How to Get from Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali to Your Hotel

Transport Options

1. Private Transfer

We chose this option and booked with Dewa Pablo, who helped with our transportation throughout our Bali vacation.

• Duration: Approximately 20-60 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic
• Cost: 150,000-400,000 IDR (about 10-26 USD)
• Details:
  • You can book a private transfer in advance through travel agencies or online.
  • A driver will wait for you at the arrivals terminal with a sign displaying your name.

          Pros:

• Provides comfort and personalized service.
• No waiting required; the driver meets you at arrivals.
  
  

2. Grab / Gojek (Ride-Hailing Services)

• Duration: Approximately 20-60 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic
• Cost: 50,000-400,000 IDR (about 3-26 USD, depending on destination and traffic)
• Details:
  • You can order a car using the Grab or Gojek apps.
  • The airport has designated ride-hailing pick-up zones, though there may be restrictions on these services directly in front of the terminal.

          Pros:

• Often cheaper than traditional taxis.
• You can see the estimated price in the app and pay directly through the app or in cash.

          Cons:

• You may need to walk to a designated pick-up location.
• Prices can vary based on demand (surge pricing).
  
  

3. Shuttle Bus

• Duration: Approximately 30-90 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic
• Cost: 50,000-150,000 IDR (about 3-10 USD)
• Details:
  • Some hotels and travel agencies offer shuttle buses that take you directly to your hotel.
  • Check with your hotel in advance if they offer this service and book it if necessary.

          Pros:

• Direct to your hotel, usually cheaper than a taxi.
• Convenient if the shuttle matches your schedule.

          Cons:

• May require waiting time or multiple stops.
  
  

4. Taxi

• Duration: Approximately 20-60 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic
• Cost: 100,000-250,000 IDR (about 6-16 USD)
• Details:
  • Taxis are available 24/7 at the arrivals terminal.
  • There is an official taxi desk at the airport where you can purchase a fixed-rate coupon or use metered taxis.
  • Ensure you use official taxis and discuss the fare in advance if it’s not metered.

          Pros:

• Direct to your destination, comfortable and fast.
• Ideal for travelers with luggage or if you’re tired after a flight.

          Cons:

• Can be more expensive than other options.

5. Public Bus

• Duration: Approximately 60-120 minutes, depending on the destination and traffic
• Cost: 7,500-10,000 IDR (about 0.5-0.7 USD)
• Details:
  • Public buses, such as Trans Sarbagita, offer cheap transport, but routes and schedules can be limited.
  • They can be harder to navigate and less convenient than other options.

          Pros:

• The cheapest option.
• You get to see parts of the island en route.

          Cons:

• Can be slower and less comfortable.
• Not all destinations are well-served by public buses.
  
  

6. Car Rental

• Duration: Depends on the route and traffic
• Cost: Varies depending on the type of car and rental period
• Details:
  • Car rental offices are available at the airport.
  • Make sure you have an international driving permit and are familiar with local traffic rules.

          Pros:

• Total freedom of movement.
• Ideal for exploration or long trips.

          Cons:

• Can be expensive and stressful, considering Bali’s dense traffic.
  
  

Summary

• Cheapest: Public Bus
• Most Convenient: Private Driver / Grab / Gojek
• Fastest: Private Driver / Taxi / Grab / Gojek (in light traffic)

Choose the option that best suits your needs based on your budget and preferences.

Insects and Animals

Mosquitoes: We came prepared with tropical mosquito spray, Paranix Max DEET, brought from Romania, which we used in the evenings when we went out, at waterfalls, and after rains. Despite using this spray, during our last days at the beach in Uluwatu, we still got bitten by mosquitoes in the evenings when leaving the beach, but fortunately, we didn’t experience anything serious.

Reptiles: Geckos are everywhere but harmless. We were lucky and none entered our room.

Monkeys: Primarily encountered them at the entrances to beaches in Uluwatu, in Nusa Penida, and at the Monkey Forest in Ubud. We kept our distance from them and made sure not to carry bags/backpacks as they tend to jump on them. At the Monkey Forest, we witnessed a girl being bitten on the arm by a monkey; as far as we know, the monkeys there are tested and vaccinated against rabies.

Money

We withdrew cash from our Revolut card at a BCA ATM, which doesn’t charge a withdrawal fee for Revolut cards. We didn’t use our card for payments anywhere due to additional charges, in addition to the approximately 20% service charge applied at restaurants and services.

Internet SIM Card

We purchased a 50 GB internet SIM card from Telkom in central Ubud. We paid approximately 300,000 IDR for this card (about 18 EUR). We chose the 50 GB option because the person who sold it to us said only this one allows for hotspot usage; those with less than 50 GB internet didn’t offer hotspot capability (we had an extra phone with us where we inserted this SIM card and used it as a hotspot for both of us to access the internet).

Transportation on the Island

We opted for a private driver and Grab/Gojek, depending on the route we had planned for the day.

Private Driver: We discussed this with Dewa Pablo. We organized the itinerary, then talked to him and sent him what we wanted to do and on which days we needed the driver. Everything was fine, the drivers were very nice and open; during the day, they recommended additional places to visit/buy souvenirs if we wished. The drivers speak English, so communication with them was easy. We also arranged with Pablo for the airport transfer to the hotel.

Grab/Gojek: We used these options for shorter distances, to go to the beach, and when we moved from Ubud to Uluwatu, including from Uluwatu to the airport. For distances of 10 km, we paid around 4 EUR, depending largely on the time of day. From Ubud to Uluwatu, we paid around 25 EUR. To use Gojek, you need an Indonesian number, so after getting a SIM card, you can create an account. Prices are sometimes lower on Grab, other times on Gojek.

Food, Restaurants, and Bali Belly

For food, we chose only restaurants and warungs verified on Google, reading the latest reviews to make sure everything was okay. We tried local food – nasi goreng, mie goreng – as well as international cuisine. Personally, we weren’t impressed by the food in Bali.

Budget-wise, we paid around 16-20 EUR for 2 main dishes and 2 drinks (including a 20% service charge).

Ten days before leaving for vacation, we took a probiotic pill to protect our stomachs. Even so, we still had minor issues, but it wasn’t anything serious, lasting only a day and a night. Despite checking restaurant reviews, we suspect the sambal sauce, which is extremely spicy, although we are used to spicy food.