Is it Better to Rent a Car or Hire a Driver in Bali?

Choosing your transportation mode when in Bali is important. It can affect many things, such as: safety, road control, vehicle condition, stress level, and tour experience. Of course, this is the reason why you are asking which is better to rent a car or hire a driver for a tour in Bali.

Important to note, "hire driver" in this article means renting a car as well as a local driver, usually the service provider already provides the car and driver in one package. On the other hand, "car rental" means renting a car without a driver.

Let's review a bit about Bali and its transportation conditions.

Bali and transportation conditions

Bali is one of the most popular and best tourist destinations in the world. Many tourists come to Bali for work or for vacation. With this, some areas of Bali have heavy traffic.

On the other hand, some remote areas have extreme and poorly maintained roads. It takes a special car and driving skills to get through these extreme roads.

When traveling along the roads in remote areas, it is very possible that you may lose internet signal and not be able to use navigation facilities from google maps. This can be bad for drivers who don't know the route.

Another concern is the uneven distribution of refueling stations. You may find it difficult to find a fuel station that suits your car type. Moreover, if you don't have an internet connection, you may have problems that will stress you out.

Which is better? Rent a Car or Hire a Driver

Let's compare what you get from renting a car or hiring a driver, and let's discuss each one.

1. Transportation Costs: Renting a car without a driver will certainly cost you less than hiring a local Bali driver. But even though it is cheaper, there are some things you don't get from just renting a car, such as: gasoline, parking fees, drivers, and tour guides.
   
   
2. Driving license: to drive in Bali an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for tourists. The IDP must be made in your country and it is almost impossible to make it in Bali. With this in mind, you need to prepare your driving permit in advance before coming to Bali.
   
   
3. Vehicle Condition: from a vehicle condition point of view it would be superior to hire a local driver. The reason is because local Bali drivers usually use their personal cars for rent. Unlike renting a car, you don't know the exact condition of the vehicle you are driving.
   
   
4. Experience & Route Mastery: by renting a car, you must know the route and understand the road conditions yourself. Unlike hiring a local Bali driver, they already know and understand the road conditions and the fastest routes that can be traveled.
   
   
5. Handling unexpected situations: whenever you encounter traffic jams or road closures due to disasters or events, you need to quickly decide on a reroute so that you can reach your desired destination. If you rent a car and drive it by yourself, it can be stressful because the main route you took is impassable. You could be diverted to a road that is further away from your destination, wasting a lot of time, and making your tour very tiring. However, this can be different if you hire a local driver who is familiar with the routes in the area.
   
   
6. Car insurance: it is important to pay attention to the car insurance of the car you are renting. Most car rental service owners are equipped with insurance, but you need to read the insurance terms carefully so that you are well protected. Unlike hiring a local Bali driver, any issues with the car are the responsibility of the driver.
   
   
7. Safety and comfort: driving your own car may make you more comfortable and safe, but hiring a professional local Balinese driver can provide extra protection for you. His ability to master the environment both geographically and socially can help you realize a safe and comfortable tour.
   
   
8. Tour guide: if you hire a local Balinese driver, you will have a different experience. The driver you hire can also be a tour guide ready to explain about Bali and its culture.

From the above comparisons, you can certainly decide which one is better for your Bali tour. If you ask us for advice, then we highly recommend hiring a local Bali driver to ensure your tour is more memorable.

Also read: This is why hiring a driver in Bali is a great idea for you!

Where can I find a professional driver in Bali?

For those of you who wish to travel in Bali or need private transportation while in Bali, you can contact Loka Bali Tour. We are an experienced Bali Car Rental with Driver service provider in realizing a safe and comfortable trip for tourists who come to Bali.

Please contact us if you need our services, or visit our Bali Car Rental with Driver service directly to see the details of the service fees we provide.

See you in Bali and have a memorable vacation!