Do I need an international driving permit to ride a scooter in Bali?

Yes. You need a valid motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit that specifically carries the motorcycle (A) endorsement, a car-only licence does not count. Bali has stepped up enforcement of this since 2026, and riding without it can also void your travel insurance in an accident.

Is there a train or bus network in Bali?

No passenger railway exists, and public buses are limited and not really set up for tourists. Ride-hailing apps, scooters, taxis and private drivers cover the gap.

How much does a private driver cost in Bali?

Roughly IDR 800,000 to 1,000,000 for a full day, around eight hours, arranged through your accommodation or booked directly. It usually includes the car and fuel but not entrance fees or the driver's meals, which is customary to cover.

How long does it take to get from the airport to Canggu, Ubud or Uluwatu?

Roughly 45 to 90 minutes to Canggu or Seminyak, over an hour to Uluwatu, and closer to two hours to Ubud, all worse in morning traffic and around sunset. Pre-booking a transfer avoids negotiating at the arrivals hall.

Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?

Only if you are already a confident rider with the right licence: Bali's traffic is dense, lanes are narrow, and helmets and defensive riding matter. If you are not comfortable on a bike at home, a private driver or ride-hailing car is the safer choice here too.

Getting around Bali: Gojek, Grab & scooters

Q: Do Gojek and Grab work everywhere in Bali?

Mostly, across south and central Bali, but a few areas, including central Ubud and some tourist beaches, restrict app pickups because of local taxi arrangements. In those spots you may need to walk a short distance to meet your driver or arrange one another way.

No trains, four real ways to get around

Bali has no passenger railway and no metro, so getting around means choosing between ride-hailing apps, a rented scooter, a metered taxi, or a private driver for the day. Which one makes sense changes by the day and the distance: Gojek or Grab for a quick hop, a scooter if you are confident and licensed, a driver for a full day of temples and waterfalls. Most visitors end up using two or three of these across a trip, not just one.

Gojek and Grab: the default for short trips

Gojek and Grab cover most of south and central Bali for both car and motorbike rides, and are usually cheaper and less hassle than negotiating a street fare. A short 3 to 5km hop runs roughly USD 1.50 to 3, an airport run to Seminyak or Canggu is more like USD 8 to 12. Both need a working data connection to book, track and pay. The honest catch: some areas, notably central Ubud and a few tourist beaches, restrict app pickups because of local taxi arrangements, so you may need to walk a short distance to a pickup point or arrange a driver the old way.

Renting a scooter: the real licence rules

Renting a scooter is legal only with a valid motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit that carries the motorcycle (A) endorsement, and Bali has been enforcing this harder since 2026. A car-only licence or IDP does not legally cover a 125 or 155cc scooter. Riding without the right paperwork means an on-the-spot ticket if stopped, and it can void your travel insurance entirely if you have an accident, which matters more than the fine. Traffic here is genuinely different from home, narrow lanes, sudden stops, mixed with trucks and dogs, so this is a real decision, not a formality, if you are not already a confident rider.

Bluebird taxis and private drivers

Bluebird is Bali's one trustworthy metered taxi company, and a private driver for the day is the relaxed option for temples and waterfalls. Bluebird cars run on the meter, a small flagfall plus a per-kilometre rate, so there is no need to negotiate, and the Gojek app can book a genuine Bluebird car directly. A private driver, arranged through your accommodation or a driver you liked, typically costs somewhere around IDR 800,000 to 1,000,000 for an eight-hour day, and means you can leave the navigating and the parking to someone who already knows the roads.

Traffic and getting from the airport

Distances on a map are misleading here: Bali's roads are narrow and slow, so a 20km trip can take an hour at the wrong time of day. From Ngurah Rai airport (DPS), expect roughly 45 to 90 minutes to Canggu or Seminyak, over an hour to Uluwatu, and closer to two hours to Ubud, worse again at the morning rush and around sunset when everyone heads to the coast at once. Pre-booking an airport transfer or a ride-hailing car before you land saves the arrivals-hall scrum.

Why you need a working data connection

Booking a ride, tracking a scooter route, and finding your driver at pickup all depend on a live map and a working app, so patchy Wi-Fi is a real problem here, not a minor inconvenience. A Bali eSIM installed before you fly means Gojek, Grab and Google Maps all work from the moment you land, see the plans if you have not set one up yet.