Grab and Gojek are legal in Bali, but local taxi drivers often block them in central Ubud and Canggu. Let's look at workarounds, scooters, day drivers, and ferries.
Bali has no trains, metro, or decent public transport. There are scooters, ride-hailing apps, and drivers for hire. And there’s a subtle detail: in the most touristy areas, ride-hailing apps simply don’t work – not by law, but by agreement between local taxi operators. Let’s figure out how to get around here.
The Main Peculiarity: Areas Where Apps Don’t Work
Bali operates on the system of banjar – community self-governance. Each village has the right to regulate transport within its territory. In several places, local taxi drivers have agreed with the village council not to allow Grab and Gojek to pick up passengers.
You’ll encounter this most often in:
- The center of Ubud — Jl. Raya Ubud street, Monkey Forest Road, the market area.
- The center of Canggu — Batu Bolong, partially Berawa.
What does it look like? You request a ride, and the driver either cancels the order or asks you to walk 200–500 meters.
What to Do
The solution is simple: walk 5–10 minutes on foot away from the tourist center to the nearest main road or side street – and request a ride from there. The order will go through normally, and the price will be fair.
Another option is to negotiate with a local taxi driver in person, but then you’ll need to haggle: the fare without a meter or app is set “by eye.”
Apps
| App | What it Offers |
|---|---|
| Grab | cars and motorbikes, fixed price |
| Gojek | the same plus food delivery |
| InDrive, Maxim | alternatives, sometimes cheaper |
| Bluebird | official metered taxi |
Uber doesn’t work in Bali – don’t bother looking.
Motorbike taxis within the area cost around 150 ₽, between areas — 300–400 ₽. This is the fastest way to get around: the island is often stuck in traffic, while a motorbike weaves through the lanes.
Scooter
Classic Bali and the main source of tourist injuries. Rental costs next to nothing, but:
- Check your insurance. Most basic policies don’t cover scooter use, and evacuation to Singapore will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- License. Formally, you need category A and an international driving permit.
- Deposit and scratches. Film yourself picking up the bike.
- Helmet. Police stop tourists regularly.
More details — Bali safety.
Driver for a Day
An underrated option for families and groups. Renting a small car costs $27–45 per day (≈ 2 050–3 430 ₽), while a driver with a car often works out similarly — and removes the question of parking, driving on the left, and negotiating with an app in Ubud.
The logic is simple: if you’re going to see temples and waterfalls on the other side of the island, a car with a driver wins over three scooter rides in the rain.
Distances are Deceptive
Twenty kilometers on the map — that’s an hour and a half in reality. The roads are narrow, the traffic is heavy, and everything stands still during rush hour in the south.
Practical conclusion: don’t plan more than two points per day at different ends of the island. It’s better to live closer to what you want to see: Bali budget breakdown shows that the south is noticeably more expensive than Ubud.
Ferries and Neighboring Islands
- Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan — fast boats from Sanur, about half an hour.
- Gili Islands — speedboat, longer and dependent on the waves.
Reis are cancelled in storms. Don’t book a boat for your departure day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grab banned in Bali?
No. It’s legal, and tourists can use it. Restrictions exist only within certain areas and have been introduced by local communities, not the state.
Can I pay for my ride with a card?
Russian cards cannot be linked to apps. Pay in cash with rupees. Details — Money on Bali.
Scooter or driver?
Within the area — scooter. Across the entire island with luggage, children, or during the rainy season — driver.
Do I need an international driving permit?
For a scooter — formally yes. Not having a license will almost certainly invalidate your insurance in case of an accident.
What’s Next
Plan your route: ready-made Bali itineraries, when is the dry season, visas, fees and extensions and how to get from the airport.
District boundaries with restrictions change and are not officially published anywhere: these are local agreements. Ruble equivalents were calculated based on the Central Bank of Russia exchange rate as of July 8, 2026.
