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Planning a family holiday in Bali? Getting around the island can be challenging due to the increased traffic, and the best way to explore is to hire a private driver. Finding a Bali driver isn’t hard; finding one that you trust and provides car seats for the kids is trickier.
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Our Top Tips for Hiring a Private Driver in Bali
- Find personal driver recommendations from other families in our Facebook Group
- It can be wise to check that the private Bali driver you use has vehicle insurance
- Download What’s App to chat with your driver regarding delays, changes etc.
What do we use Bali Drivers for?
We generally use private drivers in Bali for one of two purposes. We also use Blue Bird Taxis or Grab cars for short trips.
- Transfers Airport transfers or transfers between hotels/villas
- Day trips Exploring the island or even just shopping
- Luggage transfers Our trusted drivers take our luggage to our next accommodation while we go on a day trip
Booking a driver for the first time for an airport transfer is a great way to see if they will work for your family. If you are happy with their service, you can mention at the end of the transfer that you would like to organise a day trip. This is usually met with a big yes, and then you can work out a day that will suit you to explore Bali.
Airport Transfers
Most hotels will offer airport transfers and the price may be included in your room rate. If it isn’t included in the room rate and the price they charge for the transfers is too high, I will use our personal Bali driver.
If you book a driver well in advance for an airport transfer, I would send them a message a week before you travel to verify all the details. They will ask for your flight number and expected time of arrival. If your flight is delayed, don’t worry about your Bali driver. He will keep updated with your flight path and know your flight has been delayed. If your flight has been cancelled, send them your new flight details.
When you land at the Bali airport, you will proceed through the formalities of immigration and customs. Check out our Bali Entry blog post for up-to-date information regarding Visas.
Once you have exited the shop area past customs, you will proceed outside to where the drivers wait for guests. If, for whatever reason, you can’t see your driver holding a sign with your name when you arrive, approach the central desk. Show the clerk at the desk your driver’s name, and they will announce it over the loudspeaker so the driver will know you are waiting. Often, planes are delayed, and the drivers don’t know when you will walk through, especially as the luggage can take a long time.
At this point, the driver will walk with you and your luggage to the car park, leave you in a spot and go collect their van. This can get slightly hot and be confronting on your first trip to Bali. For that reason, especially with kids, ensure you have some water. I either get my water bottle filled on the plane before landing, or, after clearing immigration, I buy a bottle of water at one of the shops.
Day Trips
Having a great driver makes a difference with day trips. The traffic in Bali can be pretty congested, so having a comfortable van is a must. Also, having a lovely, friendly driver to talk to can make your day trip even more fun.
With kids, I recommend not planning too much in your Bali itinerary. Driving short distances in Bali can take a long time, so it’s best to discuss with your driver the times to get to different attractions and factor in toilet breaks for the kids.
I also highly recommend getting car seats for longer trips. These can make or break a day trip with younger kids! We don’t use car seats for shorter trips and taxi rides, as the traffic is very slow.
By all means, hire a van with car seats to drive you everywhere; this is an option, and some more expensive villas will provide this but taking a car seat with you for every short trip can become very time-consuming and frustrating.
I also carry sick bags when we travel to Bali. Our daughter suffers from mild car sickness in Australia but has been car sick in Bali several times. The roads can be very windy, and the heat can induce nausea.
Recommended Drivers
I recently asked friends and our Facebook Group members for recommendations for excellent drivers. Here is the list of recommended drivers, including those I recommend too. This list goes perfectly with our recommendations of Bali Nannies, and you can find that post here.
The driver’s details are below. Please check directly with each driver for a quote.
Alex
+62 813 37497178 epobalidriver@gmail.com
Alex works with other drivers as part of Epo Bali Driver
Car seats are available; we have personally had him drive for us. He’s lovely, and his wife also has cooking classes that can be held at your villa. Check out Wayan Balinese Cooking Class on Facebook. He can also arrange larger vans and does day tours for a great price.
Made Mangku
+62 821 4567 2621
Our long-time friend and driver, Made, is fantastic. He has available car seats and greets us with a cold drink at the airport.
Dewa Nyoman
What’s App +6281338044755
Instagram Balismarttours
Facebook Bali Smart Tours
We have personally used his services and he is great!
- Car seats available
- Airport transfers
- Hotel transfers
- Day Tours
- Activities such as Rafting, Quad Bike, Snorkeling, Water Sport at discounted price
- Tickets to Bali Zoo, Bali Safari and Elephant Safari
- Drive: 7 seater van, 16 seater mini bus with air con and safety belts
- Can also provide esky
Alit Pranata
What’s App +62 8776 1604 525
Facebook Page: Alit Pranata Bali Personal Driver
Car seats available and is a fantastic guide. I have personally used him in 2018 and highly recommend.
Dede aka Mr Tom Cruise
+62 8124 669 9134
Website: https://balitouraddict.com/
Facebook page: Bali Tour Addict BTA Tour & Travel
Email: balitouraddict@gmail.com
His services include:
- baby car seat
- free mineral water
- parking tickets
- toll road pass
- SUV car, normal car, van that can have up to 17 people inside
- good air conditioning
Wayan Yasa
+62 812 367 6709
Bali Paradise Island Tours Guide
Car seat available
I Made Darmayasa
What’s App + 62 813 391 010 98
Car seat available and also provides stroller and esky
Works in a team of 20 others to provide last minute bookings
Wayan Sila
+62 823903421
silasbalitour@yahoo.co.id
Sila’s Bali Tour and also owner of Asli Bali Villas
Car seats can be organised
Ngurah Jack
+62 813 38230088
Car seats available
Can organise car seats if needed
Ketut Suryawan
Whats app number +628174745592
Range of car seats available including 0-2 years and 1 year to 6 years
Made Palguna
What’s App number +62 082144663047 or +62 812-5003-4700
Email palguna73@gmail.com
Facebook page Made Palguna
Baby car seats are available, including rear-facing seats, and they include esky water + bottled beer. Excellent English and highly recommend. Works with Alex at Epo Bali Driver.
Keong Mas Bali Tours
What’s app number +62 878 6629 9825 / +62 821 4786 6884
Facebook Keong Mas Bali Tours
Car seats are available for no extra charge for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old. They provide free water & snacks upon tour pick up, all parking fees, petrol, insurance, free WIFI & using an ipad (if the guest chooses). Bintang upon request. They can also help organise birthday cakes for guests. They have it delivered to them, and then they can bring it on the day of the tour. They also hire out a portacot and all proceeds from the hire go towards helping the less fortunate in Bali. They can also take larger groups.
Ketut Sudira
WhatsApp number +6285237767998
Facebook page Dirabalitour
He has a car seat for babies aged 1 year and older, plus a booster seat is available. Can take big groups of 15-16 people.
His full-day tour price includes: minerals water and 2 bottle Soft drink (coke/lemonade) in Esky box, or provides small Bintang beer with additional charge IDR 20k/bottle (or any requests of drinks)
Yan Yanick
+62 81 353 314 277
Facebook Yanick Bali’s Best Driver
Yan provides Aqua, Beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. The car is big enough for 7 people and he also has access to 15, 25 and 45 seater buses for larger groups.
My Brothers Transport
WhatsApp +62 87761445900
Facebook My Brothers Transport
They have a 7 seater available and a larger van of more than 12 seats needs to be requested 3 days prior. They have a car seat for children 0-13kg.
Ricky Bali Transport
WhatsApp +62 877 79707547
Facebook Ricky Bali Transport
Can take 5-6 guest because van has roof rack. Many car seats available that are new and in great condition. 3 sizes, little baby, toddler and booster for bigger child. Their seats can be rear facing if parent requests. Esky service, with water free and Bintang 20k each, vodkas 25k each, soft drink 15k each or other drink on request. Larger group size possible and able to drive up 20 seat bus. Have option 12, 14, 18, 20 seat. Van has DVD player and Wifi available at request for no charge. Pram for guest use free charge for full day tours and can be hired for time in Bali at small fee.
Eddie Goodboy Service
WhatsApp +6282236335781
Facebook Eddie goodboy Bali Tour service
Many Australians use Eddie Goodboy Service tour, car seats are available. They also have larger vans/buses for larger groups.
Good Day Tour SVC Bali
WhatsApp +6281239998772
Facebook Good Day Tour Service
Gde comes highly recommended. A baby car seat can be provided. Additional services included are mineral bottled water, gasoline, and parking ticket. A van for a larger group can be provided.
DMY Tour Bali
Kadek Hadi
WhatsApp +628979989142
Facebook DMY Tour Bali
Email kadek.hermayanto@gmail.com
Car seat is available and Kadek can also organise a capsule if needed. He works with his older brother if any one need a bigger car or we can use 2 cars. Cooler box on request.
Ary’s Tour & Sightseeing Service
WhatsApp +6281338127564
Facebook Ary’s Tour and Sightseeing
Website Bali Tour Organizers
Baby seat available plus esky with drinks on request. Can also take big groups.
Rio De Bali
WhatsApp to +628123914782
Facebook Rio De Bali
Baby car seat, stroller and esky. Plus WIFI and he has 7 seater van and also a bus with 15 – 17 seats.
Made Merta
WhatsApp +62 813 3873 9631
Facebook Page Bali Tours with Made Merta
Esky with water and ice. Baby seat and pram cost approximately $10 for both. Started driving in 1995 with lots of knowledge of Bali
Great drivers can make your family holiday even more special so please consider using a recommended driver from either here or from family/friends advice. Plenty of drivers on the street will try to get your business, especially in low season, and occasionally, these can work out to be excellent. Most of the time they can change plans at the last minute or not turn up at all!
Also, if you are not keen to check out silver shops or carving workshops on your day trips, be very explicit in explaining that you do not want to go to these places. Most drivers in Bali are trying to do the right thing and earn a living. Just make sure you feel comfortable with them, and if not, ask to be taken to the nearest restaurant or McDonald’s so you can work out some other way to get around.
As you use the same driver over a few trips, you will learn more about their families and may even be lucky enough to be invited back to the family home for a meal. The Balinese hospitality is fantastic and a memory you will never forget.
Kate xx
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Are there any drivers that can provide rear facing car seats? Legally my one can face forward but I would prefer not to do this as I think he will want to face forward when we get home and I am holding off as long as possible for that.
Hi Jess, there are drivers that can definitely do that for you and I must update this post with the ones that do. You could also hire a rear facing seat from Bali Baby Hire quite cheaply which might be an option. Cheers, Kate
Hello, i would like to ask how much does it cost per day the driver with gasoline?
Hi, I would contact drivers to get updated prices. Thanks
Hi there, we are a family of 6 adults and 3 children, do you know if there is anyone (pref based in seminyak) that has transport big enough to transport us all around Bali
Hi, some of the different drivers have larger vans so if you contact them through the details in the post they should be able to help you. Have a great trip, Kate xx
Just got back from Bali and used “Made Palguna’ found whatsapp through this website. Super friendly guy, quick to respond on whatsapp, tidy car and good car seat. We used him for taxi airport to hotel, day trip to bali safari (he waited) and then hotel back to airport. Highly recommended.
He’s such a great guy, great to hear you recommend him too!
Hi, we are travelling to lombok from Bali with our baby and 3 year old. do you have any recommendations for drivers on lombok who can also provide car seats ? we are looking for transport from the airport to senggigi as well as a couple of day trips !
cheers 🙂
Hi! I’m sorry I don’t know of drivers in Lombok with car seats, we haven’t travelled to Lombok yet. Cheers, Kate
Hi Kate, which one has bintangs and water waiting for you? I like the sounds of that.
It’s the best! Most drivers probably do but Made Mangku our regular driver does 🙂
Hey Tara, my husband & his team supply water on all airport transfers & tours. Bintangs upon request 🙂 All the best.
Can baby seats go in the bigger buses? We have a group of 13, 3 kids need baby seats. Thanks!
Yes baby seats are available in the buses too 🙂
Love this post! As a parent, it’s great to have recommendations for family-friendly drivers in Bali. We’ve had some not-so-great experiences with drivers in the past, so this is really helpful. Definitely saving this for our next trip!
Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂
This is such a great resource on Bali! I think I’ve read every article you wrote on Bali in preparation for our family trip. Thank you very much for taking the time to share.
Are any of the above drivers work as guides as well? Is Made Mangku or Dewa Nyoman able to provide some information on historical and cultural background of most popular tourist attractions or their job is really to make the transportation easy and enjoyable (which is not a small feat with young children!)?
Yes they are amazing and I love the cultural info they tell our family
Hey! This is all SO useful! thanks.
We are heading to Bali with our 5 yr old and 18m old – we want to check out Ubud for a couple of days before we go south to Dua Nusa, but do you think the drive would make it not worth it? Ive heard if you set off from the airport early afternoon (like we would be) it can take 4/5 hours! would you say this is right? How long would it be Ubud to Dua Nusa too approx? not sure if we are expecting a bit much of the little ones.
any info would be great! thanks
Hi, From airport/Nusa Dua it could be up to 2 hours one way. So can be done, often over Christmas/New Years the traffic can be horrendous so can take longer. Thanks Kate
Hi there, this is an excellent resource, thank you! We’re travelling in August 2024. Is this list of drivers up to date? I don’t want to accidentally get in contact with someone who isn’t offering the service anymore.
Hi, Yes these drivers are all still available 🙂