How to get around Bali with kids
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One of the first things that hits you on arrival in Bali is the slightly crazy traffic. Navigating Bali’s chaotic roads with kids can be daunting – but the good news is that there are ways to make it less stressful! Learn how to get around Bali with kids using safe, affordable and family-friendly transport options.
In this post we’ll look at using the Grab and Gojek apps to book journeys, finding a private driver, the challenges of public transport in Bali and other top tips for how to get around Bali with kids.
Avoiding the traffic in Bali might be difficult, but we promise that the Island of the Gods is well-worth a visit still. Don’t let the traffic stop you from exploring everything this beautiful island has to offer!
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Table of Contents
- Why getting around Bali with kids requires some planning
- Using Grab and Gojek to get around Bali with kids
- Hiring private drivers for family travel in Bali
- Public transport in Bali: what you need to know
- Journey times and traffic issues
- Practical tips for getting around in Bali with kids
- Planning a family visit to Bali with kids?
Why getting around Bali with kids requires some planning
Bali is a wonderful destination for a family holiday or extended family time. It has a huge amount to offer for the whole family. It really did steal our hearts during our time on the Island of the Gods and we would go back in an instant.
However, you do need to think about how to get around Bali with kids safely. There is very, very little public transport and the roads are incredibly hectic and chaotic.
Fortunately there are several safe, reliable options for getting around Bali with kids. The widely available Grab and Gojek ride-shares make life a lot easier than you might think. Plus the option of hiring a private driver is much more affordable than you might think. This can also be an easy and stress-free way of navigating Bali with the family.
Using Grab and Gojek to get around Bali with kids
If there are just two apps that you should download before you arrive in Bali, Grab and Gojek should be them. These are absolute must-have apps for making life in Bali as stress-free as possible.
Grab and Gojek are the Asian equivalents of Uber – ride-sharing apps. Grab exists across South East Asia whereas Gojek is just in Indonesia. They both offer cars and scooter-rides for visitors, pre-bookable via the app.
There are absolutely LOADS of Grab and Gojek cars and bikes available to hire in Bali. During our stay we never had to wait more than 10-minutes between booking and the vehicle arriving. You can opt for standard four-seater cars or larger ones (typically with extra fold-down seats in the trunk) if you’re a bigger group.
If you book a bike for a single-person journey (which we did regularly when just one of us had somewhere to get to) then the driver will provide a helmet for you.
We found all the cars and bikes we used to be in a good state and very comfortable.
Journeys via Grab and Gojek are incredibly affordable. Most of our journeys to and from the centre of Ubud for instance (from our villa) were around £1.50-£2.50 for the 10-15minute journey. Bikes are cheaper – often coming in at less than £1 for the same journey.
Grab and Gojek are also used for meal delivery and groceries too on Bali. This is also really helpful! We ordered meals from local restaurants frequently during our stay. And we would use the grocery delivery service at times too when we were short on items.
A quick word of warning: in some tourist centres the local taxi drivers are really not fans of ride-sharing apps like Grab and Gojek. You’ll find that key pick up/drop off spots are not used by Grab or Gojek. This is because there are often local taxis at these locations and the drivers will not allow Grab/Gojek cars to stop. We didn’t find this an issue at all but it is something to be aware of.
Hiring private drivers for family travel in Bali
The other widely used way to get around Bali with kids is to hire a private driver. Depending on the culture you come from, this could seem wildly extravagant. However it is very much the norm for travellers visiting Bali and is often very cost effective.
If you can, search out personal recommendations for private drivers from those who have visited Bali before. If this isn’t an option, then almost all hotels and private villas will be able to recommend a driver for you. Many private cars have up to six passenger seats – there are often two in the trunk that fold down. This means that one driver can accommodate even a larger family group, which makes this a very affordable way to travel.
The other advantage of hiring a private driver is the complete peace of mind and control over your travel. There’s no hanging around waiting for a taxi (or bus) with kids in tow. If you use the same driver throughout your stay then you’ll know exactly what vehicle you’re getting and how roadworthy it is.
Whilst we used Grab and Gojek cars a LOT during our time living in Bali, we also hired a private driver for certain trips. For our weekend break in Sanur we paid a total of IDR198,000/US$12 for the return journey (around an hour from Ubud).
We also travelled to Lovina in the North of Bali and back using a private driver. This trip takes 3-4hours. It’s well worth a trip to see the dolphins – see our full review of this on the blog here. Our private car cost IDR600,000/US$36 each way for five people.
Public transport in Bali: what you need to know
The main thing to understand about public transport in Bali is there just isn’t really any. There is a complete lack of public transport infrastructure on the island, even in bigger destinations.
There’s no train network at all in Bali.
There are a couple of bus options if you’re determined to take public transport. These are the Bemo and Kura-Kura buses.
Bemo buses
The Bemo buses are minivans that run along the main routes between towns. They don’t have official stops so you just have to let the driver know when you want to get off. The buses can be VERY crowded (with people and animals!). They also don’t always take the most direct route between locations. Plus you’ll need to negotiate the fare when you get on-board (tourists are frequently overcharged). There is also often very little space for luggage and/or strollers etc.
Kura Kura Shuttle bus
The Kura Kura bus is a shuttle service that links Ubud and Kuta. These shuttles do operate on a regular schedule and go via regular stops, so are easier to navigate than the bemo buses. You have to book tickets in advance (which you can do online). Tickets are IDR100,000/US$6 per person (one way) between Ubud and Kuta.
Why we wouldn’t advise using public transport in Bali
The cost of the Kura Kura buses for a family of four don’t make sense when compared to Grab of Gojek prices. As an example, we paid between IDR198,000-215,000/$US15-17 for a one-way Grab on this route. Even a private driver would likely come in cheaper for the journey between Ubud and Kuta for four people.
Given the cost of the Kura Kura buses and the slightly chaotic nature of the Bemo buses I would highly recommend using Grab or Gojek. These are much easier options for travelling as a family in Bali.
Journey times and traffic issues
Now that we’ve considered the various forms of transport available for getting around Bali with kids, let’s dive a bit deeper in to some of the other info you might need.
Understanding journey times
So you’ve checked on Google Maps and it says it should take you about 40minutes to get from the airport to Canggu. When you’re planning a journey in Bali, you should generally add on a LOT of extra time to get to your destination.
Whilst it CAN take 40minutes to do this journey, it can also take 1hour and 40minutes. The traffic in Bali is INSANE and doesn’t seem to adhere to any rules about peak times. Sometimes a journey can take you 10-15mins and others it can take you over an hour.
The key here is to plan ahead and leave PLENTY of time to get to where you need to go. If you’re not on a schedule, relax and accept that this is life in Bali. If you need to catch a flight, then preparation is absolutely key. Journey times can easily double (or even triple!) in Bali so make sure you plan ahead.
Navigating traffic with kids
Sitting in endless traffic is no fun for anyone. And it’s DEFINITELY no fun for parents with whingeing kids in the back of the car!
If you’re travelling around Bali with kids then make sure you’re well prepped for extended car journeys. Even when you expect it to only be a short hop! Pack snacks and water to make sure kids have access to these. Whilst it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, we also found the boys’ Fire Tablets a life-saver at times like this. One of the things we loved about our family gap year was the decrease in time on devices. But long journeys are one time when we allowed them some access to tablets to help keep them entertained.
If you can it’s also worth trying to travel early in the morning or late in the evening. This can help to avoid the absolute worst of the traffic. This obviously isn’t always possible with kids but it can help when you have the option.
Road conditions and safety
Not only are Bali’s roads very busy, they are also not in the best condition. There are a lot of potholes and some very narrow roads. The sheer volume of scooter traffic can also make for a lot of accidents.
At times the very heavy rain can also lead to localised flooding on the streets.
Many families staying in Bali for a longer duration do opt for scooters. These are an affordable option and mean you can nip about fairly quickly between places. If you do choose to travel by scooter make sure you have good quality, well-fitting helmets for all passengers.
However, if you’re not confident then it really is just as easy to stick to Grab and Gojek.
Practical tips for getting around in Bali with kids
To wrap up, here are a few final practical tips for getting around Bali with kids.
- Most Grab, Gojek and private drivers will not have good quality car seats (if any at all). Bring your own for complete peace of mind.
- Ask around for personal recommendations for private drivers. There are so many on Bali that going with a real life recommendation is always best.
- Safety first with kids: if you’re not completely confident on a scooter then just rely on Grab and Gojek cars. These are everywhere and pretty much just as easy as having your own wheels.
- Avoid walking in the heat. There are very few pavements in Bali and the roads are chaotic. You might be used to wandering the streets at home but this isn’t always enjoyable in Bali!
Planning a family visit to Bali with kids?
If you’re planning on taking the kids to Bali, then check out our other posts and reviews for inspiration and top tips.
