Q: "What are the best and safest transportation options for families with kids in Bali?"

Navigating Bali with children requires careful planning for safety and convenience. Here's your complete guide to family-friendly transport options, car seat requirements, and staying safe on the roads.

The Quick Answer

Safest for families: Private car with driver + your own car seats

Full control over safety equipment
Flexible scheduling
Air conditioning for hot days
No helmet requirements for kids

Most convenient: Grab/GoJek Car

Available on-demand
GPS tracking for safety
Cashless payments
Some drivers have car seats

Budget option: Motorbike taxi (for adults only)

Never take young children on motorbikes
Helmets required by law
Traffic can be dangerous

Car Seat Laws & Safety in Bali

Indonesian Car Seat Requirements

Legal requirements:

Children under 12 must use appropriate restraints
Enforced sporadically but penalties exist
Front seat passengers must wear seatbelts
Back seat belt laws vary by region

Reality check:

Many local cars don't have proper anchor points
Car seat availability is limited
Most families bring their own from home
International standards may not apply to local seats

Recommended Safety Approach

Bring from home:

Your own car seats (checked baggage)
Portable booster seats for older kids
ISOFIX adapters if needed
Seat belt adjusters for proper fit

Local options:

Mothercare Bali: Limited selection, higher prices
Baby Shop Indonesia: Basic models available
Online: Tokopedia, Shopee have options
Rental companies: Some provide seats (check quality first)

Private Car with Driver (Recommended)

Why It's Best for Families

Safety advantages:

Use your own car seats
Professional driver knows local roads
No parking stress in busy areas
Air conditioning for comfort
Flexibility for nap times and feeding

Cost breakdown:

Half day (6 hours): 400K-600K IDR
Full day (10 hours): 600K-800K IDR
Airport transfers: 200K-400K IDR
Fuel: Usually included
Tolls: Extra charge

Finding Reliable Drivers

Recommended services:

Made Bali Driver: +62 878-6199-8888
Wayan Family Tours: +62 813-3999-0088
Ketut Bali Transport: +62 812-3800-9999
Nyoman Driver Bali: +62 821-4444-8888

What to ask:

"Do you have experience with families?"
"Can you install car seats?"
"Do you speak English?"
"Are you comfortable with multiple stops?"
"What's included in the price?"

Vetting Your Driver

Check before hiring:

Valid Indonesian driver's license
Insurance coverage
Clean, well-maintained vehicle
Good English communication
References from other families
WhatsApp for easy communication

Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, GoJek)

Grab Car - Family Features

Advantages:

GPS tracking for safety
Cashless payment
Driver ratings and reviews
Multiple car options
24/7 availability

Car seat reality:

Most drivers don't have car seats
Some premium drivers offer them
Call ahead to confirm availability
Bring your own portable seat

Costs:

GrabCar: 3K-5K IDR per km
GrabCar Plus: 20-30% premium
GrabFamily: Larger vehicles when available
Airport surcharge: 10K-20K IDR

GoJek Car (GoRide vs GoCar)

GoCar features:

Similar to Grab but often cheaper
Growing network in Bali
Good for short distances
Less English support than Grab

Safety considerations:

Newer app = fewer driver reviews
Payment sometimes cash only
Car seat availability very limited

Booking Tips for Families

Pre-book for airport transfers
Message driver about car seats before trip starts
Bring portable booster for older kids
Have backup transport plan
Rate drivers who are family-friendly

Motorbike Transport (Adults Only)

Important Safety Warning

NEVER take young children on motorbikes in Bali traffic

Extremely dangerous road conditions
No proper child restraints available
High accident rates
Insurance may not cover accidents

For Adults Only

GoJek/Grab Bike options:

Quick for solo adult trips
Helmet provided (quality varies)
Traffic navigation advantages
Very affordable

Costs:

GoJek: 2K-3K IDR per km
Grab Bike: Similar pricing
Tips: 5K-10K IDR appreciated

Helmet Safety

Check before riding:

Proper fit and chin strap
No visible cracks
Clean interior (hygiene)
Meets safety standards (rare but ideal)

Bring your own if staying long-term

Renting a Car for Families

International Rental Companies

Available in Bali:

Hertz: Airport and major hotels
Avis: Limited locations
Budget: Basic fleet

Advantages:

International insurance standards
English-speaking staff
Roadside assistance
Credit card payments

Disadvantages:

Very expensive (1M+ IDR per day)
Limited car seat availability
May require International Driving Permit

Local Car Rental

Popular local companies:

Trac Astra: +62 804-1-872-872
Bali Car Rental: Multiple locations
Family Car Bali: +62 361-123-4567

Typical costs:

Economy car: 300K-500K IDR/day
SUV/MPV: 600K-900K IDR/day
Insurance: 50K-100K IDR/day extra
Driver: 200K-300K IDR/day additional

Self-Driving Considerations

Requirements:

Valid home country license
International Driving Permit (recommended)
Passport and visa
Credit card for deposit

Reality of driving in Bali:

Chaotic traffic, especially in South Bali
Motorbikes everywhere
Different traffic rules and enforcement
Parking can be challenging
Road conditions vary greatly

Public Transportation

Bemo (Local Minibuses)

Not recommended for families because:

No car seats or safety restraints
Overcrowded conditions
Unpredictable schedules
Language barriers
No air conditioning

If you must use:

Hold children securely at all times
Avoid peak hours
Carry exact change
Know your destination in Indonesian

Trans Sarbagita (Bus Rapid Transit)

Limited family utility:

Connects some areas of Denpasar
No car seat accommodations
Crowded during rush hours
Modern air-conditioned buses
Very affordable (5K IDR)

Good for: Short trips with older children who can hold on securely

Tourist Shuttle Services

Kura-Kura Bus:

Connects major tourist areas
Air conditioning
Fixed routes and schedules
No car seat provisions
80K IDR day pass

Perama Bus:

Tourist-focused routes
Comfortable seating
English announcements
Limited to main tourist destinations

Airport Transportation

Ngurah Rai Airport Options

Official Airport Taxi:

Fixed rates by zone
Professional drivers
No car seats provided
Can pre-book car seats (rare)
150K-400K IDR depending on destination

Private Airport Transfer:

Book through hotel or online
Can request car seats in advance
Meet and greet service
Usually includes child seats if requested
200K-500K IDR

Recommended airport transfer services:

Bali Cab: +62 361-701-111
Blue Bird: +62 361-701-234
Hotel transfers: Often best option for families

Airport Transfer Tips

Book 24-48 hours ahead
Specify number and ages of children
Request car seats in booking
Confirm car seat availability before travel
Have driver contact info saved
Bring your own portable seat as backup

Getting Around Different Areas

South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua)

Traffic reality:

Very congested, especially Sunset Road
Short distances can take 30+ minutes
Peak hours: 7-9am, 5-7pm
Walking often faster than driving

Best options:

Private driver for day trips
Walk + Grab for short distances
Hotel shuttles when available
Early morning travel to avoid traffic

Central Bali (Ubud)

Easier navigation:

Less traffic than south
More pleasant for walking
Local drivers know shortcuts
Cooler temperatures

Family-friendly options:

Bicycle with child seats (flat areas only)
Private driver for temple visits
Walking for central Ubud
Grab availability varies

East/North Bali

Different transport needs:

Longer distances between attractions
Full-day driver essential
Limited ride-hailing availability
Road conditions vary

Plan for:

Fuel stops
Rest stops for kids
Bathroom breaks
Snacks and drinks

Transport Safety Tips for Families

Pre-Trip Preparation

Essential items:

Portable car seats or boosters
Seat belt adjusters
Travel insurance covering transport
Emergency contact numbers
Basic Indonesian transport phrases

Daily Safety Practices

Every ride checklist:

Check car seat installation
Ensure all belts are fastened
Confirm driver knows destination
Share trip details with someone
Keep emergency numbers handy

Emergency Preparedness

Transport emergencies:

Tourist Police: 911
General Emergency: 112
Grab/GoJek customer service
Your accommodation contact
Travel insurance hotline

Accident protocol:

Ensure everyone's safety first
Move to safe location if possible
Call emergency services if needed
Contact your insurance company
Document everything with photos
Get driver and witness information

Age-Specific Transport Guidelines

Babies (0-12 months)

Must-haves:

Rear-facing infant car seat
Portable car seat base
Sun shades for car windows
Extra diapers and supplies for delays

Transport options:

Private car with driver (best)
Pre-arranged transfers with infant seats
Avoid: motorbikes, bemos, crowded transport

Toddlers (1-4 years)

Safety requirements:

Forward-facing car seat or high-back booster
5-point harness preferred
Secure installation every time
Entertainment for longer rides

Good options:

Family-friendly Grab drivers
Private drivers experienced with kids
Hotel shuttles with proper seating

School Age (5-12 years)

Can use:

Booster seats for proper belt fit
Regular seatbelts if tall enough
Public transport with close supervision
Bicycle transport in safe areas

Teaching opportunities:

Traffic safety awareness
Local transport etiquette
Basic Indonesian phrases
Navigation skills

Teenagers (13+ years)

More independence:

Can use ride-hailing apps
Motorbike taxi (with extreme caution)
Public transport in groups
Walking in safe areas

Safety reminders:

Always share location
Travel in groups when possible
Understand local traffic patterns
Keep emergency contacts accessible

Special Situations

Multiple Children

3+ kids transport:

Book larger vehicles (MPV/van)
Multiple car seats may not fit
Consider two smaller cars
Plan extra time for loading/unloading

Recommended vehicles:

Toyota Avanza (7 seats)
Honda Mobilio (7 seats)
Mitsubishi Xpander (7 seats)
Isuzu Elf (larger groups)

Children with Special Needs

Additional considerations:

Wheelchair accessibility (very limited)
Medical equipment transport
Sensory considerations (noise, crowds)
Longer transfer times
Specialized equipment needs

Resources:

Contact accommodations for accessible transport
Rent specialized equipment if available
Plan shorter travel days
Have medical information accessible

Medical Emergencies

Emergency transport:

Ambulance: 118 (limited English)
Private medical transport companies
Fastest option often private car to hospital
Keep medical insurance info accessible

Preparation:

Know nearest hospitals
Have emergency medication accessible
Keep medical history translated
Understand local emergency procedures

Budget-Friendly Family Transport

Daily Transport Budget

Conservative estimate:

Private driver half-day: 500K IDR
Grab rides (3-4 trips): 200K IDR
Airport transfer: 300K IDR
Daily average: 150K-300K IDR

Budget optimization:

Walk when possible (early morning/evening)
Use hotel shuttles to beaches/malls
Combine multiple stops with one driver
Book longer periods for better rates

Money-Saving Tips

Negotiate daily rates with drivers
Use hotel concierge for reliable contacts
Share rides with other families when safe
Walk during cooler parts of day
Use free shuttle services when available
Bring your own car seats to avoid rental fees

Long-Term Savings

For longer stays:

Monthly car rental with driver
Establish relationship with one driver
Buy local car seats if staying 3+ months
Learn basic Indonesian for better rates
Use local markets instead of tourist areas

Remember: In Bali, safety should always come before convenience or cost when traveling with children. The extra expense of proper car seats and reliable transport is worth the peace of mind.

Family Transportation in Bali: Complete Guide for Kids & Car Seats (2025)