How to Get Around Bali: Complete Transport Guide

Renting a scooter (motorbike) is how most long-term visitors and many short-term tourists get around Bali. Daily rental costs IDR 70,000-100,000 ($4.40-6.30 USD) for a Honda Vario, Beat, or Scoopy, and monthly rates drop to IDR 1,200,000-1,800,000 ($76-114 USD). Higher-powered bikes like the Yamaha NMAX cost IDR 120,000-150,000 ($7.60-9.50) per day. Fuel is cheap at IDR 10,000-15,000 ($0.65-0.95) per liter from official Pertamina gas stations, which are marked by red, blue, and green signs. Avoid buying fuel from roadside bottles marked Bensin, which is more expensive and sometimes diluted. To ride legally in Bali, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) with a motorcycle endorsement, obtained from your home country's automobile association before departure. The cost is typically $15-25 USD, and it is valid for one year. Without an IDP, you risk fines of IDR 500,000-1,000,000 ($32-63) at police checkpoints, which are particularly common near Canggu, Ubud, and Kuta. Your regular car driving license is not sufficient, even if you hold an international version. Road conditions vary dramatically. Main roads between tourist areas are paved and generally well-maintained, but side streets often have potholes, no street lights, and unexpected obstacles including dogs, chickens, and ceremonial processions. Drive defensively, wear a helmet at all times, and avoid riding at night if possible, especially in rural areas.

Grab (the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber) and Gojek (Indonesia's homegrown ride-hailing platform) are the most convenient transport options for visitors who do not want to drive themselves. Both apps work similarly: download the app, register with your phone number, enter your destination, and a driver comes to pick you up. Payment can be cash or digital wallet (GoPay for Gojek, OVO for Grab). Both apps offer car rides (GrabCar, GoCar) and motorbike rides (GrabBike, GoRide). Motorbike rides are 60-70% cheaper and significantly faster through traffic. A GrabBike ride across Canggu costs IDR 15,000-25,000 ($1-1.60), while the same trip by GrabCar costs IDR 35,000-60,000 ($2.20-3.80). Longer trips like Seminyak to Ubud run IDR 120,000-180,000 ($7.60-11.40) by car. However, ride-hailing services face restrictions in several areas due to agreements with local taxi cooperatives. Ubud's central area, the Ngurah Rai airport pickup zone, and the entrances to some beach clubs and tourist attractions block Grab and Gojek from picking up passengers. In these zones, you will need to walk a few hundred meters to a main road for pickup, or use local taxis. Drivers may also refuse trips to certain restricted areas. Despite these limitations, Grab and Gojek are reliable for 80% of your journeys. The apps also offer food delivery (GrabFood, GoFood), package delivery, and even massage bookings, making them indispensable tools for daily life in Bali.

Hiring a private driver for a full day is one of Bali's best travel hacks. A full-day hire (8-10 hours) costs IDR 500,000-700,000 ($32-44 USD) for a comfortable air-conditioned car, including fuel and a knowledgeable local driver who doubles as an informal guide. This price is per car, not per person, making it remarkably affordable for couples or small groups. A family of four pays the same as a solo traveler. Private drivers are the ideal choice for temple tours (Tirta Empul, Besakih, Ulun Danu Beratan), day trips to the north coast or east coast, and full-day itineraries that cover multiple stops. Your driver handles all the navigation, parking, and waiting while you explore each destination. Most drivers speak reasonable English and can recommend restaurants, explain temple customs, and adjust the itinerary based on traffic and weather. Finding a reliable driver is straightforward. Ask your hotel for recommendations, which is often the most reliable method. Alternatively, platforms like Klook, GetYourGuide, and Viator offer bookable day tours with vetted drivers. Many visitors find a driver they like on day one and WhatsApp them directly for subsequent trips. For shorter point-to-point transfers, private drivers charge IDR 150,000-300,000 ($9.50-19 USD) depending on distance, which is competitive with Grab when ride-hailing is surging or unavailable.

Several shuttle services operate fixed routes between Bali's main tourist areas, offering an affordable middle ground between ride-hailing and private drivers. The Kura-Kura Bus is the most established tourist shuttle, running routes between Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Ubud, and Jimbaran for IDR 20,000-80,000 ($1.25-5 USD) per ride. Schedules are roughly hourly during the day, though reliability varies. Check their app or website for current timetables, and plan for potential delays. Perama Tour operates shared shuttle buses between major destinations across Bali, including routes to the ferry ports for boats to the Gili Islands and Lombok. A Perama shuttle from Ubud to Sanur costs approximately IDR 60,000-75,000 ($3.80-4.75), and from Kuta to Ubud IDR 75,000-100,000 ($4.75-6.30). Seats should be booked at least one day in advance through their office or website. For travel to the Nusa islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan), fast boat services depart from Sanur Harbor multiple times daily. Tickets cost IDR 150,000-300,000 ($9.50-19 USD) one way for the 30-45 minute crossing. Book through operators like Maruti Express, Crown Fast Cruises, or through Klook for bundled deals with hotel pickup. Cross-island journeys to the Amed coast, Lovina, or the ferry port at Gilimanuk for Java can also be arranged through travel agents in any tourist area, typically combining a private car transfer with local knowledge about road conditions.

Walking is practical in some areas of Bali but impractical or even dangerous in others. Within Ubud center, walking is the best way to explore: the main streets, Monkey Forest, and surrounding rice terraces are all accessible on foot. The Campuhan Ridge Walk, one of Bali's most popular free activities, starts right in central Ubud. Sanur's beachfront promenade stretches for 7 km and is ideal for walking and cycling. Seminyak and Canggu, however, are challenging for pedestrians. Sidewalks are narrow, broken, or nonexistent. Motorbikes park on footpaths. Storm drains are open and uncovered. Walking more than a kilometer in the tropical heat along a busy road is unpleasant and sometimes unsafe, especially after dark when street lighting is poor. For short distances within a town, GrabBike or GoRide (IDR 8,000-15,000) is often the easiest solution. Cycling is growing in popularity, particularly in Ubud, Sanur, and parts of East Bali. Bicycle rental costs IDR 50,000-75,000 ($3.15-4.75) per day. Electric bike and e-scooter rentals are emerging in Canggu and Seminyak for IDR 100,000-150,000 ($6.30-9.50) per day. Guided cycling tours through rice paddies and villages cost IDR 400,000-600,000 ($25-38), typically including breakfast and a downhill route from the Kintamani highlands. These tours are a wonderful way to experience rural Bali at a human pace without the stress of navigating traffic yourself.