Getting Around, main options:

Rent Scooters & Motorbikes

Transportation Apps

Car Rental with Driver

Getting Around Bali: Transportation Guide

How do I get from A to B in Bali?

One of the most important questions to answer before your trip.

Bali has no public transportation system, and every destination is different in how you get from your hotel to restaurants, the beach, or around the area.

We suggest following 4 options: rent a scooter, hire a car with driver, or use the Gojek and Grab apps for scooter and car taxis. Official taxis rarely make sense and are often hard to find.

Which option fits you depends on whether you can ride a scooter yourself, whether you are comfortable on a scooter taxi, whether you travel with kids, and how far apart your daily destinations are. For sightseeing and daytrips, best to rent your own scooter if you are comfortable or rent a car with a driver. 

Key facts:

  • Public transport: none worth the name
  • Scooter taxi via Gojek or Grab: cheapest option for short trips
  • Car with driver: half or full day, the low-stress way to sightsee
  • Renting a scooter driving yourself is fantastic: But you need International Driving Permit (IDP) and some skills to stay safe.

Apply for IDP online in minutes, delivered even to your accommodation in Bali

What should I sort out before choosing transportation in Bali?

  • Decide which destinations in Bali you want to explore first. Distances and traffic differ enormously by area. Our Destination Guide covers each region.
  • Before booking accommodation, check on the map how long it takes to reach the beach, restaurants and shops. In Bali, 3 km can mean 30 minutes in traffic. Helpful Bali Maps
  • Walking works within the main centers like Seminyak, Sanur, Kuta and Ubud. But distances are far, and sidewalks are often missing or blocked. If you come with kids and a stroller for example, Sanur and Nusa Dua are the most suitable. Some areas in Canggu, Kuta, Uluwatu ca be a true nightmare.
  • Traffic congests heavily at times in the southern region. It’s hard to get from one area to another, because connecting roads are jammed, while within an area, it’s usually not too bad. Small alleys and shortcuts jam quickly.
  • We do not recommend renting a self-drive car. A car with driver costs only a little more, and the roads and traffic are very different from what most visitors are used to.
  • To drive a car or scooter yourself, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Police checks in tourist areas are frequent and fines are real.

Forgot your IDP or never got one? You can apply online and have the IDP booklet delivered to you in Bali. Full details in our IDP guide for Bali.

Your 4 best options to get around in Bali

1. Should I rent a scooter or motorbike in Bali?

Renting a scooter is cheap, flexible, and the fastest way to reach nearby beaches, restaurants and shops at your own pace. Rentals start around IDR 100,000 per day. [OWNER: verify current daily rate]

Two things before you ride. First, the legal side: Indonesian law requires an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement, and police checkpoints in tourist areas are common. Without it, fines apply and your insurance will likely not cover an accident. Get your IDP online before you ride: it takes a few minutes and the booklet can be delivered to your hotel or villa in Bali.

Second, the rental itself. Avoid the hole-in-the-wall shops even if they save you a few dollars. Rent from a business with newer models, insurance and real support if something goes wrong.

We rent through BIKAGO, which we consider the safest and most reliable rental on the island. You can book a scooter or motorcycle online.

Online Scooter Rental International Driving Permit Driving a Scooter Safely

2. Is a car with driver worth it in Bali?

Hiring a car with driver for a half or full day is the most comfortable way to do sightseeing tours. No parking stress, no navigation, no IDP needed. Book half-day and full-day rentals online with Bali Golden Trips.

Airport shuttle – a smart choice

We recommend pre-arranging an airport shuttle to your accommodation. The airport can be rather chaotic, and some shady transport services target travelers who are new to Bali. There are boots from Grab and Gojek, but one can get overwhelmed navigating through the airport exit. 

Pre-book your Airport Shuttle

Rent Car with Driver Online

3. Which transportation apps work in Bali?

Uber does not operate in Bali. Gojek and Grab replace it, covering scooter taxis, cars and food delivery with transparent prices and generally good availability.

Scooter taxis: the most practical option for short trips

Order a scooter taxi in the app for short trips. They are cheap, include a helmet, and slip past traffic that cars cannot avoid. A typical 10-minute ride costs around IDR 15,000-25,000. [OWNER: verify current fare range]

Cars and taxis

Both apps let you order cars almost anywhere, similar to Uber. For very short distances in congested areas, a scooter taxi is usually faster.

Food delivery

Both apps deliver from almost any restaurant. Useful on lazy evenings or rainy days.

Gojek

Grab

4. Are there still taxis in Bali?

Since Gojek and Grab took over, fewer official taxis operate in Bali.

Bluebird is the most reliable taxi company with metered cars. Only ride if the meter runs. Flag one on the road, order a Go-Car in the Gojek app, or ask your hotel reception to call one.

“Private taxis”

In Ubud, Sanur and Seminyak you will constantly hear “TRANSPORT?” from freelance drivers. They can work for short hops, but you must bargain, and prices are hard to judge.

Travelers get overcharged when they do not know what a ride should cost, especially late at night. When in doubt, check the Gojek or Grab price for the same route first and use it as your reference.

Flights: flying to and from Bali

Bali is easy to reach from almost anywhere. Many airlines fly direct or with one stop (Jakarta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, Mumbai). Air connections from India and China keep expanding.

Bali also works as a base for the region: low-cost airlines fly cheaply from Denpasar (DPS) to destinations across Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Flight and Airline Booking and Price Comparison

Best budget airlines and low-cost carriers

Browse our list of budget airlines flying from Denpasar Airport (DPS). A two-night side trip to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or one of the other Indonesian islands is often cheaper than you would expect.

List of Best Budget Airlines flying to Bali

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a scooter in Bali?
Indonesian law requires an IDP with motorcycle endorsement plus your national licence to ride legally. Rental shops may not ask, but police checkpoints will, and insurance will likely not pay out after an accident without one. You can apply for an IDP online and have it delivered to your accommodation in Bali.

What is the cheapest way to get around Bali?
Scooter taxis ordered through Gojek or Grab are the cheapest option for short trips. For full-day sightseeing, a car with driver gives the best value because it removes navigation, parking and legal requirements entirely.

Is there public transportation in Bali?
Bali has no functioning public transportation system. Visitors rely on scooter rental, cars with driver, the Gojek and Grab apps, and taxis. Plan your accommodation location with this in mind.

Can I use Uber in Bali?
Uber does not operate in Bali. Gojek and Grab offer the same service for cars plus scooter taxis and food delivery, with fixed prices shown in the app before you book.

Should I rent a car and drive myself in Bali?
We do not recommend it for most visitors. Traffic, road conditions and driving style differ sharply from Western countries, and a car with driver costs only slightly more. If you do self-drive, you need an IDP.

More about Transportation in Bali