About to go to Bali in a few weeks but this time will be taking my toddler, baby and mother in law in a wheelchair, up to 3 suitcases and my surfboard.
I may need the help of those persistant porters at Bali airport for the first time but have no idea what they are worth and what is fair to pay them? Heard many a story of people being touched up and heavily ripped off.
Can anyone suggest the going rate for a porter?
Cheers

whatever you are willing to pay! If you cant push the chair, watch the kids and make sure your boards are ding free - by yourself, pay the lads what you think its worth!
but what ever you do agree on price before the job is started - then no nasty suprises when you make it to the the next **** fight - taxi/bemo time!!

I usually keep a $10 note handy for the porters - and that's with four cases and a double board bag. We use them every time as you get through with no hassle or waiting.

With the construction works it can be a long walk as well so its worthwhile.

Have a great trip!

I got stung 1st time,,, but at least they would have been stoked and I only lost an hours wage

Magic $10 for the porters.. are you having a laugh! thats almost 100,000 rupiah

That's ridiculously, do you not understand what you are doing to the Indonesian economy by giving the porters all that money, I know it's not much to an Australian but to an Indonesian Porter this is a week's wages.

It's no wonder that the Indonesians see the white folk as walking wallets and that's all we are good for, please be more realistic and think about the bigger picture and what you are doing to the local economy

A blue taxi ride to Kuta from the airport should be around 70,000 rupiah, fixed price or there about's if you compare

Sorry Magic, I'm not having a go at you in particular but having travelled to indo for the past 10 years or so I can see what Bali has turned into

In answer to the question, how much should I pay the porters at the airport I wouldn't pay any more than 30-40,000 rupiah ($3 -$4)

Yep few bucks in gold coins will do it or just give em a 5er if they were extra nice/helpful/not to pushy.

If I use them then I normally work on about AU$1 per item

I apologise in advance for not answering your question and perhaps going on my own direction, but I think it answers your question in a round-a-bout way.

Don't give them a scrap. they're a product of a corrupt government and a corrupt country. Off topic, I know, but it wasn't so long that those jokers slaughtered heaps of East Timorese (not Balianese specifically, but dirty Indos and their government none the less). Don't give them a scrap, say no loudly and look them in the eye real sharply.

Uncool Pig, uncool

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PaddlePig said...

I apologise in advance for not answering your question and perhaps going on my own direction, but I think it answers your question in a round-a-bout way.

Don't give them a scrap. they're a product of a corrupt government and a corrupt country. Off topic, I know, but it wasn't so long that those jokers slaughtered heaps of East Timorese (not Balianese specifically, but dirty Indos and their government none the less). Don't give them a scrap, say no loudly and look them in the eye real sharply.

And then you'll look like the rest of the Aussie bogans who carry on haggling over 20 cents. If you you can't respect and support the locals, don't go. Can't judge a people on their government and military choices, beause there aren't that many that have kept there noses completely clean.

Personally, I haven't let the airport porters touch my gear in over 10 years, but back then it was a gold coin. There's usually a few trolleys floating around the front if you do a scouting mission, but if you wan't to use them Rp 30-40k sounds about right, it isn't that far to carry the gear to the pick up area.

(Now those little old ladies that charge up the steps at Bingin with all your gear deserve a tenner or more!)

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kernowkiter said...

Magic $10 for the porters.. are you having a laugh! thats almost 100,000 rupiah

That's ridiculously, do you not understand what you are doing to the Indonesian economy by giving the porters all that money, I know it's not much to an Australian but to an Indonesian Porter this is a week's wages.

It's no wonder that the Indonesians see the white folk as walking wallets and that's all we are good for, please be more realistic and think about the bigger picture and what you are doing to the local economy

A blue taxi ride to Kuta from the airport should be around 70,000 rupiah, fixed price or there about's if you compare

Sorry Magic, I'm not having a go at you in particular but having travelled to indo for the past 10 years or so I can see what Bali has turned into

In answer to the question, how much should I pay the porters at the airport I wouldn't pay any more than 30-40,000 rupiah ($3 -$4)

It might be a weeks wages for one porter if they got to keep the whole amount but they pay for the privilege of working there . . . And that $10 is for two porters and saves a 30 minute wait in line at customs. Well worth it with a wife and two kids in tow.

Feel free to keep paying the bare minimum while in Bali and consoling yourself that you are doing the locals a big economic favour! Or better still try getting to know a few of the locals and maybe get a real understanding of how life on the princely sum of 100 000 rupiah might look like.

Porters on the customs side???? Saves you 30min in the line for customs???? Wtf, I've been to Bali twice a year for seven years and have never seen porters on that side (probably not looking to be honest) I'm going in a couple of weeks so I'll keep an eye out. Do they get you through customs quicker?

Cheers

i was there a month ago and soon as you get of the plane theres a dude asking if you want a fast track for $20 we showed him pasports and got taken straight outside and they reakon there not corrupt

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magic said...

kernowkiter said...

Magic $10 for the porters.. are you having a laugh! thats almost 100,000 rupiah

That's ridiculously, do you not understand what you are doing to the Indonesian economy by giving the porters all that money, I know it's not much to an Australian but to an Indonesian Porter this is a week's wages.

It's no wonder that the Indonesians see the white folk as walking wallets and that's all we are good for, please be more realistic and think about the bigger picture and what you are doing to the local economy

A blue taxi ride to Kuta from the airport should be around 70,000 rupiah, fixed price or there about's if you compare

Sorry Magic, I'm not having a go at you in particular but having travelled to indo for the past 10 years or so I can see what Bali has turned into

In answer to the question, how much should I pay the porters at the airport I wouldn't pay any more than 30-40,000 rupiah ($3 -$4)

It might be a weeks wages for one porter if they got to keep the whole amount but they pay for the privilege of working there . . . And that $10 is for two porters and saves a 30 minute wait in line at customs. Well worth it with a wife and two kids in tow.

Feel free to keep paying the bare minimum while in Bali and consoling yourself that you are doing the locals a big economic favour! Or better still try getting to know a few of the locals and maybe get a real understanding of how life on the princely sum of 100 000 rupiah might look like.

Clearly you're adding to the local economy by paying for two porters and by passing the customs queue, which is illegal in any other country, well done for that lets keep the corruption going shall we?

I am more than aware of what 100,000 rupiah looks like, and make sure that when I stay anywhere in Indo, not just Bali, that I stay with a Indo Family, not some high class western Hotel which exploits the locals and the money you pay flows out of the country. Let's hope you're doing the same eh?

Bail, particular Kuta is a total mess up of what the Western Culture has done to it, you've only got to look at Kuta beach front with all the hotels and all the plastic floating around in the sea to see what I mean. The hotels are taking most of the water needed for the western tourists from the inland away from the rice fields and the local food for the people forcing them away from their own lifestyle and culture. I for one never stay in a Western Hotel on Bali as I do not support their ethics or the way they have dis-respected the locals way of life.

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kernowkiter said...

magic said...

kernowkiter said...

Magic $10 for the porters.. are you having a laugh! thats almost 100,000 rupiah

That's ridiculously, do you not understand what you are doing to the Indonesian economy by giving the porters all that money, I know it's not much to an Australian but to an Indonesian Porter this is a week's wages.

It's no wonder that the Indonesians see the white folk as walking wallets and that's all we are good for, please be more realistic and think about the bigger picture and what you are doing to the local economy

A blue taxi ride to Kuta from the airport should be around 70,000 rupiah, fixed price or there about's if you compare

Sorry Magic, I'm not having a go at you in particular but having travelled to indo for the past 10 years or so I can see what Bali has turned into

In answer to the question, how much should I pay the porters at the airport I wouldn't pay any more than 30-40,000 rupiah ($3 -$4)

It might be a weeks wages for one porter if they got to keep the whole amount but they pay for the privilege of working there . . . And that $10 is for two porters and saves a 30 minute wait in line at customs. Well worth it with a wife and two kids in tow.

Feel free to keep paying the bare minimum while in Bali and consoling yourself that you are doing the locals a big economic favour! Or better still try getting to know a few of the locals and maybe get a real understanding of how life on the princely sum of 100 000 rupiah might look like.

Clearly you're adding to the local economy by paying for two porters and by passing the customs queue, which is illegal in any other country, well done for that lets keep the corruption going shall we?

I am more than aware of what 100,000 rupiah looks like, and make sure that when I stay anywhere in Indo, not just Bali, that I stay with a Indo Family, not some high class western Hotel which exploits the locals and the money you pay flows out of the country. Let's hope you're doing the same eh?

Bail, particular Kuta is a total mess up of what the Western Culture has done to it, you've only got to look at Kuta beach front with all the hotels and all the plastic floating around in the sea to see what I mean. The hotels are taking most of the water needed for the western tourists from the inland away from the rice fields and the local food for the people forcing them away from their own lifestyle and culture. I for one never stay in a Western Hotel on Bali as I do not support their ethics or the way they have dis-respected the locals way of life.

I always stay in a nice hotel, very close to the beach. Its the only way

sorry but slightly off the subject but same area i was there a few weeks ago and disgusted in the attitude some of the so called local ozzies surfers trying to push the whole localism in the water just because they live there now.

HTFU

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katana said...

sorry but slightly off the subject but same area i was there a few weeks ago and disgusted in the attitude some of the so called local ozzies surfers trying to push the whole localism in the water just because they live there now.

Only thing worse than a tourist is an x-pat, they will get theirs as the true locals wont put up with that sh!t

I saw some horrible stuff from a couple of so called x-pats last couple of time I was up there, I wish they didnt call themselves Aussies

wouldnt normally winge but after 32 years surfing there it is now an obvious issue , i hope real locals sort it out as they getting hassled also .

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doggie said...

katana said...

sorry but slightly off the subject but same area i was there a few weeks ago and disgusted in the attitude some of the so called local ozzies surfers trying to push the whole localism in the water just because they live there now.

Only thing worse than a tourist is an x-pat, they will get theirs as the true locals wont put up with that sh!t

I saw some horrible stuff from a couple of so called x-pats last couple of time I was up there, I wish they didnt call themselves Aussies

Whilst in Krui a couple of weeks ago (Staying at a local Losman) I got fed up with a guy who thought he owned the place and kept snaking everybody, so I asked him "if he was going to snake me on the next wave also?" and I got told to "**** off" I said he wasn't at his local break now and to chill out, the same response "**** off"

As a surfer of more than 20 years and travelled to more countries than I care to mention here, I can honestly say that Australian surfers are up there with the Brazilians when it comes to p1ssing people off in the water

A couple of years ago my son and his mate were surfing Karamas,sons mate 17 dropped in on this x pat ozzie around 40 built like a machine the x pat paddles over pushes little Tommo off his board and snaps out his future fins,the boys on the beach told me not to worry they will sort him out as he has been a dick for days,as the machine walks up the beach I go to have a chat and the boys armed with benches one to whack over his head and the other for his guts,I cooled it down the best I could but the guy was told to fk off and never return,we went back a couple of days later and my mates told me he had returned only to be told to fk off again.

Hello All and thank you for your responses. They are all valid and everyone has an opinion.
$10 for 2 porters and negotiated first sounds fair. 30-40,000 Rups for one porter sounds fair but if I was going to get 2, then we are only talking about around a $2 differance, not too fused.
I too have travelled to Bali each year for 20 years now and I don't recall seeing porters on the inside at Customs but I will be looking now, that will save some grief.
Thanks again for the advice.
Garth

I beg to differ Katana You winge all the time!!!!!!!

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katana said...

wouldnt normally winge but after 32 years surfing there it is now an obvious issue , i hope real locals sort it out as they getting hassled also .

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beer pig said...

i was there a month ago and soon as you get of the plane theres a dude asking if you want a fast track for $20 we showed him pasports and got taken straight outside and they reakon there not corrupt

bypassing immigration (entry visa required) & customs could very well end in a world of grief for the unwary, eg., deportation

you're going with your mother in law ?

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magic said...

kernowkiter said...

Magic $10 for the porters.. are you having a laugh! thats almost 100,000 rupiah

That's ridiculously, do you not understand what you are doing to the Indonesian economy by giving the porters all that money, I know it's not much to an Australian but to an Indonesian Porter this is a week's wages.

It's no wonder that the Indonesians see the white folk as walking wallets and that's all we are good for, please be more realistic and think about the bigger picture and what you are doing to the local economy

A blue taxi ride to Kuta from the airport should be around 70,000 rupiah, fixed price or there about's if you compare

Sorry Magic, I'm not having a go at you in particular but having travelled to indo for the past 10 years or so I can see what Bali has turned into

In answer to the question, how much should I pay the porters at the airport I wouldn't pay any more than 30-40,000 rupiah ($3 -$4)

It might be a weeks wages for one porter if they got to keep the whole amount but they pay for the privilege of working there . . . And that $10 is for two porters and saves a 30 minute wait in line at customs. Well worth it with a wife and two kids in tow.

I've always noticed a few porters around the baggage carousel, but they'd only be able to get you through the final security screening/X-ray before you get to the money changes, and that doesn't seem to take long anyway.