How to get to Ubud
Ubud is the cultural capital of Bali. Located about 35 km from the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak, it has a fascinating mix of nature, historic temples, and traditional arts and crafts.
It is centrally located, so a day trip is easy from anywhere in Bali. However, we recommend spending at least a few days soaking up the unique atmosphere in this charming town surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies.
Ubud is home to the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a sacred monkey forest, and the impressive Goa Gajah ancient caves. Also, a must-visit is the Art Market and at least one of its famous yoga retreats.
The town is also the perfect base to explore nearby attractions like the Tegenungan Waterfalls, Gunung Kawi, Sidemen and Ulun Danu Temple. A sunrise hike at Mt. Batur is an easy half-day trip from Ubud. And if you prefer more adrenaline-fueled action, white water rafting is just a few minutes from the town centre.
Despite the laid-back vibe, Ubud is a very cosmopolitan town with a large digital nomad scene. The town’s famed art heritage dates back to the early 20th century, and it is arguably the most famous traditional arts hub in Southeast Asia. There are literally hundreds of art museums and galleries in this town.
Depending on where you are coming from, you can take a minibus, taxi, or private car to reach Ubud. Read on for a more detailed guide.
Quick answer on getting to Ubud
The most convenient way to get to Ubud is by taxi, whether you’re going directly from the airport or from other tourist areas such as Kuta.
However, once in Ubud, the only option to get around is by private car, as ride-hailing services and metered taxis are not always allowed from the town centre (drop-off is allowed).
How to get around in Ubud
There are no local transport options for travelling within the Ubud area. Your only option is taking a taxi due to an influential “taxi mafia” in the area.
Even metered taxis like Bluebird are almost non-existent. Local ‘taxis’ are all private car owners. This means fairly expensive fares for relatively short rides. Expect a minimum of about 70,000 IDR ($4.50) even for a quick ride of just a few hundred metres.
Note that ride-hailing services like Grab and Go-Jek are not always allowed to pick up passengers in Ubud. If you’re coming to Ubud, though, drop-off will not be a problem.
If you plan to spend a few days in Ubud and use it as a base to tour around the island, renting a motorbike or a car with a driver is a good bet.
For a motorbike, expect to pay about 70,000 IDR ($4.50) per day. For a car, expect to pay around 100,000 IDR ($6.00) per hour or 500,000 IDR ($32.00) for a full day. Most hotels can arrange a motorbike or reputable driver, but you’ll likely need to haggle for a reasonable price.
Be prepared for the busy traffic within the town, especially when travelling by car. The traffic jam in the inner town of Ubud is a disaster and it can easily take over 30 minutes to get out of the inner centre. Renting a scooter will be more convenient, but make sure you know how to drive a bike before driving one in busy traffic.
From Bali Airport to Ubud by Taxi
When travelling from Ngurah Rai International Airport to Ubud, you have two options. You can take a fixed-price taxi or hop in a pre-booked car.
There is also an option to take the bus, but it involves two transfers, both of which have inconsistent schedules. We don’t recommend this, especially if it’s your first time visiting Bali.
Travel time from the airport to Ubud takes about 1.5 hours. However, with the traffic situation, expect to arrive after 3-4 hours. Taxis are prepaid at the airport taxi counter and the fare costs around 360,000 IDR ($23.00).
Hoping for cheaper rates? There is also an option to book online via ride-hailing apps Grab or Gojek. Grab has a lounge just outside the international terminal. Here, the staff can assist you with booking a taxi and it’s also the pick-up point for all Grab taxis. A Grab or Go-Jek direct to Ubud starts from 200,000 IDR ($12.50).
If you don’t want the hassle of worrying about your taxi ride (and want to save some money), you can also just book your ride at least a day prior to your arrival. As you should already know the date and time of arrival, this is in our opinion the most convenient option.
Klook offers a taxi service to Ubud with rates from 250,000 IDR ($16.00). You can book taxis for both small and big groups. Book your private car through the link below.
From Kuta/Seminyak to Ubud by Minibus or Taxi
The cheapest way to travel from Kuta or Seminyak to Ubud is by minibus. There are two companies offering multiple departures daily: Perama Tour & Travel and Kura Kura.
Minibus tickets from Kuta to Ubud start from 100,000 IDR ($6.00). It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Ubud city centre.
The Kura Kura bus departs from Lippo Mall near Bali Airport and drops passengers off at Puri Lukisan Museum in the city centre. Meanwhile, the Perama bus’s pick-up and drop-off points are their own offices in Kuta and Ubud city centres.
Minibus schedule from Kuta to Ubud
Travelling in a group or want to be more flexible? Why not consider taking a taxi? You can book one via Grab, Go-Jek, or Bluebird for around 200,000 IDR ($12.50) depending on the actual pickup location. Travel time is around 1.5 hours from Kuta and Seminyak.
You can also hail a conventional taxi in the street. However, local taxis will charge you a higher price, so be prepared to haggle with the driver.
If you want to save yourself the hassle of finding a taxi on the day, book a taxi in advance via BookAway. Cars booked online have fixed prices, so you won’t have to haggle. A private car from Seminyak costs 160,000 IDR ($10.00). From Kuta, it’s around 150,000 IDR ($9.50).
From Canggu to Ubud by Taxi
When travelling from Canggu to Ubud, you can also take the Perama Tour & Travel minibus. Tickets cost 170,000 IDR ($10.50), but the downside is that they only have one departure daily at 07:00.
Minibus schedule from Canggu to Ubud
You can also book a taxi if the bus departure is too early for you. A taxi booked via Grab or Go-Jek costs around 220,000 IDR ($14.00). The journey takes 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Alternatively, a private car via BookAway costs 300,000 IDR ($19.00). You can pick a time that works for you using the link below.
From Uluwatu to Ubud by Taxi
Ubud is about 2 hours away from Uluwatu by taxi.
You can book a taxi via Grab or Go-Jek with fares from 300,000 IDR ($19.00). If you want to book a ride in advance, you can do so via BookAway for a fixed price of 460,000 IDR ($29.50).
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
