18/09/2026
Please Think About the Driver Behind the Wheel When you come to Bali, you may compare drivers by their prices.
One driver says IDR 600,000.
Another says IDR 500,000.
And someone else offers to do the same trip for IDR 300,000.
You may think, Why should I pay more?
But have you ever thought about the person behind the steering wheel?
A driver who owns his own car has many expenses.
A good, comfortable car for tourism in Bali can cost at least IDR 500 million. A responsible driver needs to think about replacing his car after several years so that his guests can travel safely and comfortably.
Every year, he has to pay approximately IDR 5 million for insurance and around IDR 7 million for vehicle registration and taxes.
The car needs regular servicing, usually every 10,000 km, costing at least IDR 2 million each time.
Then there are tires, brakes, oil, spare parts, cleaning, fuel and many other expenses. Good-quality spare parts can be very expensive. For example, one good tire can cost at least IDR 2 million.
A professional driver should also provide appropriate insurance coverage for his guests.
And after all these expenses, there is something even more important:
His family At home, his wife and children are waiting for him.
They need food.
They need rice.
They need school fees.
They need electricity, water and other basic necessities of everyday life.
This is the reality behind many Bali drivers.
Some drivers accept very low prices because they simply have no other choice. They need to work because their families need to eat.
And when a driver earns too little, much of his income goes directly toward food and basic living expenses. There may be very little left to properly maintain the car.
So, to everyone planning to visit Bali: Please don't only look for the cheapest driver.
Think about the person who wakes up early, drives you safely through traffic, waits for you while you visit temples, beaches and restaurants, and takes you back to your hotel at the end of the day.
Think about the car that carries you and your family safely. And think about the family waiting for that driver at home.
A fair price is not just payment for a few hours of driving. It helps a driver maintain his vehicle, provide a safe and comfortable service, and support the family who depends on him. Bali is famous for its hospitality.
Let's also make sure that the people who provide that hospitality can live with dignity.
Please support local drivers. Pay a fair price.
Because behind every driver, there is a human being and a family. Please Think About the Driver Behind the Wheel
When you come to Bali, it’s easy to think about finding the cheapest price.
You compare one driver who charges $20, another who charges $15, and someone else who is willing to go even lower.
But before asking for another discount, please stop for a moment and think about the person behind the steering wheel.
Some drivers work 14–16 hours a day just to bring home $15–$20 for their families.
Sometimes, they are so tired that they don’t even have enough time to go home. They sleep in the car, rest by the roadside, and continue working the next morning — simply because they need to earn enough money to support their families.
They are not only drivers.
They are fathers, husbands, sons, and human beings who have families waiting for them at home.
You may spend $100, $150, or more on a hotel room for one night. You may spend hundreds of dollars on food, entertainment, and activities during your holiday.
So when a local driver gives you a fair price, please remember that the price you are paying is also helping someone’s family survive.
Bali may be affordable compared to many other countries, but the people living here still have bills, children, rent, food, education, fuel, car maintenance, and dreams just like you do.
Please don’t look only for the cheapest driver.
Look for a safe, responsible, experienced, and hardworking driver who will take care of you during your journey.
A small discount may mean very little to you, but it can mean a meal, school expenses, fuel, or money brought home to a driver's family.
-Travel with kindness.
-Respect the people who serve you.
-Pay fairly for their time, effort, and safety.
Because behind every driver is a human being — and behind that human being, there is often a family depending on them.
Please think about the driver, not only the price 😇❤️🙏
