Driver in Bali - What did you pay?
 

Going to Bali this fall and will want a driver for a few days... a couple to tour and one to get across the island. Wondering what the going rate is these days?? Any experience with full or half-day drivers? (I only see older postings.) If you have a specific recommendation, would be interested also. Thanks!

In 2016, I paid the equivalent of $50 per day for an English-speaking driver who REALLY knew Bali and worked with me to improve my plans immeasurably.

My driver was Amik Bagoes, and I happily recommend him -- except that I'm not sure he is still available. You might try
[email protected]
or you might contact the Alam Indah group -- Amik used to work for them, and if he doesn't at this time, I believe that they can recommend a reliable driver at competitive rates.
http://www.alamindahbali.com/our_concept.htm

I can now give you updated information for the driver, Amik Bagoes:
www.picatourservice.com
Email : [email protected]

His rates may have changed a bit since I worked with him; please contact him to find out what the costs will be. He offers both full and half-day rates (and rates for days that extend beyond the usual full-day).

I recommend him wholeheartedly!

kja- thanks very much! we are staying at Alam Shanti, so i'll contact him first and ask the hotel if it doesn't work out. a dear friend has stayeed there many times over the years and recommended a driver she loves-- but i contacted him and he said $85 and that seemed just a little high. because he said 'i usually get...' i was thinking it was what he was hoping for, but not the usual. .

any other thoughts we'd love... do you remember one or two ways that your driver improved your itinerary?

hubbie is a bird watcher, and we're spending some days by the national park. also spending a few on Nusa Penida as we have heard there are lots of birds there. thanks again, kawh

Have you seen my trip report? I think I mentioned some of the many ways in which Amik offered adjustments to my plans that vastly enhanced my experiences! It’s a long TR, but searchable. My experiences with Amik began on day 23, about which I posted on July 15 @ 9:54 p.m.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...a-and-bali.cfm

KJA ... will look at your report tomorrow (it's almost 2am here)... the company wrote me back already... but no mention of the driver you mentioned- though i addressed him by name. will write back to clarify... are you pretty sure he works for them?

Yes, kawh, I'm sure Amik works for picatourservice -- I checked before giving you the updated information at 11:24 p.m. yesterday.

To all of you who recommended Amik... We had 3 different drivers in Bali. One from our hotel. Another from another hotel. They were both very good, though each had their quirks. (voice too soft, weak english skills, little to say about surroundings)

BUT we had Amik, recommended by several of you above, for a few days. Wished we had him the whole trip!! He was the perfect guy for us. AMazing language skills, super knowledgeable,many thoughts and opinions, but never forced on us, made us feel like family AND a superior driver! In a land where 1 lane is made into 3 lanes, it's wonderful to trust your driver as much as we trusted Amik.

Really, as said above, he is just outstanding and his rates are the same as any other. He is a real gem!! He helped make our weeks in Bali more special.
Thank you, Fodorites!!

Oh, I'm so glad you reported back! Amik truly is a delightful, knowledgable, and skilled driver / guide, isn't he? And I'm glad he will now have another advocate here on Fodor's. :)

What is Amik's going rate?

I'm sure his rates are competitive, but whatever his going rate is, Amik is a gem -- do consider him! You should be able to contact him at
Pica Tour Service ? Enjoy Your Traveling

In November '18 his rate was IDR 700 full day and IDR 400 half day. Pretty much standard rate. Don't know whether it fluctuates with seasons.

Thanks kawh.

One more note on this. We spent time on NusaPenida (it was fabulous... the MOST gorgeous cliffsides and water). Drivers are more expensive there... it's a pretty closed system. (about 900 a day)

We had one terrible driver who muttered and seemed very disinterested. We had one driver who was fabulous! Youngish, hip, great driver, knew everyone and gave great advice. His name was Douglas . Our b&b host found him, but he gave us his card which said nusapenidaexplore dot com . Would highly recommend. Sorry we didn't get his last name.