Most tourists in Bali rely on just a few types of transportation, such as taxis, rented scooters or cars, and buses in rare cases. They also use fast boats to hop on to the outer islands, such as Nusa and Gili islands.
These forms of transportation are the most common options for tourists visiting Bali, and they provide convenient and efficient ways to get around the island!
If you've just arrived in Bali and you're looking to explore the island, taking a taxi is a great way to hop between destinations.
However, if you're planning to explore a specific destination, like Ubud or Kuta, renting a scooter might be a better choice because they are well-suited for busy and narrow streets in Bali.
I'm gonna break down each of these transportation options for you, including what's good and bad about them, how to get them, and some helpful tips to help you get the most out of your trip!
Taxis
There are two types of taxis in Bali which are ride-hailing taxis and unlicensed taxis. While I wouldn't recommend taking the unlicensed ones, I can show you how to get a proper taxi instead.
There are three popular ride-hailing apps in Bali that you can choose from:
They're all pretty good, but they've also got some downsides.
Bluebird
Pros: Oldest taxi company, professional drivers, has the option to order high-end car like Lexus
Con: 25 - 50% more expensive
Grab
Pros: Has scooter taxis, allows users to choose high-end car, can be used to order food, accepts credit
Con: Not widely available
Gojek
Pros: Has scooter taxis, can be used to order food, widely available, most popular among the locals
Con: Doesn’t accept credit cards
Yes, there are also scooter taxis which are usually used for short distances, food delivery, or for sending and receiving goods.
If you can't ride a scooter, hopping on a scooter taxi is a solid option to get around nearby places.
I recommend downloading all of them just in case one app doesn't work. You can click on these buttons to instantly go to the app store or play store.
These apps work fine almost everywhere on the island of Bali, except in Ubud, Canggu, and the airport. Ubud and Canggu are controlled by unlicensed taxi drivers and the airport has its own taxi service.
If you need to use these apps in those areas, you'll have to walk to the nearest pickup point outside the restricted zone.
Bali taxi prices
These are the high estimated taxi fares of Bluebird taxi in Bali, you may pay less than these figures.
| # | From/To | Airport | Canggu | Jimbaran | Kuta | Nusa_Dua | Sanur | Seminyak | Ubud | Uluwatu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airport | - | 250,000 | 150,000 | 125,000 | 190,000 | 225,000 | 170,000 | 350,000 | 240,000 |
| 2 | Canggu | 250,000 | - | 250,000 | 200,000 | 290,000 | 225,000 | 150,000 | 300,000 | 345,000 |
| 3 | Jimbaran | 150,000 | 250,000 | - | 170,000 | 170,000 | 250,000 | 200,000 | 400,000 | 200,000 |
| 4 | Kuta | 125,000 | 200,000 | 170,000 | - | 215,000 | 220,000 | 125,000 | 350,000 | 270,000 |
| 5 | Nusa_Dua | 190,000 | 290,000 | 170,000 | 215,000 | - | 270,000 | 235,000 | 400,000 | 250,000 |
| 6 | Sanur | 225,000 | 225,000 | 250,000 | 220,000 | 270,000 | - | 200,000 | 250,000 | 340,000 |
| 7 | Seminyak | 170,000 | 150,000 | 200,000 | 125,000 | 235,000 | 200,000 | - | 300,000 | 280,000 |
| 8 | Ubud | 350,000 | 300,000 | 400,000 | 350,000 | 400,000 | 250,000 | 300,000 | - | 450,000 |
| 9 | Uluwatu | 240,000 | 345,000 | 200,000 | 270,000 | 250,000 | 340,000 | 280,000 | 450,000 | - |
You can also hail a Bluebird taxi on the street, but be aware that there are many unlicensed copycats around.
To distinguish the genuine Bluebird taxis from the fake ones, check the color and logo, and make sure the driver is wearing a uniform.
Rented scooter or car
The next option on the list is renting a scooter or car. Scooters are the most popular mode of transportation in Bali, with 90% of tourists choosing them over cars.
Renting a scooter or car is a great way to get around specific places, but it's not the best choice for exploring the whole island as driving for dozens of miles can be tiring, and returning the vehicle is also a hassle.
The costs of renting a vehicle in Bali:
🛵 Scooter: Rp 50,000 per day
🚙 Car: Rp 450,000 per day
Renting a scooter in Bali can cost anywhere from Rp 30,000 ($2) to Rp 100,000 ($6.5) per day, with the average price being around Rp 50,000 ($3.3).
If you prefer to rent a car, prices start from as low as Rp 100,000 ($6.5) to Rp 1,000,000 ($65) per day, with the average being around Rp 450,000 ($29).
You have the flexibility to rent the vehicle on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis, depending on your preference.
Keep in mind that if you plan on renting the vehicle for an extended period, it's better to rent it from a reputable company rather than from individuals to avoid becoming a victim of fraudulent activities.
I have some tips to help you avoid fraudulent activities when renting a scooter or car. Check it out here:
It’s easy to rent a scooter or car, just search for "scooter rental near me" on Google, and don't forget to allow Google to access your location to get more accurate results.
When you need to refuel your vehicle, you can either go to a gas station or from the kiosks along the street.
Gas stations in Bali are called SPBU. To find the nearest one, just Google "SPBU near me", go there and tell the staff how many liters of gas you want to buy.
Scooter usually requires around 3 liters of gas, which costs around Rp 30,000 to fill the tank completely. If you're driving a car, you can buy around 10 liters of gas for around Rp 100,000.
Bus
The bus is the third alternative for transportation on the island of Bali. While it may not be the most flexible option, many people still use it due to its affordability.
If you're traveling with your family of four, taking the bus might not be the best idea because you'll have to pay for each person's ticket separately.
Not like if you were taking a taxi, you'll pay the same amount no matter how many people are with you.
The cost of taking a bus in Bali depends on how far you're going, but on average, it's around Rp 100,000 (which is about $6.5) per person. That's only one-third of what you would pay for a taxi.
Although taking the bus may seem like a good deal, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Just like with any bus anywhere, you'll need to be at the designated pickup point in order to catch the bus.
Also buses may not always be available when you need them since they operate on a fixed schedule.
If you're considering using buses for your Bali trip, take a look at the schedules and stops of two reputable bus companies below.
Fast boat
There's so much more to see beyond the mainland of Bali, and if you want to explore those outer islands, you'll need to hop on a fast boat and sail your way there.
You can find fast boats departing from two main harbors: Sanur and Padangbai. From Sanur, you can catch a boat to the Nusa Islands, while from Padangbai, you can head to the Gili Islands.
Prices for these fast boat companies can vary based on the season. You can check their websites to get an idea of how much it'll cost you to travel to these islands.
FAQs
Here are some common transportation-related questions that tourists ask when visiting Bali, along with the answers.
Is there uber in Bali?
Uber does not operate in Bali, however, there are two ride-hailing apps similar to Uber that you can use to hail a taxi or order food called Grab and Gojek.
What is the best way to get around Bali?
Taking a taxi is the easiest and most convenient way to get around and hop between destinations in Bali.
Are taxis safe in Bali?
Bluebird taxi and the two ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek are safe options for transportation in Bali as they are licensed. Using unlicensed taxis, on the other hand, might put your safety at risk.
Is Bali easy to get around?
Bali is pretty easy to get around since all the main destinations are accessible by road and there are a variety of transportation options available.
However, because of the heavy traffic and some drivers who don't follow the rules, it can be a bit of a challenge for those who choose to drive themselves.
Do you tip drivers in Bali?
Tipping isn't part of the local culture in bali. It's perfectly acceptable to pay the exact amount and not leave a tip without anyone taking offense.
But if you feel like it, you can tip them around Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000 at most. If a taxi driver gets Rp 50,000 tip for every passenger, they would actually end up making more money than some government employees.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Bali?
If you're looking to save some cash while exploring Bali, renting a scooter is your best bet. The only catch is that you can't just keep someone else's scooter forever, you gotta give it back when the rental period is up.
What is the main transport in Bali?
Scooters are the primary mode of transportation in Bali, with the latest survey showing that 83.27% of people in Bali use them.
