So you’ve been poring over travel websites like this one for months and you’ve finally decided to take the time off work and hop a plane over.
But how do you get here? And how will you get around to all those fabulous spots in and around Ubud?
The only (as of yet) airport in Bali is Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. Many international flights from Australia and Europe have direct flights to Bali.
For countries further away like the US and Canada, you may have to switch planes in one of the Asian hubs such as Korea, Japan, or Singapore.
If you’re already in Asia, there are tons of budget airlines that fly to and from Bali. Check out Air Asia, Lion Air, and Jetstar for cheap flights.
To get to Ubud from the airport, you’ll have to grab a taxi at the airport. As soon as you head out the doors, look for the taxi booths in kiosks on either side of the arrivals doors. You will probably be approached by touts en masse asking if you want a cab, but don’t bother, as they usually charge about double the going rate. A cab to Ubud should only cost 195,000 Rp at the ticket booth. The drive to Ubud takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
Ok, so you’ve finally made it to Ubud and are all settled in. Congrats and welcome to Ubud! Now it’s time to find a ride to that fabulous temple you’ve been reading about, or that sweet restaurant in the rice fields. There are many ways to get around Ubud by your own steam or with a driver.
Walking
Walking in Ubud is often easier said than done. Although this is a small-ish village, traffic can be quite heavy, and sidewalks are few and far between. Add high temperatures and humidity and occasional rainstorms, and you may find yourself sticking to the places around your villa, hotel, or guesthouse.
Cycling
One pleasant and environmentally friendly way to maneuver the streets of Ubud is on a bicycle. It is easy to find bicycles for hire at tour offices and shops on practically every street in Ubud, and the going rate is between 20,000 to 30,000 Rp a day. Just be sure to watch out for motorists, other tourists, and those pesky dogs on the busy streets.
Taxis
It’s pretty well impossible to walk down the streets of Ubud during the day or early evening and not be approached by Indonesian guys brandishing ‘transport’ signs. This is how many local men make their living, and it works out to be a pretty sweet deal for you if you need a drive somewhere. Prices vary depending on where you want to go, if you want your driver to wait for you when you tour that hotspot, and how good you are at bargaining. Many of these guys speak excellent English, and know where all the cool spots are in Ubud and beyond.
Motorbikes
Most people who stay in Ubud for more than a few days rent a motorbike or a scooter. This can be a liberating experience, as it allows you to travel much further and much faster than you could on a bicycle. You can rent a scooter or motorbike for about 50,000 to 80,000 Rp a day. By law, you must wear a helmet, and technically you should have an international driving license. The police will stop you if they catch you driving without a helmet (especially at the Monkey Forest and Jalan Raya intersection), and fine you whatever they see fit. If you want to avoid emptying your pockets, wear the lid.
Of course, it should go without saying that driving a motorbike can be dangerous. Many people (locals and tourists alike) come speeding around corners without looking first and have no qualms about driving after a few too many Bintang beers. In addition, the roads in Ubud can be horrendous at times, with massive holes, seriously uneven pavement, and piles of sand, gravel, or stones from building projects spilling into the streets. Drive slow, wear a helmet, and watch out for unexpected obstacles.
Cars
If you want the freedom of having your own wheels in Ubud, many tour companies rent cars and jeeps for anywhere from 150,000 rp to 300,000 Rp a day. Make sure that insurance is included in the rental price. A car is great for rainy days and long distance driving, however, keep in mind that the roads in Bali are quite narrow, and traffic can be heavy. Also, it is very difficult to find automatic cars, so unless you drive stick, you’re better off
hiring a driver to chauffeur you around.
Buses
There is no official bus system in Ubud to speak of, but you can take the excellent Perama shuttle bus service to popular destinations such as the airport, Kuta, Candidasa, Padangbai, Lovina, and Sanur. There are set schedules every day, and tickets are relatively inexpensive. The Perama bus station is on Hanoman Street, just south of the junction of Monkey Forest and Hanoman Street. Perama also offers sightseeing tours around Bali, as well as combined bus and boat tickets to the Gili Islands, Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, Flores, and Komodo. You can book tickets for Perama trips through many guesthouses, tour offices, and travel agents in Ubud or contact them directly at Perama Tour & Travel, Jalan Hanoman, Ubud, Bali. Tel: +62 (0) 361 973316.
