In Bali, we needed a 6-seater car as Marianna’s mum was visiting. On popular websites, I found just one option available for the entire 3.5-week period of our stay. The price was around 1,200 GBP. With no real alternatives, I booked it, only to receive a message a few hours later informing me that the car was no longer available. I thought, “Rejection is divine protection,” and calmly reached out to the villa owners for advice.

They advised against driving in Bali to anyone unfamiliar with local conditions, such as crazy traffic with an infinite number of scooters. We were warned that in the event of any incident, we’d likely be held responsible since the accident wouldn’t have occurred had we not been driving. We were also cautioned that we might be treated like “walking ATMs” in such situations. They recommended hiring a car with a driver, which I was already considering, as a local rental company had mentioned this option earlier.

I decided to search the internet again to see if I could find a better deal. We were able to rent an excellent 7-seater Daihatsu Xenia for just over 20 GBP per day! The total cost was 460 GBP, which was a far better deal compared to the 1,200 GBP aforementioned offer. The entire booking process was done via WhatsApp, and everything went exactly as planned. I highly recommend Shreya Car Rental company.

Getting Around the City

Driving in Bali is an adventure and a real challenge, especially for those unaccustomed to heavy traffic and the unique driving style on the island. Scooters are the most popular mode of transport here, and their riders move quickly and skilfully, weaving through traffic, which can be nerve-wracking to some unfamiliar drivers.

Walking along busy streets isn’t entirely safe either – scooters frequently use pavements to get around traffic. In Kuta, we often had to step off the pavement to make way for them.

Photo: Crowded street in Bali

When driving in Bali, the most important rule is to avoid sudden movements. Scooters are everywhere – on both sides, in front of us, and behind. After spending a month in Thailand, I thought I was prepared, but the sheer number of scooters in Bali was on a completely different level. Our first accommodation was in Kuta, just 12 kilometres from the airport. Despite the short distance, the drive took us nearly an hour.

Photo: Traffic in Kuta, Bali

Photo: Traffic in Kuta, Bali

The further you travel from Kuta, the lighter the traffic becomes, though it remains slow – with an average speed of no more than 40 km/h, and often as low as 30 km/h. Due to the slow traffic, we decided to rebook our last villa, moving from Kuta to Ubud.

When planning a trip to Bali, it’s important to account for the extremely slow traffic to avoid spending too much time in the car. In my opinion, the best way to explore the island is by booking accommodation in several different areas. A 40-kilometre round trip can easily take up to three hours.

Conclusions

In conclusion, if you’re visiting Bali with children, having your own car is a great idea if you plan to explore the island. It is possible to rent a good-quality, affordable vehicle from a rental company such as the one I mentioned earlier. By following the basic rule of avoiding sudden movements when driving and having a bit of confidence, everything should go smoothly!

This was our very first walk in Kuta.