I have been to Bali a few times for both work and leisure. Each time I go, I forget that getting a taxi from the airport to the hotel is a difficult exercise.
There are two taxi counters outside the arrival halls. I am not convinced that they are the official counters. but you really have no choice unless you want to use the “illegal” taxi-drivers.
Even the counters are not honest in the fares. It can range from RP150,000 to RP200,000. It is really very expensive but there are no other choices.
I tried using “grab” a local Uber equivalent and it does not work because Grab drivers are banned from entering the airport.
When in town, “grab” or online taxis are also restricted in certain areas. I found out only when I booked a taxi on Grab to pick me up from my hotel to the airport. The driver called me and said that he is not allowed to enter the hotel because the hotel provides taxi and transportation services. So I would have to walk out of the hotel in order to get into the car. The price difference is significant. The hotel charges RP150,000K to the airport while the Grab driver is only RP60k. This is a total rip off. It not only applies to the airport, to go anywhere from the hotel, you cannot use the online taxis and must use the hotel transportation services. unless you walk out of the hotel and the driver is waiting for you outside.
i am writing this post so that anyone visiting Bali is aware of this.