How to get around Bali - Titin Round the World

So, you’ve landed at Denpasar Airport. Welcome to Bali! Now what?

After living in Ubud for two months, I can confidently answer one of the most common questions travelers ask:

How to get around Bali?

A scooter. No doubt about it.

And trust me, this is coming from someone who LOVES walking. If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know I’m the kind of person who’ll happily walk anywhere that’s less than two hours away.

Unfortunately for stubborn walkers like me, Indonesia—especially Bali—is simply not built for pedestrians.

There were days when I had to take a scooter just to reach a place that was only a 20-minute walk away.

Why Renting (or Ordering) a Scooter Makes Sense in Bali

There are several reasons.

It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation: I don’t know if Bali has so many scooters because people need them, or if people need them because there are already so many scooters.

Either way, the island is absolutely packed with them.

Walking can actually be dangerous.

Most roads are incredibly narrow, full of blind curves where you can barely see a few meters ahead, and—let’s just say—people aren’t exactly known for driving slowly.

On top of that, Bali is full of tourists renting scooters for the first time. Many ride faster than locals, have little experience, and make risky decisions. According to local traffic statistics, foreign visitors are involved in or responsible for around 70% of scooter accidents in Bali.

Wait, Angie…

You’re telling me the best way to get around Bali is by scooter… but tourists are causing most of the accidents?

Yep, you donut.

Here’s why.

You can’t really walk.

I tried.

A lot.

Trust me on this one.

Taking a car?

Also not great.

Because the roads are so narrow, traffic jams can last for hours. Literally. Sometimes only one or two cars can squeeze through at a time, while scooters simply weave their way around the congestion.

Public transportation?

Very limited.

Bali doesn’t have a comprehensive public transport system. There are some buses connecting places like Denpasar, Ubud and Canggu, but they’re limited, infrequent, and won’t get you to most attractions around the island.

Ok so let’s go back to our main concern here: how to get around Bali

Should You Rent a Scooter in Bali?

If you’ve never ridden a scooter before, Bali is not the place to learn.

Unless you’re staying for several months and are willing to spend a lot of time practicing on quiet back roads, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it.

Bali traffic can be chaotic even for experienced riders.

The Best Alternative: Grab and Gojek

If you don’t want to ride yourself, just download Grab or Gojek.

They’re basically Southeast Asia’s version of Uber, except you can order a scooter taxi.

They’re incredibly cheap, available almost 24/7 in most tourist areas, and honestly one of the easiest ways to get around Bali safely.

I used them constantly.

My Final Advice

If you want the freedom to explore Bali, you’ll need access to a scooter.

Whether you’re the one driving or you’re sitting on the back while someone else does the work, it’s by far the easiest, fastest, and most practical way to move around the island.

Hopefully this helped!

If you have any other questions about this incredible destination, I’m always happy to help.

Travel hugs,

🧳 Travel Like a Pro (and Save Money Along the Way!)

If this guide helped you plan your Bali adventure, here are a few travel tools I genuinely use and recommend.

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