How To Rent A Car In Bali – ULTIMATE Guide

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Have you finally taken the plunge and decided to backpack Bali? Well then, taking a road trip in Bali is the ultimate way to really see this incredible island.

Many people get stuck in Canguu, Ubud, or god forbid, Kuta and complain about the hoards of influencer photoshoots, drunk Bintang singlet-wearing Aussies and busloads of indian tourists. Whilst those complaints are not without reason, there is a whole island out there waiting to be discovered beyond the overcrowded “sights”. 

The best way to see them… on your own transport! This means you can soak in all of Bali’s beautiful diversity at your own pace and without the crowds. Think, cruising along coastal roads, through the winding monkey-infested mountain passes and amongst the rolling rice terraces reflecting the endless sky. From little hidden gems like waterfall chasing to visiting little-known temples where incense fills the air rather than the noise pollution from other tourists! 

BUT! Bali’s roads are not like those you’ll find in Europe, Australia or the US. They range from absolute chaos with scooters weaving in and out of an endless sea of traffic, fumes and beeping to narrow, steep, fog-covered and treacherous. Add to that the less-than-chilled nature of Indonesian truck drivers, and well, it can be, shall we say, less than ideal! 

What’s driving in Bali like? Well, have you ever played Mario Kart?! Here it’s every man for themselves, no lane discipline, scooters mounting curbs, dogs, chickens and ceremonial parades in the streets, kids riding literal motorbikes, and entire families and their fridge on a 125cc bike, weaving in and out of traffic. 

It’s an experience, and those new to driving or riding in this region should proceed with caution. But as they say, fortune favours the brave! 

Things to keep in mind before hiring a car in Bali:

Driver’s Licence and ID

When it comes to driving in Bali, there are both official and unofficial requirements! This is Southeast Asia after all! 

Officially, you’ll need your valid license from home, plus an International Driver’s Permit. (You’ll need the 1968 one). If you’re renting from one of the big companies, then they’ll likely insist on producing these before you’ll be allowed to drive off with a car. 

On the other hand, if you want to rent a motorbike or scooter, it can range from asking for a deposit and at least just having a licence (not specifically a bike one, just a licence!) to literally just handing over the keys, no questions asked, for a few $ a day! 

Renting cars from local dealers rather than large companies is often somewhere in the middle. They’ll want you to have a licence and pay a deposit most often, but not having an IDP isn’t an issue. 

Police in tourist zones do frequently stop foreigners in cars, checking for IDPs, but they’re more interested in a quick buck rather than enforcing the rules. Expect to pay 200,000–500,000 IDR for an “on the spot” fine and be on your way! 

I rented a car through Discover Cars and found them to be a great tool to find the best deal for a rental car in Bali. I’ve written a legit Discover Cars review on all the pros and cons of using Discover Cars for your car rental.

Roads and Driving Standards

Bali is as much of a mixed bag as I think anywhere could possibly be! Oh, and here they drive on the left-hand side, because it makes sense!

In the south of the island, you’re dealing with gridlock on roads only designed for a low level of local traffic. It’s pure chaos, and you’ll have bikes swarming you like they’re angry wasps! 

North, West and North East Bali, with places like Amed, is where the real magic is. This region is much quieter, and you might even find that you have the roads to yourself or a few friendly locals waving next to you. Here you’ll get to experience the real Bali in all its serene beauty. 

However, some of the mountain roads can be dangerous and treacherous if you’re not used to them. We’re talking about thick fog, sharp turns and heavy trucks struggling uphill. Road conditions can be mixed once you get out of the heavily populated area, too, as maintenance isn’t prioritised here. Potholes are common, as are hazards like wandering animals. 

At least road rage isn’t really a thing when it comes to the easy-going locals! They’re chill AF! They somehow just let the pure chaos around them slide right off. Ya gotta love the Balinese people. 

Parking

If you’ve hired a car, you’re going to want somewhere safe to park it. Well, Bali isn’t the easiest if you’re not confident in navigating tight spaces. Parking varies from playing Tetris with your deposit to valet-style parking with local attendants charging 2,000–10,000 IDR. The latter is most common at beach clubs and fancy hotels. 

In smaller villages, locals will often wave you into their parking spots and charge a small fee. Larger tourist attractions often have good parking facilities, at least with large organised car parks…if you can get a spot! 

Ok, let’s break this down and have a closer look at the details of renting a car in Bali so you can decide if it’s the right thing for you. 

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Bali?

Bali is still a pretty affordable place to travel to, and car rental prices still reflect this compared to Western Europe, the US and Australia. Having said that, they can vary wildly depending on whether you decide to go with a local rental or a multinational company. Plus, of course, what vehicle you choose. 

Local rentals can be super cheap, we’re talking 250 IDR ($15) a day, but you’ll get no insurance and vehicle condition can be mixed. 

With the recognised international companies, you’re talking about higher prices, but you’ll get insurance, breakdown cover and better-maintained vehicles. 

Cost Breakdown: 

• Small automatic: 350k – 500k IDR/day ($22 – 32)
• SUV / 7-seater: 600k – 900k IDR/day ($38 – 55)
• Monthly rentals: 4 – 7 million IDR ($250 – 450)

Get Insured BEFORE you visit Bali

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Bali.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Navigation in Bali

Google Maps, forget about it! Whilst it will work for a lot of the island, it’s also been known to send unsuspecting tourists down tiny village roads barely wide enough for a bicycle. 

Avoid setting the “shortest route” as it might send you down farm tracks, through rice fields or motorcycle-only shortcuts (jalan pintas) which are very common in Bali, especially around Canguu and Seminyak. 

Always preview in satellite view first before setting off and use your common sense rather than just blindly following Google Maps… or you might just end up a reel on Insta, just saying! 

Pick Up / Drop Off Locations

The most common and easiest pick up and drop off spot is DPS Airport (Ngurah Rai). 

Here you’ll find access to all the major international companies. 

Some companies also offer pick up and drop off at popular locations such as Canggu, Seminyak and Ubud, but often delivery fees will apply. 

Local rentals are more likely to be available outside of the airport and in busy tourist spots. 

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Petrol

Petrol is super cheap in Bali, and you’ll find it everywhere! I mean, literally sold roadside out of glass bottles to legit “Pertamina stations” which can be found all over the island. 

If you’re renting from a “legit” place, you’d be best sticking to the proper petrol stations to make sure you get good quality fuel. 

You should expect to pay around 10 – 12k IDR/litre ($0.70–0.80).

Insurance Coverage

International companies such as Avis, Hertz, etc, offer good insurance coverage options. Most rentals will include some sort of basic coverage, as well as offering a range of upgraded options which will reduce your liability and excess and increase your third-party coverage. 

When renting a car in Bali, I would highly recommend a high coverage of insurance as driving here will involve congested roads, tight parking spaces, mountain passes and unpredictable scooters riding very close by. Scratches, dings and small collisions are pretty common here! 

You should be sure to photograph the car before leaving in order to document its state prior to you driving it away. Most large companies will also do their own documentation, paper and photos. 

Also, be sure to check what conditions your policy comes with, such as mileage allowances, geographical limitations (e.g not being driven off the island or off-road) and exclusions (windscreen, tyres, etc). 

If you hire from a local company, well, their policy is basically “don’t crash, or it’s your problem”! Be warned!

If you’re renting a car in Bali, then sticking with the top international companies that operate here is best advised. These are: Avis, Europcar and Budget. But finding a good price can be a pain, so I advise using Discover Cars, where you can search all available providers for the best deal. 

I’ve found their website, prices and booking process to be good. You can search through various cars, companies and dive into each’s reviews before making your decision. It’s WAY easier than having to search through each of the car rental companies themselves.

Ok, let’s have a reality check for a moment! I’ll be honest, I’ve driven all over the world. I’ve had cars in Albania, motorbiked across Vietnam, driven a tuk-tuk around Sri Lanka and a campervan through the outback of Australia and the mountain roads of New Zealand… but personally, I wouldn’t rent a car in Bali! 

Why? Well, it’s just not worth the stress, risk or hassle of the chaotic traffic, dodgy roads, countless hazards and potential of losing my deposit. 

But what do you do instead? Ring Pak Edy.

Well, this is the thing. For a similar price that you’d pay renting a car out with a big company, you can hire a driver instead to do all the hard work for you. You get all the freedom you want without any of the responsibility, sounds like a winner to me!

With a private driver, you’ll be able to tailor your itinerary to suit your interests. If you wanna go somewhere, tell Pak Edy and he will take you. Not only that, but with a local driver, they can offer you priceless tips for the best spots to go, whether you’re looking to hit up the popular attractions or head somewhere off the beaten track. They’re locals after all, and they’re the ones who know all the best-kept secrets of the island! 

Don’t worry about stopping along the way either. Your driver will know all the most scenic routes and the perfect photo spots along the way. Oh, and if you need to pee or get some food, just shout out! 

Plus, once you factor in the daily rate to hire a car, pay for additional insurance, petrol, police fines, parking costs and forking out your deposit… sitting in a comfortable air-conditioned car with a knowledgeable local for a similar price sounds like a great deal!

Hire the Best Balinese Driver – Pak Edy

Hiring a driver literally takes all the guesswork and stress out of your trip. From knowing the best shortcuts that don’t result in parking in a rice paddy to planning out the most incredible Balinese adventure, Pak Edy has it covered. 

With years of experience, Balinese local Edy knows the absolute best spots to visit on the island and how to tailor your adventure to your interests and needs. He also knows exactly where the most incredible and authentic food can be found in Bali.

Call or Text +62 812-3765-6124 on WhatsApp to book Pak Edy for your Balinese adventure.

Ok, just in case you have a few more burning questions when it comes to renting a car in Bali, I’ve got you covered here with some frequently asked questions. 

Alright then, folks. I’ve laid out all the details you’ll need for renting a car in Bali. Now it’s up to you to decide if it’s the best thing for your trip. Do you run the gauntlet of scooters, dogs, chickens, 2km long parades, potholes and mountain passes, or do you leave it to the professionals?

Now, I’m not saying no one can step up and take on the roads of Bali in a car, but unless you’re well-versed in dealing with chaotic Asian traffic on narrow roads, I’d stay clear!

Personally, I much prefer the relaxing nature of hiring a private driver who knows all the best spots to visit that aren’t crawling with tourists. I love still having the freedom to yell out whenever we’d like to stop for a photo or a break, but without the added pressures of battling through the traffic! 

Oh, and don’t forget to jump onto Discover Cars to search through the best car rental options