If you’re departing from or arriving at the port in Padang Bai in Bali, you might be wondering if apps like gojek and grab (which work just like Uber)are allowed in the area. The local taxi mafia is notorious for preventing grab or gojek drivers from picking up tourists in popular areas, and Padang Bai is no exception.
This popular port is the gateway to the Gili Islands, as well as the docking point for Bali’s slow ferries headed to Lombok. There are almost always crowds of tourists arriving or waiting for their boats, so there is no shortage of transport options available. But can you get public transport to Padang Bai and do grab and gojek work here, or is the taxi mafia in control?
We’ve got the answers you need.
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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.
One of my favourite places in the world is the Gili Islands, and the best way to get there from Bali is to get a fast boat from the port in Padang Bai. I’ve been there countless times, and now know how to navigate getting there and being picked up again without having to worry about overpaying or scams.
I go to the Gili Islands at least once every few months, so if the gojek, grab, and taxi situation in Padang Bai changes, I’ll be the first to know.
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Are grab and gojek available in Padang Bai?
The short answer is yes, gojek and grab are available in Padang Bai and work really well most of the time. Drop-offs are always possible, so you can get a gojek or grab from anywhere in Bali to Padang Bai without issues, including the busy port.
However, pickups may be a bit more difficult to organise, as the taxi mafia controls the central area of town (even though grab and gojek are legal in Bali). This means that gojek and grab drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers close to the port of Padang Bai.
Where can you use grab and gojek at the port in Padang Bai?
So, can you get a grab at the port in Padang Bai? Not directly at the port, but you can walk for around five to ten minutes, and you shouldn’t have an issue getting a driver. Generally, try to walk away from the part of the harbour where the fast boats dock and more towards the industrial part where the slow ferries depart.
The map below will help.

The Indonesian taxi mafia
The Indonesian taxi mafia in Padang Bai is a powerful organisation that controls the local transportation industry. Taxi drivers are organised into an alliance that makes sure gojek and grab drivers cannot enter areas where they should be able to operate. This applies to the port and the area surrounding it.
Taxi drivers can be very aggressive towards gojek and grab drivers who try to pick up passengers. They will sometimes even threaten violence if they see gojek or grab cars parked or attempting to pick up passengers in their area of control. Fortunately, there are no safety concerns for tourists (just inconvenience), and you might know this problem from popular tourist spots in Bali like Canggu, Tanah Lot Temple, Sanur, Kintamani, Ubud, Uluwatu, Lovina, Amed, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Dua, Seminyak or the airport where grab pickup zones are limited.
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Is it safe to get a taxi at Padang Bai harbour?
Yes, it’s not dangerous to take a taxi in Padang Bai, or anywhere in Bali. The drivers are not scammers, they just charge much higher prices and will occasionally rip you off. Whether you want to pay an extra $15 AU or so for the added convenience of not having to walk for a few minutes to find a grab is up to you.
There is usually no shortage of drivers around, at least until around 6 PM when the tourist boats cease operations.
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A recent trend I have seen is drivers offering you the same price as grab or gojek. They will show you the app and then offer the same or a very similar rate.
I’ve found that it’s smart to double-check the actual price on the app yourself, as there can be some discrepancies, but overall this is a decent way to get a good price, and we love to see local taxi drivers not elevating prices to ridiculous levels.

Pushy taxi drivers in Padang Bai
When you get off the fast boat in Padang Bai, you’ll be overrun with drivers offering their services and trying to convince you to come with them. This can quickly get annoying, especially after a long boat ride and in a high-stress situation. Stay calm and politely decline, or don’t say anything and just head for the exit of the harbour area.
If you already have a pre-booked pickup service through your fast boat company, just go directly to their office to make sure you get in the correct shuttle.
The taxi mafia is such a problem in Padang Bai, that many fast boat companies will make announcements on board to warn passengers about their pushy tactics.
Remember that every boat company has its own office, so know where you’re supposed to go. You can ask where it is when you buy your tickets, check Google Maps or ask your boat staff.
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Boats to and from the Gili Islands are notorious for causing seasickness, so make sure to read our complete guide before you go.

Common Gili fast boat pickup scam in Padang Bai
There is one scam that I regularly come across in Padang Bai, and you likely will, too, if you book a pickup service through your fast boat operator. This is very common when you buy boat tickets, and many companies already include it in their price.
The included destinations are usually Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Kuta, or Jimbaran, and you’ll get a little paper receipt for the ride when you get your tickets.
On arrival in Padang Bai, you’ll find someone from your fast boat company who will take the ticket from you and take you to an office or the parking lot to wait. They will then tell you that the place you are going is last on the list and that the journey will take three or more hours.
For example, if you’re going to Canggu, they will tell you that the shuttle bus is going to Ubud and Kuta first, resulting in a ridiculous route that will take forever. They may also tell you that they need to pick other people up on the way and that the shuttle will be very cramped.
You will then be offered a private car for “only” 600k IDR (~ $60 AU) (depending on where you’re going), which will be much faster and more comfortable. This is of course way too expensive, especially if your transport should be included.
That way, they make extra money, and the shuttle you already paid for goes unused.

Why this is a scam
In reality, the shuttle is never full, and they, of course, have one for each destination, or at least they will drive a route that makes sense. I’ve taken these free transfers at least five times now, and every time I was in a car with only people going to Canggu.
We never once made a stop, had a cramped car, or picked someone up, and the ride only takes 1.5 hours if the traffic isn’t too bad.
Don’t fall for this!
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One thing I have encountered is that they will drop you off at what they call Canggu central station, which is actually in Berawa. If you want to go anywhere else in Canggu, the driver will ask for an extra 50k IDR (~ $5 AU) per person.
I’ve found that if you want to go somewhere else, you can haggle and get a much fairer price, especially if you have a lot of people going to the same area.
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Best ways to get to Padang Bai
If you need transport options to help you get to Padang Bai, here are some good options.
1. Driving yourself
Whether you’re renting a car or have a scooter, you can drive to Padang Bai yourself and leave your vehicle in the parking lot. This is most suitable for weekend trips and for those who don’t mind driving in Indonesia’s busy traffic. There is plenty of parking available, and it only costs a few rupiah.
2. Getting a grab or gojek
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Padang Bai is to get a grab or gojek, which can be both a car or scooter. It’s possible to be dropped off anywhere in Padang Bai, including the port.
3. Getting a taxi
You can also get a taxi to take you to Padang Bai. Prices will be slightly more expensive than ridesharing apps, and it’s highly recommended to find a taxi which uses a metre, such as Bluebird.
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4. Booking transport with the fast boat company
Many fast boat companies offer transfers included in their ticket price when you book their boat tickets. This is a great option for solo travellers or couples but not the cheapest option for larger groups, in which case a grab or gojek will be cheaper.
A benefit of using this transport method is that you don’t have to worry about traffic or possibly missing your boat since the driver is responsible for getting you to the port on time.
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A generally acceptable price for a
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5. Getting a driver
A popular way of getting around Bali is hiring a private driver who will take you anywhere around the island for a reasonable price. You can definitely do this to get to Padang Bai, but it will be more expensive than getting a grab or gojek.
6. Public transport to Padang Bai
The public transport system in Bali isn’t great, but there are buses you can take to Padang Bai from different parts of Bali. The bus company is called Perama, and tickets cost between IDR 100,000 to IDR 300,000 (~ $10 AU to $30 AU) per person, depending on where you depart. This makes it a cheap option for solo travellers or couples in some cases but too expensive for larger groups.
The bus can take you to Padang Bai from places like Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, Amed, and more. Find the Perama schedule and book tickets here.

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.
How long does it take to get to Padang Bai?
You should get to the port in Padang Bai with plenty of time to spare so you can pick up your boarding passes for the boat, and pay the IDR 10,000 (~ $1 AU) harbour tax. The drive always takes longer than expected, especially if you’re coming from southern Bali, which means you have to go through the heavy traffic in Denpasar.
Factor in at least 2.5 hours from Canggu or Seminyak, around 3 from Uluwatu, 1.5 hours from Ubud, and 1.5 hours from Sanur to be on the safe side.
Best things to do in Padang Bai
Padang Bai is a small town, so there isn’t a ton to do. Most people come here to get a fast boat or ferry to the neighbouring islands like
1. Plant coral
Join a good cause and help plant coral reefs with the Livingseas Foundation. They’re one of the best coral restoration organisations in Bali and offer coral planting activities for both divers and snorkellers.
2. Visit Kusamba Salt Farm Village
Just a quick drive from Padang Bai, you’ll find a small salt farmer village, which is one of the lesser-known attractions in the area. See how the salt is produced, and enjoy the peaceful nature of the coastline.
3. Take the slow ferry to Kuta in Lombok
Kuta is a small surfer town located in southern Lombok. From Padang Bai, you can catch the slow ferry and arrive in Lembar, from where it’s just a quick drive to Kuta. You’ll love the untouched beaches and laidback atmosphere of Lombok.
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Did you know that gojek or grab face problems in Kuta Lombok too? Find out all you need to know in our complete guide.

4. Go scuba diving
Padang Bai is a great place for scuba diving and a great alternative to Amed if you’re looking for something a bit quieter. Explore the stunning underwater world of Bali and dive into crystal-clear waters.
We recommend going with Livingseas, a fantastic sustainale dive school.
5. Head to the Gili Islands for the weekend
The Gili Islands are incredible for nightlife, swimming with turtles by the beach, and going on sunset cruises. Whether you’re in Gili T or Gili Air, you’ll love the absence of traffic, sandy streets, and many beach bars.

6. Spend the day at Blue Lagoon Beach
Blue Lagoon Beach is one of Padang Bai’s best beaches, with its beautiful white sand and clear waters. Come here for snorkelling or just relaxing by the ocean.
Grab & gojek at the port in Padang Bai FAQ
Padang Bai is a quiet town with nice beaches, although it’s far from a tourist hub. Come here for a few days if you have time, but it shouldn’t be at the top of your list of places to see in Bali.
You can get a grab or gojek to get from Ubud to Padang Bai, or use a taxi.
Yes, but you cannot use grab or gojek close to the port. You need to walk a few minutes and then order one.
Before you go…
You’re off to Padang Bai or to explore Lombok and its beautiful Gili Islands. Need even more travel information? Check out Komodo National Park and its famous liveaboard boat tours, as well as the best resorts in the area.
You’ll also like these beautiful oceanfront hotels in Uluwatu, the best hotels in Nusa Penida, and Ubud’s most beautiful boutique resort.
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.