How To Get To Ubud

Ubud is the cultural capital of Bali. Located about 35 km from the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak, it has a fascinating mix of nature, historic temples, and traditional arts and crafts.

It is centrally located, so a day trip is easy from anywhere in Bali. However, we recommend spending at least a few days soaking up the unique atmosphere in this charming town surrounded by emerald-green rice paddies.

Ubud is home to the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a sacred monkey forest, and the impressive Goa Gajah ancient caves. Also, a must-visit is the Art Market and at least one of its famous yoga retreats.

The town is also the perfect base to explore nearby attractions like the Tegenungan Waterfalls, Gunung Kawi, Sidemen and Ulun Danu Temple. A sunrise hike at Mt. Batur is an easy half-day trip from Ubud. And if you prefer more adrenaline-fueled action, white water rafting is just a few minutes from the town centre.

Despite the laid-back vibe, Ubud is a very cosmopolitan town with a large digital nomad scene. The town’s famed art heritage dates back to the early 20th century, and it is arguably the most famous traditional arts hub in Southeast Asia. There are literally hundreds of art museums and galleries in this town.

Depending on where you are coming from, you can take a minibus, taxi, or private car to reach Ubud. Read on for a more detailed guide.

Quick answer on getting to Ubud

The most convenient way to get to Ubud is by taxi, whether you're going directly from the airport or from other tourist areas such as Kuta.

However, once in Ubud, the only option to get around is by private car, as ride-hailing services and metered taxis are not always allowed from the town centre (drop-off is allowed).

How to get around in Ubud

There are no local transport options for travelling within the Ubud area. Your only option is taking a taxi due to an influential “taxi mafia” in the area.

Even metered taxis like Bluebird are almost non-existent. Local ‘taxis’ are all private car owners. This means fairly expensive fares for relatively short rides. Expect a minimum of about 70,000 IDR ($4) even for a quick ride of just a few hundred metres.

Note that ride-hailing services like Grab and Go-Jek are not always allowed to pick up passengers in Ubud. If you're coming to Ubud, though, drop-off will not be a problem.

If you plan to spend a few days in Ubud and use it as a base to tour around the island, renting a motorbike or a car with a driver is a good bet.

For a motorbike, expect to pay about 70,000 IDR ($4) per day. For a car, expect to pay around 100,000 IDR ($6) per hour or 500,000 IDR ($29) for a full day. Most hotels can arrange a motorbike or reputable driver, but you’ll likely need to haggle for a reasonable price.

Be prepared for the busy traffic within the town, especially when travelling by car. The traffic jam in the inner town of Ubud is a disaster and it can easily take over 30 minutes to get out of the inner centre. Renting a scooter will be more convenient, but make sure you know how to drive a bike before driving one in busy traffic.

From Bali Airport to Ubud by Taxi

Ubud is about 2 hours away from Uluwatu by taxi.

You can book a taxi via Grab or Go-Jek with fares from 300,000 IDR ($17). If you want to book a ride in advance, you can do so via BookAway for a fixed price of 460,000 IDR ($27).