Bali Scooter Rental Guide

Renting a scooter in Bali is remarkably easy and affordable. The standard daily rate for a Honda Vario, Honda Scoopy, or Yamaha NMAX, the most common rental bikes, ranges from IDR 70,000 to IDR 100,000 per day (approximately USD 4.50 to 6.50). Weekly and monthly rentals offer substantial discounts: expect to pay IDR 400,000 to 600,000 per week or IDR 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 per month. Higher-end models like the Honda PCX or Yamaha Aerox cost slightly more, around IDR 120,000 to 150,000 per day. Most rental shops are small local businesses found on nearly every street in tourist areas. Your villa, hotel, or guesthouse can also typically arrange a rental, often delivered directly to your accommodation. Before signing anything, inspect the scooter thoroughly: check brakes, lights, turn signals, horn, tire condition, and mirrors. Photograph every existing scratch, dent, and mark on the bike from multiple angles, and ensure the rental shop owner acknowledges this documentation. You will usually need to leave either your passport or a cash deposit as security. We strongly recommend leaving a cash deposit (typically IDR 500,000 to 2,000,000) rather than your passport, which is your most important travel document. Some shops also accept a photocopy of your passport. Ask about the policy for breakdowns, flat tires, and what constitutes normal wear versus chargeable damage. Reputable shops include basic roadside assistance and will not charge for standard tire punctures.

Indonesian law requires all foreign visitors operating any motorized vehicle, including scooters, to hold a valid international driving permit (IDP) with a motorcycle endorsement. This is not an optional recommendation; it is a legal requirement that affects both your right to ride and your insurance coverage. An IDP is essentially a standardized translation of your home country's driving license, recognized in countries that are signatories to the 1949 or 1968 Geneva/Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic. You must obtain the IDP in your home country before traveling to Bali, as it cannot be issued abroad. In most countries, obtaining an IDP is simple and inexpensive: visit your automobile association (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, ANWB in the Netherlands), bring your regular license, a passport photo, and pay a small fee (typically USD 15 to 25). The IDP is valid for one year. Critically, your home country license must include a motorcycle or moped category for the IDP to cover scooter riding. If your regular license only covers cars, the IDP will also only cover cars, and you will not be legally authorized to ride a scooter. Some countries issue licenses that automatically include moped categories under certain engine sizes (typically 50cc), but Bali's rental scooters are usually 110cc to 155cc, which generally requires a full motorcycle category. In practice, many tourists ride without an IDP and are rarely stopped by police. However, police checkpoints do occur, particularly in tourist areas, and the fine for riding without proper documentation is IDR 250,000 to 1,000,000. More importantly, if you are involved in an accident without a valid IDP, your travel insurance will almost certainly deny any medical claims, leaving you personally responsible for hospital bills that can easily reach thousands of dollars.

Insurance is the unglamorous topic that becomes critically important the moment something goes wrong. Most standard travel insurance policies either exclude motorcycle and scooter injuries entirely or include restrictive conditions that many riders fail to meet. Before you ride a scooter in Bali, read your policy's fine print carefully. The key requirements that most insurers impose for scooter coverage include holding a valid international driving permit with motorcycle endorsement, wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, not being under the influence of alcohol, and operating a vehicle with an engine displacement under a certain limit (usually 125cc or 250cc). If any of these conditions are not met, the insurer can reject your claim regardless of who was at fault in the accident. Some travel insurance providers offer specific adventure or motorbike add-on coverage for an additional premium. World Nomads, SafetyWing, and Allianz are among the providers that are frequently recommended by expats and long-term travelers in Bali for their scooter-inclusive policies. Before purchasing, confirm in writing that the policy covers motorcycle operation in Indonesia with your specific license type. The rental scooter itself is typically not covered by any insurance. If the bike is damaged in an accident, stolen, or vandalized, you are liable to the rental shop for repair or replacement costs. Costs for a damaged scooter can range from IDR 500,000 for minor scratches to IDR 15,000,000 or more for a totaled bike. This is another reason to photograph the scooter's condition thoroughly before and after your rental period.

Traffic in Bali operates on the left side of the road, which takes adjustment if you come from a right-hand-drive country. Scooters typically ride on the far left of the lane, with cars occupying the center and right. At intersections, scooters filter forward between cars to the front of the queue, which is normal and expected rather than aggressive riding. The unwritten rules of Bali traffic are as important as the formal ones. Horns are used not as expressions of anger but as polite notifications: a short beep means I am here and about to pass you. Mirrors are used less frequently than in Western countries, so assume other riders may not know you are beside them. Larger vehicles have unofficial right of way over smaller ones. Trucks take priority over cars, cars over scooters, and scooters over pedestrians. This hierarchy is not a law but it is how traffic flows in practice. Helmet use is mandatory for both rider and passenger, and police do enforce this with fines of IDR 250,000. Headlights must be on at all times, even during the day, which is an Indonesian national regulation. The general speed limit within built-up areas is 30-40 km/h and 60 km/h on main roads, though few people observe these limits. Riding under the influence of alcohol is illegal and enforced via occasional police checkpoints, particularly on weekend nights along the main Seminyak-Canggu road and around Kuta. Driving at night requires extra caution. Street lighting outside main tourist corridors is minimal to nonexistent, stray dogs are harder to spot, and potholes become invisible hazards. Rain, which often arrives as heavy afternoon downpours during wet season, makes painted road markings and metal surfaces extremely slippery and reduces visibility dramatically.

Petrol stations in Bali are operated primarily by Pertamina, the state-owned fuel company, and are found along all major roads. The standard fuel grade is Pertalite (RON 90), which costs approximately IDR 10,000 per liter (about USD 0.65). Premium (RON 88) is slightly cheaper at around IDR 6,800 per liter but is being phased out at many stations. Pertamax (RON 92) is available at IDR 12,950 per liter for those who want the higher-grade option. A full tank on a typical rental scooter holds 4 to 5.5 liters and provides roughly 150 to 200 kilometers of range depending on riding conditions. In areas where Pertamina stations are sparse, particularly in remote villages and along less-traveled coastal roads, you will find roadside fuel sellers displaying glass bottles filled with yellow petrol. These bottled fuel vendors charge a premium, typically IDR 15,000 to 20,000 per liter, but they serve as a convenient last resort when the fuel gauge drops and the nearest station is far. The fuel quality from roadside vendors is generally fine for short-term use. Parking in Bali's tourist areas is managed by attendants who direct you to a spot and collect a small fee when you return. Standard scooter parking fees are IDR 2,000 to 5,000 at shops and restaurants, and IDR 5,000 to 10,000 at tourist attractions and busy nightlife areas. Always take your parking ticket if one is provided. For security, use the scooter's built-in steering lock whenever you park, even briefly, and avoid leaving valuables in the under-seat storage compartment. Flat tires are common on Bali's roads, which are littered with small nails and sharp debris, particularly on construction-heavy routes. Most flat tires can be repaired in minutes at a tambal ban (tire repair shop) found in nearly every village for IDR 20,000 to 30,000. These repair stalls are identifiable by their hand-painted signs and are one of the most useful discoveries for any scooter rider in Bali.

Some of Bali's most rewarding experiences are found along routes that are perfect for scooter exploration but impractical by car or taxi. The eastern coast road from Sanur to Amed, hugging the shoreline past black sand beaches, traditional fishing villages, and the Tirta Gangga water palace, is one of the most scenic drives on the island. Traffic thins dramatically once you pass Candidasa, and the road quality is generally good. The rice terrace circuit around Ubud offers another magnificent riding experience. From central Ubud, head north through Tegallalang, continue to Kintamani for the volcanic lake viewpoint, and loop back via Bangli and Gianyar. This full loop takes four to five hours with stops and covers some of Bali's most dramatic inland scenery. The road to Kintamani is well-paved but includes steep climbs and switchbacks that require confident riding. The Uluwatu peninsula in south Bali is excellent for intermediate riders, with relatively quiet roads connecting world-class surf breaks, clifftop temples, and stunning coastal viewpoints. The roads are well-maintained and the distances between attractions are short, making it easy to explore multiple spots in a single morning or afternoon. Routes to avoid for inexperienced riders include the main Denpasar bypass road, which carries heavy truck traffic and aggressive driving; the Seminyak-Kerobokan corridor during peak hours, where congestion makes riding stressful; and mountain roads to Bedugul and the twin lakes area during wet season, when fog and rain reduce visibility to dangerously low levels. The road from Ubud to Kintamani also has sections where trucks and buses take up more than their share of the narrow road.