Solo Travel 2017: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bali, Indonesia (Part I)

Posted on by Hani by

Bali is one of the most visited islands in the world, and it’s been on my travel list for a long time. Alhamdulillah, in February 2017, I finally made it there for my first solo trip of the year. This trip was short and sweet—only 5 days and 4 nights (24th–28th February 2017)—but it turned out to be amazing! So many good things happened on this trip, and I really had a wonderful time. Since I’m now in Malaysia, I couldn’t wait to share my experience along with some tips for anyone planning to visit Bali.

Flight Ticket.

I bought my flight ticket 2 months before the trip. I picked my travel dates based on the cheapest available ticket, so if you’re planning a trip, try to be flexible with your dates instead of sticking to fixed ones. My flight ticket cost me RM372.08 (including airport tax).

By the way, if you’ve read blogs saying you need to pay airport tax at Denpasar Airport before immigration, just ignore that. Since December 2015, airport tax has been included in the ticket price, so no more long lines to pay it separately!

Choose Your Base Carefully

During my stay, I booked a hotel in Legian. Why Legian? Because it’s right between Kuta and Seminyak—perfectly central. Legian is full of tourists and shops everywhere, which made me feel safe, especially traveling solo. There are also plenty of nightclubs in Legian.

If you’re solo traveling to Bali, Kuta and Legian are ideal spots to stay. You can check out this post for more info: First time to Bali: Where should I stay?

Before you book your hotel, do your research! Don’t be that person who books a hotel far away, then complains it’s unsafe or in the middle of nowhere. Check out the location on Google Street View to see the surroundings before you commit.

Transportation

When it comes to getting around Bali, renting a vehicle is usually your best bet. Motorcycles are great for navigating Bali’s often narrow and busy streets, but only if you’re confident riding one. If not, renting a car might be safer and more comfortable. For convenience, I highly recommend installing Go-Jek, a popular local ride-hailing app. It’s often cheaper and faster than traditional taxis, especially in busy areas like Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.

If you’re thinking about using public buses, it’s important to know that Bali doesn’t have a reliable or extensive public bus system for tourists. Unless you book tours or travel packages through local travel agents, using public buses to get around is nearly impossible and not recommended for solo travelers or first-timers.

There are also Uber and GrabCar services in Bali, which work similarly to Go-Jek. However, these services don’t cover all areas, especially some remote or less touristy parts of the island, so don’t rely on them completely.

When arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar), you’ll find plenty of airport taxis waiting, but prices can vary. To avoid getting overcharged, I suggest reading a detailed guide on airport transfers here: Bali airport guide.

Tourist Guide / Driver (Supir)

Since I was traveling solo and wanted to avoid the stress of figuring out transport on the spot, I booked a driver—known locally as a supir—about a month before my trip. I arranged for airport transfers and two full-day tours to make my travel smoother. A week before my flight, my driver messaged me to confirm the details. The best part? I only paid him after I arrived in Bali. When I landed, he was already waiting for me right outside the arrival hall, which made everything so much easier.

I chose to book with Pak Yanto, a driver well-known among Malaysian tourists. His service is reliable and trusted, so I highly recommend booking him if you’re heading to Bali.

 

Me & Fatah (my Supir)

During my full-day tours, Fatah was my driver. He was incredibly friendly and made me feel like I was traveling with an old friend. He admitted he felt a little nervous when he found out I was traveling alone because he usually drives families or couples. But he quickly made me feel safe and comfortable.

Fun fact: Fatah also doubled as my personal photographer! Most of the photos I have from Bali were taken by him, capturing moments I otherwise wouldn’t have.

So, if you’re traveling solo to Bali, definitely book Pak Yanto’s service and request Fatah as your driver. And don’t forget to tell him, “Hani sent me!” — he’ll appreciate that!

Pak Yanto contact no : +62 817 556 488
Want to know more? Check my new post here:
Bali Trip 2018 : Panduan Percutian ke Bali, Indonesia. 

Food and Drink

I’ve read a few blogs saying halal food is hard to find in Bali, but from my experience, it’s actually pretty easy. If you’re unsure, just ask the locals—they’re usually happy to help. One reliable option is to look for Nasi Padang stalls, which serve delicious, affordable halal dishes.

My driver also told me that major fast-food chains like KFC and McDonald’s in Bali are halal, so those are good backup options if you want something familiar.

How I Managed My Meals on a Budget:

I’m not big on spending lots of money on food while traveling. For breakfast, I always booked hotels that included it—like at Tanaya Bed & Breakfast Hotel, where the breakfast was good and convenient.

For lunch and dinner, I mostly ate Nasi Padang, which is tasty and super affordable. The most I spent was on a buffet at a restaurant in Kintamani, costing 170,000 IDR (around RM56.80).

Breakfast at Tanaya Bed & Breakfast Hotel

Drinks and Snacks:

For drinks, I tried fresh coconut water twice—once on Turtle Island for 30,000 IDR (about RM10.05) and again at Legian Beach for 25,000 IDR (around RM8.40). While waiting for the sunset at Double Six Beach in Seminyak, I enjoyed a fresh orange juice priced at 40,000 IDR (approximately RM13.40).

Other times, I grabbed quick snacks like instant noodles, Oreos, and fresh fruit from local mini markets—perfect for keeping hunger at bay between meals without breaking the bank.

What To Pack

Bali’s weather is very similar to Malaysia — hot and sunny most of the time. So, sunglasses are a must-have! You can safely leave heavy clothes like sweatshirts and jackets at home. Don’t forget to bring slippers or flip-flops, especially for the beach.

Pack smart and keep your luggage light—there’s no need to overdo it. And here’s a handy tip: bring a pen with you because you’ll need it to fill out customs forms during your flight.

If you’re flying with AirAsia, don’t worry about their new rule banning hiking backpacks as carry-ons. My Karrimor 45L + 10L backpack passed just fine as long as it weighed under 7kg.

Shopping In Bali

My driver warned me not to shop randomly because some shops in Bali tend to trick tourists into paying more than the real price. Also, be careful when asking for prices or bargaining—if you don’t plan to buy, it’s better not to ask. Sellers can take it quite seriously there!

For souvenirs, I recommend going to Agung Bali in Kuta. My driver took me there, and I found the prices fair and the selection wide, so it’s a great spot for gifts and keepsakes.

Safety

I felt very safe throughout my entire trip. Bali is actually a great destination for first-time solo travelers. The Balinese people are incredibly kind and welcoming based on my experience.

When you’re out exploring, don’t carry all your money with you. Keep some hidden or leave valuables like extra cash and hotel cards at the hotel reception for extra security.

According to my driver, pickpocketing and robbery cases are rare in Bali. However, you still need to be cautious because some sellers can be tricky when dealing with tourists.

Travel Costs Breakdown

  • Flight Ticket: RM372.08

  • Travel Insurance: RM35.00

  • Hotels:

    • Tanaya Bed & Breakfast (2 days): RM158.00

    • Vilarisi Hotel (1 day): RM56.00

    • Serela Legian Hotel (1 day): RM77.59

  • Full Day Tours (2 days): 800,000 IDR (RM266.20)

  • Airport Transfers (2 ways): 200,000 IDR (RM66.64)

  • Barong Dance: 100,000 IDR (RM33.32)

  • Boat Transfer to Turtle Island: 430,000 IDR (RM143.09)

  • Souvenirs: 50,000 IDR (RM16.65)

  • Monkey Forest Entrance: 40,000 IDR (RM13.31)

  • Pandawa Beach: 8,000 IDR (RM2.66)

  • Padang-Padang Beach: 5,000 IDR (RM1.66)

  • Dreamland Beach: 10,000 IDR (RM3.33)

  • Uluwatu Temple: 40,000 IDR (RM13.31)

  • Kintamani Entrance (includes parking): 16,000 IDR (RM5.32)

  • Batur Sari Restaurant Buffet: 170,000 IDR (RM56.64)

  • Nasi Padang Lunch for 2: 96,000 IDR (RM32.00)

  • Nasi Padang Dinner for 1: 25,000 IDR (RM8.30)

  • Instant Noodles (2 packs): 12,000 IDR (RM4.00)

  • Mineral Water (2 bottles): 10,000 IDR (RM3.33)

  • Coconut Drinks (2): 55,000 IDR (RM18.33)

  • Orange Juice at Double Six Beach: 40,000 IDR (RM13.31)

  • Others: 686,342 IDR (RM228.60)

More About Bali

Want to read more? Check out:

Solo Travel 2017: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bali, Indonesia (Part II)

 

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