After successfully hitchhiking through the roads of Thailand and the mountains of India, we decided to try it in Bali too! And we did not regret it at all. Although hitchhiking in Bali is not a very common practice, with a little patience and the right strategy, we managed to get around without any problems!
Read the article below to learn more about hitchhiking in Bali and our 5 tips and tricks to success!
Means of transport in Bali
Public transport in Bali is rather limited and often impractical for tourists who want to get around the island easily. Means such as local buses and minibuses tend to be unreliable: departure times are rarely available, even at stations, and tourists are often charged higher prices than residents. However, buses or minibuses can be found along the main arteries connecting Denpasar to tourist resorts such as Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud.
Given the lack of efficient public options, the most convenient and popular way to explore Bali is with private solutions. The preferred means of transport for tourists is undoubtedly the scooter, available to rent for about IDR 60,000 to 100,000 (EUR 4 to 7) per day. This choice, however, requires some familiarity with driving, especially in the often truly chaotic traffic of Balinese roads.
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Another option is private taxis and drivers such as GoJek and Grab, which offer relatively cheap rides. For example, for a trip from Ubud to the port of Sanur with Grab, we spent about IDR 216,000(about EUR 13) for an hour’s drive. However, if we had used these services for the entire duration of our stay, we would have easily reached hundreds of Euros!
Being budget travellers, we decided to opt for hitchhiking and try to get around at zero cost, and it was a success!
5 top tips for hitchhiking in Bali
1. Set things straight right away
Indonesians are generally very hospitable and willing to help, but hitchhiking is not a culturally widespread practice. During our hitchhiking experience in Bali, we noticed how often locals were confused by our hitchhiking act, thinking we were looking for a taxi or a bus.
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Countless times, locals stopped to give us directions to buses or to ask if we wanted to rent a car or moped! In addition, many times many taxis or private drivers stopped to offer us paid rides, especially in tourist areas. In order not to create unpleasant situations, before getting into someone’s car, make it clear from the outset that you want to travel at zero cost! If the drivers do not speak English, you can say in Indonesian the phrase: ‘Tidak bayar‘, which means: ‘I am not paying’.
2. Position yourself on the main roads, in less touristy areas
Very touristy areas are the worst places to hitchhike! If you can, try to position yourself in less touristy areas. In rural areas or villages away from the chaotic centres of Ubud, Kuta or Seminyak, you are more likely to find people to give you a lift for free. If necessary, take a means of transport just to get away from the city centre!
The main roads connecting villages or towns, especially where public transport is scarce, are the places where you are most likely to succeed.
Example
In an attempt to reach Ubud from Amed Beach (about 3 hours by car), it took us a good 6 hours! We decided to drive through the interior of Bali instead of following the main road, thinking it would be faster, as suggested by Google Maps (probably due to traffic). But it was not a wise choice! On the main roads, in fact, there are many more cars heading to distant destinations, perfect for hitch-hiking, while in the interior areas, traffic is limited to short distances, forcing you to take multiple passes.
3. Leave very early in the morning
A good tip for hitchhiking anywhere in the world: leave early in the morning! In Bali, this is even more important because, for the reasons listed above, hitchhiking can take a long time. Being on the road in the early hours of the day is crucial, especially if you are dropped off in rural areas where there are no Grab, taxis or buses. Leaving early gives you the margin you need to find other rides and reach your destination. In addition, we have noticed that many religious ceremonies are held in the morning, when Indonesians move between villages, thus increasing the chances of finding long and direct passes.
Usually, our waiting time ranged from 10 minutes to 30 minutes before we got a ride!
4. Consider using a sign
When hitchhiking, be clear with your gesture: raise your thumb internationally, or wave your hand if it looks like your thumb is not being understood.
Using a sign can be very helpful when hitchhiking in Bali! A sign helps to communicate your destination more clearly, especially as many people may not understand the hitchhiking gesture or may think you are looking for a taxi. In addition, the sign might attract curiosity and encourage greater linguistic simplicity.
When writing the name of your destination on the sign, use the local Indonesian name.
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5. Use common sense: safety
Hitchhiking in Bali is generally safe; Balinese culture is deeply rooted in tri hita karana, a concept that promotes harmony between people, nature and the divine. This is reflected in their friendly and respectful attitude towards visitors. However, it is always important to follow common sense: avoid hitchhiking at night, especially in places that are too isolated. If you are in very touristy areas such as Kuta or Seminyak, it may be good to have a little extra caution to avoid pickpockets or scammers.
Wherever you find yourself hitchhiking, it’s always a good habit to share your location and movements with someone!
Conclusion: is it worth it to hitchhike in Bali?
Bali was our third hitchhiking experience, and even though getting rides was more challenging than in countries like India and Thailand, the experience was incredible and rewarding. So absolutely yes, it’s worth it! We had the chance to chat with locals, immerse ourselves in Balinese culture, discovering ceremonies and traditions, and admire from the window the beautiful views of rice paddies that make the island unique.
Was this guide to hitchhiking in Bali helpful? Leave us a comment below and let us know! Are you planning your trip to Bali or have you already had positive or negative experiences hitchhiking in Bali (or elsewhere?). We’d love to hear about it!
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