Getting Around Bali: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours

Bali doesn't really have public transport — what it has is Grab and Gojek, the two apps that run everything from car rides to motorbike taxis to dinner delivery. Get those sorted and avoid the airport overcharge, and you're set. Here's what actually works.

The best default: Grab and Gojek

Install both. They cover cars (GrabCar/GoCar) and motorbike taxis (GrabBike/GoRide) at upfront prices, and Gojek can even summon a metered Bluebird taxi (GoBlueBird). Pricing is similar, so compare per ride.

Coverage is best in the south and Ubud

Grab and Gojek work well across Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Denpasar and central Ubud. In remote or northern/eastern areas, app cars get scarce — there, a hired driver for the day is the smarter move.

Getting out of the airport

The airport is where tourists overpay

Don't take a ride from someone approaching you in arrivals. Use the official Grab/Gojek pickup zone (there are dedicated app lounges in the car parks) for an upfront fare, or the official taxi counter. That one habit saves you the classic first-day overcharge.

A word on scooters

Scooters are cheap but risky

Renting a scooter (around IDR 50,000–80,000/day) is popular, but Bali traffic is chaotic and accidents are common. If you're not an experienced rider, skip it — and check your travel insurance covers both the rental and your licence if you do.

Apps you can reuse

Grab / Gojek — your main way around; rides, motorbike taxis, and food
Google Maps — for navigation and finding places

Arrived launches soon. Get the right transport setup the moment you land.

Join the waitlist

Your first 48 hours

At DPS, use the official Grab/Gojek pickup zone or the official taxi counter — never a tout in arrivals.
Install both Grab and Gojek and compare fares for every ride.
For day trips or remote areas, line up a private driver instead of relying on app cars.
Only rent a scooter if you're a confident rider and properly insured.

Do those four things and Bali is easy — and affordable — to get around from the moment you land.

Frequently asked questions

Which transport app is best in Bali?

Grab and Gojek — install both. They're the backbone of getting around Bali, with cars (GrabCar/GoCar) and motorbike taxis (GrabBike/GoRide) at upfront prices. Gojek can even book a metered Bluebird taxi (look for GoBlueBird). Compare the two before each ride.

Does Bali have public transport?

Barely. There's no metro and only very limited buses (the Trans Metro Dewata and a few shuttles), so don't plan around them as a tourist. Grab, Gojek, hired drivers and scooters are how people actually get around.

How do I get from Bali Airport (DPS) without overpaying?

The airport is where tourists get overcharged. Use the official Grab/Gojek pickup zone (there are even dedicated app lounges in the car parks) for an upfront fare, or the official taxi counter. Avoid drivers who approach you in arrivals quoting flat rates.

Do Grab and Gojek work everywhere in Bali?

Mostly in the south and Ubud — Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Denpasar and central Ubud have good coverage. In remote areas and parts of the north and east, app cars can be scarce, so a hired driver for the day is often the better plan.

Should I rent a scooter in Bali?

It's cheap (around IDR 50,000–80,000 a day) and popular, but it's genuinely risky if you're not an experienced rider — traffic is chaotic and accidents are common. If you're not confident, stick to Grab, Gojek and hired drivers, and make sure any rental and licence are covered by your insurance.

Is it better to hire a private driver in Bali?

For day trips and areas with patchy app coverage, yes. A private driver for the day is affordable, removes the hassle of booking multiple rides, and is the standard way visitors do temple runs, waterfalls and cross-island trips.

Grab or Gojek — which is better in Bali?

Both are excellent and pricing is similar; locals often keep both and compare per ride. Gojek is especially handy because it also does food delivery and can book a Bluebird metered taxi. Install both and use whichever is cheaper or closer.