Uber is unfortunately not available in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia. If you’re looking for a great Uber alternative for Bali, you’ll love grab and gojek, which are almost an exact equivalent and even have more fun features to try.
Find out everything you need to know about transport and getting around Bali in the absence of Uber, especially when it comes to arriving at or going to the airport.
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Why you can trust this article about Uber in Bali
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.
I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.
I use ridesharing apps in Bali every single day since I rarely drive here. While Uber might not be an option in Bali, I’ll tell you all about grab and gojek, which I’ve written more than 20 articles about.
If Uber does return to Indonesia and Bali specifically one day, I’ll be the first to know, and in the meantime, I’ll tell you all about the alternatives that are available.
All You Need For Your Bali Trip
Is there Uber or Lyft in Bali?
The short answer is no, neither Uber nor Lyft are currently available in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia. While these ridesharing apps are extremely popular in the United States and in parts of Europe, they do not work in Bali.
Luckily, there are plenty of Uber alternatives to choose from, including grab and gojek, which are very affordable and easy to use.
Tourists are always confused about the legality of grab and gojek in Bali. We broke down all the details about how legal the apps actually are here.
Best eSIM & Physical SIM For Bali
Did you know you can get the best SIM card for tourists delivered to your hotel in Bali at no extra charge? Or get an eSIM, so you’ll be connected from day one.
Has Uber ever existed in Bali?
Uber does not currently exist in Bali, but that wasn’t always the case. The app used to have some presence on the Island of the Gods until 2018, before all of its operations were bought by grab.
Because of this merger, it’s easy to predict that Uber will most likely not return to Bali in the future.
Taking an Uber to/from Bali Airport
The first question most travellers have is if Uber works at the airport in Bali. If you’re arriving on the island and want to get to your hotel without spending a fortune, you’ll be better off not relying on ridesharing apps.
Uber does not work at the airport in Bali or anywhere on the island. Grab is allowed to operate but charges highly inflated prices, so we don’t recommend using the app here.
Instead, pre-book an airport transfer using Klook, which will cost a third of a grab or a local taxi. The driver waits for you for up to two hours and will take you anywhere you need to go.
For more information, check out our complete guide to airport pickups in Bali.
Tips for using Uber-like apps in Bali
You might not be able to use Uber in Bali, but other similar apps are just as useful. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Double-check where the no-gojek zones are. Grab and gojek don’t always work in some areas of Bali, and we’ve got detailed guides on almost everywhere in Bali, including the airport, Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Amed, Kintamani, Sanur, Tanah Lot Temple, Padang Bai Harbour, Lovina, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan. If you’re exploring more of Indonesia, check out our article about Labuan Bajo and Kuta in Lombok.
- Don’t rely on grab or gojek in remote areas. Places like Nusa Penida, Amed, or Munduk do not have grab or gojek due to a lack of demand. Double-check if these apps work in your destination before you go.
- Always wear a helmet on a motorbike taxi. Accidents can always happen, and not wearing a helmet on a bike is illegal in Bali.
Find even more tips for using apps like grab and gojek in Bali in our complete guide. We’ll even show you a hidden way to get discounts.
The Best Private Drivers In Bali
The most comfortable way to get around Bali is with a private driver. Read our complete guide or book instantly at the lowest prices with no need to haggle.
Are Uber and other ridesharing apps safe in Bali?
Since Uber is not available in Bali, you’ll have to use grab and gojek to get around. Luckily, both apps are very safe to use in Indonesia, and incidents are very rare.
Grab and gojek drivers are closely regulated, and you can feel safe using the apps, even as a solo traveller.
If you feel like your driver is driving irresponsibly or too fast, you can always ask them to slow down and they will respect your wishes.
Does Bali have Uber Eats?
Bali does not have Uber Eats, but you can order food delivery through grab or gojek. Just select the gofood option and choose from a wide variety of restaurants all over Bali.
The delivery fee is usually only about IDR 15,000 and you’ll have your meal in under 30 minutes if you get lucky. You don’t even need to enter a credit card in the app and can just pay the driver cash on arrival if that’s easier for you.
Best Hotel Deals In Bali
Here are our absolute favourite hotels in Bali – hand-picked and tested by us.
Best Uber alternatives in Bali
You don’t have to say goodbye to the convenience of ridesharing during your time in Bali, even though Uber does not exist here. Here are our favourite alternatives to try.
1. Grab
Grab is arguably South East Asia’s most popular ridesharing app, and it’s available almost anywhere, including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
You need a local phone number to sign up for the app and can choose between cash or card payments.
2. Gojek
Gojek is a great alternative for Uber, and it works very similarly to grab. The company is Indonesian and not available in as many countries, but it’s widely used in Bali.
Gojek is sometimes a bit cheaper than grab, although not always.
What is better: grab or gojek?
Grab and gojek are very similar and generally, one isn’t better than the other. They always compete with each other though, so make sure to check both apps to find out which one is cheaper at the moment.
I generally find that gojek has better discounts, while grab’s unlimited membership can make it more affordable. We compared the two apps in detail in our grab and gojek guide for Bali.
3. Air Asia
Air Asia recently came out with a ridesharing feature on their Air Asia Superapp. Prices can be very low, but the selection of drivers is much smaller, so you might struggle to get a ride.
It’s definitely worth a shot though, so try out Air Asia for getting around Bali if you’re on a budget.
4. Maxim
Maxim is another lesser-known ridesharing app in Bali. Just like with Air Asia, there are fewer drivers, so it’s not really as easy to use as grab or gojek are. Maxim also lets you order food or grocery orders, although I personally prefer other apps.
What’s the best way to get around Bali?
If you need even more alternatives to Uber, these transport methods for Bali will help you get around quickly and conveniently.
Best Deals For Unmissable Bali Experiences
Renting a scooter in Bali
Renting a scooter is very popular in Bali and a great transport method if you want maximum flexibility without spending a lot.
However, Bali’s chaotic traffic is not a good place to learn how to drive and accidents involving tourists are very common. Only rent a scooter in Bali if you’re an experienced driver already, and always wear a helmet.
A scooter in Bali can cost anywhere from IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 (~ $5 AU to $10 AU), depending on how long you rent it, and the type of scooter. There is always some room for negotiation, so don’t always accept the first price given.
Every traveller should have insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies, hospital visits and unforeseen accidents. SafetyWing is not only the best choice for shorter trips but also offers long-term plans for digital nomads or those travelling for extended periods of time.
They have a great selection of plans, including trip insurance, which supports you in case of cancelled flights or lost baggage.
My favourite part is that they offer adventure sports coverage ad-ons, so you can do all the exciting activities without having to worry about taking unnecessary risks.
No matter where you’re travelling, you cannot put a price on peace of mind.
Find out more about SafetyWing here.
Guided tours in Bali
If you’re not excited about planning how to get around Bali and want to avoid having to worry about driving a scooter or even navigating apps like grab and gojek, you should look into joining a multi-day group tour.
We reviewed the best ones in Bali, and you’re guaranteed to find one that fits your needs. The travel planning is all taken care of, and the price includes accommodation, all transport methods and even some meals.
Plus, you get to make new friends for life along the way.
Hiring a private driver in Bali
Hiring a private driver in Bali is a great alternative to renting a scooter and will help you see the island comfortably. Prices for drivers are actually more reasonable than you might expect, and you’ll get to go anywhere you want in Bali (within reason, of course).
Day rates include between 8 to 12 hours of driving, petrol and parking fees. Your driver can even help you make an itinerary and discover the island at your own pace.
We’ve got recommendations for good drivers in Bali and sample prices in our complete guide.
Taking a taxi in Bali
Taxis exist all over Bali and used to be the most common transport method before Uber alternatives like grab and gojek appeared. However, they’re usually way more expensive than ridesharing apps, and it’s easy to be overcharged by local drivers.
I would only recommend taking a taxi as a last resort if nothing else is available.
The Indonesian taxi mafia
You might come across the term “taxi mafia” during your time in Bali. This refers to a local organisation of drivers who use very pushy sales tactics, refuse to use a metre and overcharge tourists by ridiculous amounts.
They oppose the use of grab and gojek, and stop drivers from picking up passengers in popular tourist locations, even threatening grab and gojek drivers at times.
The taxi mafia famously has a strong presence in places like Canggu, Ubud, Uluwatu, Sanur Harbour, Padang Bai Harbour and Tanah Lot Temple. It’s smart of inform yourself about how you can still use grab and gojek here while avoiding the taxi mafia as much as possible.
The Best Way To Experience Bali
Group tours are an incredibly underrated way to travel and you’ll get to experience Bali with new friends without any of the stress of planning. Compare the best tours here or check out my all-time favourite below.
Bluebird taxis
Bluebird taxis are the only taxis I would personally trust in Bali. They’re regulated and always use metres, so prices are usually similar to grab and gojek.
Just watch out for the fake Bluebird taxis that are appearing around Bali. Real ones can be recognised by their blue colour, bird logo and ID of the driver on the dashboard.
Walking in Bali
Bali is not very walkable, and only very few areas like the beach between Seminyak and Canggu, Nusa Dua, or parts of central Kuta are suitable for getting around on foot.
You may be able to walk short distances, but most of the sidewalks in Bali are in very bad condition or don’t exist at all. It’s better to stick to grab and gojek, which are affordable and a lot more comfortable than walking in the hot sun.
Public transport and buses in Bali
Bali doesn’t have a lot of public transport, and it’s not very commonly used by tourists. The SARBAGITA buses connect some parts of southern Bali to Denpasar and Sanur, but schedules can be unreliable and difficult to navigate.
The Bali airport also has some limited bus connections, but we would recommend using Klook instead since the buses don’t really go to popular tourist areas.
The only useful buses in Bali for tourists are the Perama and Kura-Kura Shuttles, which actually go all over the island and make getting to remote areas like Amed a lot easier.
They’re only really worth it for solo travellers, though, and grab or gojek might be more affordable if you’re travelling with two or more people.
E-scooters in Bali
In recent years, e-scooters like the ones you would encounter in big cities in Europe or the US have started to appear in Bali. They’re not super easy to use due to the chaotic traffic and bad road conditions.
They might be fun for short distances in places like Seminyak or Canggu, but be careful since helmets are not always provided.
Tips for using gojek and grab in Bali & Indonesia
One thing a lot of tourists miss when it comes to using grab and gojek in Bali is the hidden discounts. We’ll show you exactly how to use them and provide plenty more tips on how to use grab and gojek in Bali in our complete guide.
Find out what to do if a driver asks you to cancel a ride, how to avoid common scams and much more.
Uber in Bali FAQ
Uber is not available in Bali, but grab and gojek are a good equivalent if you need an alternative ridesharing app
Grab and gojek are the most popular taxi apps in Bali, but Air Asia and Maxim are also options.
Grab is one of the most affordable taxi alternatives in Bali, and a short ride only costs around $1 US.
Bali uses grab or gojek as an alternative to Uber.
There has been no Uber in Indonesia since 2018, when grab took over the company’s operations.
Taxis can be expensive in Bali, especially when they are unmetered, so using grab and gojek instead is recommended.
Taxis are safe to use in Bali, but it’s common to be overcharged by a lot.
Before you go…
You’re ready to get around Bali, even though Uber is not an option here. We think you might also like our other posts about Bali, such as our guide to the Monkey Forest, the best all-you-can-eat-and-drink rooftop pool club and the abandoned theme park on the beach in Sanur.
Don’t forget to check out our guide on the best time to visit Bali, the best five-star resort in Ubud and the best hotels in Nusa Penida.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
