Official Airport Taxis at Bali Airport DPS work with a fixed price list and the price depends on the area you want to go to. You can find the counter after you have left the building and exited through the duty free area just outside. Tell the person at the desk your destination or hotel name, then he will tell you the price and give you a ticket number or assign a driver.
Arguing the price they quote is of no use, if you feel that the price is too expensive or if you think your hotel is not in Seminyak, but in Legian.
You pay the driver at the end of the trip.
Unless you have booked your pick-up an airport transfer beforehand there is no easy alternative. You CAN NOT get a metered taxi at the airport.
It can be a bit of a hassle to get a cab at the airport if you have not booked transfer service with your hotel. You will get asked by many “freelance” drivers that lure around the area, if you want their service.
A short note on Taxis on Bali
Getting around by taxi is cheap on Bali, however you need to know a few rules.
- Starting Fee is around IDR 7,000
- You should insist that the taxi driver switches on the meter at the beginning of the ride
- Some of the drivers “tend to forget” which could lead to possible negotiations that can be avoided from the start
- Bluebird Taxi Drivers follow strict company regulations and switch on the meter immediately without you asking. With other companies you might have to insist or remind them.
- Some drivers categorically refuse to switch on the meter, particularly in the middle of the night in Kuta or when you want to be dropped in a remote area. Here you need to use your best bargaining and negotiation skills. Avoid settling for the first asking price.
- In some areas such as in Ubud or Tanah Lot the local community manages the taxi services, “private cars” without meters. Other taxi companies are not allowed to operate and pick up guests on the street. But you can be dropped there, so getting to these areas is no problem. You need to fix a price with the driver AFTER BARGAINING. Prices depend on distance and time of the day.
- Taxis dropping you in one of these areas can not pick up guests after dropping you (Ubud or Tanah Lot) so they might ask for a higher price to take you there, because the return trip will not bring them any money.