Getting around Bali: How to Get around Bali

Discover the best methods for getting around Bali with my insightful travel guide. Moreover, I discuss numerous transportation methods so that you can make the best decision and have an idea of how to travel the island and its surroundings.

Furthermore, I’ve added a few of my travel and transport tips so that the experience runs smoothly and you arrive at your destination safely. Nonetheless, Bali is a safe and easy location to travel, so have no fear when it comes to getting around!

Let’s dive in and get started on everything you need to know for travelling Bali!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Moreover, you can read my full affiliate disclosure here.

Is Bali Worth Visiting?

Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations for Aussie holidayers. And, it’s clear to see why! There are loads happening in Bali and it’s also a fantastic location to kick back for a while and relax.

From exploring monkey forests to relaxing on daybeds at a beach club, there are so many things you can do, and you’ll surely find an activity to enjoy. As of 2023, I think it’s still an excellent Indonesian island to visit, and many people love Bali!

Besides, it’s the perfect getaway for a couple of weeks! So, yes! Bali is worth a visit!

Is Bali Cheap to Travel?

For the most part, Bali is reasonably cheap to travel. However, it’s definitely not as cheap as in some other Asian countries. I’d say it’s due to the popularity of the holiday island location.

Budgeting for Bali can vary drastically. Moreover, you can live the lavish lifestyle and stay in resorts or villas. Or, you can stick to the backpacker budget hostels and eat at the local Warungs.

It’s really up to you how you decide to travel Bali! Nonetheless, if you want to keep it cheap, avoid partying at the beach clubs and stick to local bars and stay in cheaper rooms.

The Best Advice for Getting around Bali

There are loads of ways that you can get around Bali, and I’m going to go into depth so that you have the best advice possible. Furthermore, I’ll give you the benefits and disadvantages of each so that you can weigh up the options and make the best decision possible!

Nonetheless, be sure to take note of my advice for getting around Bali and apply it to your needs for making your way around the island. Let’s dive in.

Walking

Obviously, a fantastic way to get around is to walk. And, this is definitely one of the preferred methods of transport especially if you are staying in popular areas like Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta. Loads of places are accessible by foot, and it’s pretty easy to get around.

Walking saves time, and money and you are able to see a number of sights. Besides, you can easily walk from your accommodation to local cafes, markets and even head down to the beach or wander past rice fields. There’s so much to see within a short wander!

Tip: Be careful when walking in the streets as there are loads of scooters and cars zooming right past you. It doesn’t seem to happen often, but pedestrians can be hit by vehicles. Take plenty of care and steer clear of the road when possible.

Additionally, if you are travelling with children, take extra care and carry them or keep them away from the road where possible.

Scooter

Another popular method to get around is by scooter. And, to be fair, this is definitely one of the most enjoyable methods of transport. However, keep in mind, the traffic in Canggu is terrible as it’s an insanely populated location with loads of tourists and locals.

A scooter is a great way to get around as you can easily weave through traffic and park almost anywhere. Bali is great for riding a scooter and I have felt very safe riding along the roads.

Nonetheless, if you aren’t comfortable riding by yourself, you can hire a rider to take you places. Scooter lifts are very cheap and you can get to places quickly on them. I took a scooter from Kuta to Canggu and was so glad I did. The traffic was crazy but I managed to get there quickly!

Finally, you can hire a scooter for around 70,000 IDR per day. This gives you the scooter for 24 hours and is an excellent and cheap way to get around. Additionally, petrol for the day may cost you around 30,000 IDR if you are riding for hours.

Tip: Do not learn to ride a scooter in Bali. Moreover, Bali is filled with loads of skilled riders, and you can wrap yourself up in some dangerous situations if you ride with no experience. Every year, thousands of people have serious accidents in Bali with little to no experience.

Not to mention, even skilled riders have accidents! So, steer clear of the scooters if you haven’t ridden before.

Grab (Taxi)

Another fantastic method for getting around Bali is the use of Grab taxis. Moreover, this is like Bali’s version of Uber, and you can get safe rides anywhere around the island with official drivers. I think this is a great way to get to and from clubs, beach bars and around the island.

I took a few taxis while in Bali; To and from the airport, beach clubs and Canggu to Ubud. They are a comfortable way to travel but obviously a little bit on the pricier side. Nonetheless, they’re still much cheaper than an Uber in Western countries. I highly recommend it!

Finally, depending on the demand of drivers, you’d be looking at around 110,000 – 200,000 IDR for a 30-minute drive.

Minivan

Minivans are a handy way to get around if you are in a larger group. Furthermore, the price can be evenly divided which is a great way to save on travel costs. I would recommend considering this if a number of people are heading to the same location.

In order to book a minivan, I’d recommend speaking to your accommodation to see if they can organise something. Also, get an idea of pricing as Bali’s taxis are metred. So, you won’t have to worry too much about the price being extortionate.

Ferry

Obviously, you won’t be taking ferries on the island of Bali itself, but you will need to make use of ferries to get to some of the other islands. Moreover, take a ride on the ferries to check out popular tourist destinations such as the Gili Islands, Nuda Penida, Lombok and Nusa Lembongan.

Ferries are an affordable and reasonably quick way to get around the islands off the coast of Bali and you will get the opportunity to see so much more!

Plane

There is only one airport in Bali, and this is in Denpasar. Ngurah Rai airport is an excellent place to consider taking a flight off to another island in Indonesia.

Moreover, its close proximity to all the popular beach towns gives travellers the chance to jump on a quick flight and head to another location. Besides, Bali is in a great spot for getting to other islands quickly.

Therefore, if you were considering checking out other islands on your Indonesian venture, why not take a leap? You may discover some really awesome under-the-radar islands that few travellers visit.

Booking Platforms

In terms of hiring scooters, I’d recommend taking a wander down to a local scooter shop and having a chat with them about the hiring process. Additionally, I think it’s best to have a look at some reviews online to see what previous customers have to say!

When it comes time to hire a Grab, be sure to download the app and order taxis through them. This is a safe way to travel and you will get to see the price upfront. Then, you can decide to pay through the app or pay the driver in cash. I tend to pay in cash as it makes things a little easier.

Moreover, when you wish to book a ferry ride, I recommend using 12goAsia! There are loads of options for different ferries and boats to get to other islands.

For flights, check out CheapFlights.com.au to find the best deal on flights going to and from Indonesia and for travelling within the country.

Tip: Avoid taking lifts from locals off the side of the road. More often than not, they will try to charge you a much higher price than what is necessary. And, you never truly know where they are taking you. Therefore, your best bet is to make use of Grab, which hire official drivers.

So What Is the Best Way to Travel around Bali?

All in all, I think that the best methods for getting around Bali include walking, scootering, and taxis. Walking is an excellent way to save money and do some exploring. Scooters give you the freedom to roam around the island and go a little further.

And, taxis are a safe way to travel between towns and to and from the airport. So, consider using a mix of these on your next trip to Bali! Besides, these will be the methods you will be likely to consider the most as they are typically the most readily available and most affordable.

Additional Activities in Bali

There are so many things you can do with your time in Bali, but I’ll give you a handful of ideas with some links for activities to check out.

Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud
Relax on the daybeds at Finns Beach Club
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Explore waterfalls
Basket Weaving Class

Not to mention, the Ubud silver-making class is one of the most popular activities and is loved by many travellers! You will get to make your own piece of jewellery and take it home with you. A perfect keepsake!

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, there are plenty of methods for getting around Bali and the rest of Indonesia. Besides, it’s actually very easy to get around the island and you shouldn’t have any issues even as a solo traveller.

Nonetheless, when in doubt, I recommend having a chat with your accommodation for advice. Staff will likely be more than happy to assist you and give you recommendations on how to get around. Balinese people are extremely friendly and always happy to help.

Last but not least, save this post for later or take some notes so that you can keep a few of the tips I gave in mind.

Finally, feel free to check out this area of my blog for more information on Indonesia. I like to update it frequently with loads of fresh content to give you the best travel advice. Also, feel free to sign up to my mailing list below where I send out monthly newsletters updating you with what’s new on the blog!

Happy reading!