Transport in Bali
There's no island-wide public transit. Here's how everyone actually gets around, and what each option really costs.
Updated August 2026 — rental and ride rates shift with fuel prices and season.
Four ways to move around the island
Scooter rental
The most flexible option and how most visitors get around. Requires a valid motorcycle license (an international permit is legally required, though enforcement varies).
IDR 60,000–90,000/day (~USD 4–6)Grab / GoJek
Ride-hailing apps for cars and bike taxis. Cheap and metered fairly, though pickup can be restricted near some tourist zones — walk a block if a driver cancels.
IDR 15,000–60,000 (~USD 1–4) per short ridePrivate driver
A full day with an English-speaking driver, ideal for temple tours or families. Book through your villa or a driver you've used before.
IDR 600,000–900,000/day (~USD 40–58)Fast boats
For Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands, from Sanur or Padang Bai harbours. Book the morning departure to avoid afternoon swell.
IDR 200,000–350,000 (~USD 13–23) one-wayTraffic is the real constraint
South Bali's roads — Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, the airport corridor — are narrow and heavily congested most afternoons. A 20km drive can take an hour. Ubud to Uluwatu is roughly 2–2.5 hours by car in normal traffic.
If you're renting a scooter, wear a helmet (checkpoints do fine tourists), avoid riding at night on unlit rural roads, and check that your travel insurance actually covers scooter accidents — many policies exclude them without the right license class.