Kintamani is a remote area of Bali, known for being the home of Bali’s famous volcano, Mount Batur, and transport apps like grab or gojek might not work as you would expect them to here. Since Uber is not available in Indonesia, your options can be limited. Find out how to get around Kintamani and the area around Lake Batur, whether to rent a car, drive a scooter or if grab and gojek are reliable.

Our complete guide to getting around Kintamani has everything you need to know before you go.

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Why you can trust this article about grab and gojek in Kintamani and Lake Batur

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’ve gotten to spend time in Kitamani a few times now, and unlike most tourists, I stayed there for more than just a night or two. A lot of people just come here to hike Mount Batur for sunrise and then go back to where they’re staying on the same day.

If you’re really wondering how to get around Kintamani and the best way to see the area, this complete transport guide will help.

Are grab and gojek available in Kintamani?

Gojek and grab don’t always work in remote parts of Indonesia (even though they’re perfectly legal), and many places across northern Bali don’t have enough drivers to make the apps functional. Munduk is a prime example of this, and since Kintamani has a similar, mountainous location, you might expect the apps to be useless here.

Most sources online will recommend using a private driver or coming to Kintamani with a private tour. However, in my experience, grab and especially gojek actually work quite well in the area, with some limitations.

So far, I have always managed to find a driver in Kintamani, although sometimes it can take around ten minutes until the app allocates one. For some reason, gojek seems to work much better here than grab does, so make sure to try both apps.

It’s worth noting that, although you can use grab and gojek in Kintamani, there are limited drivers, and especially early in the morning or late in the evening, you will most likely struggle to find a ride.

If you’re not up for driving a scooter in Kintamani, I would try to use grab or gojek as much as possible. In the case that you can’t get a driver, you can always try to find a local taxi or ask at a restaurant or hotel for help finding a ride.

In my experience, it usually works out fine.

Can I use grab and gojek to go to Mount Batur at sunrise?

What I would definitely not recommend is using grab and gojek to get to Mount Batur for sunrise. Not only will you not find a driver at 3 AM when you have to leave your hotel for the hike there is also no real point since transport is almost always provided by the tour company.

Remember that it’s not allowed for tourists to climb Mount Batur without a guide, so you can’t just show up and do it yourself. There may be sneaky ways to get around paying, but we recommend supporting the local guides and respecting the rules.

The Indonesian taxi mafia in Kintamani

You might notice some signs around town in Kintamani that say grab and gojek are only allowed to drop off passengers and aren’t allowed to operate otherwise.

This initiative comes from the local taxi mafia and can be found all around Bali, including places like Sanur, Canggu and the airport. The taxi mafia are local taxi drivers who oppose the use of ridesharing apps since it forces them to lower their inflated prices and causes a big loss of business.

Taxi mafia drivers don’t use a taxi metre and charge tourists extremely high fees, which can be many times the price offered on grab or gojek. They establish no-gojek zones around Bali, where grab drivers are unable to pick up passengers and operate normally.

Luckily, no-gojek zones are rarely enforced strictly and even if your driver cannot pick you up, the problem is usually solved by walking for a few minutes to get away from the taxi mafia.

You might see signs in Kintamani, but in my experience, there are no areas where gojek cannot operate, and the taxi mafia is not really a problem.

How to get to Kintamani from other parts of Bali

Most tourists struggle to find a way to get to Kintamani since there is no public transport and the drive from southern Bali is long. There are limited options to choose from, and it’s easiest if you have your own scooter and are confident enough to drive yourself.

You can also use grab and gojek for the drive, just factor in around 15 minutes to find a driver who will be willing to make the long drive up the mountains, especially from Canggu, Seminyak or Sanur.

Another option is to join a guided tour, which will take you to Kintamani in the morning for a day trip and take care of all the transport and organisation.

You can also hire a private driver or rent a car, which we’ll discuss further below.

How to get around Kintamani

Now that you’ve made it to Kintamani, you might want some options for getting around. Grab and gojek are useful, but it’s smart to have a backup in case you can’t find a driver.

It’s worth noting that Kintamani is actually quite large and divided into different areas. Most hotels are located either on the ridge, which is a long street with fantastic views along the edge of the crater of the ancient super volcano that shaped the area’s geography.

Then, there is the Batur town located at the bottom of the crater between the lake and Mount Batur.

Where you’re staying will definitely make a difference in how easy it is to get around.

1. Taking a guided tour around Kintamani

If you’re short on time, it’s most likely easiest to see Kintamani as part of a day trip tour. That way, you won’t have to worry about transport and getting around in Kintamani, plus you’ll get to see all the highlights with a tour guide.

I usually recommend a tour that combines some highlights of Ubud with Kintamani. I’ve had great experiences with this tour, which technically starts in Kintamani, but you can make arrangements to be picked up elsewhere.

You’ll get to explore the hot springs, see the lava fields, and there are also some bonus stops included, like a performance of the traditional Barong dance and a woodcarving village.

This tour frequently sells out, so check prices and availability here.

2. Renting a car in Bali

Another transport option for Kintamani is renting a car. Most tourists don’t do this, but in recent years we’ve been exploring more and more of Bali with this transport method, and it’s quickly becoming my favourite.

You need to rent a car somewhere in southern Bali and then drive up to Kintamani since there are no rental companies up there. Just make sure you’re a confident driver and always go slowly since the mountainous roads can be dangerous.

With your own car, you can explore Kintamani independent of grab or gojek and can see the region at your own pace.

If you’re looking for recommendations on car rental companies, pricing examples and tips for insurance, our Bali car rental guide will help.

3. Renting a scooter in Kintamani

Scooters are the most popular transport method in Bali and renting one can cost as little as IDR 50,000 (~ $5 AU) per day. Kintamani is a great place to explore on two wheels, although due to the winding mountain roads, it’s not the easiest place to drive as a beginner.

You can find rental shops along the main road, just make sure to haggle to get a good price. You can also rent a motorbike in southern Bali and then drive up to Kintamani, but keep in mind that the route takes a while and can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers.

A good option may be to use grab or gojek to get to Kintamani and then rent a scooter on arrival.

Just make sure to go slow, always wear a helmet and only drive if you’re confident on a motorbike. Accidents involving tourists are unfortunately common in Bali.

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.

4. Walking in Kintamani

Bali is unfortunately not very walkable, but some places are easier to navigate on foot than others. The ridge area of Kintamani, which consists of one narrow road, is actually quite walkable, and there are sidewalks almost everywhere.

It’s usually not very hot in this part of Bali, so walking can be a nice change. If you’re looking to try some of the cafes in this part of Kintamani, you can definitely walk short distances.

However, the problem is the road connecting the ridge to the crater of the supervolcano. It’s winding and steep without any sidewalks, and the traffic can be dangerous. Definitely take a grab or gojek instead.

The town next to the lake is relatively walkable for short distances, but you won’t always find sidewalks. Luckily, the roads aren’t too busy.

In the farming areas at the foot of the volcano, you’ll find quite a few hiking trails through the fields, which can be fun to explore.

Read more about navigating Bali on foot here.

5. Getting around Kintamani with a private driver

If you’re travelling in a group of three to six people, the best transport method in Kintamani might be to hire a private driver for a day. This is very common across Bali, and you get to decide the route (within reason), and your driver will take you wherever you want to go.

If you don’t want to worry about having to find a grab or gojek every step along the way, a private driver may be the perfect solution.

We summarise everything you need to know, including pricing examples and recommendations for the best drivers in Bali, in our complete driver guide.

6. Public transport and buses in Kintamani

There are, unfortunately, currently no buses in or to Kintamani. Public transport in Bali is still very limited and unreliable, so you need to consider other transport options.

7. Taking taxis in Kintamani

There aren’t a lot of taxis around in Kintamani, but if you stand by the side of the road, you’ll most likely find one that stops for you. This goes for both ojeks, which are motorbike taxis and regular cars.

Your accommodation or other places around town like restaurants will be able to help you find a taxi if you need it.

Using taxis isn’t an ideal way to get around Kintamani, but more of a last resort if you can’t find a grab or gojek.

Best things to do in Kintamani

Here are our favourite activities in Kintamani and the Batur area.

1. Try the best coffee shops with amazing views

The ridge area of Kintamani has a fantastic selection of coffee shops and restaurants with incredible views over the crater and Mount Batur. Definitely try at least one or two of them, including the new Padhi Speciality Coffee, the largest coffee shop in South East Asia.

2. Hike up to Mount Batur at sunrise

Hiking up to the crater of Mount Batur for sunrise is one of the most popular activities in Bali and everyone should try it at least once. The views are magical, and the hike is actually only around two hours or less, so it’s manageable even for beginners.

3. Enjoy the hot springs

Lake Batur has sacred hot springs, which are a favourite among tourists. Swim in the warm waters and enjoy beautiful views of the scenery.

4. Go on a jeep tour on a volcano

If you need an adrenaline kick, you’ll love the jeep tours on Mount Batur, which take you to the lava fields and around the crater. You can also try an ATV tour, which is even more exciting.

5. Go downhill cycling

Cycling doesn’t have to be exhausting, and riding downhill is a fun way to see Bali’s beautiful mountains.

I really enjoyed this tour, which goes off the beaten track and shows you areas of Kintamani that most tourists don’t see. I’ve also tried this tour, which is a bit shorter, and focuses on Mount Batur and is more challenging, with less downhill time.

Other no-gojek zones in Bali

Many tourists struggle to navigate grab and gojek in Bali, especially considering the complicated no-gojek zones. We’ve got guides on places like Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Amed, Padang Bai, Ubud, Uluwatu, Lovina, Tanah Lot Temple, the airport or islands like Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

If you’re exploring more of Indonesia, you might also find our guides for Kuta in Lombok and Labuan Bajo helpful.

Grab and gojek in Kintamani FAQ

Before you go…

You’re exploring off the beaten track in Bali, so you might enjoy our guides on visiting an abandoned theme park in Sanur, action-packed things to do for your birthday in Bali or Indonesia’s most dangerous beach.

You might also like our articles on beautiful places like Borobudur Temple, a liveabord boat tour in Komodo National Park, and Tentena in Central Sulawesi.

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.