Getting Around, Bali Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Bali, Indonesia)

As an island, Bali is best accessed by air and Ngurah Rai (Bali's international airport) receives flights from all over Asia, including the Indonesian capital Jakarta, and Australia. You can also travel here by bus transport and ferry combination from Java, if you have the time and inclination. Travelling around Bali is mainly achieved by bus, minivan, taxi, hire car and all manner of colourful local transportation options.

Bicycle trishaws (becak) are good way to travel short distances, and can also be hired for a sightseeing trip around Bali. Prices are generally fixed beforehand. Also popular on Bali are horse-drawn carts (dakars), which are mainly a tourist attraction nowadays, as opposed to a viable form of transport. It is important to agree on a price before you actually set off.

Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) / Arriving by Air

Address: Tuban, Denpasar, 80361, Bali, Indonesia, ID
Tel: +62 0361 751 011
Ngurah Rai International Airport is located near Denpasar, towards the south of Bali, not far from Kuta and Sanur, and is the gateway to the island. Flights come in direct from elsewhere in Asia and Australia with connecting flights from all over the world including from Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Two terminals operate international and domestic flights and good facilities include banks, currency change and ATMs. If your hotel does not provide a pickup service, use the pre-paid airport taxi service.

Bali Airport (DPS) Guide

Car Rental

Major car hire firms are represented at Ngurah Rai International Airport, including Hertz and local company Koperasi Taxi, while chauffeur-driven cars are also available and an increasingly popular mode of transport. Hire cars can be booked ahead of time online. Bali road conditions aren't great but have improved of late. Keep an eye out for large trucks and buses, which tend to rule the road here, and take it easy when travelling in the mountains.

Book your Bali Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

You can also travel to Bali by bus (via inclusive ferry) from large cities in Java and Lombok. There is night express bus transport available, which leaves Jakarta in the afternoon and gets to Bali the following afternoon. For bus travel around the island, 'bemos' (minivans) are the number one transport option and fares are traditionally low, although it is easy for unseasoned travellers to be overcharged somewhat. Denpasar Tegal bus station is the main bemo hub on the island.

Trains

There are no railways on the island, due to the lofty terrain.

Taxis

Metered taxis are best used from the airport, but are not as common as other types of transport outside of Denpasar and southern areas of Bali. If you plan on travelling to remoter parts of the island by taxi, expect to have to charter the vehicle. Motorcycle taxis (ojek) are the fastest way to travel around in busy areas and drivers wear red jackets. There is no fixed price for journeys, and travelling by ojek is certainly not for the faint hearted.