7 Benefits of renting a car for your bali trip

In comparison to all the other options (besides hiring a private driver), renting your own car rental guarantees you the most space and comfort. This means that each person in your group will have room to stretch their legs, take up their own space, and get super comfortable on rides where as on public transportation or a scooter that isn't possible. There's also a ton of accessibility that comes with renting a car, since you can leave whenever you want. It takes out the factor of having to look up times or use an app and wait for someone to come pick you up. You can just go when you please, come home when you please, and be completely in control of your schedule! If things change on a whim, it barely affects the transportation factor of your day.

Have four or more people in the group you're traveling with? The same happened to me, which is why we chose a car rental as one of the options we utilized. We had 6 people in our group so finding a car that could accommodate six was great for us because then we were all able to arrive to our destinations at the same time together and simply split the cost. This is also an ideal option for families with smaller kids who want to make sure they're together at all times during the trip.

As I write this benefit, there's one specific method of transportation I'm thinking of that's less safe than car rentals, and that's scooters. Don't get me wrong- I myself love a good scooter rental and my group had a great time riding around the island short, safe distances to the beaches or on paths through rice fields. But on the other side of the coin, we didn't rely on just scooters. We knew that we wanted to try out scooters, but none of us had ever ridden one on a main road before, let alone on roads like the narrow, unpaved ones in more rural areas of Ubud. That led us to decide on renting a private driver during the day to drive us further distances to tourist spots where we didn't feel safe navigating on a simple scooter, and to use the scooters for shorter distances and trips we were taking on a whim. With a car rental, you know you're safe because you're in a bigger, more spacious vehicle. If something happened on a scooter, you would likely fall off the scooter and can get seriously hurt. With a car, you've got seat belts on and would likely stay in the car during an accident.

Want to explore the island before the sunrises? With a car rental it's easy to come and go whenever you please. All you have to do is pick up the keys, make sure you have enough gas, and pile everyone in and you're ready! You can also drive wherever you please because you're in control of the vehicle. So while you might have a hard time finding drivers or public transportation during certain times of the day or to certain areas, with your own car rental, you are in control of all factors.

If you're opting for public transportation or to travel via scooter, there are definitely some weather concerns. With public transportation, not every waiting area is covered so you might be stuck out in the rain waiting for your bus to come and then sitting soggy on the bus waiting for your next stop. With a scooter, not only are you going to get wet while driving in the rain but there's also a huge safety factor that comes into play if you're driving on roads that are slippery. If you don't have a lot of experience driving a two-wheeled vehicle on a wet road, your chances of getting in an accident can definitely increase. Driving a car in the rain, on the other hand, doesn't affect that method of transportation much. Yes, you should still be driving more cautiously in inclement weather but you still stay dry and comfort and you are protected from the elements.

One of the key benefits of renting a car in Bali is the ease of navigation it provides. With your own vehicle, you have the flexibility to explore the island at your own pace and convenience. You can easily access more remote and "off-the-beaten-path" area that may be challenging to reach if you opt for a different type of transportation. The only thing you have to remember is that Bali drivers drive on the LEFT side of the road, so if you're a driver from the US (like me) or another area, you're going to have to get used to that.

Need to bring a few suitcases with you? Transportation with larger items comes easy when you have a car rental but definitely is a bit harder if you are taking public transportation or only rented a scooter. If you are traveling with a big group or your family and you are consistently bringing a lot of items out with you every day, a car rental is probably best.

Renting a car in Bali is a relatively straightforward process, especially if you have the required documents such as a valid driver's license, passport, and a credit card for the security deposit. Most rental agencies offer online booking, but you can also find numerous rental kiosks at airports, major tourist areas, and hotels. It's advisable to thoroughly inspect the vehicle before accepting it, noting any existing damage on the rental agreement. Additionally, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules and driving conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience in Bali.

Renting a car in Bali offers a multitude of benefits that can enhance your travel experience. Whether you're seeking extra space, comfort, flexibility in your schedule, or the convenience of keeping everyone together in one vehicle, a rental car provides the freedom to explore Bali at your own pace. If you're eager to learn more about car rentals in Bali, including tips and recommendations, be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Car Rentals in Bali. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog to stay updated on future podcast episodes and blogs related to Bali!