On the ground
Getting around Bali: scooter, ride-hailing, driver and boats
In Bali, distance says nothing about travel time. What counts is the departure time, whether or not you cross the south, and the right means of transport for each stage.
- Updated on
- 6 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
Key points
- From the airport, allow about 1 h 15 to 1 h 45 for Ubud and 2 h 30 to 3 h for Amed.
- A scooter requires an international driving permit and a helmet; checks have been stepped up since 2023.
- Grab and Gojek work in the south, but some local cooperatives forbid them from picking up passengers.
- To Nusa Penida: fast boat from Sanur, a crossing of about 30 to 45 min.
Transport is what makes or breaks a stay in Bali. Poorly planned, it turns your days into queues of cars. Well chosen, it leaves time for what matters.
This guide compares the options and says which one to choose for each stage. For the impact on the budget, see Bali travel budget or compare scooter, ride-hailing and driver in the budget calculator; for road risks, health and safety in Bali; for the details of renting, prices and fines, renting a scooter in Bali.
Real travel times from Bali airport
From Ngurah Rai airport, allow about 30 to 40 min for Sanur, 45 to 60 min for Uluwatu, 45 to 75 min for Canggu or Seminyak, 1 h 15 to 1 h 45 for Ubud, about 1 h 45 for Sidemen, about 2 h 30 for Munduk and 2 h 30 to 3 h for Amed.
| Destination | Travel time | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Sanur | About 30 to 40 min | Expressway, few surprises |
| Uluwatu | About 45 to 60 min | Traffic jams at the foot of the Bukit late in the day |
| Canggu or Seminyak | About 45 to 75 min | Traffic in the south, highly variable |
| Ubud | About 1 h 15 to 1 h 45 | Crossing Denpasar |
| Sidemen | About 1 h 45 | Narrow valley roads |
| Munduk | About 2 h 30 | Mountain road, bends |
| Amed | About 2 h 30 to 3 h | Long coastal road to the east |
In practice: sleep the first night near the airport if you land late, and the last night in the south if your flight leaves early. Arriving in Amed at night after a long flight is nothing like a restful start to a trip.
Renting a scooter in Bali: license, helmet, insurance
Riding a scooter in Bali requires an international driving permit, in addition to your national license, and wearing a helmet. Police checks have been stepped up since 2023. Without a valid license, travel insurance may refuse to cover an accident. If you have never ridden a two-wheeler, do not start in Bali.
What to carry with you
- The international driving permit (Geneva or Vienna convention) with the right category, and your national license.
- A fastened helmet, for the rider as well as the passenger.
- The vehicle papers given by the rental company.
Check the vehicle before leaving
- Front and rear brakes, lights and horn.
- Condition of the tires, especially in the rainy season.
- Photos of the scooter from every angle in front of the rental company, to avoid disputes on return.
- A helmet that fastens properly: refuse a damaged helmet.
If you are stopped, stay calm and show your papers. Not having an international permit or a helmet is the offense most frequently recorded among visitors.
Grab or Gojek in Bali: where they work, where they are banned
Grab and Gojek work well in the south and in Ubud for short trips, by car or motorbike taxi. But in some areas, local transport cooperatives forbid ride-hailing pick-ups; signs say so. You then have to walk a little further or take a local taxi.
The two apps are equivalent; installing both lets you compare. The price is shown before the ride, which avoids haggling.
- In the south (Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, Uluwatu): plenty of drivers, usually a short wait.
- In Ubud: available, but some streets in the center display a pick-up ban.
- At the airport: pick-up is at dedicated points, follow the signs.
- In the east and the north: drivers become rare, or nonexistent. Plan for a driver.
Taxis in Bali: meter, set price and pitfalls to avoid
Official metered taxis remain a good solution in the south when ride-hailing is banned or absent. Insist that the meter is switched on, or set the price before getting in. Be wary of drivers who approach travelers in the street and quote a fare with no reference.
- Prefer recognizable companies, with a logo, a vehicle number and a visible meter.
- If the meter “does not work”, get out or set a clear price before departure.
- In the evening and in tourist areas, ask your accommodation to order the taxi.
- Keep small notes: drivers often lack change.
The “transport, transport?” calls in the streets of Kuta, Seminyak or Ubud often come from independent drivers. They can be good contacts for a day, as long as you negotiate the route and the price calmly, not in a hurry.
A private driver by the day: when it pays off
A driver by the day becomes the best option as soon as you change region, travel as a group or visit several distant sites. The price is set in advance for a day and a route. For two short trips in town, a ride-hailing app remains simpler.
- Worth it: changes of base (Ubud to Sidemen, Munduk or Amed), temple days, families.
- Less useful: short trips in the south, where ride-hailing is enough.
- To agree before leaving: the route, the stops, the finishing time, what is included (fuel, parking).
A good driver is also a guide: they know the quiet hours of the sites and the day’s ceremonies. Ask your accommodation for a recommendation rather than a tout in the street.
Roads to avoid at night
At night, avoid the mountain roads to Munduk and the lakes, the eastern coastal road to Amed and the roads of Nusa Penida. No lighting, tight bends, dogs and potholes: these journeys are done in daylight, especially by scooter and in the rainy season.
The problem is not only visibility. Secondary roads are also used for ceremonies, animals and children. The 3 am departure for Batur is in fact most often made with a driver, and that is the right choice.
Getting to Nusa Penida and the islands by boat
For Nusa Penida, take a fast boat from Sanur: the crossing takes about 30 to 45 min, with some twenty departures a day between 7:30 am and 5 pm. The ticket is around IDR 150,000 one way, depending on the operator. On the island, the roads are difficult: prefer a local driver.
Sanur–Nusa Penida crossing by fast boat
30 to 45 min
Source: sailtix.com
Departures a day, between 7:30 am and 5 pm
About twenty
Source: nusapenidafastboatticket.com
Order of magnitude of a one-way ticket, varying by operator
≈ €7.50
IDR 150,000
Source: sailtix.com
- Boarding often from the beach: expect to get your feet wet and bring a dry bag.
- In rough seas, departures can be canceled: do not plan the return the day before a flight.
- On the island, the roads to Kelingking and the east coast are damaged: scooters are not advisable for beginners there.
To decide whether Nusa Penida deserves a place in your stay, see things to do in Bali.
Frequently asked questions
Can you rent a scooter in Bali without an international permit?
Some rental companies will, but riding without an international permit is illegal and exposes you to a fine if you are stopped. Above all, travel insurance may refuse to cover an accident.
Grab or Gojek: which to choose in Bali?
Both work in a comparable way in the south and in Ubud. Install both to compare prices and availability depending on the time and the neighborhood.
How long does it take to get from the airport to Ubud?
About 1 h 15 to 1 h 45 by car depending on the traffic in Denpasar. Avoid rush hour if possible.
How do you get to Nusa Penida from Bali?
By fast boat from Sanur. The crossing takes about 30 to 45 min and departures are spread between 7:30 am and 5 pm.
Should you book a driver in advance?
For changes of base, yes, at least the day before. Your accommodation can recommend a reliable driver and help you set the route.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 17, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
