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Bottom Line: The two most common Grab/Gojek scams in Bali are: ① Airport price gouging—drivers call after accepting a ride to demand 3-4 times the app price (e.g., Rp 100,000 quoted but Rp 400,000 demanded). Cancel and rebook immediately. ② Off-platform upselling—drivers push private tours on the ride, claim no change for cash, or ask you to book them for the return trip, only to quote an exorbitant price later. Golden rule: stick to the app price, keep all transactions within the platform, and book early for airport runs with time to rebook if needed.
When traveling in Bali, many tourists choose ride-hailing services like Grab or Gojek for short trips. These apps offer transparent pricing, but some dishonest drivers can ruin the experience. Below are two real stories highlighting common scams, so you can stay alert and avoid similar hassles.
Story 1: Airport Price Gouging
【Provided by Mr. Hsu Ping-Hui, owner of Lobster King Restaurant】The owner of Lobster King often helps Taiwanese tourists who haven’t downloaded ride-hailing apps. One time, a guest in Canggu needed a ride to the airport. The owner booked a Grab, which was quickly accepted. But the driver, seeing the airport destination, called directly—bypassing the app—and demanded Rp 400,000, while the app quoted around Rp 100,000. Furious, the owner canceled and rebooked. The second driver did the same, asking for Rp 300,000. Canceled again. Finally, the third driver didn’t inflate the price, but the whole ordeal took nearly an hour.
Another time, a Gojek driver brought a guest to the restaurant and called the owner demanding a commission. Ignored, the driver later left two one-star Google reviews using different accounts.
Tips: In Bali, especially when you’re in a hurry—like heading to the airport—book your ride early and be prepared to rebook if needed. Most drivers are honest, but a few aren’t. Stay cautious.
Story 2: Upselling Private Tours
【Provided by Ms. Yeh Ting-Yu】Ms. Yeh’s first Grab experience was unpleasant. The driver was overly friendly, steering the conversation toward nearby attractions and activities, and aggressively pushed private tour services, trying to bypass Grab’s fixed pricing.
They had only planned to visit the Tegallalang Rice Terrace for a swing in the afternoon, so they declined the driver’s suggestion. When it was time to pay, the driver claimed he had no change and asked them to let him drive them back, saying the return fare could be settled with the change. They agreed, but on the way back, the driver suddenly demanded three times the original fare. When they questioned why, he blamed it on traffic congestion. However, a quick check on the Grab App showed the real-time fare was no different from the outward trip.
After they challenged him, the driver started lowering his price on his own, eventually offering the original fare and offering to take them back. The tourists insisted on getting their change back, and only then did the driver pull the coins from his bag. This experience made them question the integrity of some drivers, but fortunately, the drivers they encountered afterward were all quite good.
Tips & Advice: When using ride-hailing services like Grab, stay alert if drivers try to upsell you on private tours. If a driver asks for cash payment, try to avoid falling into the ‘no change’ trap. Also, note down any unpleasant experiences during the trip and report them to the platform promptly—this helps improve service quality.
These firsthand experiences from travelers are shared here as a reference. Ride-hailing platforms themselves are very convenient, and the chance of encountering a bad driver is relatively low, but staying vigilant during your travels is always a good idea.
Further Reading: Essential Apps for Traveling in Indonesia/Bali: A Complete Guide to Gojek
Further Reading: 【Bali Travel Guide】Essential for Short Trips! Use Ride-Hailing Apps to Book Scooters, Save Time and Effort!
Further Reading: When to Hire a Private Driver in Bali? When to Use Ride-Hailing Apps? Private Driver vs. Ride-Hailing: How to Choose the Best Travel Option for You?
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