MyGlob Editorial
Bali has no metro, no commuter train, and only a skeletal public bus network, so how you get around shapes your whole trip. Distances look short on a map but the island's twisty roads, heavy two-wheel traffic, and slow average speeds mean a 30-kilometre hop can swallow ninety minutes. The good news is that you have plenty of options, from self-drive scooters to full-day private drivers, and once you understand the trade-offs you can mix and match them like a local.
Scooters: freedom, and real risk
The scooter is the soul of Balinese transport. A 110–160cc automatic rents for a very modest daily rate that drops sharply on weekly or monthly deals, and it is by far the cheapest and most flexible way to explore. Nothing beats threading through rice-terrace back lanes or parking right outside a warung. But this freedom comes with the island's single biggest danger to visitors: road accidents involving tourists on scooters are common, often because riders are inexperienced, ride without proper helmets, or underestimate Bali's chaotic traffic and sudden tropical downpours.
If you rent, wear a real full-face or at least a properly fastened helmet, never ride in flip-flops, and be extra cautious on wet roads and at night. Indonesian law requires a valid licence with a motorcycle entitlement, typically an International Driving Permit endorsed for motorcycles alongside your home licence. Riding without one can void your travel insurance entirely — check your policy's small print before you twist the throttle.
Private drivers: the comfortable default
For most first-time visitors and families, hiring a private driver for the day is the sweet spot. For a flat full-day rate (usually around eight to ten hours) you get an air-conditioned car, a local who knows the roads, and the freedom to build your own itinerary — temples in the morning, a waterfall at lunch, a beach club at sunset. Fuel is normally included within reasonable distances; tolls, parking, and the driver's meal are small extras that are courteous to cover.
Good drivers double as informal guides and are happy to wait while you explore. Find them through your hotel, trusted recommendations, or WhatsApp groups, and agree the price, hours, and route before you set off so there are no surprises at day's end.
Ride-hailing apps: Grab and Gojek
Grab and Gojek are the two dominant apps, offering cars, motorbike taxis, food delivery, and more at metered, upfront prices that remove all haggling. They are excellent value in tourist hubs like Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, and around the airport. Download both, link a card or top up the in-app wallet, and you will rarely overpay.
The catch is the long-running tension with local transport cooperatives. In some areas — parts of Ubud, certain beaches, and pockets of the Bukit — you will see signs banning app pickups, and drivers may ask you to walk to a quieter spot or meet around a corner. It is usually easy to work around, but do not be surprised if a booking is harder to get in these zones.
Taxis and airport transfers
Bluebird is the reputable metered taxi brand; insist on the meter and you will get a fair fare. Beware imitators with similar livery — the genuine fleet has the Bluebird logo and a phone-bookable app. At Ngurah Rai airport, use the official taxi counter or pre-book a transfer through your hotel; the fixed-price counter avoids the arrivals-hall scramble after a long flight.
Distances, traffic, and timing
Plan around traffic, not kilometres. The Kuta–Seminyak–Canggu corridor and the roads into Ubud clog badly in the late afternoon. Crossing from the south to Ubud can take well over an hour; reaching the north coast or the east is a half-day commitment. Build in buffer time for flights and book early-morning or late-evening departures when you can to dodge the worst jams.
Reaching the islands and the far reaches
For the Nusa islands (Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan) you take a fast boat from Sanur, where a tidy ferry terminal now streamlines departures. The Gili Islands and Lombok are served by fast boats from Padangbai and Serangan. Once on the smaller islands, expect scooters, open-air 'cidomo' carts, or pickup-truck taxis rather than apps.
Quick recommendations
- Two or three days of temple-and-beach sightseeing: hire a private driver.
- A week of café-hopping in Canggu or Ubud and you ride confidently: rent a scooter.
- Short hops in the south and around town: Grab or Gojek.
- Airport pickup after a long flight: pre-booked transfer or the official taxi counter.
Whatever you choose, build in extra time, respect that Balinese roads run on patience rather than speed, and always prioritise safety over saving a few rupiah.
