Getting Around
Bali Traffic: Real Drive Times Between the Main Areas
Bali's distances are short and its drives are long. Road distances between the main areas in miles, why we print no drive times, and how to get a real one.
Hiring a Private Driver in Bali: How It Works and What a Day Covers
A car and driver for the day is the easy way to see Bali beyond your base. How to find one, what to agree in writing, and how to plan the day's stops.
Grab and Gojek in Bali: Where They Work and Where They Don't
Grab and Gojek are Bali's ride-hailing apps. How to set them up as an American, Grab's airport lounge, the State Department's safety checks, and where to book a driver.
Scooter vs. Driver in Bali
A scooter is cheap and needs a motorcycle license most Americans lack; a driver costs more and removes the legal and insurance risk. How to choose between them.
Do Americans Need an International Driving Permit in Bali?
Americans need an International Driving Permit to drive or ride in Bali, and it has to be arranged before leaving home. What it covers, and what it does not.
Renting a Scooter in Bali: License, Insurance and Police Stops
Any shop in Bali will rent you a scooter. Whether you are legally allowed to ride it is a separate question, and it decides what a police stop or a crash costs you.
Bali to the Gili Islands: Fast Boat vs. Flying via Lombok
Bali to the Gili Islands by fast boat or by flying via Lombok: what each route involves, what travel guides warn about, and how to choose for your month and base.
When Bali's Fast Boats Cancel: Your Options and the Buffer You Need
Fast boats to the Nusa and Gili islands are cancelled when the sea is rough. Your options when it happens, what to ask about your ticket, and the buffer to keep before a flight.
Fast Boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan: Ports, Operators and Sea Conditions
Fast boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan leave from Sanur and cross open water. Ports, the wet landing, what the harbor authority says about weather, and how to choose a boat.
Indonesian Domestic Flights: Baggage Rules and Changes
Indonesian domestic flights include 20 kg, 15 kg or no checked baggage depending on the airline's service group. What to check, and why to keep them clear of your flight home.
