Sorting out Transportation in Bali: The Basics 

• First of all, we always tell our readers to figure out which destination(s) in Bali they want to explore so they know what to expect in general in those areas. Check out our Destination Guide to get familiar with the different regions
• When choosing your accommodation, take a good look at a map (Google Maps is a good option) and check how long it takes to walk, drive or take a scooter to the beach or a restaurant nearby.
• Walking is usually fine in Bali if you are in the main tourism centers such as Seminyak, Sanur, Kuta, Ubud etc. But even here, distances are far, and sometimes it’s hard to get around because there aren’t enough sidewalks, traffic lights, or roads even.
• At times and in some touristy areas, the traffic can be very congested. Especially in Seminyak, Kuta, and Canggu, where formerly undiscovered roads, shortcuts, and small alleys can suddenly turn into a traffic nightmare due to a ruck or simply too many people trying to get through.
• Bali doesn’t have a public transportation system that deserves the name.
• We don’t suggest you should rent a car without a driver since it is very affordable to rent one with a driver. For most travelers, the roads and traffic are very different from what they are used to.
• You need an International Driver’s Permit if you want to drive a car or scooter on your own in Bali. The police is getting more strict. Don’t have one or forgot it?  You can apply here for a digital or physical International Drivers License online

Your 4 best options to get around in Bali

1. Rent a Scooter or Motorbike – if you can handle it

You should definitely consider renting a scooter or motorcycle while in Bali. It’s fun, cheap, and gives you plenty of freedom to visit the nearby restaurants, beaches, shops, and other places at your own pace. Another easy idea is to circle the island while carrying enough gear for a few days in your backpack.

Even if it costs a few dollars more, avoid renting from one of the many “hole-in-the-wall” shops. It’s important to rent from a business with a good track record, the newest models, insurance, safety measures, and good service.

Check out BIKAGO, which we think is the safest and most reliable place on the island to rent. You can also book a scooter or a motorcycle online.

2. Car Rental with Driver

Hire a car with a driver for half or full day is a great option to go for little and big sightseeing tours. Half-Day and Full Day Rental Online: You can discuss with the driver were to go, they usually know nice places, or you know already where to go, or you can choose some of the curated tours here online. 

Airport Shuttle

We advise travelers to pre-arrange an airport shuttle to take them to their accommodation. The airport can be chaotic and some shady transportation services will try to take advantage of travelers who are “new to Bali”.

Pre-book your Airport Shuttle

3. Transportation Apps (like Uber)

Uber is no longer available in Bali, but there are two great apps that let you rent cars AND motorbike-taxis online. The prices are transparent, and the service and availability is (generally) great.

Scooter taxis  – the most liked and super practical transportation option

You can order a scooter taxi for short trips in those apps. They are very cheap, come with a helmet, and let you avoid the main roads, where traffic is often too much to handle.

If you need to go a long way or have a lot of stuff, you can order a Go-Car online.

Cars – Taxis

Like Uber, these apps allow you to order cars to take you almost anywhere. For very short distances it’s less practicable particularly in the areas where drivers might face heavy traffic.

Food Delivery

These apps allow you to order almost any food from anywhere. A fantastic option to get food from restaurants if you don’t want to go out.

4. Taxis in Bali

Due to the transportation apps GoJek and Grab, there are not so many official taxis operating in Bali anymore.

Bluebird is the most reliable taxi company with metered cars. We suggest you only use them if you choose a metered taxi. You can stop them on the road, or these days, you can also se the GOJEK app (GO-CAR) to order one or ask the hotel reception to call.

“Private Taxis”

There are lots of drivers who are ready to help you and take you also for short distances – like a taxi. Most of the time, you can’t miss them. Especially in popular places like Ubud, Sanur, Seminyak, etc., you will be asked a lot if you need “TRANSPORT” just by walking around. The downside is, that you would have to bargain, which at times can be u pleasant and annoying.

The challenge is that it can be hard to figure out how much your drop-off should really cost and what is a fair price, and just like in any other popular tourist spot in the world, travelers can be overcharged if they don’t know what a service should cost—especially late at night when alcohol is involved.

Flights – Flying to and from Bali

Bali is easy to get to from almost everywhere in the world.
There are many airlines that fly directly to Bali or make only one stop (Jakarta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Qatar, Mumbay, etc.). Bali is also a great place to get to other places, and there are many good low-cost airlines that offer cheap flights to almost everywhere in the region. India and China are getting better air connectivity to service the increasing demand for flights from these countries.

Best Budget Airlines & Low-Cost Carriers

Browse our list of budget airlines flying from Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS) and their connections to other exciting destinations in Indonesia and the surrounding area.

Book a room in Kuala Lumpur, Australia, Singapore, or Hong Kong for two nights and take advantage of the cheap round-trip airfare. You might even take a flight to one of the other Indonesian islands.

List of Best Budget Airlines flying to Bali

More about Transportation in Bali