Bali Travel Tips: Best Money-Saving Transportation Strategies Revealed
As a backpacker, public transportation is my go-to choice! It’s not only more economical but also perfect for long-term adventures. I journeyed eastward, marveling at the majestic volcanoes, and then hopped on a ferry from Banyuwangi to Bali. Below, I’ll share some money-saving tips that helped me keep expenses low, totaling just [money bag][five][three] RMB (from Banyuwangi to a hotel in Bali) [shy].
[Right arrow] Banyuwangi ➡️ Bali
1️⃣ Arrive at Ketapang Port (you can take a Grab taxi for convenience)
2️⃣ Purchase your tickets with your passport and cash at the convenience store opposite the ferry for Rp1,060 ([money bag]5). Avoid buying at the counter, where they charge 16K for foreigners, even though the ticket price is the same.
3️⃣ Enter the port, proceed straight, turn right, and exchange your ticket for a boarding pass (Ticket A for boarding, Ticket B for keeping, see Figure 3). 4️⃣ Use Ticket A to scan and enter the gate to board the ferry.
5️⃣ Ferries run approximately every half hour. When the ferry arrives, staff will call out for passengers to board and collect Ticket A; you can choose to sit on the second level, either indoors or outdoors.
6️⃣ After about 1.5 hours, you’ll arrive at Gilimanuk Port in Bali.
✅ The ferry is well-equipped with amenities, including toilets and drinks. It’s recommended to use the toilet before disembarking, as land toilets usually cost 2-5K.
[Right arrow] Internal Transportation
Bali offers a variety of internal transportation options, including shuttle buses, public buses, ride-hailing services, taxis, bicycles, motorcycles, and chartered cars. My preferred choices are shuttle buses, public buses, motorcycles, and the ride-hailing app Grap.
1️⃣ Shuttle bus (Gilimanuk Port ➡️ Denpasar)
After exiting the port, turn right, walk to the passenger station across the road, and find the bus to Denpasar, see Figure 7. The fare is 100K/person ([money bag]46).
2️⃣ Public bus (Denpasar passenger station ➡️ hotel) (Figure 8 – last)
The fare is Rp4,400 ([money bag]2), and payment is accepted via card or QR code only.
A card costs 50K, which is quite steep!
Ask the staff to assist with QR code payment, and then give them cash. You can use the Gojek app for QR code payments (usable in multiple countries, see the last 4 figures). Activate it with a domestic phone, bind a bank card (only Bank of China works), or recharge at Indomaret (Rp1,500 fee per transaction).
3️⃣ Motorcycle
Renting a motorcycle costs 50-80K/24 hours, and no passport or deposit is required, making it very convenient! Given Bali’s size, renting a motorcycle is the most convenient and economical option. Renting for several days can be even cheaper.
There are plenty of motorcycles in Bali, and they tend to drive fast, so always prioritize safety.
4️⃣ Ride-hailing app Grap
Grap is more cost-effective than taxis, with many available vehicles, quick pick-up, no need to haggle, and safety reminders. Payment can be by card or cash. It’s more expensive than public buses, and there’s an additional 10K charge for trips to Bali airport.
[Right arrow] Total [money bag]5 + [money bag]46 + [money bag]2 = [money bag][five][three]
