Travelling around Bali – Cheat sheet

Following up on a suggestion from Edric on Facebook about an article for tips on getting around Bali, we bring to you 4 ways visitors may want to consider, along with our tips and recommendations!

1.  Car

The most popular way to get around would certainly be by car which affords you comfort and privacy when you travel around Bali. Some prefer to self drive, but many simply hire a driver for the length of their stay. Self driving in Bali may be daunting due to congested streets, especially in South Bali. It can certainly be frustrating for the inexperienced to navigate your way around.

If you do decide to drive, car rental can be arranged when you are there, and will cost you about US$20-30 a day depending on the length of rental and model of the car and should include basic insurance at least. Ensure that you prepare your international driving license or you may get in trouble with the traffic police.

Hiring a driver is preferable for guests who are inexperienced drivers or those who simply wish to sit back and enjoy the journey, letting someone else do the navigation. It will also ensure you have a guide to take you around local spots. This will cost you anywhere between US$40-60 a day depending on the popularity of the guide, and fuel intensity of your itinerary. For example, traveling plenty of uphill mountain roads will obviously cost more than a city tour.

2. Taxi

If you don’t intend to travel out of Seminyak, and would prefer to spend most of your holiday at the beach or enjoying the shopping and dining scene, it might be a waste of money to rent a car. Most of Seminyak’s attractions are within very easy reach of each other, some even within walking distance! In addition, many of the more upmarket restaurants and spas offer free transport to and fro from your accommodation.

Thus, perhaps hailing a taxi to get around would be a cheaper option to get around. Your best bet would be to flag down a Bluebird Taxi, as they have developed a good reputation for abiding by the meter. Avoid taxis who refuse to use a meter as they might charge you exorbitant prices for a ride.

Here’s how to recognize a Blue Bird Taxi and avoid the fakes:

1. Bluebird logo on the roof with the taxi sign

2. Bluebird Group written on the front windshield

3. Bluebird logo with Bali Taxi written on the side of the car

4. Drivers will display ID card and photo

3. Motorcycle

Motorcycles are popular with backpackers and those who are traveling light. They allow you to weave in and out of traffic clogs with nimble ease. Renting a motorcycle is certainly more cost friendly than renting a car.

However, do be aware of the dangers as many visitors injure themselves whilst riding motorcycles in Bali. Inexperienced motorcyclists should definitely steer clear of trying this out in Bali. It is probably much safer for you and those around you if you choose some other mode of transport.

You can rent scooters & motorcycles for US$5-10 a day, with prices decreasing for longer periods of rental. You are required by law to wear a helmet at all times, and carry your international license and the motorcycle’s registration papers with you.

4. Public Bemos

Public Transport can save you a great deal, but is not popular with tourists as the journey can be lengthy and inconvenient at best.

The Bali Bemo is characterized by fuzzy standards which is a source of annoyance to visitors. It travels on a regularly standard route, but fares are not clearly stated, nor are stops clearly defined. The Bemo driver will have no qualms about making passengers wait till the vehicle is full before setting off, and will detour and go in circles to pick up as many passengers as possible. Visitors who are unfamiliar with where they are going easily get disoriented and lost.

With a keen sense of adventure, some might fancy this as an authentic Balinese experience. Keep in mind that this mode of transport can be said to be more of an attraction than a way of getting around for visitors unfamiliar with the local way of doing things.

5. Traveling by Bus

If you are adventurous and looking for a budget-packer mode of transportation, Bali’s best places are accessible by public and shuttle buses in Bali.

Check out complete step-by-step, point to point directions below.

Seminyak to Ubud

Distance: Approximately 31.5 kilometers

Traveling Time: 

• 1 hour and 17 minutes by car
• 2 hours 21 minutes by public bus

Direction: 

1. From Seminyak, get on a Kura-kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) from Bintang Supermarket bus stop, the bus will pass Bali Mandira Resort, Padma Resort Legian, and Legian Paradiso Hotel. The bus fare is around $1 to $6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly. You can check their website on kura2bus.com.
2. Get off at Ground Zero Monument (Tugu Peringatan Bom Bali) bus stop
3. Walk from Ground Zero Monument (Tugu Peringatan Bom Bali) to Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta. Just walk south from the Ground Zero Monument for around 5 minutes, the distance is less than 500 meters
4. Take a Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will drive you from Kuta to Ubud. The bus only departs 5 times a day, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around $7 per trip.

Seminyak to Canggu

Distance: Approximately 10.5 kilometers

Traveling Time: Traveling Time:

• 37 minutes by car
• 26 minutes by public transportation

Directions: 

1. From Seminyak, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) from the Starbucks Dewata bus stop. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly. You can check their website on kura2bus.com.
2. Get off at the Seminyak Village bus stop near the intersection of Kayu Aya street, Kayu Cendana street, and Gang Karna.
3. Take a taxi from Seminyak Village to Canggu.

Seminyak to Kuta

Distance: Approximately 6,1 kilometers

Traveling Time:

•  16 minutes by car
• 26 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. From Seminyak, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) from the Bintang Supermarket bus stop, the bus will pass Bali Mandira Resort, Padma Resort Legian, Legian Paradiso Hotel, and Ground Zero Monument. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly. You can check their website on kura2bus.com.
2. Get off at Kuta Point by the Ardenia bus stop.

Seminyak to Candidasa

Distance: Approximately 64.8 kilometers

Traveling Time:

•  1 hour and 38 minutes by car
• 3 hours and 33 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. From Seminyak, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) from the Bintang Supermarket bus stop, the bus will pass Bali Mandira Resort, Padma Resort Legian, Legian Paradiso Hotel, and Ground Zero Monument. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly. You can check their website on kura2bus.com.
2. Get off at Kuta Point by the Ardenia bus stop.
3. Walk from Kuta Point by Ardenia bus stop to Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta. Just walk east from Kuta Point by the Ardenia bus stop and take a left turn at the intersection of Bakung Sari street to Buni Sari street. Continue to walk to the south until you find Perama Shuttle Bus Service Kuta on the left side of the road. The walk distance is around 800 meters.
4. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Kuta to Candi Dasa. The bus only departs once a day, usually in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$8 per trip.

Seminyak to Lovina

Distance: Approximately 30.5 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 1 hour and 3 minutes by car
• 3 hours and 55 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. From Seminyak, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) from the Bintang Supermarket bus stop, the bus will pass Bali Mandira Resort, Padma Resort Legian, and Legian Paradiso Hotel. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly. You can check their website on kura2bus.com.
2. Get off at Ground Zero Monument (Tugu Peringatan Bom Bali) bus stop.
3. Walk from Ground Zero Monument (Tugu Peringatan Bom Bali) to Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta. Just walk south from the Ground Zero Monument for around 5 minutes, the distance is less than 500 meters.
4. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Kuta to Lovina. The bus only departs once a day, usually in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$17 per trip.

Ubud to Seminyak

Distance: Approximately 28.2 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 1 hour and 14 minutes by car
• 2 hours and 11 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Go to Perama Shuttle Bus Ubud on the Pengosekan Ubud street.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Ubud to Kuta. The bus only departs 3 times a day, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$6 per trip.
3. From Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta, walk or take a local online motorcycle service to DFS Bus Bay at T-Galleria Bali. The walking distance would be 1.7 kilometers.
4. From DFS Bus Bay, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) to Havaianas Outlet Seminyak. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly

Ubud to Canggu

Distance: Approximately 27.4 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 1 hour and 5 minutes by car
• 2 hours and 30 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Go to Perama Shuttle Bus Ubud on the Pengosekan Ubud street.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Ubud to Kuta. The bus only departs 3 times a day, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$6 per trip.
3. From Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta, walk or take a local online motorcycle service to DFS Bus Bay at T-Galleria Bali. The walking distance would be 1.7 kilometers.
4. From DFS Bus Bay, get on a Kura-Kura Bus Line 4 (green bus) to Havaianas Outlet Seminyak. The bus fare is around US$1 to US$6 depending on the distance and the bus is scheduled hourly.
5. Take a taxi from Havaianas Outlet Seminyak to Canggu. It will take around 16 minutes and the fare is around US$8 to US$10.

Ubud to Lovina

Distance: Approximately 70.9 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 2 hours and 17 minutes by car
• 2 hours and 10 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Go to Perama Shuttle Bus Ubud on the Pengosekan Ubud street.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Ubud to Lovina. The bus only departs once a day in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$17 per trip.

Ubud to Candidasa

Distance: Approximately 47.3 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 1 hour and 19 minutes by car
• 1 hour and 21 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Go to Perama Shuttle Bus Ubud on the Pengosekan Ubud street.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Ubud to Candidasa. The bus only departs once a day in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$7 per trip.

Canggu to Seminyak

Distance: Approximately 9.6 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 10 minutes by car

Direction: 

1. Take a taxi from Canggu to Seminyak Village. It will take around 10 minutes and the fare is around US$5 to US$7.

Canggu to Ubud

Distance: Approximately 27.9 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 53 minutes by car
• 2 hours 30 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Take a taxi from Canggu to Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta. It will take around 16 minutes and the fare is around US$8 to US$11.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Kuta to Ubud. The bus only departs 3 times a day, so you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$7 per trip.

Canggu to Lovina

Distance: Approximately 77.9 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 2 hours by car
• 2 hours 46 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Take a taxi from Canggu to Perama Shuttle Bus service Kuta. It will take around 16 minutes and the fare is around US$8 to US$11.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Kuta to Lovina. The bus only departs once a day, usually in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$17 per trip

Canggu to Candidasa

Distance: Approximately 60 kilometers

Traveling Time:

• 1 hour 24 minutes by car
• 1 hour 53 minutes by public transportation

Direction: 

1. Take a taxi from Canggu to Perama Shuttle Bus service Sanur. It will take around 18 minutes and the fare is around US$11 to US$14.
2. Look for the Perama Shuttle Bus (red bottom white upper body bus) that will take you from Sanur to Candidasa. The bus only departs once a day, usually in the morning, you can check their schedule at peramatour.com. The bus fare is around US$8 per person.

We hope this article helps, and do keep your suggestions coming, we love to hear from you!