Your options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) | most trips in the south and Ubud, airport transfers | no-pickup zones in some villages |
| Motorbike taxi (GoRide, GrabBike) | beating traffic in Canggu, Seminyak and Ubud | not with luggage, at night or in heavy rain |
| Private driver for the day | sightseeing and trips to the north and east | agree the hours and route in advance |
| Renting a scooter | freedom and the lowest cost | you need a licence with category A; traffic is chaotic |
| Tourist shuttle buses | budget trips between main areas | limited routes and timetables |
Ride-hailing apps that work in Bali
| App | What it offers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gojek | cars (GoCar), motorbike taxis (GoRide), food and shopping delivery | the main local app; foreign cards do not always go through, so pay cash or via GoPay |
| Grab | cars, motorbikes, delivery | the familiar regional app, with a dedicated GrabCar Lounge pick-up area at the airport |
| Maxim | cars and motorbikes | often cheaper, cash payment, fewer cars |
| inDrive | cars; you propose the fare | officially operating in Bali since February 2025 |
| MyBluebird | licensed metered taxis | since July 2026 the airport taxi cooperative works with Bluebird and cars can be booked in the app |
Uber left South-East Asia in 2018 and does not operate in Bali.
- You can register with your home mobile number: the code comes by SMS, and Gojek can also send it via WhatsApp. An Indonesian SIM card is not required; mobile data via eSIM or roaming is enough.
- Cash to the driver is the simplest way to pay. Carry small notes: a motorbike driver may not have change for IDR 100,000.
- The GoPay wallet can be topped up with cash at Indomaret or Alfamart checkouts. Unverified wallets hold up to IDR 2 million; after passport verification (GoPay Plus) up to IDR 20 million.
From Bali airport to your hotel
The easiest and usually cheapest option is to book a car in Grab or Gojek from the arrivals hall and pay the driver in cash. The legal alternatives are the official taxi counter, with fixed fares by zone, and a pre-booked transfer. Ignore touts at the exit: they quote several times the normal price.
| To | Taxi counter, IDR | Grab / Gojek, IDR | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuta | 120,000–200,000 | 100,000–140,000 | 15–30 min |
| Seminyak, Legian | 200,000–300,000 | 160,000–220,000 | 25–60 min |
| Sanur, Nusa Dua | 220,000–350,000 | similar or cheaper | 20–45 min |
| Canggu | 350,000–500,000 | 240,000–330,000 | 1–1.5 h |
| Ubud | 400,000–650,000 | 350,000–450,000 | 1.5–2 h |
Per car, typical fares in September–October 2026. Toll road and airport entry fees may be charged on top.
Grab sends international arrivals to the GrabCar Lounge area, Gojek to a marked Instant Point in the arrivals hall. Always follow the in-app directions, as pick-up points change.
Where apps cannot pick you up
In some places local driver associations linked to the banjar (village community) do not allow app drivers to collect passengers. You will see "no online taxi" signs, and drivers may be threatened. An app car can drop you off there, but not pick you up. This is most common in central Canggu and Batu Bolong, at some Bukit and Uluwatu beaches and temples, and on certain streets in Ubud, Kuta and Sanur. No law creates these zones, but arguing on the spot will not help.
- walk a few hundred metres to the next street and book the car there;
- use Bluebird, which drivers' groups rarely object to;
- agree a price with a local driver before you get in.
Since 2025 Bali requires app drivers to be island residents with locally registered (DK) cars, so fewer cars may be available at peak times.
Hiring a driver for the day
For sightseeing, a car with a driver is the most comfortable choice: in 2025–2026 roughly IDR 600,000–870,000 for 10 hours in a minivan and IDR 1–1.26 million in an SUV. App drivers often refuse long trips, especially to the north and east where there is no return fare, and it is hard to find an app car in Amed or Lovina.
Renting a scooter: the licence you need
| Scooter or motorbike | your national licence + an International Driving Permit with category A (motorcycles) |
|---|---|
| Car | your national licence + an International Driving Permit with category B |
| Helmet | compulsory for rider and passenger |
| Bike papers | carry the registration document (STNK) |
| Indonesian licence (SIM) | only for KITAS or KITAP holders |
Most visitors rent a scooter while holding only a car licence. Without category A you are formally riding unlicensed: that is a fine at a police check, and your travel insurance may refuse to cover medical bills after an accident. If you plan to ride, add the motorcycle category at home before your trip, or use motorbike taxis instead. Licences from ASEAN countries are valid in Indonesia without an IDP.
| Offence | Maximum fine under Law 22/2009 |
|---|---|
| Riding without a licence | IDR 1,000,000 |
| Licence not carried | IDR 250,000 |
| No STNK | IDR 500,000 |
| No helmet | IDR 250,000 |
In practice, at roadside checks in Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, Kuta and Ubud fines of IDR 300,000–500,000 per missing document were reported in 2026. A ban on scooter rental for tourists has been discussed since 2023 and was included in a draft regional tourism law in April 2026; as of October 2026 it had not been passed and renting is still allowed.
Buses and shuttles
- Kura-Kura bus: a tourist shuttle from Kuta via Sanur to Ubud; IDR 100,000 per ticket, booking required.
- Teman Bus (Trans Metro Dewata): city buses around Denpasar and the south, IDR 4,400 per ride. Routes suit locals more than visitors, but they are the cheapest option.
- Fast boats to Nusa Penida, Lembongan and the Gili Islands leave from Sanur, Serangan and Padang Bai; book a day or two ahead in high season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get around Bali?
Ride-hailing apps (Grab and Gojek) for everyday trips, a private driver for day trips, and a scooter only if you hold a licence with the motorcycle category and are confident in heavy traffic.
How much is a taxi from Bali airport to Ubud?
About IDR 400,000–650,000 at the airport taxi counter, or around IDR 350,000–450,000 per car in Grab. The drive takes 1.5–2 hours.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Bali?
Yes. Carry your national licence and an International Driving Permit. For a scooter it must include category A (motorcycles); for a car, category B.
Does Uber work in Bali?
No. Uber left South-East Asia in 2018. Use Grab, Gojek, Maxim, inDrive or MyBluebird instead.
