Once or twice a year, headlines claiming that the popular ride-hailing apps grab and gojek are illegal in Bali make the news, leading to confused tourists and plenty of rumors.
We’re here to clarify once and for all where you can use grab and gojek legally in Bali, what to do if you run into the local taxi mafia, and what you need to know about these apps.
Grab and gojek work just like Uber (which unfortunately doesn’t exist in Indonesia), but they actually have a lot more functionality and are very affordable. Your Bali trip will be so much easier with these apps to help you get around.
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Why you can trust this article
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.
Living in Bali, I use apps like grab and gojek multiple times every day.
Since I rarely drive a scooter, I usually use taxi bikes to get around and have actually written nearly thirty guides on no-gojek zones and whether grab works in different neighborhoods in Bali (click here to scroll to those articles).
I constantly keep my transport articles up-to-date, and if there are any changes, I’ll be the first to know.
All You Need For Your Bali Trip
Are grab and gojek illegal in Bali?
Indonesia’s ride-hailing app users are projected to grow by over 4 million people before 2027, and grab alone sees an average of a million downloads in Indonesia every month (Source 1, Source 2).
But if grab and gojek are so popular, why do so many people claim that they’re illegal in Bali?
For years, there was no clarity if ride-hailing apps are officially permitted in Bali. This was heavily influenced by the so-called taxi mafia, which is an organization of local taxi drivers who strongly oppose the use of grab and gojek, making up their own regional rules.
There was even more confusion when the then-governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, announced in May of 2023 that foreigners would no longer be able to rent scooters on the island and only use transport services provided by licensed travel agents (which excludes grab and gojek).
While there was widespread protest, this ban appears to not have been brought into effect to date.
Finally, a statement issued in June of 2023 brought clarity and provided a clear answer to the question if grab and gojek are illegal or legal in Bali.
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The Balinese government speaks on the legality of grab and gojek
After a video showing yet another heated incident of a taxi mafia driver harassing tourists trying to order a grab ride, the Bali Transportation Agency finally issued an official statement regarding the legality of grab and gojek on the Island of the Gods.
Their response was more than clear: Grab and gojek are legal in Bali, and tourists are encouraged to use their services.
This goes against what members of the taxi mafia have been claiming for years and puts support behind ride-hailing drivers, who are often banned from picking up passengers in popular areas like Ubud, Uluwatu, or parts of Canggu.
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The Indonesian taxi mafia in Bali
The taxi mafia is an organization of local drivers who use pushy sales tactics, charge three or four times the normal rate, and even sometimes scam tourists. Their business is heavily impacted by apps like grab and gojek, which is why they try their hardest to prevent tourists from using them.
They have even prevented other transport methods from operating in the past because it takes away from their business, such as a free tourist shuttle in Ubud.
The taxi mafia in Bali has a strong presence in popular tourist areas, at the best beaches, temples, and even at the airport.
You’ll often see no-gojek zone signs claiming that ride-hailing apps or online taxis are not permitted to pick up passengers in these places. In Bali, local communities have a lot of power, which is why they can make their own rules despite the fact that gojek and grab can legally operate anywhere in Bali.
The Bali Transportation Agency also acknowledged this and stated that grab and gojek need to find a mutual agreement with local transportation and taxi drivers.
This allows them to continue to operate their no-gojek zones, preventing grab and gojek drivers from picking up passengers in popular tourist areas.
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How to still use grab and gojek in no-gojek zones
If you’re in a place where the taxi mafia has a strong presence, such as the harbors in Sanur and Padang Bai, Uluwatu, Ubud, or even Canggu, you can still use grab and gojek.
We go into more detail about this in our dedicated destination guides, but one tip that always works is to just walk for around 5 to 10 minutes and then call a gojek or grab ride from there.
Try to avoid conflict with the taxi mafia drivers; they are not usually violent, but incidents have occurred in the past, such as protests in Jakarta in 2016, which even led to riots.
While you might be verbally confronted, the taxi mafia usually target their anger at grab and gojek drivers, which is why they are hesitant to start conflict.
Try to be respectful and understanding of the situation, avoiding a confrontation as much as possible.
Tips for using grab and gojek in Bali
We go into more detail on how to handle confrontations with the taxi mafia in Bali in or complete grab and gojek guide.
It also includes instructions on how to get hidden discounts in the apps, what to know before you download grab and gojek, and much more.
Areas of Bali where grab and gojek don’t work
Unfortunately, while grab and gojek are completely legal in Bali, the local taxi mafia makes its own rules sometimes. It can be very difficult to navigate the ever-changing no-gojek zones in Bali as a tourist, and information online is almost always outdated.
That’s why I created grab and gojek guides for popular places around Bali, including:
- Canggu
- Seminyak
- Nusa Dua
- Uluwatu
- Ubud
- Lovina
- Amed
- Kintamani
- Sanur
- Tanah Lot Temple
- Padang Bai Harbour
- Nusa Penida
- Nusa Lembongan
- Bali’s airport
If you go beyond Bali, we also come up with grab guides for places like Lombok, Labuan Bajo, and even all the way to Thailand in Bangkok, Krabi, Khao Sok, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and Koh Phi Phi.
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Alternatives to gojek and grab in Bali
If you’re looking for other transport methods in Bali, you should consider renting a car or hiring a driver in Bali. Short distances might be suitable for walking, but generally, Bali is not a very walkable place.
Renting a scooter is also very popular, but safety should always be a priority. Accidents involving tourists are very common on the island, so make sure to wear a helmet and only drive if you’re confident on a scooter.
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.
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No matter where you’re travelling, you cannot put a price on peace of mind.
Find out more about SafetyWing here.
Are grab and gojek illegal in Bali FAQ
Grab is legal in Bali, but the local taxi drivers may prevent you from getting a ride in certain areas.
Just like grab, gojek is not illegal in Bali, but you might have trouble finding a ride in some areas of the island.
Gojek is very safe to use in Bali, and incidents are extremely rare.
The taxi mafia in Bali is not necessarily dangerous to tourists, but there have been incidents of violence in the past, mostly directed at ride-hailing drivers.
Gojek and grab work very well in most parts of Ubud, Bali and are not banned or illegal there. However, finding a ride in the centre of town may be tricky and you have to walk for around 5 to 10 minutes to call a driver.
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Before you go…
You’re obviously doing your research for your Bali trip, so we thought you might enjoy more of our guides.
Check out the best beachfront hotels in Uluwatu or Nusa Penida or our reviews of the best private villas in Gili Trawangan or Sanur.
You’ll also love these group tours where all the planning is taken care of, and you can focus on relaxing and having fun.
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.
