Bali's only international airport, Ngurah Rai in Denpasar (DPS), sits on the narrow strip of land south of Kuta. Seminyak is a short hop up the coast; Ubud is inland and much further. There's no train, and public buses aren't practical with luggage, so you'll almost certainly arrive by car. The real choice is which kind, and the answer is a little different for each destination.
The short answer
For Seminyak, the official airport taxi is simple and fairly priced, and a pre-booked transfer is the easiest choice late at night or with kids. For Ubud, pre-book a private transfer: it's a long drive, often in heavy traffic, and a fixed price with a driver waiting for you takes the stress out of it.
How far is it?
| Destination | Distance from DPS | Typical drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Kuta / Legian | A few km | About 10 to 20 minutes |
| Seminyak | About 12 to 15 km | About 30 to 60 minutes |
| Canggu | About 20 km | About 45 to 75 minutes |
| Ubud | About 40 km | About 1 to 1.5 hours, often longer in traffic |
Bali's roads are narrow and busy, and evening traffic around Kuta and Seminyak can easily double these times.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Typical cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official airport taxi | Fixed fare by zone, roughly $12–25 to Seminyak and $25–45 to Ubud | Seminyak arrivals with nothing pre-booked | Pay in rupiah; a night surcharge may apply |
| Grab or Gojek | Often cheaper than the airport taxi | Budget travelers with light bags | Pickup only from designated areas outside the terminal; a short walk with luggage |
| Shared shuttle | Low, per person | Solo travelers on a budget | Several hotel stops and fixed departure times |
| Private transfer | Fixed price per vehicle, often similar to the airport taxi | Ubud, families, groups, late arrivals | Book ahead and confirm the meeting point |
Prices change with the exchange rate and season, so treat these as a rough guide and check close to your trip.
Official airport taxi: easy for Seminyak
After customs, look for the official taxi counter in the arrivals area. Fares are fixed by destination zone, so you'll know the price before you get in, and it won't go up if you're stuck in traffic. Pay in Indonesian rupiah — there are ATMs and money changers in arrivals — and carry smaller notes, since not every driver accepts cards. Politely decline anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.
Grab and Gojek: cheaper, with a catch
Both ride-hailing apps work across Bali and are often cheaper than the airport taxi. At the airport, though, they can only pick up from designated areas outside the terminal, which can mean a walk with your bags and some time finding your driver. It works well if you're traveling light, have mobile data as soon as you land, and aren't arriving late at night.
Private transfer: the best choice for Ubud
Ubud is the trip where a pre-booked transfer makes the most sense. It's a long drive into the hills, the roads are busy, and many Ubud villas sit down small lanes that are easier to reach with a driver who knows where they're going. With a transfer, your driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight in case of delays, and the price is agreed in advance. Because it's priced per vehicle, it's often close to the taxi fare — and cheaper per person for a family or group.
Heading to Ubud, landing late, or traveling with kids? Lock in a fixed price for a private transfer from Bali Airport to your hotel or villa before you fly.
Search Bali airport transfersPrefer to compare a second provider? See transfer options on Kiwitaxi.
Before you land: three things to sort out
- Entry requirements. Check Indonesia's current visa rules for your passport, and note that Bali charges international visitors a tourist levy, which you can pay online before you travel.
- Your hotel's exact address. Many villas, especially around Ubud and Canggu, are hard to find. Save the address and a map pin, and message your driver or host if needed.
- Mobile data. You'll want maps and messaging working the moment you land — especially if you're using Grab or Gojek. An eSIM installed before you fly connects on arrival; our step-by-step guide shows how to install an Airalo eSIM.
Set up an Indonesia eSIM before you fly so ride-hailing apps, maps and messaging work as soon as you land in Bali.
See eSIM plans for IndonesiaWhich option should you pick?
- Seminyak, daytime, nothing booked: the official airport taxi.
- Seminyak, light bags, tight budget: Grab or Gojek from the designated pickup area.
- Ubud: a pre-booked private transfer.
- Family, group, or lots of luggage: a private transfer, priced per vehicle.
- Landing late at night: a pre-booked transfer, so a driver is waiting for you.
Planning to drive yourself later?
Renting a car or scooter in Bali comes with its own rules and pitfalls. We cover them in renting a car in Bali: what tourists get wrong.
Related reading
The short version
Seminyak is about 30 to 60 minutes from Bali Airport and Ubud about 1 to 1.5 hours or more, depending on traffic. For Seminyak, the official fixed-fare taxi is simple; Grab and Gojek are cheaper if you don't mind walking to the pickup area. For Ubud, families, and late arrivals, a pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to start your trip.