How To Get Around in Uluwatu: Your Travel Options

Situated on the south-western tip of the Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Uluwatu is the archipelago’s beach-laden clifftop expanse, offering visitors endless tranquil days, dramatic scenery and cultural treasures. While it covers a relatively small area of land, the infrastructure in Uluwatu is not suitable for walking, with each beach or landmark set along the cliffside. This often requires some form of transportation to take you inland along Uluwatu’s roads then back out again to your desired destination, whether that be Padang Padang Beach or the famed Uluwatu Temple.

Travelling from Bali Denpasar-Ngurah Rai Airport to Uluwatu takes under 45 minutes. From the airport, you can find Blue Bird Taxis, as well as an official Grab Lounge to accommodate the ride-sharing app Grab.

Fortunately, there are plenty of transportation options available once you arrive in Uluwatu, from renting your own scooter to utilising the various ride-hauling apps such as Grab and Gojek, to a private driver for the duration of your stay in Uluwatu, or perhaps for a day full of sightseeing.

Rent a scooter in Uluwatu

There’s nothing quite like cruising along Uluwatu’s roads on your own scooter with the breeze on your skin and a day full of exploration on the horizon.

For a province with a population of just over four million people, latest figures from 2018 recorded 3.9 million scooters in Bali, far surpassing even one scooter per person. It’s no wonder that renting your own scooter when you visit Uluwatu is a popular choice. The narrow roads are prime for scooters, providing much shorter journey times when compared to cars. Stopping off at Uluwatu’s fantastic selection of cafes and beaches is made easier when you choose to get around by bike, since the narrower roads make navigating and parking a far more streamlined process. Any company offering motorbike rental in Uluwatu should provide you with a helmet—it is highly advisable to wear it for safety, since the roads can become quite congested. Particularly, if you don’t have a lot of experience riding a motorcycle, a helmet is a necessity.

When it comes to renting a scooter, there are plenty of options available throughout Uluwatu. Almost everywhere you wander, you’ll find establishments offering scooter rental, including hotels, hostels and homestays. The Guest Experience team is The Ungasan Clifftop Resort’s dedicated team of specialists who can help you source rental scooters nearby and advise on the best available options.

Prices for scooter rental range from IDR120k to IDR150k per day for a basic scooter.

Private driver in Uluwatu

Getting around Uluwatu with the help of a private driver is one of the most personalised ways to experience the region and certainly the best option when it comes to sightseeing for an extended period of time. Not only will you benefit from the driver’s personal recommendations, it will prove much easier to travel between each location. Your driver will stay with you for the duration of your day or even trip and you can keep them updated with your itinerary or plans for the day.

A private driver proves much more reliable than booking taxis or hiring scooters through a taxi service, since pickup will be much more streamlined and prearranged. By hiring a private driver, you’ll also have the additional benefit of air conditioning, which will be a welcome respite after dealing with Bali’s balmy temperatures. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about navigating Uluwatu’s narrow, often congested roads by yourself—local drivers will have knowledge of the roads and any shortcuts.

Prices for hiring a private driver for a day range from IDR500k to IDR1000k.

Scooter taxi service: Gojek and Grab in Uluwatu

Apps like Gojek and Grab are extremely proper transportation options in Uluwatu and Bali as a whole. These ride-hailing apps are the most popular mode of transport and make it easy to hop from one location to the next. Similar to Uber, they simply require you to type in your desired destination, from which it will then source your closest driver and let you know how long until you’ll be picked up.

Always wear a helmet—often the drivers do not necessarily offer you one to wear, but they almost always have one in their seat, so ensure you ask to wear it each time you ride.

You may find that busier locations object to the use of Grab or Gojek—with strict signage signalling this. Your driver may communicate with you to walk to a different pickup point, but if this proves inconvenient, it may be easier to opt for one of the local taxis within these busier zones.

Prices are approximately IDR 8,000 to IDR 20,000 for a 10 minute scooter ride.

Uluwatu Taxi

In some locations throughout Uluwatu, it may be more convenient to make use of a taxi. Always check on the ride-hailing apps for price estimates beforehand so you know whether or not you’ll be paying too much. Always feel comfortable to haggle the price, or consider another option.

In Uluwatu and Bali, there is a reputable official Indonesian taxi company called Blue Bird Taxis who run on a metre and are usually closely in line with Grab and Gojek prices. If you do use a taxi that isn’t operated through one of the more reputable taxi companies, it’s advantageous to hold some prior knowledge or a rough estimate of pricing so you don’t end up paying too much for your journey.

Bluebird Taxis costs approximately IDR 7000k (USD 0.50) per kilometre.

How much is a taxi from Bali airport to Uluwatu?

It costs approximately IDR 300k to get a taxi from Bali airport to Uluwatu.

Uluwatu Tour Transport

If you have a specific route or sightseeing adventure in mind, a guided tour may be a preferential option for transportation. Advantages of this mode of transport include the tour driver collecting you directly from your accommodation and returning safely at the end of the trip. They can accommodate any special requirements and act as your personal guide—many of the local tour guides are often happy to help you take photographs of your trip and show you the best spots. When you embark on a guided tour, everything is included, from entrance fees to temples such as Uluwatu Temple and other attractions to food and water, so you won’t need to worry about needing to arrange anything throughout the duration of the day. The Guest Experience team at The Ungasan Clifftop Resort can help you arrange day trips and arrange itineraries for your time in Uluwatu.

Car rental in Uluwatu

Renting your own car in Uluwatu gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and enjoy spontaneity throughout your day, with the ability to stop off at various locations as and when you desire. You may feel safer getting around Uluwatu in a car compared to a motorbike or scooter. Speak to your hotel concierge or The Guest Experience team if you’re staying at The Ungasan Clifftop Resort who are always happy to offer their expertise to make your exploration of Uluwatu as tailored and personalised as can be.

Car rental ranges from approximately IDR 200,000 to IDR 400,000 per day.

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