How to Get to Ubud from Denpasar: The Ultimate No-Stress Guide (2026)

Getting to Ubud from Denpasar— especially if you’re landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport — is super easy… as long as you read this carefully.

First things first: Bali traffic is a beast

Before we dive into all the ways of how to get to Ubud from Denpasar, please engrave this into your soul:

Mind. The. Traffic.
Bali at rush hour is a chaos-level combo: catastrophic + apocalyptic + “why did I do this to myself”.

Sometimes the smartest move is grabbing a coffee, waiting one hour, and then heading out — instead of spending two hours stuck halfway between a street dog and a spiritual offering on the asphalt.

How to Get To Ubud from Denpasar: All Your Options

Ubud is a dreamy mix of temples, rice terraces, yoga mats and people drinking green juice at questionable hours. Lucky for you, getting there is simple. Here are the main transportation options:

1. Private Transfer

This is the easiest — and priciest — way to go from Denpasar to Ubud.

Pros:

• Book it in advance
• Air-conditioning bliss
• Space for all your luggage

Cons:

• More expensive
• And…it’s still a car. Meaning: if there’s traffic, you’re basically marinating in it.

2. Taxi (airport taxi, Grab, or Gojek)

You can grab one directly at the airport or through the apps Grab or Gojek.

Pros:

• Cheaper than a private transfer
• AC + luggage space
• If you’re in a group (or befriend people at the airport), splitting the fare can cost the same as a solo scooter ride

Cons:

• Slower than going by scooter, especially at rush hour

3. Public Bus (Kura Kura Bus)

Yes, there is public transport in Bali — and it’s surprisingly decent.
You’ll need to get to DFS T Galleria Bali (By Pass Ngurah Rai) by taxi or scooter first.

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• Local experience
• Perfect if you’re not in a rush

Cons:

• Takes longer
• Limited luggage space
• Might be packed depending on the time

4. Scooter Ride (GrabBike / GoRide-Gojek)

And now… my favorite way. How to get to Ubud from Denpasar

Order a scooter via Grab or Gojek (Gojek is usually cheaper, but sometimes drivers don’t pick up).

Pros:

• Super cheap
• The fastest option — scooters snake through traffic like ninjas
• Bali was basically designed for scooters

Cons:

• Not great if you’re carrying half your house
• Rain happens (and oh, it will happen)

How to get to Ubud from Denpasar easily?

It’s simple: choose your ride, avoid rush hour, keep your cool, and remember that in Bali, patience is a spiritual practice.

If you need help planning your route, just message me.
Love you,
Angie

🧳 Travel Smarter (and Save Money Like a Pro)

If this guide on how to go from Denpasar to Ubud helped you, here are tools I personally use on every trip. Some links are affiliate links — you get a discount, I get a tiny commission, and together we keep this blog alive. Win-win 💛

🔒 Reliable Travel Insurance

I recommend SafetyWing, especially if you’re planning trekking or volunteering.

🌍 Want to Volunteer While Traveling?

Worldpackers is amazing if you want to exchange your time for accommodation — perfect for solo travelers on a budget.