You Want Transport?

It’s a familiar catch cry greeting visitors from the moment they pass customs to exit the airport and hollered from corners in tourist hubs, outside clubs and happening hot spots across Bali!  For some first time travellers, navigating this island’s veritable minefield of transport options can result in confusion and a costly trip to your destination, leaving holidaymakers with a sour start to their adventures. Here’s a little heads up to get you acquainted with what’s on offer and the best way on wheels to make the most of your stay. 

In recent years transport competitors Gojek, Grab and cab company, BlueBird have created online Apps that are easy to use, in English, fully trackable and completely up front as far as booking and securing fares from your hotel or villa. Return travellers to Bali often seek out the reliable driver or local friend they have used on earlier trips. Other transport options like local motorbike taxis or unmetered cabs are a bit of a ‘pot luck’ affair and unless you’re prepared to haggle hard or get out and walk if you and your driver can’t come to an agreement, these fares can be fraught with danger and a dent in your wallet!

While the online options are super convenient, competitive and readily available in the major tourist areas of Kuta, Legian and most of Seminyak, Banjars in other areas like Berawa, Canggu and Umalas often pose restrictions on these companies as far as pickups go and if ignored can result in somewhat unpleasant altercations between travellers and local village transport representatives. No holiday fun here! 

Up the hill and a little farther from the madding crowd of Kuta, Ubud is a slightly different story…. Neither Gojek nor metered taxis (aka BlueBird) are available in Ubud so the only options for getting about town are the local area transport providers, private drivers or your hotel shuttle. Perfect if you want to flop and drop for a while at your resort or villa on the edge of town, but a little pricey for peeps who are keen to explore the village and town centre so a solution is to stay within walking distance of it all!  

Boutique resort, Bisma Cottages benefits from being close to the action yet secluded enough to keep its quiet ambience and rural charm. Located on a no-through-road for cars, Bisma Cottages is a casual 5 mins walk to Monkey Forest and 15 mins to the Palace, Central Market and stunning Campuhan Ridge. Bisma Cottage is on a quiet road and within the resort guests can enjoy the quiet calm of this intimate accommodation, the most peaceful rooms being the Deluxe Cottages which also boast uninterrupted rice field views. With a good spa across the way, restaurant next door and coffee up the road, Bisma Cottages has holiday necessities at its doorstep. For travellers looking further afield than their feet will take them, the hotel has a car available or can assist with negotiation at their tour desk.