Taxis At Denpasar Airport Bali.

[Renato1]

We went through the terminal to the taxi area in the early hours of this morning, where we saw a bench with two people sitting at it, and a few yards away a whole bunch of taxi drivers with the blue shirts, who drove taxis with the blue - bird logo (the legit taxis).

The biggest of the driver's was spruiking for the other drivers. So I went up to him, verified that it was a blue bird taxi and asked roughly how much it would cost to Seminyak Square Hotel.

He said "Fixed price 350,000 Rupiah"
I said "You must be joking, do you think I'm an idiot - drivers take you around half a day for that". He didn't answer.

Then I went to the two chaps at the bench who were dressed casually, asked the same question, but this time the answer was 175,000 Rupiah, and one printed out a voucher with the price, gave it to me and called a driver, who then took us to our hotel for that price (though I gave him 200,000 with the extra tip).

The odd part was the spruiker who was spruiking double the price, right next to the authoratitive types with the real price ( or at least I think it was the real price). Anyhow, the spruiker was generating plenty of business from the unsuspecting tourists.
Regards,
Renato

PS. We had to Transit at Manila airport before going to Bali. What an overcrowded, drab place that was compared to other Asian airports.

 

[DC3]

We went through the terminal to the taxi area in the early hours of this morning, where we saw a bench with two people sitting at it, and a few yards away a whole bunch of taxi drivers with the blue shirts, who drove taxis with the blue - bird logo (the legit taxis).

The biggest of the driver's was spruiking for the other drivers. So I went up to him, verified that it was a blue bird taxi and asked roughly how much it would cost to Seminyak Square Hotel.

He said "Fixed price 350,000 Rupiah" ….

Yes, but Blue Bird will always use the meter. Should they not, then just remind the driver. No real need to ask for a price.

Edit; Blue Bird do not pick up at DPS, only drop. You would need to go outside of the airport.

Unless you go to Arrivals and are quick enough to jump into one that's just dropped off passengers

 

[Renato1]

Yes, but Blue Bird will always use the meter. Should they not, then just remind the driver. No real need to ask for a price.

Edit; Blue Bird do not pick up at DPS, only drop. You would need to go outside of the airport.

Unless you go to Arrivals and are quick enough to jump into one that's just dropped off passengers

Thanks, very interesting.

But which then raises the interesting question of what were these taxis with the Blue-bird symbol on the roof, standing where the airport's signs directed us to go?

Copy-taxis?

Bali sure is mysterious.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[DC3]

Thanks, very interesting.

But which then raises the interesting question of what were these taxis with the Blue-bird symbol on the roof, standing where the airport's signs directed us to go?

Copy-taxis?

Bali sure is mysterious.
Cheers,
Renato

There's another taxi company with a 'copy' Blue Bird logo on the roof. It's not the real Blue Bird. The real one also has "Blue Bird" across the side of the cab.

Edit: The real Blue Bird also has their name across the top of the windscreen and a serial number on the side (e.g., VV1234) and also inside

 

[DC3]

Edited (Blue Bird with a green tick):

 

[Austman]

There is a legal taxi monopoly at DPS airport arrivals.

Only one company can legally pick up passengers at DPS: Bali Airport Taxi. And they charge fixed prices.

It might not be brilliant for passengers but it’s legal.

 

[Renato1]

Edited (Blue Bird with a green tick):

View attachment 165031

Mystery solved, thanks The copy Blue Bird operates at the airport, even though they claim to be genuine Blue-bird.

When I was last here a year and a half ago, the non Blue-bird taxis at Sanur Beach were absent any bird logo - and our driver said to get the taxis with the bird logo to get a legit taxi with a meter.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[jase05]

We went through the terminal to the taxi area in the early hours of this morning, where we saw a bench with two people sitting at it, and a few yards away a whole bunch of taxi drivers with the blue shirts, who drove taxis with the blue - bird logo (the legit taxis).

The biggest of the driver's was spruiking for the other drivers. So I went up to him, verified that it was a blue bird taxi and asked roughly how much it would cost to Seminyak Square Hotel.

He said "Fixed price 350,000 Rupiah"
I said "You must be joking, do you think I'm an idiot - drivers take you around half a day for that". He didn't answer.

Then I went to the two chaps at the bench who were dressed casually, asked the same question, but this time the answer was 175,000 Rupiah, and one printed out a voucher with the price, gave it to me and called a driver, who then took us to our hotel for that price (though I gave him 200,000 with the extra tip).

The odd part was the spruiker who was spruiking double the price, right next to the authoratitive types with the real price ( or at least I think it was the real price). Anyhow, the spruiker was generating plenty of business from the unsuspecting tourists.
Regards,
Renato

PS. We had to Transit at Manila airport before going to Bali. What an overcrowded, drab place that was compared to other Asian airports.

Totally understand your frustration. We are very lucky to have a regular driver in Bali who use every visit which saves us the taxi hassle.
I might be in the minority but I don’t mind MNL

 

[DC3]

… When I was last here a year and a half ago, the non Blue-bird taxis at Sanur Beach were absent any bird logo - and our driver said to get the taxis with the bird logo to get a legit taxi with a meter …

There's a Blue Bird app that you can download to your phone so as you can book. On booking confirmation, they usually send the name and photo of your driver, vehicle details. Would need to be out of the airport property though.

 

[kpc]

Can you use Grab in Bali? Including airport pickups?

 

[DC3]

Some hotels won’t let Grab into the property. You may need to go onto the street. At the airport there are reports of passengers getting abused by taxi drivers for getting Grab rides.

 

[Renato1]

Totally understand your frustration. We are very lucky to have a regular driver in Bali who use every visit which saves us the taxi hassle.
I might be in the minority but I don’t mind MNL

We now have a regular driver too. But he lives past Ubud, and I didn't countence asking ng him to come all that way in the early hours of the morning to drive such a short distance.

There were only 11 gates where we were sent at Manila airport. The place was packed. Only one set of toilets. Very hot and they had electric fans going. Seats were basic. Lighting was so dim my wife was having trouble doing her Sudoku puzzles. Restaurants weren't much, and duty free stores very limited in size. And they kept changing allocated gates. Passengers were continuously going missing from their flights, including ours.

Maybe there is a better part of the airport?
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

There's a Blue Bird app that you can download to your phone so as you can book. On booking confirmation, they usually send the name and photo of your driver, vehicle details. Would need to be out of the airport property though.

Getting off the airport property would be problematic. We could barely make it to the taxi area!
Cheers,
Renato

 

[ksthommo]

Pay a bit extra and book at the Golden Bird Limo desk prior to exiting arrivals.
You get a nice vehicle without all the dramas.
Another option is to ask your hotel/accommodation for airport pickup.

 

[RoMambai]

The taxi mafia in DPS (and CGK to a lesser extent) is a blight that must go. I got sick of being greeted by the thuggish blue wall when exiting customs that I now just walk right by them and keep walking. After the first set of touts is a second set of touts (presumably drivers who've paid less to airport authorities to get closer to the action), followed by the green gojek drivers. After that is the exit of the airport where you can hale a regular bluebird who use a meter to any where on the island. It's a 5 minute walk, so not for everyone, but I'd rather that then perpetuate the ridiculous mafia there.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thread bump. Recommendations for Bali airport transfers appreciated.

9pm arrival with a child so a fast, hassle-free exit from the airport would be preferred.

Jayride came up in searches and appears to be an aggregator. Search result based on DPS - Benona:


Reviews are either 5 star or 1 star perhaps. Not encouraging.

Also interested to hear experiences with Grab ex. DPS?

 

[aikman]

I will only book with Klook now. Cheap and reliable. Best part is that they have a staffed lounge at international arrivals (impossible to miss as you can't walk out of the terminal without walking past it). Peace of mind that there is a fixed meeting point and someone to call your driver if needed.

 

[Tiki]

When I was there last year, there was a Grab kiosk as you walk out of the airport. There are people there who will help you download the app if you need it and use it.

 

[Austman]

Yep! The taxi mafia has finally gone.

It's still a bit odd. But at least now there is Klook and Grab and probably others ...

 

[Cynicor]

I just book hotel transfer. They aren’t much, normally, and it’s so simple. Yes, more than any other transfer but often $20-25 or so total