Is There Uber in Bali, Indonesia in 2024? (+Best Alternatives)
Looking to find out whether you can use Uber in Bali? Like many others heading to the island, the idea of using the famous ridesharing app to get around sounds like the most practical option.
I’ve visited Bali countless times during my travels around Southeast Asia, and the easiest way to get around the island for me has been through ridesharing.
Ridesharing comes at an extremely cheap cost in Bali, and with a quick tap, your driver will arrive in minutes.
But that being said, is there Uber in Bali or are there better alternatives?
In this guide, I will dive into everything you need to know about ridesharing in Bali, including the best alternatives to Uber and tips for getting around The Island of the Gods.
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Is there Uber in Bali?
The short answer is no! Uber is not available in Bali.
While that puts American or European travellers familiar with Uber at a disadvantage, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of amazing alternative ridesharing apps in Bali you can use!
Was Uber ever available in Bali?
Though Uber is not available in Bali, this wasn’t always the case.
Up until 2018, Uber operated in Bali and then sold their operations in Southeast Asia to Grab in exchange for a stake in their company. Therefore, it is unlikely it will ever make a comeback!
Best alternative ridesharing apps in Bali
Grab
Grab is one of the most popular ridesharing apps in Bali. It arrived in Indonesia in 2014 and was introduced in Bali in 2015.
The app functions very similar to Uber. You can book rides to destinations around Bali and a driver in the area will pick you up and take you there. It also includes a feature like Uber Eats, where you can order shopping or food straight to your door, alongside parcel deliveries.
Prices are upfront on Grab, so don’t worry about having to haggle a price! When you book, you have various options like GrabCar, GrabBike or even GrabCoach for larger parties.
Grab Bike is the cheapest option and perfect for solo travellers. However, GrabCar is available if you don’t feel comfortable being on a scooter.
Note: Cars with extra luggage space are available to book if you are travelling to and from the airport.
Grab is one of the easiest ways to get from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to your destination.
You can meet your driver at the airport in the Grab lounge. From there, you can head straight to your chosen location.
Gojek
Gojek is one of the next best alternatives to Uber in Bali, an all-in-one ridesharing platform founded in Indonesia in 2010.
What Uber has, Gojek has and more. Users can book anything on the app, from a ride to package delivery to most destinations around Bali.
Gojek also has its own Uber Eats, goFood, where you’ll find a range of takeaways that can be delivered straight to your door. Services like goMart can also deliver your food essentials, so you needn’t worry about heading out for groceries.
Just like Grab, there are multiple transport options with Gojek, allowing you to utilise their scooter pickup GoRide if travelling solo or GoCar if you travelling with a group.
The app runs on a fixed price structure, where you pay a set price. That being said, Gojek does have the service GoBluebird, which uses the famous Bluebird taxi service in Bali and runs on a price structure determined by the taxi metre.
Should I use Grab or Gojek in Bali?
Both Grab and Gojek are brilliant to use in Bali. The main advantage of Grab over Gojek is the ease of setting up the app.
Some users have experienced issues setting up their Gojek account, requiring an Indonesian/Singapore number to validate their account. If this issue occurs, you can purchase an Indonesian SIM straight at the airport, or in various retail outlets for a much cheaper price.
I’ve used Grab a lot more in Bali and I much prefer it! That being said, it is all down to preference. Having both installed on your phone is the safest option, just in case either one experiences downtime.
Pros of using ridesharing in Bali
- Rides are incredibly cheap: The prices for Grab and Gojek are dirt cheap! I got a 2-hour ride for as little as 150,000 IDR. On one of my journeys, I was offered to hire the driver for the day for around 750,000 IDR. If this happens, this will be offered to you informally on a ride and typically paid through cash payment.
- Prices are upfront: Grab and Gojek show a set fare price before the booking, so there is no need to haggle for a price.
- They are convenient: You can book straight from the app using cash or card payments. This is useful for those who are short on cash.
- Great flexibility: Ridesharing apps provide flexible transport options like scooters or cars to suit either solo travellers or groups. You can also opt for a vehicle with extra luggage storage if your pickup or destination is a place like the airport.
- Additional features: Both Grab and Gojek offer features on the app like food/shopping deliveries and parcel services if needed.
Cons of using ridesharing in Bali
- Not available in some remote areas: Grab and Gojek are not available in some remote areas in Bali. Drivers may outright refuse to pick you up if they need to pay to enter a specific location. Ridesharing is also restricted in certain areas that favour local taxi operators.
- More expensive during peak traffic: Grab and Gojek’s fare structure works on the expected time length of the journey. Therefore, you can expect higher fees during peak traffic.
- Surcharges for tolls: If you’re heading to the south of Bali, the drivers may opt to use the Bali Mandara Toll Road for a much quicker, direct route. If they do, a surcharge will occur after the ride has been finalised. This is currently an extra 14,000 IDR *subject to change.
- Traffic is always busy: While not a fault with ridesharing itself, be aware that traffic in Bali is almost always busy. Account for long delays and don’t take arrival times too seriously.
- Drivers are not always proficient in English: Though Bali is a popular tourist destination, not all Balinese people speak perfect English. You may undergo communication challenges during your ride, so prepare some basic Indonesian or Balinese phrases on a translation app just in case.
Other transport options to get around in Bali
1. Local taxis
Local taxis are a brilliant way to explore the island. You’ll find them around all the popular tourist areas in Bali like Nusa, Seminyak, and Ubud.
Different to ridesharing apps, taxis tend to run on a metre which can be a cheaper option for shorter distances rather than settling with a fixed fee. However, for longer distances, you can negotiate with the driver to settle for a fixed price.
Recommendation: For your taxi rides in Bali, choose Bluebird Taxis.
Bluebird taxis are the benchmark for taxis in Bali, instantly recognisable for their light blue design with a blue bird logo on the car. I used them frequently as an alternative option in areas where ridesharing apps were restricted due to local taxi unions.
Just like Grab or Gojek, Bluebird Taxis has an on-the-app booking system where you can book a ride straight from the app and pay using a card.
Be cautious of the fakes out there! Some scammers try to imitate the taxi firm’s colours and branding to try to get more business. And in fact, often overcharge and provide poor service.
To be 100% sure you’re not getting tricked, book directly from the app. When the driver arrives, also ask them to confirm your name. That way, you can be certain it’s your ride.
2. Renting a scooter
Scooters are the massive hype in Bali! The craze for scooters has increased ever since Bali has undergone severe traffic issues, with them becoming the fastest and most efficient way to manoeuvre around the traffic.
Some of the roads, particularly in side streets only allow scooters as the roads are too narrow to allow large vehicles on them. Therefore, if you rent a scooter, you will have the freedom to get anywhere you like.
The Scooby or Vario are the cheapest models, which you can rent daily cost for around 65,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR. Options are available to rent for a week or month at a reduced discount.
To get a scooter or bike, you can rent using Bikago, or by visiting the local streetside rental company. Hotels and Airbnb may also offer you an option to book through them or recommend local rental companies.
JUST A SIDE OF CAUTION: Avoid hopping onto a scooter in Bali if you’re an anxious driver or have never ridden one.
The roads in Bali can get extremely busy and be overwhelming for beginners. It is not worth risking your safety if you’re unfamiliar with the road regulations and have never been on a scooter before.
3. Hiring a private driver
Hiring a private driver has become a popular way to get around in Bali, as it allows you to explore many of the island’s main attractions in the comfort of an experienced local.
This option is best suited for groups who have a personalised itinerary organised and are planning to drive to multiple stops in Bali like temples, rice terraces or beaches on a half-day or full-day tour.
Note: Hiring a private driver can avoid the local taxi union issues you may find using ridesharing apps.
When I visited places like Tegenungan Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, I was forbidden to book a Grab ride within miles of the locations due to restriction laws.
With a private driver, they can bypass this issue and even wait for you while you enjoy the attractions, never needing to worry about finding a return journey home.
I hired a driver to visit all the sights in the East of Bali, taking me to places like Pura Tirta Empul and Lempuyang Temple on a full-day tour. They even offered to take photos for us if needed!
4. Join a guided tour
Joining a guided tour is one of the easiest ways to get around Bali.
There is an abundance of guided tours in Bali that include transport to and from a destination of your choice, eliminating the need to arrange transport.
I’ve gone on many brilliant tours in Bali, including the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike and a day tour around Nusa Penida, which was particularly useful as Grab and Gojek are currently not available on the Nusa Penida island.
5. Kura Kura Bus
The Kura Kura Bus is Bali’s very own public shuttle bus service, offering cheap travel between Kuta and Ubud. They have also extended their profile, by offering airport transfers, tours and activities.
Unfortunately, their bus services between Kuta and Ubud are limited in terms of timeslots and route options.
I recommend only using the Kura Kura Bus if you can utilise them within your vicinity.
Is there Uber in Bali: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber Eats in Bali?
Well, though you might be craving a short night snack, the short answer is no! Unfortunately, Uber Eats isn’t available in Bali as Uber isn’t.
However, you won’t be left hungry. GrabFood and GoFood are the best alternatives in Bali!
Is Grab cheaper than taxis in Bali?
Yes, Grab is usually cheaper than taxis in Bali because of its fixed-price system.
With Grab there is no need to haggle on the price and you can secure a much cheaper ride, providing it’s not during peak traffic times.
You also reduce the risk of getting scammed or overcharged, as you’ll be shown the price upfront.
Is Grab safe to use in Bali?
Yes of course! Grab is extremely safe to use as a passenger. Each Grab driver has been rigorously vetted before being approved to drive any passengers, so you can trust safety has been made a top priority.
The best safety feature I experienced with Grab was its trip monitoring system that tracked the driver’s route and notified me whenever the driver diverted off-track.
This gave me the option to alert Grab’s support team in case I needed assistance, which is a brilliant feature for solo travellers or anyone unfamiliar with how the service works.
Is there Grab in Bali airport?
Yes, Grab is available at Bali airport. There is a Grab lounge just by the parking lot of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can wait in the lounge until your driver arrives.
With Grab, you can also pre-book your ride via the Advance Booking feature on the app.
Note: I recommend not using this feature for the airport on arrival, as the immigration and visa check process in Bali can take forever to get past!
This will prevent your Grab ride from getting cancelled, and avoid any cancellation fees that may occur.
Does Bali have Lyft?
No, unfortunately like Uber, Lyft is not available in Bali. However, don’t let that spoil your holidays! Everything will go just as smoothly using either Grab or Gojek.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Though Uber is not available in Bali, don’t let that spoil your travel plans. There are plenty of brilliant alternative ridesharing apps you can use, like Grab or Gojek.
While ridesharing apps are the hype in Bali, it is also worth noting that the island is well equipped with other various travel options like scooter rentals or hiring a personal driver.
Both are available at an incredibly cheap rate! Moreover, they allow you to explore the island at your own pace, with endless possibilities to design your own Bali itinerary.
That being said, choosing your Uber alternative is mostly a matter of preference. Grab and Gojek offered me the convenience of transport at my door at just a tap, which the other options didn’t.
Plus, if you fancy a late-night snack or want to try the local Indonesian dishes, then GoFood and GrabFood are just another tap away, soon forgetting Uber or Uber Eats even existed.
Check out my other posts about Bali:
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BALI
Bali Flights – Looking for cheap flights to Bali? I’ve used Skyscanner countless times to find cheap flights to Bali. It will scan the whole internet for prices on flights from all airlines, so you can find the best deal on your flight!
Bali Travel Insurance – Do I need travel insurance for Bali? Absolutely! I always get travel insurance in case anything happens during my travels. I highly recommend SafetyWing to help you find the best travel insurance.
Bali Hotels – Need to find accommodation in Bali? I’ve been booking all my hotels through Booking.com for years. They have a large range of different accommodation options to suit all travel styles. Plus, their loyalty discounts are a huge bonus!
Bali Tours/Activities – For your tours or activities in Bali, I couldn’t recommend GetYourGuide enough! I’ve used it countless times in Bali, and it helps me plan activities to do there.
Bali Phone Plans – If you need phone data for your travels around Bali, I recommend getting an eSim using Airalo. It’s been my saviour! It offers affordable roaming with great coverage. You can download the sim straight from their app and top it up whenever you want.
