The Poor Traveler® Itinerary Blog

HOW TO GET AROUND BALI: By Bus, Taxi, Group Tour & More

Asta Alvarez

Last updated: 22 January 2026

It’s easy to imagine Bali as a tiny tropical island. When it gets featured in the media, they usually show the same popular spots. But in reality, this Indonesian tourism is quite huge. The truth is, most of what we see on TV, movies and magazines are the busy areas in the southern nooks of the island.

The southern part of Bali — including Kuta Beach and Denpasar — is used to throngs of visitors. The bad news is, you can expect the roads to be congested during rush hours and peak seasons.

The good news is, it has established tourist facilities that helps travelers to navigate around. That said, as you move farther away from the touristy south, you will find it quite challenging to get around the rest of the island.

If you plan on seeing much of what Bali has to offer, here are your options.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are traveling soon and still on the planning stage, you can also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including immigration requirements and all our recommended hotels and tours. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. We have a compilation for destinations around the world.

Joining a Group Tour

Most tourists prefer to join group tours to get to famous attractions, which are grouped together. These tours are offered by hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. Here are some examples of tour packages offered. You can book a tour ahead of time online, too. We found these tours on Klook.

North Bali Tour

If you decide to take this option, check the itinerary first and the inclusions before you book your slot.

TIP! For Klook discounts, you can use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK for up to P300 OFF. These codes might change in the future, so best to just visit thepoortraveler.net/klook to redeem updated discount codes!

Private Charter w/ Driver

Chartering a car is our recommended option if you’re part of a group (with friends or family). This way, you have total control of your time and itinerary for 6-12 hours. This usually includes an English-speaking driver, gasoline, and driver meal. You just need to discuss it with your driver if your itinerary is feasible.

You can book your private charter online, too. Some of them offer drivers speaking in other languages like Korean, Japanese, Chinese, etc.

PRIVATE CAR W/ DRIVER

CAR FOR 1-3 PAX

  • 6 Hours
    IDR 487,000 (USD 29.10, PHP 1711)
  • 10 Hours
    IDR 623,000 (USD 37.25, PHP 2189)
  • 12 Hours
    IDR 629,000 (USD 37.60, PHP 2210)

CAR FOR 1-5 PAX

  • 6 Hours
    IDR 555,000 (USD 33, PHP 1950)
  • 10 Hours
    IDR 690,000 (USD 41.25, PHP 2425)
  • 12 Hours
    IDR 643,000 (USD 38.45, PHP 2260)
    *currently discounted

Additional surcharge for distant areas:

  • East: IDR 250,000
  • North: IDR 100,000
  • Night Service (00:00-07:00 pickup): IDR 250,000

✅ CHECK PACKAGE OPTIONS HERE

Grab or GoJek

This should be a very convenient option, especially if you’re used to using a ride-hailing app in other countries. Both Grab and GoJek operate in Bali.

Tourist Shuttle Buses

Well, from the name itself, this option is more tourist-friendly than the regular public buses in Bali. These shuttles cover the main tourist destinations in Bali. Kura-Kura Bus and Perama Bus both are popular among tourists. Both serve big groups and individual travelers. Here are the contact details:

KURA-KURA BUS

  • Website: www.kura2bus.com
  • Phone: (+62) 812-3729-3689
  • Email: kura_rsv.id@jtbap.com
  • Facebook: Kura-Kura Bus
  • IG: @kura2bus
  • Mobile App: KURA-KURA BUS (Google Play Store and App Store)

If you are traveling between Kuta and Ubud, you can get your Kura Kura Ticket online, too!

✅ GET YOUR TICKET HERE!

PERAMA BUS

  • Website: www.peramatour.com
  • Phone: (+62) 878-8686-5656
  • Email: info@peramatour.com
  • Facebook: Perama Tour & Travel
  • IG: @peramatour

Regular Public Bus

Trans Sarbagita Bus rapid system and Trans Metro Dewata public bus service both serve mainly Denpasar and the southern Bali area. They have fixed routes but no fixed schedule. The fare is around IDR 3,500 – IDR 5,000.

Other regular buses normally cover long-distance routes. The fare depends on your destination. However, this is not recommended to take if you are pressed for time because you might spend time waiting for most, if not all, of the seats to be occupied.

For tourists, take note of these payment methods:

  • Trans Sarbagita: Cash
  • Trans Metro Dewata: E-money Card. You can get this card at Bali Airport, participating banks (Mandiri, BNI, etc.), and convenience stores, such as Alfamart and Indomaret.

Bemo or Angkot

These are local minivans. They are normally open and non-airconditioned. They look like vans but they work like the Philippine jeepneys. This mode is not usually favored by tourists. If you don’t mind the hot humid weather and have no problem with tight spaces, you can be adventurous and travel like a local with this mode of transportation.

Nowadays, you’ll rarely see them, especially in tourist areas.

Taxi

For short-distance travel, tourists hop on a cab. Taxis are relatively cheap in Bali compared to other countries. The meter starts at IDR 7,000 and IDR 6,600 per succeeding kilometer. As a rule of thumb, always insist on using the meter.

If it’s peak season or if you are coming from (or going to) remote places, the driver might insist on a fixed rate. Negotiate with the driver, and only get in the taxi AFTER both agreed on an amount.

The Bluebird Taxi company is the most recommended.

Motorcycle or Car Rental

Some travelers who like to be in total control of their time and itinerary opt to rent a car or a motorcycle. Renting a car is not a popular choice and not really recommended for tourists because booking a private car with a professional driver is usually cheaper and more convenient.

A motorcycle is the main mode of transportation used by both locals and tourists. I’ve noticed the streets of Kuta lined with lots of motorcycles. The tourist hubs are also bombarded by lots of motorcycle-for-rent ads/signboards. The rental rates range from IDR 50,000 to IDR 300,000 per day, depending on the type of motorcycle.

REMINDERS!

If you really want to rent a motorcycle or car, you:

  • Need to secure a special driver’s license or international driver’s license before you can drive around Bali on your own.
  • Must wear a helmet with a strap.
  • Must honk to let the other drivers know your presence or when overtaking.
  • Must wear proper footwear (closed shoes as much as possible).
  • Should purchase travel insurance.
  • Must be aware that policemen do regular checks, especially for tourists driving motorcycles and cars. Penalties for violating traffic rules and regulations include fines ranging from 250,000 to IDR 1,000,000 and/or imprisonment.

Where to Stay in Bali

Deciding where to stay in Bali depends on the places you want to visit. We have a separate article discussing this in detail: WHERE TO STAY IN BALI. But for quick reference, here are some of the top hotels in popular tourist areas — Ubud, Kuta, and Seminyak.

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You can use this code for most hotels on Agoda!

Top Hotels in Ubud

Top Hotels in Kuta

Top Hotels in Seminyak

Search for more Bali Hotels Here!

Protect your finances when traveling!

Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.

For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.

Join The Poor Traveler Support Group

✅ If you have any questions or need travel tips, feel free to post them to the TPT Support Group. The members are very helpful. This Facebook support group has been around for a long time, and many members have found travel buddies through it. You can join too! Just visit The Poor Traveler Support Group. Note that this is different from The Poor Traveler Facebook page.

Updates Log

2026 1 22 – Updated info to reflect changes in rates and availability
2019 12 18 – First uploaded

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  5. BALI AIRPORT TO KUTA, SEMINYAK, LEGIAN & Other Tourist Centers
  6. Top 15 USUAL MISTAKES Tourists Make in BALI, Indonesia
  7. Where to Stay in BALI • 7 Best Areas: Kuta vs Ubud vs Seminyak vs Other Areas
  8. Top 38 Tourist Spots & Attractions in BALI
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