Uber in Bali: Everything you need to know

If you’re planning a trip to the ‘Island of the Gods’ you might be wondering, ‘Does Uber work in Bali?’ and want to know the best way to get around. Whether you need to travel to and from the airport or hop from A to B to see the best attractions, you can find all the information you need about using Uber in Bali, alternative transport options, and which is the best choice for you right here.

Is there Uber in Bali?

Similar to other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries such as Singapore and Vietnam, Uber exited Bali in 2018, which means it is not available for use. However, Uber merged with the Singaporean-based company, Grab, which is now the most popular ride-hailing app in SEA.

Alternatives to taking an Uber in Bali

From the airport

While Uber isn’t available from the airport, regular taxis can be arranged from a dedicated service desk located in the Arrival Hall. You can choose between a metered fare or a fixed rate fare, with the rate determined by the zone you are travelling to. Unfortunately, this means it can be difficult to get an exact idea of the price before travelling.

The most popular way to travel to and from Bali Airport is to pre-book a private transfer. These services take the guesswork out of travelling, providing a reliable service with locked-in competitive rates so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged.

Moreover, when you book an airport taxi with Welcome Pickups, you’ll be greeted by a local English-speaking driver familiar with the area who can provide a quick and hassle-free ride to the door of your hotel.

Getting around Bali

Although you can’t use Uber in Bali, there are a couple of ride-hailing apps that are just as popular that can be used instead; Grab and Gojeck. Grab is a Singaporean-based company that can be used for rides and services across most of the island. Gojeck provides pretty much the same services, however, users require an Indonesian number to sign up for the app. Keep in mind that both services offer motorbike rides which is a very efficient way to travel amongst the heavy Bali traffic. 

It’s also possible to use a regular taxi to travel between the different areas on the island. The only metered – and most recommended – taxi service on the island is Blue Bird taxis, whereas all other taxi companies require passengers to negotiate a fixed rate fare which can lead to inflated pricing. Nevertheless, taxis can easily be hailed from the street or picked up from outside tourist hotspots.   

Alternatively, if you know when and where you want to be picked up, you can pre-book your in-city ride with Welcome Pickups and take advantage of locked-in prices with no hidden extras and guaranteed on-time pickups. 

*Note that Blue Bird taxis can also be ordered through Gojeck if you prefer to support local.

Is there an Uber equivalent in Bali?

Yes, Grab and Gojeck operate in the same way as Uber, although Grab is the slightly more popular choice. Similar to Uber, Grab offers a range of vehicle types and services including GrabCar, GrabCar XL, GrabBike, GrabElectric and GrabGerak. 

GrabCar and GrabCar XL are standard options that offer rides for up to 4 or 6 passengers. The GrabElectric service is for environmentally conscious passengers, GrabGerak is for people who have a disability or require extra assistance, and GrabBike is the cheapest option which offers single-passenger rides on a scooter or motorbike and is the quickest way to zip around town.

Grab prices

As the most popular ride-hailing app in Bali, Grab prices are determined by the distance travelled, the vehicle and service type, and the driver demand at the time of booking. This means that during the daily peak hour rush when rides are in high demand and the length of the journey increases, prices tend to surge and the cost can often double. 

In any case, you’ll always be offered a price estimate before confirming your booking and at the start of your ride, you can choose to either pay through the app with a credit or debit card, or hand cash directly to the driver. 

For reference, the ride from Bali Airport to the city centre (Kuta) is fairly short and should cost just €6 (IDR 100,000) when you take a regular GrabCar. Likewise, all the popular beaches are within a short distance of each other and rides between them should only cost around €6 (IDR 100,000), or half that if you’re travelling by bike.

Is Uber safe in Bali?

Though there is no Uber in Bali, Grab and Gojeck have similar safety features to Uber which allow passengers to share their rides with friends who can digitally track their journey as they drive along. Drivers are also heavily regulated and receive a rating from each passenger which can be viewed at the time of booking. Furthermore, if you book a GrabBike, you’ll be provided with a helmet which should be worn at all times to ensure your safety.

Unfortunately, there are some ongoing issues between regular taxi drivers and ride-hailing services which has led to the creation of ‘no-go zones’ for services like Grab and Gojeck. If the driver enters these zones, they risk being harassed by taxi drivers so your Grab/Gojeck driver may sometimes ask you to walk to a certain area to meet them, or need to drop you a bit further from your requested destination.

That being said, regular taxis are still considered a safe option, although it is very common for unregulated drivers to set crazy fixed fare prices which is why Bluebird taxis are recommended since they charge as per the metre.

Grab, Taxi, or Private Transfer?

When it comes to choosing the best option, you should think about the specific needs of you or your group. We’ve gathered some of the most important factors to consider below, so that you can make an informed choice.

FAQs

Is there Uber in Bali Indonesia?

Unfortunately, if you’ve been wondering, ‘Does Bali have Uber?’, the answer is no. Uber hasn’t been available in Bali since 2018, however, there are other ride-hailing services including Grab and Gojeck which are extremely popular across the island. Note that Gojeck requires logging in with an Indonesian phone number.

Is Grab cheaper than taxi in Bali?

Yes, Grab is generally cheaper than a regular taxi in Bali, although prices are still subject to surging which means they can suddenly increase at any time of day when demand is high. Alternatively, you can use Bluebird taxis where you’ll be charged by the metre or pre-book your ride with Welcome Pickups for a guaranteed set rate.

Is Uber expensive in Bali?

While there is no Uber in Bali, Welcome Pickups, Grab, and Gojeck provide similar services and are typically much cheaper than regular taxis. Most taxis in Bali offer fixed fare rates, however, securing a reasonable price requires haggling back and forth with the driver unless you book online in advance. Using Welcome, Grab, or Gojeck provide a price estimate before booking so you can decide if the price suits your budget.

Does Uber pick up at Bali Airport?

Uber isn’t available from Bali Airport, although it’s possible to be picked up by a Welcome Pickups, Grab, or Gojeck vehicle on arrival. Simply follow the signs to the designated pick-up zone for ride-sharing services (which is separate from the regular taxi rank).