Getting around
Low
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: bestinbali.co, guideyourtravel.com
Overall2.1/10Harder to get around than about 85% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Central Ubud (around Ubud Palace, Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road) is compact and walkable for day exploration, but watch for uneven sidewalks, broken paving, and motorbikes sharing pedestrian paths. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip.
- Grab and Gojek are available in central Ubud but face 'no-go zone' restrictions from local taxi groups around tourist hotspots. If you cannot find a driver, walk a few blocks to a quieter street to get picked up.
- Scooter rental is extremely affordable (IDR 70,000/day for standard models) and popular with experienced riders. However, if you are not a confident motorcyclist, do not learn in Ubud—traffic is chaotic and roads are unpredictable.
- Hiring a car with driver (IDR 500,000–600,000 per full day) is the most convenient option for day trips to waterfalls, rice terraces, and temples. It eliminates parking stress and provides local knowledge.
- Beyond the town center, sidewalks disappear and streets become poorly lit. Use rideshare or a driver for trips outside central Ubud, especially at night.
- Most attractions and amenities are spread throughout the region despite Ubud's seemingly compact size. Walking from the center to Monkey Forest takes about 30 minutes.
- Traffic peaks 8–9:30 AM and 5–6:30 PM. Leave early for day trips to avoid congestion.
- Public buses are cheap but unreliable with unclear routes and infrequent schedules. Most nomads skip them in favor of rideshare or scooters.
Self Drive Rates
Compact Car (Suzuki Estilo, Toyota Agya)
- Compact Car (Suzuki Estilo, Toyota Agya)
- IDR 270,000
Mid-size (Toyota Avanza Manual)
- Mid Size (Toyota Avanza Manual)
- IDR 325,000
Mid-size (Toyota Avanza Automatic)
- Mid Size (Toyota Avanza Automatic)
- IDR 405,000
Per Month (Average)
- Per Month (Average)
- IDR 5,700,000
Car With Driver Rates
Half-day (5 Hours)
- Half Day (5 Hours)
- IDR 350,000
Full Day (10 Hours)
- Full Day (10 Hours)
- IDR 500,000
Full Day with Driver-guide
- Full Day With Driver Guide
- IDR 600,000
Scooter Rental
- Budget Options
- Cheapest street rentals start at IDR 35,000–40,000 per day (approximately USD 2.16–2.47), though reputable companies are preferred for insurance and vehicle quality.
- What Is Included
- Reputable rentals include helmet, rain poncho, phone holder, basic vehicle insurance, and free hotel delivery/pickup within Ubud (typically 2+ days).
- Legal Requirements
- International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle endorsement required; some shops do not enforce this. Travel insurance explicitly covering motorcycle riding is strongly recommended.
- Weekly Monthly Discounts
- Longer rentals offer significant discounts (e.g., weekly rates often 10–20% less than daily, monthly rates can drop to IDR 30,000–40,000 per day).
- Notes
- Ubud scooter rental is very affordable and convenient for exploring rice terraces and waterfalls. However, inexperienced riders should not learn in Bali due to chaotic traffic and poor road conditions. Local riding risks include narrow winding roads, poor nighttime lighting, and variable road quality.
Typical Daily Rates
Honda Scoopy 110cc
- Honda Scoopy 110cc
- IDR 70,000
Honda Scoopy with USB charger
- Honda Scoopy With USB Charger
- IDR 90,000
Typical weekly rate per day
- Typical Weekly Rate Per Day
- IDR 65,000
Notes
Hiring a car with driver is popular for day trips, though it comes at a higher cost than rideshare for single trips. Parking in central Ubud is challenging; a driver eliminates this stress.
Insurance Notes
Full-coverage insurance is uncommon. Typical damage liability is capped at USD 200; damage beyond that is your responsibility. Insurance is usually optional and paid separately.
Walkability
- Beyond Center
- Once outside the main streets, sidewalks become sparse or disappear entirely, especially near rice fields and residential areas. Wider attractions are spread out and require motorized transport.
- Night Walking
- Central Ubud's main streets (Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Monkey Forest, Hanoman Street) are generally safe and lively until 9–11 PM. Beyond the center, streets become quiet and poorly lit; walking alone outside well-lit areas is not recommended.
- Overall Assessment
- Central Ubud (around Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road, and Hanoman Street) is compact and somewhat walkable for exploring shops, restaurants, and temples on foot. However, sidewalk quality is inconsistent—some sections are smooth and well-maintained, while others are uneven, broken, and poorly lit, requiring careful footing.
- Getting Around Tier
- low
- Center Walkability Details
- The compact town center is pedestrian-friendly with markets, shops, and cultural sites within walking distance of each other. Walking from central Ubud to Monkey Forest takes approximately 30 minutes.
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Central Ubud is somewhat walkable but sidewalks are inconsistent, there is no real public transit, and getting beyond the compact center requires scooters or motorized transport (rideshare access is also often restricted in the area).
- Sidewalk Quality Notes
- Parts of Jalan Raya Ubud have uneven and dimly lit sections that can be hazardous. Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Goutama have consistently better sidewalks. Watch for loose paving slabs, drain cover holes, and motorbikes on narrow pedestrian paths.
Public Transit
- Overall Assessment
- Public transit in Ubud is sparse and unreliable. Most travelers rely on scooters, rideshare apps, taxis, or private drivers instead.
Local Buses
- Availability
- Limited and unreliable. Local minibuses (bemos) operate but with infrequent schedules and unclear routes. Most visitors avoid them due to unpredictability.
- Practicality
- Suitable only for budget travelers who are solo, traveling light, and comfortable with unreliable schedules. Walking required to/from stops.
Kura Kura Bus
- Practicality
- More reliable than local buses but limited frequency and stops. Useful for intercity travel but not for getting around within Ubud.
- Ubud Line Fare
- IDR 80,000
- Description
- Tourist-oriented shuttle service with set routes and flat fares. Operates daily between major tourist areas including an Ubud line connecting Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.bestinbali.co
- 2.guideyourtravel.com
- 3.getyourguide.com
- 4.finnsbeachclub.com
- 5.cocodevelopmentgroup.com
- 6.merusaka.com
- 7.balivillahub.com
- 8.baliholidaysecrets.com
- 9.guideyourtravel.com
- 10.thesketchytraveller.com
- 11.pazooktravel.com
- 12.ubudscooterrental.blogspot.com
- 13.en.tripmydream.com
- 14.baliventur.com
- 15.ubudcenter.com
- 16.balibuddies.com
- 17.villahasian.com
More About Ubud
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.