in the 90’s where Bemos, but today they are very rare. These days small 4 door Chinese cars are mainly used as Taxis, the ride can be a little rough. The suspension gets broken carrying big Aussie blokes around.
Taking a taxi in another country is always an adventure!
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted…Cities Less Traveled: Revealing “Real” Italy in Naples
Even catching a taxi in Perth can be quite an experience. Great way to get to know the locals and some local knowledge can save money.
Never tried them in Bali, but did so in countries like India and Egypt, which was quite the experience as well! But that’s all part of the charm, no? 🙂
Els recently posted…The neighbourhoods of Tel Aviv
So true Els, whether it be a tuk tuk, bemo, taxi or chauffeur we usually have a great chat and learn so much about the local culture.