Bali Airport To Ubud – What Are The BEST Options?
Navigating Smoothly From Bali Airport To Ubud
Getting from Bali airport to Ubud can be a bit overwhelming, especially after a long flight.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all your transportation options, including costs, booking methods, travel time, and the distance between Ngurah Rai International Airport and Ubud’s cultural centre.
To cut to the chase, the best way to make this journey is by arranging a private taxi before your arrival OR grabbing a Grab ride once you’re at the airport.
This helps you avoid one of the biggest pain points travellers face – being overcharged by opportunistic taxi drivers who prey on tired tourists.
Unfortunately, no matter which option you choose, you’re likely facing a lengthy ride after your flight due to Bali’s notorious traffic.
When I made this journey in the evening, what should have been a straightforward 1-hour trip turned into a 2.5-hour ordeal through congested roads.
To make things worse, when we finally arrived in Ubud, I had to drag my luggage through narrow alleyways because our driver couldn’t find the hotel entrance. There I was at midnight, exhausted and struggling to locate reception in the darkness.
This was no fun!
Whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, this guide will help you choose the most convenient and cost-effective option to reach Ubud, ensuring you start your Bali adventure on the right foot rather than with a travel horror story.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out 18 unique accommodations in Ubud.
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Map of Bali Airport And Ubud
Pro Tip – Book An Airport Transfer In Advance
We had booked a standard taxi pickup for free using the Genius Level on Booking.com.
This was a great decision and one which I remind myself of whenever I travel to a large, chaotic city – book an airport taxi in advance.
The price is usually much cheaper than trying to haggle with a taxi driver outside the exit. Normally, other drivers come over and stand beside you to pressure you into taking the high offer.
However, if you booked a fairer price online, you simply exit the airport and look for your name on a signpost and follow your driver out to the car.
No guessing, no pressure from other drivers, and an arranged fair fee. There’s no contest for me.
The driver waited for us for 30 minutes before we landed and for another 45 minutes after landing, so we had time to get our visa and bags before finding our driver.
All we had to do was wait at the Big White Balinese statue, at the exit gate of the arrival area.
I suggest you book your taxi in advance here.
You can see how long it will take, baggage allowance, and you can choose the type of transport you would prefer.
Discover a perfect 3-day Ubud itinerary to plan your trip effectively.
Bali Airport to Ubud via Public Bus
The Kura Kura Shuttle bus is an option.
It costs 100,000 IDR one way (approximately €5.31/ $6.19/ £4.57) and is said to take 2 hours in total to reach Ubud. I can guarantee that if the traffic is bad, like when I visited, it will take much longer.
The bus runs all around southern Bali, and you can easily reach Ubud from the airport this way. Please note that it doesn’t run frequently – only twice per day. You may end up waiting around for a long time if you’re counting on this transportation option.
You will have to make a short walk of about 20 minutes to Lippo Mall to get picked up there, as buses are not allowed to enter the airport. There is a dedicated Kura Kura bus stop where you need to wait.
You can book your Kura Kura Shuttle bus ticket here.
Discover the 17 Best Things To Do In Ubud.
Using Grab/Gojek
Thank the lord for Grab and Gojek.
These are reliable and cheap ways to move around Bali. You’ll see an abundance of motorbikes and taxi cars all over the major towns and country roads.
You can take advantage of the affordable prices once you land at the airport in Bali.
You can expect to pay between 400,000 IDR and 500,000 IDR to order a Grab car to Ubud from Denpasar airport. 400,000 IDR = €21.24/$24.76/£18.28
I noticed that regular taxi drivers frown upon Grab drivers because there’s such a price difference. Keep this in mind if a driver starts to hassle you or your Grab driver.
Best to ignore them and keep moving.
How Long Will It Take To Get From The Airport To Ubud?
If you open Google Maps right now and get directions from the airport to Ubud, it says it will take about one hour and 45 minutes.
My experience taught me this is wishful thinking.
While we had received our online e-visa on arrival at Denpasar Airport and exited at 8:20 PM, we arrived at the door of our hotel at midnight.
This did include a stop to get a SIM card at a store, a decision we later regretted because it was expensive and didn’t work very well.
Traffic was terrible, and there were times when we were completely stuck, not moving at all. I couldn’t imagine what sitting in a bus would have been like during that congestion.
Other Options To Get To Ubud From Denpasar Airport
Scooter
Most travellers who go to Bali are experienced in using motorbikes or scooters.
Especially if you don’t have large suitcases, this can be a great way for backpackers or light travellers to get around and avoid much of the heavy traffic congestion.
While I don’t ride scooters myself at the moment, it’s something I keep considering to learn.
You can book your Bali scooter here or on the widget below:
Local Transport
You can get a local bus from the airport, but I would advise against that unless you have loads of time to kill.
It will take a minimum of 2 and a half hours to get from Bali’s airport to Ubud, and when you factor in the terrible traffic and narrow roads, it will likely be much longer.
This, of course, depends on the time of day you travel.
It is cheap, coming in at 4,400 IDR (4,400 IDR/€0.26 EUR/$0.29 USD/£0.22 GBP).
Taxi On Arrival
Sure, you can pick up and take the first taxi that you speak with at the airport.
Time saving, convenient, but not nice for your pocket. You can expect to pay anywhere from 500,000 to 700,000 IDR.
Safety Wing Travel Insurance
Always travel with insurance.
When I needed tests and medication in Da Nang, Vietnam, Safety Wing paid me back within 48 hours! It took me less than 5 minutes to submit the paperwork.
I couldn’t recommend them enough.
Bali Airport To Ubud Summary
| Transport Option | Cost (IDR / EUR / USD / GBP) | Travel Time (est.) | How to Book / Access | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Taxi (Pre-booked) | 500,000–700,000 IDR (€26–36 / $31–43 / £22–27) | 1.5–2.5 hrs | Book online (Booking.com, Klook) | Stress-free, driver waits, fixed price | More expensive |
| Grab / Gojek (Car) | 400,000–500,000 IDR (€21–26 / $25–31 / £18–22) | 1.5–2.5 hrs | Via app on arrival | Cheaper than taxis, reliable | Some hassle from taxi drivers |
| Kura Kura Shuttle Bus | 100,000 IDR (€5.31 / $6.19 / £4.57) | ~2 hrs (can be longer) | Online, pickup at Lippo Mall | Cheapest fixed option, comfortable bus | Only 2 per day, walk required to bus stop |
| Local Bus | 4,400 IDR (€0.26 / $0.29 / £0.22) | 2.5+ hrs (often much longer) | At airport bus stop | Very cheap | Very slow, inconvenient |
| Taxi on Arrival | 500,000–700,000 IDR (€26–36 / $31–43 / £22–27) | 1.5–2.5 hrs | Outside airport exit | Easy, immediate | Overpriced, haggling required |
| Scooter | From ~70,000 IDR per day (€3.70 / $4.30 / £3.20) | 1–2 hrs | Book online or at rental shop | Fast, flexible, fun | Not ideal with luggage, riskier |
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Getting from Bali’s Denpasar airport to Ubud can be a relaxed journey if you reserve a taxi well in advance.
We didn’t have to pay for ours because we earned points on Booking.com’s Genius level. While not everyone can get free rides depending on how often they use the platform, you can always just pay for a taxi to wait for you at the exit of the airport.
If you’re not a fan of planning ahead, you can simply use Grab to call a ride once you arrive at the airport.
Pack all the essential items you need for a trip to Bali with my Southeast Asia packing list.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
How Do I Get From Bali Airport To Ubud?
You can get from Bali Airport to Ubud by private taxi (like I did), shuttle bus, or regular taxi. Just be aware of your arrival time. Traffic is almost always bad in Bali, especially in Ubud. The narrow streets make it difficult for cars and bikes to move efficiently. If Google Maps gives you an estimated travel time, it’s almost never accurate – expect delays.
Can I Take Grab From Bali Airport To Ubud?
Yes, Grab is a great option, and I used it every day in Bali. You can wait in the Grab lounge before your car arrives to enjoy some comfortable downtime. When I was passing through, I saw many drivers outside waiting for passengers. Grab is your best travel companion when visiting Bali.
Is It Better To Stay In Bali Or Ubud?
To clarify, Ubud is a town in Bali, while Bali itself is the island. I recommend spending some time in Ubud during your visit. In fact, I’ve created a 3-Day Ubud Itinerary to help you plan your time effectively and enjoy the best activities there. You might also consider staying in other areas like Amed, Canggu, and Lovina. Bali offers many excellent options for accommodations across the island.
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