Bali is an Indonesian Island filled with beautiful temples, palm trees, and friendly people. However, getting around to seeing it all may seem like an impossible task once you see the chaotic driving system that exists here. This will cover everything you need to know regarding transportation in Bali.
Although Bali is only 95 miles (153 km) at its longest point from East to West, this island takes a deceivingly long time to navigate. The topography is made of dense jungle, steep mountains, and ravines, making driving here a bit less navigable than initially assumed.
That’s why there are so many options to get around this tropical paradise, check out which ones feel best for you!
Table of Contents
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Traffic Conditions in Bali
Driving in Bali is no joke. While some urban areas have some organization, the rest of the island can be described as “organized chaos“. There are very few stop signs, stop lights, lines on the road, and strict rules that we are often used to.
However, that doesn’t mean the system here doesn’t work. Driving in Bali flows like a school of fish, you merge in and move with the crowd. You park where you can, and you have patience with everyone else on the road, and they have patience with you. You fit whatever feels comfortable for you – for many locals that may be a family of 4, their dog, a ladder, and a few chickens attached on the back!
Drivers are not aggressive, which is why this system works! Everyone on the road gives and takes a little bit. When someone is merging in, you give them space and others do the same for you. There are plenty of ways to navigate this tropical paradise, with options for everyone’s level of comfort and budget.
Transport Upon Arrival [Airport Pickup]
Hotel Shuttle
A majority of the time, your accommodation will arrange for airport pickup in Denpasar. Whether this is a hotel-owned shuttle & driver, or a local who is trusted and contracted by the host, you’ll have a friendly local waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it.
If it is a contracted local, be sure to grab their WhatsApp number in case you need a personal driver later!
Taxi
If your accommodation does not provide transport, you’ll need to use a taxi. In the Denpasar airport, there is a booth for Bluebird Taxi (read more below and get the app), the most reputable company. Here, you will provide your destination address, and soon a driver will find you and take you on your way.
This is a pre-determined fare based on distance, so you don’t need to haggle for a good price, or worry about being ripped off!
Rideshare Apps
If you’re on a budget and don’t like the price of a personal driver or taxi, then you may want to do a ride-share with Gojek or Grab. But this isn’t as easy, as these companies are banned from picking up at the airport. If you’re in an extreme budget mode (I get it), then you can walk a ways away from the airport to a main street and grab one from there!
Hit the ground running with this 2-Week Ultimate Bali Itinerary.
1. Rideshare Apps
Transportation apps have been a huge part of transportation in Bali, but you won’t find Uber or Lyft! Here, Gojek and GRAB are the ride-share rulers – be sure to plan ahead and download the apps that are used in Bali so you can travel around without any issues or delays.
Even if you plan to rent a motorbike, have these apps handy. You never know when you’re going break down somewhere, need a lift after a few drinks, or just want to cut out the hassle of driving in traffic!
Gojek
GRAB
Grab is your all-in-one delivery app. Whether you want food delivered to your beach bungalow, you need some medicine from the pharmacy to soothe your Bali Belly, or you want to be delivered somewhere, Grab does it all.
You may think it sounds a lot like Gojek, and you’d be right! They are direct competitors. However, similar to Uber and Lyft, there will be different availability of drivers and costs. So download both and enjoy!
Some areas restrict the use of Gojek & Grab to create more opportunities for freelance drivers. Even in the areas where Gojek & Grab don't operate, you can still use the apps as a guide for how much a trip should cost. Use this to get the best price when talking with a taxi driver!
2. Motorbike Rental
Best For...
- People staying for a longer duration
- Travelers with a limited budget
- Travelers looking to travel a lot locally
- Risk takers and people that feel comfortable on a bike
- People traveling in groups of 2 (split the cost!)
- People wanting a more raw experience
How it Works
Motorbikes are the most common form of transportation in Bali for good reason. The roads are small, parking is limited, and many areas were created without cars in mind. Motorbikes make it easy to navigate these small paths, and open up doors for you to explore further than you could with a car!
There are 3 common options you will find across Bali, all with different handling, power, weight, and style. The daily and monthly rates listed below are estimations, but this is a guide to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to! Many places will see a tourist who comes up asking the price and take that as an opportunity to take advantage of you. Know the value and trust yourself.
If you’re in Ubud, hit up Gusti! He helped us with our rental and provided the best price we could find!
Text him on WhatsApp: +62 812-3771-1271
Honda Scoopy
Lightweight, cute, and easy to drive. This is the best bike for new motorbike drivers! Comfortable seat with storage this bike fits 2 people easily. May have less power for long-range drives.
Weekly Rate: Rp 60.000/day
Monthly Rate: Rp. 800.000
Honda Vario
Mid-sized, fast, and nimble. This is a great mid-level bike for comfortable drivers. Great for long-range drives, with plenty of power to get through some off-road drives.
Weekly Rate: Rp 75.000/day
Monthly Rate: Rp 1.300.000
Yamaha NMAX
Heavy duty and sturdy, the NMAX has a lot of weight and can be trickier to maneuver for new drivers. This bike has a larger fuel tank, and more power making it the best option for long-range bikes through the island.
Weekly Rate: Rp 95.000/day
Monthly Rate: Rp 2.000.000
Where To Find
When you arrive in Bali, it’s best to get a ride to your accommodation since traveling on a bike with luggage isn’t the best (especially after long travel)! Once you arrive wherever you’re staying, you’ll see plenty of signs around for ‘Bike Rental’ and ‘Bike Hire’, and your host could also help you find a bike!
Watch Out For
As a traveler, you become a target for jacked-up prices and rip-offs. Know a bike’s value before committing to something! Most rental places will offer extra discounts for long-term rentals (1 month+), so practice your haggling skills to get a price you both feel comfortable with.
Additionally, with your own vehicle, you will need to sort out petrol refuel. You will see stands on the side of the road with water bottles filled with gasoline, but this is much more expensive! Petrol stations will typically have a line, as it is the most affordable.
It is required by law to have an International Driver’s Permit while operating a motorized vehicle in Indonesia. This permit must be obtained in person in your home country and is valid for 1 year. It is possible to get this permit while abroad, but it takes 5-7 weeks!
You are subject to a potential fine in Indonesia if you are found without an IDP of up to 1 month in prison and/or Rp 1.000.000. Indonesian police are known to be corrupt and may initiate a ‘cash donation’ to settle this quietly. Know your rights and requirements while driving in any foreign country.
Explore everything you need to know about having an International Driving Permit before you go!
3. Taxi
Best For...
- Travelers that don’t have a motorbike of their own
- Short-term transport
- People on a budget
- Travelers with a time deadline – they’re much faster than cars!
- Transport from the airport
How it Works
Like any city, you’ll see taxis cruising down the road with a light on top showing if it’s available or not. Bali’s biggest and best network of legitimate taxis is Bluebird, labeled ‘Bali Taxi’ with a bird logo. These drivers are typically more honest and will provide the best experience for you.
Bluebird taxis are limited to Southern Bali and will drive up to Ubud. Taxies are not an option for transport any further than this! You will need to hire a private driver or use public transport to explore further.
To go beyond the main tourist spots…
There are both passenger vehicle taxis, and motorbike. Each has their own regions they dominate in, and ways of contacting them for a ride.
Taxis are definitely not the most affordable option. When you can, I suggest using Gojek or Grab for a ride. For longer distances, (Denpasar to Ubud), taxis may cost up to Rp 150.000 ($10) more than other rideshare options.
Where To Find
Within the first day of arriving in Bali, you’ll undoubtedly hear “Taxi? Maybe Tomorrow?” as you walk by on the street. Locals have a competitive market in providing willing tourists with easy and affordable transport.
Once you take 1 motorbike ride, if it was a good experience, you can even ask your driver for their WhatsApp if they’re willing to drive you again! They need business, and a guaranteed future customer will serve you both, as you can even schedule it for a certain time and place!
Watch Out For
Watch out for getting ripped off. A good way is to check Gojek or Grab and see how much a ride will cost through the app and set that as a target price. If these apps are not allowed in your area, then you should aim to get the price down to what the app shows. If these app are allowed, then you have the ability to bring the price lower, since they’re in competition with Gojek and Grab.
4. Public Transportation
Public transportation in Bali is the most affordable option and is used by locals without their own vehicle (meaning it won’t price gauge tourists). There are 3 main public transport options available in Bali; Bemo, Perama, and Kura-Kura. However, there are many more options that aren’t covered in this post!
For any excursions or tours, transport is typically provided by the company. For longer-haul transport (Bali > Java), check out shuttle options that specialize in that.
Ways to be Eco-Friendly in Bali, on top of taking public transport!
Bemo
Best For:
- Travelers on a budget
- Short distance across town
- People are flexible with comfort and quality
- Travelers that have a flexible schedule
- Travelers without their own transport
Perama
Best For:
- Travelers on a budget
- Long distances to common tourist destinations
- Parties of 2 or more people
Kura-Kura
The third option is ‘Kura-Kura’, a tourist shuttle with pre-determined routes to hit the main attractions in southern Bali. This shuttle runs between Kuta and Ubud, hitting the main attractions.
Since there are pre-determined stops, it’s easy to locate the bus and hop on board! Tickets can be purchased on board, or reserved online at least 2 hours before scheduled departure. Book tickets on the website or app.
Prices range from Rp 100.000 (one-way) – Rp 160.000 (return).
Download from the app store for iOS
Best For:
- Travelers in Southern Bali
- Seeing the main tourist attractions
- People who like to plan a schedule
- Tourists on a budget
5. Private Driver Hire
Best For...
- Long drives
- Larger groups of people
- Comfortable drives
- People willing to spend a bit more money
- People who want to learn from a local while they explore
How it Works
This is basically like a personal taxi that will take you anywhere on the island. These drivers are a great option for comfort and long drives, so you can sit back and relax while you enjoy the views. These are very informal with no app or guarantees as you may have with Gojek or Grab.
The cost is dependent on how far you want to go, and how long you will hire the driver. Check out the cost on Gojek to get an idea, and expect to pay about 30% more than that price! It is common and courteous to pay for the driver’s meals while they are with you as well.
Drivers know the best spots to take you, so share what you’re looking for! They often have set tours they can take you on if you want to leave it up to them, but feel free to make it what you want! I suggest having an idea of what you want to see and leaving some time for their suggestions. I experienced the most beautiful local tea tasting in a treehouse thanks to my driver’s suggestion, which I wouldn’t have even noticed if he didn’t suggest it!
You can typically get a full-day driver hire for about 600.000 IDR ($40). For a one-way trip, check Gojek or Grab to get an estimate of what the ride should be valued at.
Where To Find
Often, hotels don’t have drivers of their own so they contract reputable drivers to pick up guests from the airport. These drivers will typically offer their services for the duration of your stay, so grab their WhatsApp number to reach out if you need them!
Like Motorbike taxis, Private Drivers are also on the streets saying “Taxi? Maybe Tomorrow?”. You’ll need to ask if they have a bike or car, and then you can start the conversation about where you’re trying to go!
If you want to arrange something that seems a bit more legitimate, many Travel Agent shops, and any stands have a sign for “Private Driver”.
Watch Out For
This is a super convenient and easy option. However, there are some subtle ‘scams’ to be aware of. Since the journey of it all is up to you, many drivers are in the loop on some tourist traps that pull you in and they get a cut of.
When I was in Bali in 2017 my friend Leah and I hired a driver. It was perfect to explore for the day! However, he prompted to take us to a ‘remote tea garden with luwak coffee’, it sounded cool. But, once we got there, the Luwak’s were kept in horrible conditions, and it felt like a bit of a money grab. You live and you learn, and I share it with you!
Lastly, I do recommend hiring a driver that speaks English so you can learn a bit about the area and have some good conversations. Make sure to confirm the price and expectations about the journey!
Bonus Transport:
Cycling & ATV Excursions
Explore the natural side of Bali with an excursion to get off the beaten path. Explore the beautiful rice terraces around Ubud, drive through lush jungle trails, and explore the scenery from a downhill ride. There are so many ATV and cycling excursions to check out to see a more authentic side of this beautiful island!
Check out other Eco-Friendly Activities in Bali you can add to your itinerary!
Summary - Transportation in Bali
Bali is a tropical paradise just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re on a short-term vacation or a slow-travel journey around the world, Bali is sure to make it on your destination list. After a long flight, you may get out onto the streets and see the organized chaos ensue in the streets. This may scare you away from driving yourself, but fear not! There are so many options for transportation in Bali!
Take it slow with public transport on a Bemo or Perama, or rent a motorbike and travel as the locals do! No matter what you do, be sure to travel safely and get familiar with your surroundings. Practice driving in the early hours, relax and have confidence!
Explore the other destinations waiting for you in Asia!
