How you get around is probably the single biggest comfort decision of your Bali trip. Traffic is intense, Grab and Gojek exist but are slow at peak hours, and your experience depends almost entirely on whether you choose freedom (scooter) or comfort (driver). Most happy travellers use a mix of both.
Scooter - the honest truth
Rent a 125cc scooter from almost any small shop. Daily rate Rp 70-100.000 short term, down to Rp 800.000-1.200.000 per month. Fuel is about Rp 15.000 to fill up (enough for 150 km of city riding).
The license reality: police occasionally run checkpoints and ask foreigners for an International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle class A. Fines are typically Rp 250.000 paid roadside. You are also not insured in any meaningful way without a valid licence.
Buy your own full-face helmet (not the flimsy one provided). Do not ride drunk. Do not ride at night in the rain. These three rules alone prevent most tourist accidents.
Private driver - the honest truth
A full-day 10-hour private driver costs Rp 600-750.000 (about $40-50). Half-day 5h is around Rp 400.000. Airport transfer is Rp 250-400.000 depending on destination. These rates include fuel and parking and are fixed, not per-km.
For 2-4 people, a driver is usually cheaper than Grab + multiple trips, much more comfortable, and the driver becomes an informal guide. For solo travellers, it is more expensive than a scooter but pays for itself in avoided stress.
Grab and Gojek
Both ride-share apps work well in Bali for short trips inside an area (Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud). Many areas have local taxi mafias that block pickups - you might have to walk 100-200m to find the driver. Bike Grab (Rp 15-40.000 for a short hop) is faster than car Grab in traffic.
Grab and Gojek are NOT practical for Bali-wide day trips - use a private driver for those.
When each option wins
Scooter wins for: solo travellers who can ride, moving around within one area (Canggu or Uluwatu), quick coffee runs, flexibility to stop anywhere.
Private driver wins for: families, groups of 2+, Ubud temple/waterfall day trips, anything involving long highway stretches, rainy days, and airport transfers with luggage.
Grab/Gojek wins for: night-time returns from a beach club, short hops within the same neighbourhood, food delivery, airport rides when you are solo.
Our typical recommendation
Rent a scooter by the week if you can ride and are staying more than 5 nights in one area. Use a private driver for the 2-3 big day trips (Ubud, Nusa Penida day, north Bali, airport). Use Grab/Gojek for the rest. It is the cheapest and most flexible mix.
