How to Get a Taxi from Bali Airport

The first thing I understood after arriving in Bali: 20 kilometres and 20 minutes are absolutely not the same thing here.

We landed at 12:50. At 14:00, we already had a rented scooter scheduled to be delivered to our villa.

I thought we had more than enough time.

We only got home after 4 p.m.

So the first rule I would leave myself before the next arrival is:

do not plan anything important immediately after the airport.

Passport control, luggage, finding a car and, most importantly, Bali traffic can easily add several hours to the journey.

What to prepare before your flight

I would do three things in advance:

• install Grab, Gojek and Green SM;
• save the exact address of your accommodation;
• arrange internet that will work after landing.

For the last one, you can install FROGI eSIM in advance.

That way, after landing, you do not need to look for a local SIM card first. You can open the map, message your accommodation host and order a car directly from the airport.

Check the latest Indonesia packages directly on the FROGI eSIM website. :::

Option 1. Grab • Gojek • Green SM

All three apps work in Bali, and Grab and Gojek currently have official pickup points at the airport.

After collecting your luggage:

1. Open Grab • Gojek • Green SM.
2. Enter your accommodation address.
3. Check the trip price.
4. Follow the directions to the pickup point shown in the app.

Grab has a Grab Lounge for international arrivals.

Gojek also has its own passenger waiting area at the airport.

Pickup points can change, so once you arrive, I would follow the instructions inside the app and the airport signs first.

Check transport options at Bali Airport

What to keep in mind

The price depends on distance, demand and traffic, so I would not put a fixed fare in the article.

It is easier to open the apps at the airport and compare.

One more thing: registration in local apps can sometimes be tricky with a foreign phone number. So if you already use Grab or Gojek, it is better to check that you can log into your account before the trip.

Option 2. Book a transfer in advance

For a first arrival, I would also consider booking a transfer.

Not because it is the only right option.

Simply because after a long flight, I personally like knowing that the whole transport question is already sorted.

Especially if:

• it is your first time in Bali;
• you are arriving late in the evening;
• you are travelling with children;
• you are travelling with your parents;
• you have several suitcases;
• your accommodation is far from the airport;
• after the flight, you simply do not want to deal with apps and pickup points.

You can book a transfer before the trip: Book a transfer from Bali Airport

When booking, carefully check the meeting instructions, included waiting time and the vehicle size for the number of passengers and luggage.

Option 3. Official airport taxi

Official taxis also operate at the airport.

This is an option if you do not want to use apps or have not booked anything in advance.

I would just confirm the price before getting into the car and compare it with the fare in Grab or Gojek.

Official taxi desks are located in the arrivals area.

How much time to allow for the journey

This is where Google Maps is better treated as a guideline, not a promise.

Distances in Bali may look short, but roads are often narrow and traffic can change dramatically depending on the time of day and area.

You feel this especially when travelling further from the airport, for example to:

• Ubud;
• Canggu and nearby areas;
• Pererenan;
• Seseh;
• some parts of Bukit.

So if your villa host is meeting you, a scooter is being delivered or you have an appointment after arrival, I would not schedule it too close to the plane’s landing time.

Our experience of landing at 12:50 and getting home after 16:00 cured me of doing that very quickly.

What I would choose now

If I already know Bali, have little luggage and my apps work, I would calmly order a taxi.

If I were arriving here for the first time after a long flight, especially with suitcases, I would arrange a transfer in advance.

The difference is not really about which option is “better”.

It is more about how many things you want to deal with after getting off the plane.

Sometimes it is completely fine to leave the airport, open two apps and choose a car.

And sometimes you just want to see your name on a sign and not think about anything else.

After check-in

Once you reach your accommodation, another one of our guides will be useful:

📱 Useful apps for living in Bali

It includes services for taxis, delivery, maps, shopping, mobile connection and other everyday things that start becoming useful during your first days on the island.

Read also

📄 Which documents you need to enter Bali

📱 Which SIM card to choose in Bali

🌏 What to know before travelling to Bali