Is There Uber in Bali? Alternative Rides for Traveling in Bali

Are you planning your trip to Bali? Before you depart to enjoy an adventurous dream holiday on the gorgeous island, you must answer all the essential questions related to your stay, especially the big ones, like how you will travel around the island.

When it comes to public transportation, Bali is indeed not the easiest. There are only a handful of bus routes with limited service, and unlike most of the big cities in Southeast Asia you might have visited, Bali does not have a train network either. And that leads one to the following question: is there Uber in Bali?

Is there Uber in Bali?

Answering that question, Uber in Bali did exist at some point. But the story of Uber in Bali only lasted for several years and ended around six years ago. Like in all other cities across Southeast Asia, in 2018, Uber in Bali was acquired by Southeast Asia’s leading super-app company, Grab.

The good news is that Grab has been providing their reliable Grab Car service ever since. And yes, it is available all around South Bali, where the airport and all the most popular tourist destinations are located. The online taxi service is also available in Ubud. However, locals and tourists have shared that getting a ride in Ubud can be challenging at times.

Replacing Uber in Bali and other countries and regions in Southeast Asia, Grab Car works the same way Uber does. Once you have downloaded the app and selected English as the language (unless you would love a challenge and would like to learn some Indonesian during your holiday!), you will find that everything else works pretty much the same way Uber does.

Now, if you're wondering whether there are alternatives to Grab Car in Bali, the answer is yes. Gojek, one of Indonesia's leading technology companies, offers a similar service called GoCar.

Much like Grab Car, GoCar allows you to book rides conveniently through their app, providing an efficient and reliable means of transportation around the island. Given the similar concept and service, GoCar and Grab Car are the equivalent of Uber in Bali.

So, which of the above options is better as an alternative to Uber in Bali?

GoCar and Grab Car are both great alternatives to Uber in Bali. Both are widely available across South Bali, prices are approximately the same, both apps are user-friendly, and both companies strive to provide excellent service. There is no way in which one company gets more points than the other.

It is safe to say that both GoCar and Grab Car are equally good alternatives to Uber in Bali, and therefore, you should download both apps.

Why download both apps? Simply because it increases your chances of getting a cab as fast as possible, especially when the traffic is bad, during rainy days, during high season for tourists, and during the usual busy times of the day in tourist areas, such as dinner time.

Having both apps would make your life easier: if you have no luck getting a cab using one app, switch to the other!

Are there any other alternatives to Uber in Bali?

While there are a couple of other smaller networks of online taxis that work like Uber in Bali, Grab Car and GoCar are the ones most widely used by locals and tourists. However, when you can not or do not feel like waiting for your online ride to pick you up, you can always opt for Indonesia’s leading conventional taxi company, which also operates in Bali, Blue Bird Taxi.

Aside from hailing a cab from wherever you are, especially in busy areas, you can also download the My Blue Bird app, which is also user-friendly. The only difference is that Blue Bird is a little pricier than Grab Car and GoCar, but it is always convenient to have it as your backup and yet another alternative to Uber in Bali.

Are local car rental companies good as alternatives to Uber in Bali?

Well, if you prefer the freedom of having your own wheels while on holiday, Bali offers plenty of options for daily car rentals. You can drive yourself or hire a driver to navigate your way exploring the island.

Many rental agencies cater to tourists and offer a variety of vehicle types and sizes to suit your needs. This service can be your upgraded version of Uber in Bali.

Furthermore, if you're confident in your driving skills and want to explore Bali at your own pace, renting a car without a driver can also be an option. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with local traffic rules and driving conditions, as Bali's roads can be busy and chaotic, especially in popular tourist areas.

Now you know the available alternatives to Uber in Bali, we hope you are one step closer to properly planning your holiday in Bali. If you have stumbled upon this article while already on the island, we hope you have a lot of fun exploring the island!