What's the Best Way to Get Around Bali? Try These 6 Island Rides!

Ah, Bali, home of gorgeous beaches, divine temples, and the most breathtaking swings on Earth—so beautiful, it’s earned its rightful title as the “Island of the Gods”! 

With breathtaking sceneries far from Aus’ bustling landscape, it’s no surprise that this tropical paradise tops every travel bucket list. And if it happens to be in yours, you’ll need a way to get around the island, and these 6 types of transportation in Bali will make your trip a breeze as well as add an extra layer of excitement! 

So check your Indonesia travel requirements, pack your bags, and slather some sunscreen! We’re off to paradise! 

Easily the cheapest, chicest, and coolest way to go around Bali is by a moped. These bad boys, just second to the island’s swings, are one of the most iconic modes of transportation in Bali for many good reasons. 

First, they’re convenient.Since mopeds are small, they’re easy to carry around, park, and hop off to your next adventure. In quiet places such as Ubud, roaming around with a moped is one of the best feelings in the world as you can admire and marvel at the beauty of the ricefields even more. Not to mention, they also help you escape traffic. 

Though be warned, driving in the city can be a bit chaotic, especially when you’ve got vehicles zooming in and out of the road. Pro-tip: drive like a local, and stay alert! 

Second, they’re wallet-savers.For only 60,000 IDR to 80,000 IDR (that’s $6-$8 for us!), you can rent a moped for an entire day. What’s even better is that fuel prices in Indonesia are equally just as cheap. Even with only a few hours of driving, you can expect to only spend $3 (or less) in fuel a day.

You can rent a moped through many of the small shops that line tourist towns, such as Kuta. Or book your ride early by renting a scooter with Klook! 

Do I need a license to drive a moped? Yes. Although rental shops won’t ask for your International Driving License, the local police will! And they’re notorious for issuing hefty fines to clueless tourists who don’t have their licenses with them! 

Don’t know how to ride a bike? No worries, just leave it to the app! Another famous transportation in Bali that’s popular among the youngsters are ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Uber. They’re quick with just one click, plus the instructions are in English, so you won’t have to stutter around explaining things with your hands! 

You can use Grab, the Uber of Southeast Asia, or Gojek, a local app that’s been gaining traction lately! Vehicle options range from small sedans to cars that can fit the entire gang, and even to electric scooters. As for its price, well we’ll leave it up to you guys, but the cost of riding from the airport using Grab to Seminyak Beach costs around 80,000 IDR ($8). Not too bad, right? 

If you find yourself hot and exhausted mid-way through your trip, the best choice is to hail a taxi or a cab going back. Now, taxis don’t really have great reputations all over the world. Some drivers can be unreliable and sneaky, but luckily, most drivers in Indonesia are still fair and friendly to tourists and will get you back to your hotel safely. 

Taxi fares in Bali usually start at around $1, with additional kilometres costing only $0.5. You can call for a cab on the major streets of large towns like Denpasar or use the Blue Bird app, which works almost like Grab, where you can download, book your ride, and pay via card. 

On the other hand, if your travel motto is: “my way or the highway,” then hiring your own car is the mode of transport for you. It may seem like an extravagant choice for transportation in Bali, but trust us, the convenience is worth every penny you spend! 

In Bali, you can hire a car and driver for about 8 to 10 hours a day for as low as $45 to $50. Of course, you’ll also have to pay for your driver’s meals for the day. This is a great way to sightsee at your own pace, without going through the efforts of finding a ride for each stop or haggling for fair fares each time.  Also, your driver’s knowledge of Bali culture and trivia makes your trip even more colourful, so that’s an extra brownie point! 

You can arrange for a driver and car service through the hotel, or Klook! With Klook, you can charter a private ride for 6, 10, and up to 12 hours for only $32! There are tons of amazing options to choose from, whether you’re travelling with your best mates or the whole fam of 8 (plus your cousins too)! 

Hop on to more sightseeing adventures with your private car and travel to these 5 hidden gems in Bali: 

For travellers craving for underrated adventures, here’s your chance to experience Bali as a local! The public bus is an affordable way to explore the island and goes through the major towns. The Kura-Kura bus has a fixed fare of $2 to $8, depending on your stop. This bus line has 8 routes that are near plenty of tourist hubs: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, South Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Though, one thing to keep in mind when you take the bus is that it’s not as fast or convenient as Grab or a taxi. Public buses’ arrival and departure times can be difficult to track down. 

Last, but certainly not the least, are boats and ferries! We all love Bali’s fabulous beaches, but there are also heaps of must-see places that aren’t on the main island, including the neighbouring isle of Nusa Penida and Menjangan Island. To reach these islands, big fast boats are the speediest form of transport! 

And lucky for you, they’re not all that expensive. There are plenty of commercial companies, such as Perama Tour & Travel and Blue Water Express, that offer direct ferry rides to the islands, starting at $10 per ticket!