Getting Around Ubud: Scooters, Taxis & Walking Tips

Getting Around Ubud: Scooters, Taxis & Walking Tips

One of the first things to figure out when you're making plans is getting around Ubud for yoga class, rice terraces, or a sound healing session in the middle of the jungle. Ubud's streets tend to be quite cramped; its lanes are one-way much of the time; and the magic of Ubud is the detail that can only be seen on foot or from the back of a scooter. This Ubud transportation guide outlines your three realistic options: scooter, taxi, or walk, so you can spend less time stressing out about how to get around and more time on your mat.

You don't need to be overwhelmed by the practicalities and safety aspects of getting around Ubud, whether you're coming for a yoga retreat or a teacher training.

It's not like riding a bike in the city, you see. Getting around Ubud is not quite as simple as taking a city bike, you see.

Ubud is not a grid-planned city. Most of the traffic is on the main roads (Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road, Hanoman Street), as it encircles the temples, rice paddies and family compounds, with all the other roads being narrow enough for a car, known as gang. That is one of the things which makes Ubud beautiful, but it also means that you must use proper transport to get around Ubud efficiently, rather than just using one for every journey.

Renting a Scooter in Ubud

Visitors are most likely to travel on two wheels to see the waterfalls, rice terraces, and other more relaxed studios off the main town. It's customizable and affordable, and typically costs IDR 60,000-100,000 per day (about $4-$7 USD). However, renting a scooter in Ubud is not without real responsibilities, and they are not to be taken lightly prior to booking one.

Before you ride, what you need:

• International Driving Permit (IDP) with motorcycle endorsement and your home country's license. In Indonesia and Bali, authorities have been taking steps to enforce this rule, and rental shops failing to do so are now increasingly being denied access or fined according to the new provincial regulations.
• ROOF RAILING - Helmet, every time, for both driver and passenger. No more wearing one is a local rule - it makes a difference in a crash. A case-control study that was peer-reviewed refers to a Cochrane systematic review that found that helmets lowered death risk by approximately 42% and serious head injury by approximately 69% when compared with no helmet. That's not a number to be risked on an unfamiliar road.
• Take a short test ride in a quiet street before joining Jalan Raya Ubud, particularly if you have never ridden a scooter before.
• Explicitly Motorcycle Covered Travel Insurance. Look at the terms and conditions, as well as the headline policy; failing to ride appropriately could mean a loss of coverage.

A surge in accidents in Bali involving unlicensed tourists is one of the reasons behind the provincial government's stepped-up efforts in enforcing foreign riders. According to Coconuts Bali, the transportation officials advocating for the IDP mandate are looking to reduce reckless and unsafe foreign tourist riding and enhance the general safety of road travel. If riding two wheels and slippery monsoon roads don't make your blood run cold, why not just avoid it altogether (that's what taxis and walking are for).

Ubud Taxi Options

Taxi ride-hailing services also serve most of your requirements, but it's not exactly as simple as in other countries. Here are the Ubud taxi options to know:

• Ride-hailing Apps (Grab, Gojek): They are very popular all over Bali and the most transparent and cost-effective option, as they have defined prices with GPS tracking. The downside: local taxi cooperatives in the central part of Ubud (around the Palace, the market, and Monkey Forest Road) frequently stymie drivers from using apps to pick up customers in these "no-go zones." They are usually okay to drop off; more often than not, however, you'll have to walk a few hundred meters to a quieter street to meet your driver.
• Metered or fixed-fare taxis and private drivers: These are easier to hail in Ubud's center, and a private driver is an asset for full-day trips, airport transfers, or several-stop day tours. Before entering, agree on a price (or confirm the meter is running).
• Traditional street taxis: They are much more common in tourist centres than metered, so make sure you are told the cost before you get on.

For the short trips around town, a ride-hailing app that is booked just outside of the central "no-go" streets is the simplest solution.

Walking Around Ubud

It's quite true that walking around Ubud is one of the best ways to experience the town - the town centre is compact and many studios, cafés and shops can be found within 15-20 minutes' walk from each other. Plus, if you prefer to steer clear of the traffic altogether in Bali when you're settling into life backward, it's the safest choice.

Some housekeeping tips:

• Sidewalks may be narrow, uneven, or have scooters parked along them, so watch your footing, particularly after the rain.
• It takes patience to cross Jalan Raya Ubud or Monkey Forest Road, for traffic seldom halts completely; try to cross in small gaps in between, not waiting for a full stop.
• Walking before 8 am in the morning and after dark, is the best time due to the cooler air and fewer cars.
• Bring a light scarf or sarong - at many temples at walking trails covered shoulders and knees are required when entering the temple.

If your lodging and yoga classes are not far apart, walking could perhaps be the more suitable mode of transportation in Ubud - without rental agreements, fares, or traffic hassles.

Ubud Traffic Tips Worth Knowing

Regardless of the transportation option chosen, there are some practical Ubud traffic tips to adhere to:

• The existence of peak hours is undeniable, roughly from the early morning around 08:00-10:00 am and after work time around 04:00-07:00 pm, especially on the highway Jalan Raya Ubud, as trying to travel during rush hour can be tedious, especially if one has a scheduled event like a class or a flight.
• Being aware of one-way lane changes along with construction detours is important because they change very frequently, and one must consult a live map before leaving without relying on past experiences from previous trips.
• Monsoon rain is something that will change many circumstances. Roads can flood in a matter of minutes; hence, it is better to wait for the rain to stop or to move slowly when traveling on a scooter.
• Drivers use horns to inform other road users. When a person hears a quick beep from another vehicle, it may signal that the driver just wants to notice others on the road and not to indicate that one has to give way.

Finding Your Rhythm: The Best Way to Travel in Ubud

Navigating Ubud is very rarely a straightforward game of just one particular mode of transport; most tourists will be seen combining all three of the following: walking for short distances, scooters or drivers for trips to see the waterfalls and rice fields, and app-based taxis for everything in between. The best way to travel in Ubud is to continue moving with the same sense of stillness and awareness that you are cultivating in your yoga practice, which makes travel a part of the journey rather than an obstacle to it.

If you plan on coming to see us, our team will be happy to help you choose the safest travel routes between your accommodation and your classes every day; we can suggest the most reliable local taxi drivers and share with you tips on how to feel at home in Ubud right from the start.

FAQs

Are scooters safe for those who have never ridden one before to rent in Ubud?
Certainly, given that you have all the necessary documentation, a securely fastened helmet, and a practice ride in an area with little traffic. If you have never been on a scooter before, you might be better off ordering a taxi or using a ride-hailing app.

Do Grab and Gojek function in Ubud?
Yes, but they have restrictions. Local taxi companies have blocked pickups from apps in certain areas of Ubud, especially around the Palace and the Monkey Forest Road. There are hardly any problems with drop-offs; however, to order a taxi, one would require to walk a bit away to make the pickup less crowded.

Is it possible to navigate around Ubud without needing to hire a scooter?
Indeed, many holidaymakers manage to get by walking to places close by and either finding a private driver or using an app to cover longer distances, for instance, to visit distant temples, waterfalls and rice fields.

What is the best way to get around Ubud when on a retreat?
For most visitors, the best option is to walk to locations within the city and use a private driver or an app when they want to go out or arrive at the airport.

Is it safe to walk around Ubud?
No need to be scared, just alert. Sidewalks in this place are not always smooth, and in some instances, you may need to run across the street rather than waiting for the traffic to stop. It is usually better to walk late in the morning or early in the evening.