Getting Around Bali with Kids: Safe Transport Guide 2026

Gojek and Grab are convenient in Bali but do not offer car seats by default. For babies and toddlers, your safest options are: booking a private driver who provides a car seat, or renting one through Bali Baby Hire (Canggu-based, island-wide delivery). For airport runs and inter-region transfers, Perama Tour & Travel is the trusted family-friendly choice.

The Reality of Transport in Bali

Here's what most transport guides won't tell you: Bali's roads are genuinely unpredictable. Potholes appear overnight, motorbikes weave across lanes without signaling, and traffic in South Bali can turn a 3km trip into a 40-minute crawl. None of that is a reason to panic — millions of families live here happily — but it does mean you need to plan smarter than you would back home.

The biggest mistake newcomers make? Assuming the same safety standards apply. In many countries, you'd never dream of putting a baby in a car without a car seat. In Bali, it's not illegal, and drivers often don't even think to ask. That gap between what you expect and what the default is? That's where accidents happen.

The second mistake: trusting that a "family-friendly driver" on WhatsApp automatically has the right gear. Always confirm, always ask about the car seat specifically, and always have a backup plan.

Vetted Recommendations

Gojek & Grab Bali — Ride-Hailing Reality Check

Both apps work well in Bali for car-based rides (choose GoCar or GrabCar, never the motorbike options with an infant). Drivers are generally polite, routes are tracked, and prices are fair.

The car seat truth: Neither Gojek nor Grab Bali offers car seat options as a standard feature in 2026. You will not be matched with a driver who has one unless you've arranged it separately. For toddlers who can sit independently and hold on, short rides on quiet roads carry manageable risk. For babies, infants, or any road trip of substance — don't rely on these apps without your own portable car seat.

One workaround that works: message the driver directly after matching, ask if they have a car seat or are comfortable with you bringing a travel seat. Some experienced family drivers will say yes; most won't have one. It's a numbers game, and not one you want to play with a newborn.

Use Gojek/Grab for: daytime errands, short hops, toddlers with portable seats you bring yourself.
Avoid for: airport runs, night drives, and any ride with an unrestrained infant.

Bali Baby Hire — Car Seat & Gear Rental

Bali Baby Hire is the gold standard for expat families in Bali. Based in Canggu, they rent everything from infant car seats and boosters to strollers, cots, and highchairs — with island-wide delivery and pickup.

If you're arriving in Bali with a young baby and don't want to lug your own car seat through three airports, this is your solution. Book in advance (especially in peak season — July, August, December), and request delivery to your villa before you land so it's waiting for you.

Car seats are cleaned between rentals, come with installation guidance, and the team is genuinely responsive via WhatsApp. They know what expat families need because they've been serving this community for years.

Best for: Families staying 1–8 weeks, airport arrivals, villa stays, families who need multiple items.

Perama Tour & Travel — Family Shuttles & Airport Transfers

Perama is Bali's most established ground transport company, and they're the go-to for longer journeys: Ngurah Rai Airport transfers, Ubud ↔ Seminyak, Bali ↔ Lombok ferry connections, and inter-region shuttles.

Vehicles are air-conditioned, drivers are vetted, and the booking process is straightforward — online, by phone, or through your villa. They're not luxury, but they're reliable, which is exactly what you want when you're running on three hours of sleep with a toddler who's about to lose it.

Important note: Call or WhatsApp ahead to request a car seat if you need one. Perama can often accommodate with advance notice — but it's not automatic.

Best for: Airport runs, day trips to Ubud from South Bali, ferry connections, families who want a pre-booked fixed-price option.

Pro-Tips: What the Locals Know

Wear a helmet, every time. If you're on a scooter with your child (legal, but not recommended for infants), a well-fitted helmet is non-negotiable. Many villa managers can point you to trusted rental shops with decent helmets.
Morning beats afternoon for safety. Traffic is lighter, visibility is better, and drivers are more alert. Avoid the Seminyak/Canggu corridor between 4–7pm if you can.
Build a relationship with one trusted driver. Ask your villa, your school community, or your Facebook expat group for a personal recommendation. A regular driver who knows your kids' names and your schedule is worth more than any app.
Portable travel car seats are worth the bag space. Lightweight options like the WAYB Pico or Cosco Scenera fold small and work in taxis worldwide — a genuine life-saver in Bali.
Avoid peak holiday traffic entirely. Galungan, Nyepi, and the week before Lebaran bring gridlock across South Bali. Plan major moves around these dates.
Keep a backup driver's number offline. Apps go down. Your go-to driver might be busy. Have two contacts saved outside your phone's internet-dependent apps.

A Conscious Note

Bali's roads carry the weight of an island that's growing faster than its infrastructure. When you hire a local driver regularly, pay fairly, tip generously, and leave honest reviews — you're contributing to a more sustainable local economy. Many Balinese drivers are sole earners for extended families. Choosing them over cheaper app-based options, and treating them with respect, is part of being a responsible long-term resident or guest. Tread lightly, give back where you can, and remember that the community you're asking for help is the same one holding this island together.

Quick-Reference FAQ

Is Grab or Gojek safe for babies in Bali? For short trips with a portable car seat you bring yourself, yes. Neither app provides car seats by default — you must bring your own or rent one through a service like Bali Baby Hire.

Where can I rent a baby car seat in Bali? Bali Baby Hire (Canggu-based, island-wide delivery) is the most trusted option. Book via WhatsApp at least 24–48 hours before you need it, and earlier during peak season.

What's the best way to get from Bali's airport to my villa with a baby? Pre-book a private car transfer through Perama Tour & Travel or a vetted villa-recommended driver. Request a car seat in advance. Avoid arriving and hoping to find a safe option on the spot — the airport pickup zone is chaotic.

Getting Around Bali with Kids: Safe Transport Guide 2026 | Knowmads Bali