Hiring a Bali private driver for sightseeing some of Bali’s extraordinary attractions or just to drive you for the day while visiting markets, beach clubs and restaurants for dinner is a great idea. This article will teach you how to hire a private driver in Bali, what you should pay and help you make a booking.
1. Why hire a Bali private driver?
If you are within walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants from your accommodation, and will only be going further for the odd sightseeing day then you only need a private car and driver on an ad-hoc basis for day tours.
However, if you will be going further than walking distance for most days I highly recommend hiring a private car and driver for the full length of your stay. Having a driver on call for most if not the whole day and evening will help make your Bali holiday friction-free because you remove the hassle of constantly getting taxis in Bali, which can be a real pain.
Whether you and your crew are looking to spend the day at a beach club, visiting the unique attractions like temples, rice terraces, the Bali swings, some of the amazing waterfalls or just spending the day shopping, hiring a car and driver can make a huge difference.
- If you are just venturing out locally, then hire a taxi.
- For trips to attractions further than 5 km away, then hire a private car and driver.
- If you will be gone for more than 4 hours, then hire a car and driver.
- Thinking of hiring a rental car and driving yourself? Just don’t. A local driver will cost fractionally more. And he will be a much better navigator through Bali traffic conditions than you ever will.
- Want to go on a shopping expedition? Hire a car and driver.
2. How much you should pay for a private car and driver for the day?
Let’s start with the basics. A rule of thumb is the cheapest you will get a private car and driver for the day is IDR600k. That’s rock bottom for a small compact car, not an SUV. If you are offered anything cheaper then do not take it. You are simply being set up to pay more later from the usual scams — making you wait, being asked for more during the trip, running out of petrol or just being intimidated. You have been warned.
An experienced driver who knows their way around, can adapt to your specific needs and has a solid grasp of English with a high-quality, air-conditioned 6-seater SUV will cost between IDR 800k – 1000k for the day to travel anywhere around South Bali. That’s for a medium-sized SUV like a Toyota Avanza or similar as pictured below.
While it’s comfortable enough for 4 – 5 passengers, a slightly larger Toyota Innova or similar is highly recommended. You will spend a little more but the comfort level is higher, especially with 5 – 6 passengers or if you are 4 people with luggage.
A private driver with a Toyota Innova, like the one pictured below, will cost between IDR 900k – 1.200k per day depending on where you are travelling to.
If you are going for a day tour to North Bali (which I highly recommend you do) to see the spectacular waterfalls, the floating temple or Kintamani, it will cost a little more. Factor in an extra IDR 200k – 400k per day above the usual rate for touring to locations in North or East Bali.
The age-old maxim of you get what you pay for is never more relevant than when hiring a private car and driver in Bali.
And be careful of the referral from a friend who has been to Bali, possibly many times before, and has their mate Ketut to look after you. I’ve heard from many people who were disappointed in the service they were provided. That’s why I only ever work with a small, knowledgeable group of drivers I know and can trust.
3. Book a private car and driver online.
Since starting Bali Holiday Secrets, I have had so many inquiries asking to book the same drivers that I use for my family, friends, and villa guests that I’ve made a secure, online booking system that takes away the risk, stress and hassle of finding your own reliable, trustworthy, English-speaking private car and driver.
I have personally vetted all the drivers I work with. They text me when they pick you up and again when you have been dropped off at the end of the day. I also email your driver’s name, profile photo, vehicle photo and phone number beforehand to ensure your safety and provide confidence.
If you would like to book one of my trusted, English-speaking drivers with a 6-seater air-conditioned SUV you can do so using my private car and driver booking system.
4. Can I book a car and driver for just half a day?
Yes, you can. Due to popular demand from the comments and emails I have received, I have worked out a rate with my driver network for a 5-hour private car and driver hire.
Perfect for when you want to go shopping, move hotels or just want to be dropped off at a special spa or restaurant for a couple of hours (yes, they will wait for you).
5. Understand the basic geography of Bali.
Don’t forget that it will cost slightly more to travel to attractions in the North and East regions of Bali. Or to look from the opposite point of view, it is cheaper to book a private car and driver if you are only touring within the South Bali region. This is simply because trips to the other side of Bali take longer, use more fuel and are harder on vehicles than just touring locally.
Attractions in South Bali:
South Bali includes Canggu, Gianyar, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Sanur, Ubud and Uluwatu.
- Bali Bird Park
- Bali Safari & Marine Park
- Bali Swing Park
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana
- Goa Gajah
- Gunung Kawi
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall
- Tanah Lot
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Tibumana Waterfall
- Tirta Empul
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall
- Ubud Art Market
- Ubud Monkey Forest
- Ubud Royal Palace
- Uluwatu Temple
- Waterbom Theme Park
- and of course, all the beaches from Canggu all the way down to Uluwatu.
I am simply listing the attractions that are in the South Bali area – this is not an itinerary – it would take several days to see all of these,
Attractions in North Bali:
North Bali includes Bedugul, Lovina, Singaraja, Plaga and Kintamani.
- Aling-Aling Waterfall
- Bedugul Market (Pasar Candi Kuning)
- Danu Beratan Temple
- Gitgit Waterfall
- Handarah Golf Course Gates
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- Lovina
- Mount Batur – Kintamani
- Nungnung Waterfall
- Sekumpul Waterfall
- basically all the good waterfalls.
I am simply listing the attractions that are in the North Bali area – this is not an itinerary – it would take several days to see all of these,
Attractions in East Bali:
East Bali includes Besakih, Sideman, Karangasem, Candidasa, Mount Agung, Amlapura and Amed.
- Lempuyang Temple
- Besakih Temple
- Amed
- Virgin Beach
- Tirta Gangga Temple
6. Be clear about the destination and what you expect.
Most drivers are reactive, not proactive, so if you ask to go to a destination that is very far away or may encounter heavy traffic they will generally just follow orders. Being proactive means discussing where you want to go, understanding the realistic, expected elapsed travel time, and whether that leaves you enough time for your other destinations and the trip back home.
There is a big difference between a cheap hire and a driver who actually knows the places and attractions you want to visit.
Engage with your driver before you get in the car — don’t be pressured into hopping in and getting the trip going because he is holding the door open. Engage in straightforward terms using simple language — and I don’t mean simple because of intellect, I mean simple because of the language barrier.
Engaging early with your driver will tell you how much English he actually understands. A great driver will begin to form a rapport with you and ask what kind of things you like and make adjustments accordingly.
Pro-tip: already know the rough itinerary of where you want to go, what times you would like to be there and engage with him so you can change plans according to conditions and not be disappointed because the clock ran out and you missed something you really wanted to see.
7. Going to a beach club or tourist attraction?
What most people don’t realise is that getting to a place is often quite easy. But getting from there back home can be a nightmare. The reason is the local transport services (think local taxi mafia) will always charge a much higher fee to get you back than it’s worth. Sometimes outrageously high.
Because they have a monopoly on the transport options if you don’t already have a private car and driver you are literally at their mercy. Depending on supply and demand and which way the wind is blowing you may have to pay up to 2-5 times the amount that a normal taxi fare would cost you.
For example, a taxi fare on the meter from Eat Street in Seminyak to Finn’s Beach Club in Canggu will cost you around Rp 120k. But when you want to leave, the local set prices will knock you back Rp250 – 500k (and sometimes much more during busy times at night).
8. Shopping expeditions can be awesome with a car and driver.
Going on shopping expeditions in Bali is why many people come here. Even leaving the souvenirs alone, the chance to buy homewares, textiles and artworks that are unique to Bali is more than tempting. It’s downright addictive if you know where to go. Along with shopping malls and supermarkets, there are local markets galore and some speciality streets for things like homewares and larger artworks.
If you treat shopping like a full-contact blood sport with bargains as the scoreboard and showing off to your friends and family back home is something you like the idea of, then hiring a private car and driver makes perfect sense.
Loading up the back of an SUV while the driver waits patiently for you to make the next “it’s like saving money” purchase is a pleasure. Trying to get a taxi while standing beside the road with a bunch of shopping bags or some seriously large artworks wrapped in bubble wrap is not so much fun.
A private car and driver is the most useful investment you can make to lower the friction of getting around and going on shopping expeditions in Bali.
9. Booking a driver from your hotel.
Every hotel provides a booking service for a private car and driver, especially for day tours. It’s one of the many revenue streams a hotel depends on, so don’t be surprised that they take a significant markup.
Their biggest markups come from short trips where they can charge many times the rate that would be charged by a taxi. A prime example is a trip from the hotel to one of the local restaurants that are only a couple of kilometres away, and because they don’t allow taxis or ride-sharing providers to enter their property you are at their mercy.
I have a Golden Rule never to pay more than IDR100k for a ride to somewhere local from a hotel, and that’s being generous. For around $10 you should be able to get anywhere within a 5km radius.
If you book a private car and driver for a day tour from a hotel, expect to pay upwards of IDR 1 million+ for 8 hours. That will include a 40-50% commission to the hotel and if the driver is employed directly by the hotel then the driver will likely only be receiving a fraction of that.
If you do book a day tour from a hotel make sure you follow the next tips and make sure your driver speaks passable English, the destination is crystal clear and the waiting time and the number of hours are clearly communicated with the driver.
The most common mistake is to book a driver with the hotel and expect the best. They will undoubtedly be providing the lowest cost driver possible, and while the car may be in a decent condition your driver will most likely not have a clue as to your expectations.
I can’t recommend his services and his advice enough!
I randomly found Michael’s website a few months before our first trip to Bali and I am so thankful I did! We literally followed his tips exactly for getting through customs, buying a SIM card and getting out cash and it was so smooth. We booked an airport transfer and 4 full days with a private driver… which I was a little nervous about at first (just to be honest), but everything worked out perfectly. Having a private driver ensured we saw all we wanted without having to deal with the tricky local taxis and it gave us peace of mind knowing who we would be with every day. I can’t recommend his services and his advice enough!
10. Be really clear about the time frame and how much you will be paying.
If there is one thing you can do before hopping into a private car or SUV, it’s engage with your driver to set crystal clear expectations about how long you expect their services and the total cost.
For example, if you intend to see a waterfall on the northern side of Bali, good drivers will be quoting for a 12-hour day. Daily hire of a car and driver is usually 10 hours, plus 100k per hour thereafter.
However your driver may have somewhere to be later, so don’t count on unlimited time. Ask clearly what their expected number of hours are for the trip, and make a point to set a specific time you want to be back at your hotel or villa.
Have a look at the booking forms for hiring a private car and driver plus some speciality tours to Ubud, Waterfalls, Danu Beratan, Lempuyang and more here.
11. Waiting time is built-in to the cost of a private driver.
If you want to be dropped off at a beach club or restaurant, don’t think that you can pay less because your driver is waiting for you. The time they spend waiting for you is all part of the hire, and let’s be honest — a big attraction for hiring a driver is to get going when you want to get going.
They will wait for you while you are there — that’s not an issue — but the key is communication. That’s why WhatsApp is so important. Having a good time at the pool bar? No sweat, just text your driver that you will be staying a bit longer. Enjoying your lunch and can’t be bothered hitting the next temple on the tour itinerary? Not a problem, just text your driver and let him know.
The more he knows about what you are thinking about your day the better service you will receive. Did you decide not to tell your driver you wanted to miss the next stop on your pre-arranged itinerary? Maybe he’s already headed towards where he thought you wanted to go and turning around now takes another 30 minutes. Communication is the key.
Wherever possible download and use WhatsApp, a free text and calling app over wifi, to communicate with your driver, giving him a heads-up 10-20 minutes before you are ready to leave for the next destination. He may have had to park some distance away from your current location depending on the availability and cost of parking in the immediate vicinity.
If you start your tour in the morning it will be assumed you have had breakfast. If you want to stop somewhere for breakfast make that clear, although it will naturally cut into your travel time.
The same for lunch — it’s always best to have at least the kind of food you want for lunch — be it a local warung (restaurant) or a popular well-known eatery.
13. Connect with your driver using WhatsApp.
Download WhatsApp. Everyone in Indonesia uses WhatsApp — a free smartphone application that allows you to text and call using the Internet or WiFi, and is very cost-effective if you bought a SIM card at the airport so you don’t get hit with exorbitant data roaming charges from your home telco provider.
It’s an easy learning curve and I’ve had anyone with a smartphone of all ages using it easily and painlessly in minutes.
The best thing is you can be in constant contact with your driver, so you don’t have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of the best features is to send your current location via text which provides a GPS map directly to where you actually are.
Even better — you can send a photo of what’s in front of you so there is no doubt where you are. Think about this common scenario. You are shopping your way down Ubud markets and have arranged with your driver to meet at the northern entrance when you were dropped off. The northern end is a terrible place to be picked up anyway, so you should shop your way down to the southern end of the laneway. Sending a photo makes it crystal clear where you are and avoids simple misunderstandings and mistakes when getting your driver to meet you.
13. Plan your toilet breaks and communicate with your driver.
Communicate with your driver well beforehand so you don’t get caught in traffic or a rural area without somewhere that has clean, serviceable toilets.
A great driver will know where the best toilet stops are. Maybe at a Mcdonald’s if travelling back via the highways from Ubud, or a little-known warung with clean and serviceable toilets in the middle of nowhere. A great driver will know where the best bathroom breaks are. Make sure you ask for a toilet break at least 20 minutes ahead of time, or at the very least your driver knows how to stop and find it while travelling through suburban areas with no public amenities.
14. How much to tip your driver.
Tipping practices in Bali vary greatly, but here are some simples rules that will help you tip the appropriate amount and reward great service.
As I write above, the length of time a driver will be at your disposal ranges from 8 to 12 hours. If you get a cheaper driver it will likely be for 8 hours, but the amount my drivers work for is 10 hours for a full-day hire or 12 hours for trips to North Bali.
While no tip is expected, it’s always welcome and demonstrates your appreciation in a very direct financial way while also making your driver feel valued. A small tip would be IDR50k. Less than that wouldn’t be an insult, but it could be viewed negatively relative to the total amount paid for the day.
I recommend IDR100k – 300k if your driver has done a great job and you’ve experienced an excellent day out. IDR500k – 1.000k per day will be greeted with joy and represents a solid bonus for an excellent job. This isn’t much in foreign currency terms – around AUD$50-100.
Considering the minimum monthly salary in Bali can be as low as IDR2.200.000 (or lower), it is a meaningful amount. If you have a multi-day booking then these guidelines still apply.
If your driver books tickets for attractions for something like Elephant Park rides, White Water Rafting or other adventure activities they quite likely get a commission on ticket sales, usually around 20% but sometimes more. There’s nothing wrong with this at all, as it augments their income and is a naturally accepted part of the tourism business in Bali.
I’m so glad I used Michael’s network of the best drivers!
Very good rates for one-way transfers and full-day drivers (10-12 hours), often much better pricing than your fancy hotel will offer you. My driver was smart and kind and the car was nice, cool, and comfy. I'm so glad I used Michael's network of the best drivers! And it's a wonderful bonus that you can pay with a credit card too. 🙂
