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How to get around Bali: 2025 Local guide
Local expert guide on how to get around Bali safely and easily, with insights from Holafly’s local expert on all transport options.
Getting around Bali seems like a breeze when you realise it’s only 153 KM (95 miles) long east to west. However, the island’s winding roads, unpredictable traffic, and various ride-hailing apps and transport methods mean you’ll need clear guidance before your trip.
To help you truly understand how to get around Bali and choose the best option based on your preferences, we spoke with one of Holafly’s travel experts, Saffron Wu. Saffron has lived in Bali for some time and has since frequently visited the island as well.
Her on-the-ground perspective gives this guide a more authentic and practical understanding of everyday Bali transportation. In this blog, we include various transportation modes, estimated travel prices, the most common mistakes tourists make, and a real-life picture of how to travel around Bali.
What’s the best way to get around Bali?
The best way to get around Bali depends on your plans and the places you want to explore, but there are a few main modes of Bali transportation tourists tend to rely on.
- Scooter or motorbike rentals (easiest way if you have a license and/or an international driving permit)
- Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek, MyBlueBird) for short distances and cheap rides
- Private drivers for full-day trips and utmost comfort
- Blue Bird taxis in touristy areas
Is Bali’s public transport good?
Although public transport is available, it may not be the most convenient option for getting around Bali. For example, if you’ve booked a surf lesson at one of Bali’s best surf spots and want to arrive on time, getting there via public transport might not be the best option.
When we asked Saffron about Bali’s public transportation’s reliability, she explained:
“Public buses exist, but are often irregular, not very predictable, and do not follow a strict timetable, so you cannot really rely on them. Newer systems like Trans Metro Dewata are more punctual on main routes, but not consistently.”
Bali has no metro, train system, or tourist transport card, so your choices are mainly public buses or the newer Trans Metro Dewata routes. Kura-Kura is also a tourist bus service that operates on routes around southern Bali and up to Ubud. You can buy a ticket online on the company’s website or the Kura-Kura app. It is definitely a more convenient option than public minibuses, but you still might have to wait for scheduled stops.
✨Top tip from Saffron: “Have your card or QR code ready before boarding; drivers do not handle cash on newer buses.”
How to get around Bali: Scooter (and motorbike) rentals 🛵
You’ll see more scooters on the roads in Bali than cars. It’s one of the most flexible ways to travel in Bali, and locals understand that the island’s narrow roads are most compatible with scooters and motorbikes, not cars.
That said, heat, traffic, steep hills, tight roads, and even the driving style in Bali can be overwhelming if this is your first visit and you’re not the most confident driver. This can become even more intense if you visit during Bali’s tourist season. May, June, and September are shoulder seasons and some of the best times to visit Bali to avoid excess crowds. Saffron also emphasises this:
“Scooters are extremely common, and tourists can rent motorbikes easily, but road conditions and driving style are only recommended if you are confident and properly licensed and insured.”
You must have:
- Your national driving license
- An International Driving Permit
You’ll definitely need an International Driving Permit to drive a scooter in Bali, but not to rent one. While most scooter rental businesses rarely check to see if you have an IDP, if you get stopped by the local police, they will ticket you.
Balinese police tend to stop tourists and hand out tickets to anyone riding a scooter without an IDP.
How to rent scooters in Bali
Search for scooter rental companies on Google, and send them a message on WhatsApp to check rates and deals. You can also ask local shops or other travellers for personal recommendations.
💰Cost: The price to rent a scooter depends on location, models, and rental period. You can expect 80,000 – 100,000 IDR/day (~$4-6 USD/day) or 450,000-550,000 IDR/week (~$27-30 USD/week).
Top tips for riding a scooter in Bali:
- Wear a helmet! Accidents can be fatal if you’re not wearing a helmet, so never take the risk. Make sure it’s properly fitted to your head and not damaged in any way.
- Try not to panic in chaotic traffic. Bali’s driving style can look pretty haphazard sometimes, but locals are used to passing in tight spaces. Move aside and give space to any incoming vehicles.
- Use your horn. In other places, honking may be considered rude. But in Bali, it’s how you talk to other drivers. Don’t hesitate to honk, especially if you’re passing a large vehicle.
How to get around Bali: Gojek, Grab, and Bluebird 🚕
Gojek and Grab are popular ride-hailing apps and are a cost-effective way of getting around Bali.
Locals rely on them daily, and they’re perfect for ordering scooters, cars, and even food delivery. Payment is processed in-app via card, e-wallet, or Apple Pay, which is helpful if you don’t want to carry cash.
💰Cost: A car or scooter rental from Gojek or Grab will typically cost 80,000 IDR a day (~$4 USD/day).
Bluebird is a metered taxi company and is considered one of the most reliable taxi companies on the island. They use fair pricing, meters, and drivers who tend to speak English.
You can request Bluebird taxis through their official website or the MyBluebird app.
You can use the meter for shorter trips; however, this might result in a large bill, especially during peak hours. You can also negotiate and haggle a bit with your driver to get a good deal. Always agree on a price before beginning your journey.
Does Uber work in Bali?
No, Uber no longer operates in Indonesia. Grab and Gojek are its alternatives.
How to get around Bali: Car rentals and self-driving 🚗
You can rent a car if you’re confident you’ll be able to navigate Bali’s roads and busy touristy areas.
We advise using this option to get around Bali only if:
- You’re experienced with driving in Southeast Asia
- You have the correct international license
- You’re ready for other drivers’ unpredictable behavior
Some popular car rental companies in Bali include:
- Balisakti tour and car rental
- Sewa Mobil Murah di Bali Mutia Car Rental
- Bali Nusa Rent Car
Be sure to check reviews on Google before you decide to rent a car.
How to get around Bali: Common tourist mistakes to avoid ⚠️
We asked Saffron about the biggest mistake tourists make. This is what she had to say:
“Trying to rely on public buses for tight schedules and underestimating traffic. Traffic in Bali is a real deal.”
Other common mistakes include:
- Driving without the correct license
- Misjudging long distances
- Assuming Google Maps’ travel time is accurate
- Renting a scooter without insurance
- Forgetting that some areas restrict ride-hailing pickups
Getting around Bali with Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM
Getting around Bali becomes much easier when you know which mode of transport you’re using. Whether you’re booking a private driver, using ride-hailing apps, or navigating busy roads with a scooter rental, staying connected is essential.
Holafly’s travel eSIM for Bali offers unlimited data for the entirety of your stay. Choose your eSIM plan dates according to your trip’s duration and get high-speed, reliable data to:
- Book Grab, Gojek, or MyBlueBird rides instantly
- Load Google Maps on the spot while driving in Bali
- Check traffic conditions before heading out during peak hours
- Translate signs or chat with your taxi driver when needed
- Share hotspot data with your travel buddies so both of you can navigate easily
Because a Holafly eSIM doesn’t require a physical card, you can install it before leaving home and stay connected from the moment you land at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Unlimited data means you won’t have to ration your internet while exploring Bali at your own pace or planning spontaneous day trips around the island. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone!
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
