Bali Airport to Ubud & Kuta: 7 Cheapest Transport Options Compared
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-18
If you’re Googling bali airport to Ubud cheapest transport, the honest answer is: it’s not Grab, not Gojek, not the airport taxi counter. It’s a combination of two cheap legs, not one. Two things will save you real money here: knowing which apps pick up at DPS, and knowing that Ubud has no flat-rate taxi counter the way Kuta does. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Ubud option from DPS | Bemo to Ubud via Batubulan terminal, change at Denpasar terminal | ~₹250 (~45,000 IDR) |
| Fastest Ubud option from DPS | Grab/Gojek car (if pickup zone is open) | ~₹750 (~140,000 IDR) |
| Cheapest Kuta option from DPS | Gojek motorcycle from the pickup zone | ~₹75 (~14,000 IDR) |
| Standard Kuta option from DPS | Blue Bird airport taxi (metered) | ~₹500 (~95,000 IDR) |
| Avoid at DPS | ”Official airport taxi” desk offering ₹1,607 (~300,000 IDR or ~$16.67) flat rate | n/a (always overcharge) |
The Two Routes Are Different, So They Get Different Tables
Ubud is 35-40 km from DPS, depending on traffic through Denpasar. Kuta is 4-8 km, a straight shot. Treating them as one question is where most articles go wrong. Here’s what each costs in July 2026. You may also find Jakarta Airport Train Ticket Price useful for this trip.
DPS Airport to Ubud (35-40 km, 60-90 minutes)
| Option | IDR | ₹ (approx) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemo (minibus) via Batubulan | ~₹241 (~45,000 IDR or ~$2.50) | ~₹240 (~$2.49) | 90-120 min | Cheapest by far. Two changes. |
| Grab/Gojek car (airport zone) | ~₹750 (~140,000 IDR or ~$7.78) | ~₹745 (~$7.73) | 50-70 min | Subject to driver availability at the pickup zone. |
| Pre-booked shuttle (Klook, 12go) | ~₹429-₹643 (~80,000-120,000 IDR or ~$4.45-$6.67) | ~₹425-₹640 (~$4.41-$6.64) | 70-90 min | Shared, fixed price. Book ahead. |
| Private driver (pre-booked) | ~₹1,340-₹1,875 (~250,000-350,000 IDR or ~$13.89-$19.45) | ~₹1,330-₹1,860 (~$13.80-$19.29) | 50-70 min | Most comfortable. Hotel drop-off. |
| Blue Bird taxi (metered) | ~₹1,072-₹1,340 (~200,000-250,000 IDR or ~$11.12-$13.89) | ~₹1,065-₹1,330 (~$11.05-$13.80) | 60-80 min | Hard to find at DPS airport pickup; mostly a Kuta option. |
DPS Airport to Kuta / Legian / Seminyak (4-8 km, 15-30 minutes)
| Option | IDR | ₹ (approx) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gojek motorcycle (pickup zone) | ~₹75 (~14,000 IDR or ~$0.78) | ~₹75 (~$0.78) | 15-25 min | Cheapest legal option. Single rider, backpack only. |
| Grab motorcycle (pickup zone) | ~₹75-₹134 (~14,000-25,000 IDR or ~$0.78-$1.39) | ~₹75-₹130 (~$0.78-$1.35) | 15-25 min | Same caveat. |
| Gojek/Grab car | ~₹268-₹429 (~50,000-80,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$4.45) | ~₹265-₹425 (~$2.75-$4.41) | 15-25 min | Most reliable car option. |
| Blue Bird taxi (metered) | ~₹375-₹509 (~70,000-95,000 IDR or ~$3.89-$5.28) | ~₹370-₹505 (~$3.84-$5.24) | 15-25 min | Most trusted brand. Use the official app or call centre, not the airport desk. |
| Pre-booked private transfer | ~₹804-₹1,072 (~150,000-200,000 IDR or ~$8.34-$11.12) | ~₹800-₹1,065 (~$8.30-$11.05) | 20-30 min | Hotel pickup signs, no haggling. |
Why the “Cheapest” Question Has No Single Answer
The reason this question is tricky is that Grab and Gojek cannot always pick you up at Ngurah Rai’s airport pickup zone. As of July 2026, Gojek and Grab do serve the airport pickup zone at designated bays, but driver supply dips between 23:00 and 06:00, and during bad weather. If the pickup zone is empty, your “cheap” app option becomes a “wait 30 minutes or pay ₹1,340 (~250,000 IDR or ~$13.89) for a private car” decision. See also: 4000 Islands Local Transport Guide How to Get Around Don Det Don Khon Surrounding Islands.
For Ubud specifically, the bemo route is the only one that comes in under ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78). The catch: it requires walking out of the airport, taking a local bemo to Batubulan terminal, then changing to a Ubud-bound bemo. It’s the cheapest by a factor of three, but it’s also slow and you’re carrying your own backpack in the heat. For related planning, see our guide on Baguio Local Transport Guide Getting Around the City of Pines.
For Kuta, Gojek motorcycle is the cheapest legit option at around ₹75 (~14,000 IDR or ~$0.78). You can’t take a large suitcase on the back of a Gojek. If you have full-sized luggage, the cheapest car option is Grab/Gojek car at ₹268-₹429 (~50,000-80,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$4.45), or Blue Bird taxi on the meter.
The 7 Options, Ranked by What You’re Improving For
1. Bemo to Ubud via Batubulan (Cheapest, ₹241 (~45,000 IDR or ~$2.50) / ~₹240 (~$2.49))
Walk out of DPS arrivals, cross to the main road, and flag down a bemo heading toward Denpasar. Tell the driver “Batubulan.” From Batubulan terminal, take a Ubud-bound bemo. Total cost lands around ₹241 (~45,000 IDR or ~$2.50). You’ll arrive sweaty, two hours after landing, but you’ll have spent under 250 rupees.
This is what Indonesian domestic travellers use. It’s not a tourist trap. It is, however, a hassle with luggage, and the bemo to Ubud often waits until it’s full, so add 30 minutes of standing around.
2. Gojek Motorcycle from DPS Pickup Zone (Cheapest Kuta Option, ₹75 (~14,000 IDR or ~$0.78) / ~₹75 (~$0.78))
If you’re going to Kuta, Legian, or anywhere under 10 km from the airport, a Gojek motorcycle is the cheapest ride you’ll find. Single rider, backpack between your legs or as a small delivery box. Book in the app, walk to the designated pickup bay, scan the driver code.
The restriction: large luggage doesn’t fit. If you have a 60-litre backpack plus a daypack, you’ll have to take a car.
3. Grab/Gojek Car (Car Option for Both Routes, ₹268-₹750 (~50,000-140,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$7.78) / ~₹265-₹745 (~$2.75-$7.73))
Same app, car version. For Kuta, expect ₹268-₹429 (~50,000-80,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$4.45). For Ubud, expect ₹643-₹857 (~120,000-160,000 IDR or ~$6.67-$8.89). The drivers are metered through the app, no haggling, no confusion. The airport pickup zone may have a queue of 5-10 minutes during peak hours.
If you’re landing between 22:00 and 06:00, the pickup zone empties and wait times stretch. Plan accordingly.
4. Blue Bird Airport Taxi (Most Trusted Car Brand, ₹375-₹1,340 (~70,000-250,000 IDR or ~$3.89-$13.89) / ~₹370-₹1,330 (~$3.84-$13.80))
Blue Bird is the only taxi company in Bali with a reputation for running honest meters. Their airport fleet is metered and starts around ₹38 (~7,000 IDR or ~$0.39), then ticks at 6,500 IDR/km. From DPS to Kuta you’re looking at ₹375-₹509 (~70,000-95,000 IDR or ~$3.89-$5.28) depending on traffic. From DPS to Ubud you’re looking at ₹1,072-₹1,340 (~200,000-250,000 IDR or ~$11.12-$13.89).
The Blue Bird booking app works, and you can also call +62 361 701 111 from any phone. Do not take a taxi from a person approaching you in arrivals. Do not use the “official airport taxi” desk that offers flat rates. Blue Bird has its own counter at arrivals, and it’s separate from the generic “taxi” desk that charges inflated flat rates.
5. Pre-Booked Airport Shuttle (Klook, 12go, GetYourGuide, ₹429-₹643 (~80,000-120,000 IDR or ~$4.45-$6.67) / ~₹425-₹640 (~$4.41-$6.64))
If you want a fixed price, a known driver, and someone holding your name on a sign, book ahead. Shared shuttles run ₹429-₹643 (~80,000-120,000 IDR or ~$4.45-$6.67) to Ubud. Private cars run ₹1,340-₹1,875 (~250,000-350,000 IDR or ~$13.89-$19.45). The advantage: they wait if your flight is delayed, and they drop you at your hotel door.
The disadvantage: shared shuttles stop at multiple hotels, and a 70-minute ride can stretch to 120 minutes.
6. Pre-Booked Private Driver (Most Comfortable, ₹1,340-₹1,875 (~250,000-350,000 IDR or ~$13.89-$19.45) / ~₹1,330-₹1,860 (~$13.80-$19.29))
Same as above but private. The driver holds a sign, helps with luggage, and takes you straight to your Ubud hotel. For groups of 3-4, the per-person cost becomes competitive with the shuttle option. For solo travellers, it’s the most expensive option but the lowest-stress after a long flight.
7. Hotel Pickup (Varies, Often ₹1,072-₹1,607 (~200,000-300,000 IDR or ~$11.12-$16.67) / ~₹1,065-₹1,595 (~$11.05-$16.55))
Many Ubud hotels offer airport pickup for ₹1,072-₹1,607 (~200,000-300,000 IDR or ~$11.12-$16.67), sometimes free if you’re staying 3+ nights. Ask before you book. It’s not the cheapest option, but if the cost is bundled into your stay it removes one decision from a tired post-flight brain.
What to Avoid at DPS Airport
There is a generic “official airport taxi” desk in arrivals that quotes flat rates of ₹1,340-₹1,607 (~250,000-300,000 IDR or ~$13.89-$16.67) to Kuta and ₹2,143-₹2,679 (~400,000-500,000 IDR or ~$22.23-$27.79) to Ubud. These are 3-4x the metered Blue Bird rate and 2x the Grab rate. They are not the same company as Blue Bird. They sit in the same hall, but the Blue Bird counter is a separate booth with Blue Bird branding on the wall and uniforms.
If a man in a vest approaches you inside arrivals offering a taxi, walk past. The legitimate options are: Blue Bird counter (official booth), Gojek/Grab pickup zone (outside, signed), or a pre-booked driver holding your name.
For an even broader Indonesia airport-transport breakdown, including Jakarta’s airport train, see the Indonesia transport guide.
Getting Connected
You need data to book Grab or Gojek on landing. The cheapest reliable option is a local SIM from Telkomsel (SimPATI Tourist, ~₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) for 25 GB over 30 days, sold at the airport). If you don’t want to queue at the airport, Nomad eSIM covers Indonesia and activates before you fly.
Common Mistakes Indians Make at DPS
Taking the “official airport taxi” desk instead of Blue Bird. Same hall, different company. The flat-rate desk charges 3-4x the meter.
Assuming Grab and Gojek will always pick up at the airport. Driver supply drops late at night. Have a Plan B (Blue Bird counter, pre-booked driver) if you’re landing after 22:00.
Trying to take a Gojek motorcycle with a large backpack. It doesn’t fit. Either pack lighter or take a car.
Forgetting that Grab and Gojek don’t take cash for the airport pickup zone. Set up GoPay or OVO in the app before you land, or pay the driver in cash but expect the driver to ask for the exact amount.
Paying in USD or asking for “rupee conversion.” Indonesian taxi drivers don’t know or care about INR. Pay in IDR, or pay through the app.
Subodh’s Take
For Kuta, take a Gojek motorcycle if your bag is small, or a Blue Bird taxi if it’s not. For Ubud, the bemo is cheap but only worth it if you’re travelling light and have energy left after the flight. For everyone else, Grab/Gojek car is the sweet spot on price and convenience, with a pre-booked private driver as the stress-free fallback. Skip every desk that isn’t Blue Bird or your pre-booked driver.
FAQ
Is Grab or Gojek cheaper from DPS airport?
Gojek is usually ₹5-₹16 (~1,000-3,000 IDR or ~$0.06-$0.17) cheaper on motorcycles. On cars, prices are within a few thousand IDR of each other. Both serve the airport pickup zone.
Can I pay the bemo driver in INR?
No. Bemo drivers want IDR, small notes. Have ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) broken into 5,000s and 10,000s before you leave the airport.
Does Blue Bird airport taxi take credit cards?
Most Blue Bird airport cars accept GoPay, OVO, or cash. Credit card payment is rare. Set up GoPay in the Gojek app before you land.
What is the Bali tourism levy and how do I pay it?
Since February 2024, Bali charges an additional ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) tourism levy on top of your visa-on-arrival fee. Pay it online at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before arrival, or at the airport counter on arrival. It’s mandatory and checked at hotel check-in.
How much is the Indonesia visa-on-arrival for Indians?
₹3,374 (~35 USD), payable at the airport counter in USD, IDR, or by card. It’s separate from the ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) Bali tourism levy. The VoA is extendable once at an immigration office for another 30 days. For the broader VoA process, see how to plan a Bali trip from India.
Is there a train or bus from DPS to Ubud?
No. There is no rail link. Public buses exist (Trans Sarbagita) but they don’t run at airport-friendly hours and don’t reach Ubud directly. The bemo route I described is the closest thing to a public bus option.
