Bali Airport Transfer: Prices, Options, and How to Pre-Book

Planning a trip to Bali? No wonder; this is an island paradise, drenched in tropical beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and more. But before you get to all that, you’re probably wondering what options there are to get from Bali airport to your destination of choice, how long it’ll take, and the cost. And if you’re anything like I am, you’ll do anything to avoid getting ripped off as one of the first things you do when arriving in a new country.

To help make your arrival as smooth as possible and avoid any stress, here’s a detailed breakdown of all of the Bali airport transfer options.

How Can You Get From Bali Airport To Your Hotel?

There are three main modes of transport you can use to get from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to your hotel of choice: book a private transfer, catch a taxi, or use the ride-hailing apps Grab or Gojek. 

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Booking a private transfer is the best option for families, first time visitors, and anyone who wants a stress-free experience arriving in Bali. You’ll be greeted by a driver in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign, and they’ll also help with your bags.  

During the booking process, you’ll clearly see the price, and you can choose the vehicle type that best suits your needs. The driver will also monitor your flight, so any delays are accounted for.

Official Airport Taxi

A metered counter inside the terminal with fixed, posted rates by zone. Easy and available 24 hours, but you’ll never know what kind of vehicle or driver you’ll get. If you’re going this route, be ready for the arrivals scrum: unofficial taxi touts haggling for your attention, and sometimes a queue at the taxi kiosk.

Grab and Gojek

There’s no Lyft or Uber in Bali, instead, the two most popular apps are Grab and Gojek. For this option, you book in their respective apps before making your way to a dedicated pickup area.

Should You Pre-Book A Private Bali Airport Transfer? 

Bali’s airport can be stressful and busy, so for a smooth arrival, a private transfer is one of the nicest ways to travel to your accommodation. Personally, after a long-haul flight I'll always have a private transfer waiting. 

How Much Is A Bali Airport Transfer?

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $10 to $30 AUD for a pre-booked private transfer from Bali airport. Here are approximate prices for some of Bali’s most popular tourist areas. 

A private airport transfer from Bali airport is one of the smoothest ways to arrive on the island.

Private Airport Transfer Bali To Seminyak

Seminyak is the closest of the four, about 12km north of the airport, and on a good run you are there in half an hour. Although, if you’re heading through Kuta at peak hour, that journey can stretch past an hour. 

Private Airport Transfer From Bali To Canggu

Canggu is only a little further than Seminyak by distance, but the roads are narrow and slow, so the journey can take between 45 mins to 2 hours.

Best Airport Transfers Bali To Ubud

Ubud is the longer trip, about 37 km north of the airport, and the drive is 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Expect to pay between $15 to $30 AUD for a private car. 

Bali Airport Transfer To Uluwatu

Uluwatu sits on the Bukit Peninsula, 20 to 25km south. In light traffic it is 40 to 60 minutes, but if you are heading deep towards Bingin or Nyang Nyang it can hit 90 minutes, and the steep, narrow lanes near the cliffs are slow. 

Can You Book A Bali Airport Transfer With A Baby Seat?

Yes, there’s an option to add a baby or child seat to your private transfer booking, selected during the booking process. In fact, it’s the only way that you’ll get one, as Indonesian taxis and ride-hailing cars almost never carry them. 

How To Pre-Book Your Bali Airport Transfer Online

If you’re the type of traveller who wants to walk straight from customs to your name on a sign, the steps are simple:

• Enter your arrival details and your hotel or villa address.
• Pick the vehicle size for your group and luggage, and add a child seat if you need one.
• Pay, and you’ll receive the confirmation with your driver's contact.

Taking A Taxi From Bali Airport to Your Hotel

If you ignore the unofficial taxi drivers where you’ll haggle over price, there are two realistic taxi options at the airport. 

The Official Airport Taxi

Inside the terminal there is an official taxi kiosk where you’ll pay a fixed rate depending on what zone you’re going to. It’s an easy choice, runs 24 hours a day, but there’s no guarantee on the vehicle quality. Expect to pay roughly $10 to $45 AUD depending on how far you’re going. 

A Metered Blue Bird Taxi

Blue Bird is the brand locals trust, recognisable by the light blue cars, the bird logo, and the driver's ID on the dashboard. The problem is that a taxi cooperative controls the arrivals area, and Blue Bird aren’t allowed to pick up from there. 

But there is a way around it. To get a Blue Bird taxi, after you’ve picked up your luggage, you should: 

• Make your way upstairs to the departure level. 
• Head outside to the taxi drop off area.
• Wait until you see passengers getting out of a Blue Bird taxi, and ask the driver to take you to your accommodation. 

Bluebird taxies are the most trusted company in Indonesia. 

Grab vs Private Driver At Bali Airport

The main difference between Grab and a private driver is that Grab is cheaper, but a private driver is more convenient in almost every other way. 

Both Grab and Gojek, the two most popular ridesharing apps in Indonesia, have dedicated pickup zones near the arrivals hall. To use their service, you’ll either have to book via the app or talk to the staff at the counter, with possible waiting times and higher prices during peak hours. A private transfer removes those hassles entirely.

Once your transfer is booked, the hard part is done. Start mapping out the rest with our guide to the top things to do in Bali!

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