Overall3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Official airport taxi counters are safer than street touts; avoid unofficial drivers at arrivals who will aggressively negotiate.
- Airport taxis and ride-hailing apps restrict pickups in some Ubud town-center zones due to local taxi monopoly; expect to walk a short distance for pickups.
- Traffic from airport to Ubud can easily exceed quoted 60–90 minute times during peak hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM) and may reach 3+ hours.
- Public buses from airport are extremely inconvenient for tourists with luggage; requires multiple transfers and adds 2–3+ hours to journey.
- Grab and Gojek are available in Ubud for short rides but surge pricing during peak hours can double costs; ride-hailing restrictions in central town limits pickup options.
- Ubud has no metered taxis; always negotiate fares upfront with private taxi drivers to avoid overpaying.
- Scooter rental is cheap but roads are narrow, winding, and congested; only suitable for experienced riders without heavy luggage.
- Central Ubud is highly walkable for markets, shops, and temples, but outlying attractions (rice terraces, waterfalls, temples) require transport.
- Hire a private driver for the day (rates 400k–600k IDR) for maximum flexibility exploring surrounding rice fields, waterfalls, and villages.
- Ferry access to Gili Islands and Nusa Penida requires 1.5–2+ hour transfers to Padang Bai or Sanur ports before boarding.
Intercity Connections
Ferry Access
- Nusa Penida
- Depart from Sanur or Padang Bai. Transfer time ~1.5–2 hours, ferry 1.5–2 hours.
- Gili Islands
- Depart from Padang Bai or Sanur. Transfer from Ubud 2+ hours by road, then 2+ hour fast boat.
- Nusa Lembongan
- Depart from Sanur. Transfer time ~1.5–2 hours, ferry ~1 hour.
To Other Bali Towns
Canggu / Seminyak (South)
- Cost Range
- IDR 200,000
- Duration Minutes
- 90–120
- Transport Method
- Private driver, Grab/Gojek, or minibus
Kintamani / Mount Batur (Northeast)
- Cost Range
- IDR 250,000
- Duration Minutes
- 60–90
- Transport Method
- Private driver, Grab/Gojek
Nusa Dua (South Via Toll Road)
- Cost Range
- IDR 350,000
- Duration Minutes
- 90–120
- Transport Method
- Private driver or Grab/Gojek
Sanur (Southeast, Ferry Port Access)
- Cost Range
- IDR 200,000
- Duration Minutes
- 75–90
- Transport Method
- Private driver, minibus
Padang Bai (Southeast, Ferry Port)
- Cost Range
- IDR 300,000
- Duration Minutes
- 90–120
- Transport Method
- Private driver, minibus, minivan
Airport To Ubud Ground Transport
Official Airport Taxi (fixed-rate counter)
- Cost
- IDR 300,000
- Duration Minutes
- 60–90
- Notes
- Pre-pay at taxi counter in arrivals hall. Meters are not used. Higher negotiated fares possible; sources cite 300k–500k IDR range.
- Duration Notes
- During peak traffic can extend to 2–3 hours
Private Pre-booked Transfer
- Cost
- IDR 450,000
- Duration Minutes
- 60–90
- Notes
- Fixed price known in advance. Includes meet-and-greet, driver waits for flight delays. More reliable than airport taxi negotiations.
- Duration Notes
- Similar to taxi, depends on traffic
Grab or Gojek Ride-Hailing
- Cost
- IDR 350,000
- Duration Minutes
- 60–90
- Notes
- Grab lounge inside terminal. Cannot pick up directly at arrivals; designated pickup zone outside terminal. Prices fluctuate with surge pricing.
- Duration Notes
- Similar to taxi, subject to traffic
Kura-Kura Bus (shuttle service)
- Cost
- IDR 100,000
- Duration Minutes
- 120–150
- Notes
- Departs from Lippo Mall Kuta (15–20 min walk north of airport). Two daily departures (8:00 AM, 2:00 PM). Drops at Puri Lukisan Museum near central Ubud. Cheapest option but least convenient; requires walking luggage from airport.
- Duration Notes
- 2–2.5 hours including transfer to pickup point
Perama Tour & Travel Bus
- Cost
- IDR 100,000
- Duration Minutes
- 120–150
- Notes
- Three daily departures (7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM) from Kuta area. Requires taxi to bus stop first or walk from airport.
- Duration Notes
- 2–2.5 hours including transfer to pickup point
Scooter Rental from Airport
- Cost
- IDR 250,000
- Duration Minutes
- 35–50
- Notes
- Not recommended for first-timers or those with heavy luggage. Road conditions and traffic can be chaotic. Requires international driving license for motorbikes.
- Duration Notes
- Minimal traffic; longer during peak hours
Primary Airport
- Name
- Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
- Also Known As
- Bali International Airport / Denpasar International Airport
- Distance To Ubud Km
- 37
- Distance To Ubud Miles
- 23
Rail Connections
No rail service in or near Ubud. Bali has no operational passenger rail network.
Within Ubud Ground Transport
- Walking
- Central Ubud (Monkey Forest Road, Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud Palace area) is walkable for shops, cafes, temples.
- Public Buses
- Extremely limited; Teman Bus (Trans Metro Dewata) and Kura-Kura Bus available but unreliable schedules and limited stops.
- Scooter Rental
- Popular for independent travelers with experience. Narrow roads, one-lane bridges, and heavy traffic present hazards.
Taxis
- Cost Per Short Ride
- IDR 70,000
- Notes
- Influenced by local 'taxi mafia.' Meters unavailable. Negotiate fare in advance. Minimum fare even for short distances.
- Description
- Private vehicle taxis only; no metered taxis in Ubud center.
Ride Hailing Apps
- Grab Gojek
- Available but restricted in some central areas; drivers may ask passengers to walk to pickup points. GrabBike (motorbike) and GoCar options exist.
- Typical Short Ride Cost
- IDR 30,000
Day Trip Access Within Region
- Munduk North Bali
- 1.5–2 hours mountainous drive
- Tirta Empul Temple
- 30 minutes north
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- 20–30 minutes by scooter/car south
- Goa Gajah Elephant Cave
- Less than 30 minutes south
- Cultural Villages Crafts
- Celuk (gold/silver), Mas (woodcarving), Batuan (painting) within 20–40 minutes
- Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
- Requires 2 AM departure; ~1 hour drive to trailhead
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- 15 minutes north (walkable from central Ubud on foot)
- Waterfalls Northern Bali
- 1.5–2.5 hours (Sekumpul, Banyumala)
- General Note
- Central location makes day trips to North, South, and East Bali feasible. Hire private driver or use Grab/Gojek for maximum flexibility.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Ubud
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.