Bali driver / car service recommendations
Nov 2, 2018, 7:25 am
#211
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Thanks. Should have updated this to say I emailed him and we are planning on spending 2.5 days with him. Great communication so far!
Nov 5, 2018, 2:23 am
#212
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
USD 40 per day for 10 hour day is a fair rate (including petrol), you can get as low as USD 20 per day from other drivers. Depends on season and supply/demand but I was just in Bali (using a different Made's car service) and every Go-car driver will offer day rate. Download Go-jek app on your iphone/Android, very useful for not just cars but food delivery and lots of other things. Great system, wish we had it instead of Uber 
Nov 12, 2018, 7:14 am
#213
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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We are set up to tour with Made for 2.5 days in a van for the 6 of us...he has not answered what method of payments he accepts...can we use a visa, or is it cash only?
Feb 25, 2019, 6:34 pm
#214
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 1,932
Just wanted to add to all the accolades for Made. We hired him for two transfers and a day tour, and had a great time. He’s a really knowledgeable guide, and put together a very interesting trip. His English is very good, his rates are competitive, and he’s reliable. In addition to all of that, though, he’s a really nice guy. I highly recommend contacting him if you need a driver or guide in Bali.
Feb 25, 2019, 8:47 pm
#215
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,940
I had the impression this is a cash-only set up, but I could be wrong. He's great with communicating, so you could just email him. In any case, I'd have some cash handy, esp if you want to tip him a bit extra. He's a very sweet, helpful, knowledgeable guy.
Feb 26, 2019, 2:20 am
#216
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
It would be very surprising if a driver in bali took a credit card
May 3, 2019, 6:11 am
#217
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,073
Wanted to add another recommendation for Made. He couldn't have been more flexible with us and our almost 4 year old. We used his service for a few days of tours plus airport transfers. As others have mentioned, not only is he a great driver and tour guide for some out of the way places and local restaurants, he is a great guy. We were invited to his home on his birthday and got to experience a traditional Balinese hospitality. Don't bother looking elsewhere and feel free to PM me for further details!
Jun 28, 2019, 1:45 am
#218
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 198
USD 40 per day for 10 hour day is a fair rate (including petrol), you can get as low as USD 20 per day from other drivers. Depends on season and supply/demand but I was just in Bali (using a different Made's car service) and every Go-car driver will offer day rate. Download Go-jek app on your iphone/Android, very useful for not just cars but food delivery and lots of other things. Great system, wish we had it instead of Uber
Jun 28, 2019, 5:23 am
#219
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
There are a zillion drivers in Bali all charging different rates. In the end, what’s the big difference from 30 to 60 USD when at least you know for sure you’re getting someone who will be reliable.
I have a lot more wiggle room being able to speak bahasa so I usually just wing the car thing.
I have a lot more wiggle room being able to speak bahasa so I usually just wing the car thing.
Jun 30, 2019, 6:10 am
#220
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Made is quoting me $60 each for two day trips. They are long trips (Ubud to central Bali and back for example), but this seems to be 1.5 - 3 times the rate guidelines in post I quoted above. Is negotiation expected here? If you used Made, what did you pay him for long-ish day tours?
Jun 30, 2019, 10:53 am
#221
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: HA AK CO Silver Elite
Posts: 18
Choose Made for your Trip to Bali!!
Made made our trip so Special!!
My wife and I just returned from 12 Days in Bali (June 21-23 Touring with Made). We booked 3 days of tours with Made and airport transfers on the front end and end of our trip. This man is as honest and authentic as they come. We were so impressed and thankful for his time working with us. He picked us at airport late on Sunday night took us to Seminyak for our stay there and then 5 days later picked us up in Canggu for our day trip before heading to our hotel later that night in Ubud. We did 3 full days of customizable tours ($60, $55 and $50 dollars we paid in US Dollar but IDR is just as acceptable) for the 3 different tours we did each day. Each tour is a packed day with lots of movement and great conversation with Made. Visiting his home and visiting with him and his wife, son and parents was a beautiful thing.
Made was always and I mean always on time and where he said he would be when he said. . Whatsapp was our messaging tool. If you are going to Bali and want to be enriched by this beautiful land you need to do it with Made. Tell him Brannon and Angi from Texas say hello. We will be back and when we go I can ensure you we will use his service again.
My wife and I just returned from 12 Days in Bali (June 21-23 Touring with Made). We booked 3 days of tours with Made and airport transfers on the front end and end of our trip. This man is as honest and authentic as they come. We were so impressed and thankful for his time working with us. He picked us at airport late on Sunday night took us to Seminyak for our stay there and then 5 days later picked us up in Canggu for our day trip before heading to our hotel later that night in Ubud. We did 3 full days of customizable tours ($60, $55 and $50 dollars we paid in US Dollar but IDR is just as acceptable) for the 3 different tours we did each day. Each tour is a packed day with lots of movement and great conversation with Made. Visiting his home and visiting with him and his wife, son and parents was a beautiful thing.
Made was always and I mean always on time and where he said he would be when he said. . Whatsapp was our messaging tool. If you are going to Bali and want to be enriched by this beautiful land you need to do it with Made. Tell him Brannon and Angi from Texas say hello. We will be back and when we go I can ensure you we will use his service again.
Last edited by yeahfoy; Jun 30, 2019 at 10:55 am Reason: spelling
Jul 2, 2019, 10:33 pm
#222
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 198
You're right. And someone like him could make a big difference in the experience of the vacation, which is worth a lot more than the difference in asking prices. I've booked him for 4 day trips and a transfer. I'll report back, hopefully with more praise for him.
Jul 2, 2019, 10:50 pm
#223
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 608
I hope it's not against the rules to recommend anyone else besides Made? I used Go Adventure Bali on my two trips and very happy with their service. Full day tour with a van is 550k IDR (at least it was few months ago), and they are very flexible with schedules and itineraries.
You can contact Nila on WhatsApp +6285738320137. If you do meet her, please say Mr Chicken sends his greetings
You can contact Nila on WhatsApp +6285738320137. If you do meet her, please say Mr Chicken sends his greetings
