Car Rental in Ubud, Bali From $19/day

Why Rent a Car in Ubud?

Ubud sits in central Bali, roughly 25 km north of Kuta, at around 300–600 metres above sea level. It’s the island’s cultural heart: home to traditional Balinese art, daily temple ceremonies, organic rice paddies, and a highland rainforest that stretches toward Gunung Batur.

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Public Transport Is Unreliable

Ubud has no functional public bus network for tourists. Bemos (local minibuses) run limited intra-town routes only — they won’t get you to the rice terraces or the volcano.

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Taxis & Grab Add Up Fast

A single Grab ride from central Ubud to Tegalalang and back can cost as much as a full day’s car rental. With multiple stops per day, individual rides become very expensive very quickly.

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Full Freedom to Explore

With your own wheels, you set the schedule. Leave at sunrise for the rice terraces. Linger at a village market. Drive straight to the airport without waiting for a driver.

Key Destinations Only Reachable by Car

Kintamani volcano viewpoint — 28 km north, no public transport
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (UNESCO) — 45 km west, requires private vehicle
Besakih Temple (Mother Temple) — 42 km east on winding mountain roads
Sidemen Valley — 50 km southeast, one of Bali’s most scenic and least-visited areas
Tirta Empul sacred water temple — 12 km northeast, ride-hail surge pricing is common
Tegalalang Rice Terrace — 8 km north, best visited early before tour buses arrive

For any Ubud stay longer than two nights, a rental car almost always works out cheaper and more flexible than booking individual rides — especially if you plan to visit more than one attraction per day.

Car Rental Ubud Bali — What You Need to Know

The town centre of Ubud is walkable. Everything outside it is not. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is 8 km north. Tirta Empul water temple is 12 km. The Kintamani volcano viewpoint is 28 km. Without a rental car in Ubud, you depend on metered taxis or ride-hail apps — and neither is cheap or always available on narrow backroads.

A car hire in Ubud costs around IDR 275,000–450,000 per day (roughly $18–$29 USD). A single Grab ride from central Ubud to Tegalalang and back can cost close to the same amount.

Renting a car in Ubud gives you the freedom to stop at a roadside wayang craftsman, pull over for a sunrise view, or drive straight to the airport without waiting. For any stay longer than two nights, a rental car in Ubud almost always works out cheaper and more convenient than booking individual rides.

Self-Drive vs. With-Driver Car Hire in Ubud

There are two ways to rent a car in Ubud Bali, and they suit different travellers.

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Self-Drive Rental

You drive yourself. Lower daily rate. Full flexibility — leave when you want, stay as long as you like, no tipping required. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) valid in Indonesia.

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With Driver (Chauffeur)

A local driver comes with the car. Excellent for first-time Bali visitors. Drivers know back routes, can suggest stops, and handle parking. Usually includes 8–10 hours per day.

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Full-Day Tour Car

A driver takes you on a fixed or custom route — popular for Kintamani, Tirta Empul, and Tegalalang in one day. Rate covers fuel and driver meals in most packages.

Which Option Fits You?

If you’ve driven in Southeast Asia before — narrow roads, motorbike traffic, limited road signs — self-drive car rental in Ubud is straightforward. If this is your first time in Bali, hiring a driver adds genuine value: local knowledge alone saves you wrong turns and closed-road surprises.

Vehicle Types and Daily Rates for Ubud Car Hire

Most car rental agencies in Ubud offer four main vehicle categories. Prices below are indicative daily rates for self-drive, excluding fuel. USD estimates based on approx. $1 = IDR 15,500.

Vehicle Type	Best For	Est. Daily Rate
Toyota Avanza (MPV)	Families, 5–7 passengers	IDR 275,000–350,000≈ $18–$23 USD
Suzuki Ertiga	Small groups, comfort	IDR 280,000–360,000≈ $18–$23 USD
Toyota Innova	Comfort, longer trips	IDR 380,000–450,000≈ $25–$29 USD
Honda Brio / Small Hatch	Solo or couple, city driving	IDR 220,000–290,000≈ $14–$19 USD
Jeep / 4WD	Off-road, Mt. Batur routes	IDR 500,000–700,000≈ $32–$45 USD

Renting with a driver adds roughly IDR 150,000–200,000 (~$10–$13 USD) per day on top of the car rate, and typically includes fuel costs — making the total comparable to self-drive once you factor in petrol.

How to Pick Up Your Car in Ubud

Picking up a rental car in Ubud is simpler than you might expect. Most agencies are flexible and offer multiple collection options to suit your arrival plan.

Hotel & Villa Delivery

Most reputable car hire agencies in Ubud offer free delivery directly to your hotel or villa within the central Ubud area. This covers Monkey Forest Road, Hanoman Street, Jalan Raya Ubud, and most of the Penestanan and Campuan neighbourhoods. The driver delivers the car, does a walk-around with you, and you sign the paperwork on the spot.

Pickup from Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar)

Nguyen Rai International Airport (DPS) is about 36 km south of Ubud — roughly 60–90 minutes (1.5 hours) depending on traffic. Many travellers book their car in advance and have the agency meet them directly at the Arrivals exit. This avoids expensive airport taxi rates and means you start your trip immediately. Confirm the exact meeting point when booking — some agencies wait outside the main terminal building rather than inside.

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Book in Advance

Select your vehicle, pickup location (hotel or airport), and dates. Confirm fuel policy and insurance add-ons at the time of booking.

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Prepare Your Documents

Have your passport, home-country driving licence, and International Driving Permit (IDP) ready. All three are typically required.

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Vehicle Inspection

Before driving away, photograph every panel, the tyres, and the interior. Share timestamped photos with the agency via WhatsApp to avoid deposit disputes at return.

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Sign & Go

Sign the rental agreement, confirm return time and drop location, and save the agency’s WhatsApp number for roadside support.

Documents to Bring

🪪 Passport (original)

🚗 Home-country driving licence

📄 International Driving Permit (IDP)

💳 Credit or debit card (for deposit)

📱 Booking confirmation

Most agencies accept a refundable cash deposit of IDR 300,000–500,000 (~$20–$32 USD) in lieu of a card imprint. Confirm this policy when booking if you prefer cash.

Is an International Driving Permit Required in Bali?

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Yes — An IDP Is Required by Indonesian Law

Foreign nationals driving in Bali must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their home-country licence. Police checkpoints do occur on Bali’s roads, and driving without an IDP can result in an on-the-spot fine of IDR 100,000–250,000 (~$6–$16 USD) or, in rare cases, vehicle impoundment.

An IDP is issued in your home country — it cannot be obtained in Indonesia. Most national motoring associations (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, NRMA in Australia, CAA in Canada) issue IDPs for around $20–$25. Processing takes 1–2 business days in-person, or up to a week by post. Apply before you travel.

Important: Many local rental agencies in Ubud will still rent you a car without an IDP. However, if stopped at a police checkpoint, the legal liability is yours — not the agency’s. The fine is minor, but it’s an unnecessary hassle. Get your IDP sorted before departure.

Does an IDP apply to scooter rentals?

For motorbike and scooter rentals, you need a licence endorsed for motorcycles in your home country, plus the IDP. A standard car licence alone does not cover two-wheel vehicles in Indonesia.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Ubud

Most car hire agencies in Ubud offer free hotel or villa pickup within the central Ubud area. This covers Monkey Forest Road, Hanoman Street, Jalan Raya Ubud, and most of the Penestanan and Campuan neighbourhoods.

Pickup Points That Work Well

Your hotel or villa — most agencies deliver at no extra charge within Ubud centre
Ngurah Rai Airport — book in advance, confirm meeting point at Arrivals exit
Ubud Market area — convenient if you’re already in town and want to pick up in person
Canggu or Seminyak — one-way rentals available to Ubud if you’re island-hopping by car

Top Places to Visit from Ubud with a Rental Car

A rental car unlocks the entire central and eastern Bali region. These are the standout destinations within day-trip range of Ubud — each best explored at your own pace rather than on a tour bus schedule.

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Kintamani & Gunung Batur

28 km north · ~1 hour drive

Drive to the caldera rim at 1,500m for dramatic views of an active volcano and its crater lake. The road narrows significantly at Penelokan village — wide vehicles need care on this stretch. Arrive before 10am for the clearest views before cloud rolls in. A rental car is essentially the only practical way to reach here independently.

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Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

45 km west · ~1.5 hours drive

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most expansive rice terrace landscapes in all of Bali. Unlike Tegalalang, Jatiluwih remains relatively uncrowded — and completely unreachable by public transport. The drive itself is scenic, winding through highland villages and clove plantations. Allow at least 2–3 hours to walk the terrace paths properly.

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Besakih Temple (Pura Agung)

42 km east · ~1.5 hours drive

Bali’s largest and most sacred temple complex sits on the southwest slopes of Gunung Agung, the island’s highest peak. Besakih comprises over 80 individual temples spread across a steep hillside — a full morning is needed to see it properly. Dress modestly (sarong required; available to borrow at the entrance). Budget a full day for this route.

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Tirta Empul Water Temple

12 km northeast · ~25 min drive

One of Bali’s most important Hindu temples, built around a sacred freshwater spring used for ritual purification. Balinese pilgrims come here daily to pray and bathe in the fountain pools. Tourists are welcome to participate in the purification ritual (appropriate clothing required). It pairs naturally with a visit to the nearby Tampaksiring Presidential Palace grounds.

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Sidemen Valley

50 km southeast · ~1.5 hours drive

Arguably the most beautiful valley in Bali — and still largely undiscovered by mass tourism. Sidemen sits beneath the peak of Gunung Agung, framed by layered rice terraces and traditional weaving villages. The drive there is half the appeal: the road drops into a deep river gorge before climbing back through dense jungle. Combine with a lunch stop in Klungkung town.

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Tegalalang Rice Terrace

8 km north · ~20 min drive

The closest and most-photographed terraces from Ubud. Go before 8am to beat the tour groups and get the golden-hour light on the stepped paddies. Free parking sits about 150m before the main terrace entrance. The terrace walk itself takes 30–45 minutes, with several cafés built into the hillside overlooking the view. Combine the same morning with a stop at the Kopi Luwak farms along the road north.

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Ubud Monkey Forest & Surrounds

In town · walkable

Within Ubud itself, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Palace, and the traditional art market are all walkable — you won’t need the car for these. Park at your hotel and explore on foot for a half-day. Then use your rental in the afternoon to drive out to a rice terrace viewpoint for sunset — something no organised tour does.

What Driving in Ubud Actually Looks Like

Ubud driving has a learning curve if you’ve never been to Bali. The main roads — Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Monkey Forest, and the Campuan ridge road — are narrow and busy, especially between 8am and 11am.

Key things to know before you drive

Motorbikes outnumber cars 5 to 1. Give them space, especially on bends.
Google Maps works well in Ubud. Download offline maps as a backup on rural roads.
Petrol stations are on Jalan Raya Tegallalang and the main Gianyar road. Fill up before heading to Kintamani — stations are sparse above 1,000m.
Parking in central Ubud is limited. Most temples and attractions have a dedicated lot 50–200m from the entrance.
Speed bumps (polisi tidur) appear without warning. Drive 30–40 km/h through villages.
Roads get slick in rainy season (Nov–Mar). Slow down on descent roads toward Gianyar or Klungkung.

Best Routes to Drive from Ubud

A rental car in Ubud opens up a full ring of day trips. These are the most-driven routes, with realistic time estimates.

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Ubud → Tegalalang Rice Terrace

8 km north on Jalan Raya Tegallalang. 20 minutes by car. Go before 8am to beat tour groups. Free parking 150m before the main terrace entrance.

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Ubud → Tirta Empul Temple

12 km northeast. One of Bali’s most sacred water temples — pilgrims and tourists both use the purification pools. Allow 90 minutes for the visit.

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Ubud → Kintamani (Gunung Batur)

28 km north, roughly 1 hour. Drive to the caldera rim at 1,500m for views of the active volcano and crater lake. Road narrows at Penelokan — wide vehicles need care.

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Ubud → Besakih Temple (Mother Temple)

42 km east, about 1.5 hours. Bali’s largest and most important temple complex sits on the slopes of Gunung Agung. Full day required for this route.

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Ubud → Nusa Dua / Airport

36–42 km south. Good toll road via bypass. 60–80 minutes in normal traffic. The most common one-way drop route if you’re returning a rental at the airport.

What’s Typically Included in a Car Hire Ubud Package

Policies vary by agency, but most reputable car rental companies in Ubud Bali include the following as standard:

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Basic Insurance

Third-party liability is standard. Collision damage waiver (CDW) is usually available as an add-on for IDR 50,000–80,000 per day.

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Hotel Pickup

Free delivery to your hotel or villa within central Ubud. Outlying areas like Kedewatan or Payangan may incur a small fee.

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24/7 Roadside Support

Most agencies provide a local phone number for breakdowns or flat tyres. Response time in Ubud is typically 30–60 minutes.

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Child Seat (on request)

Baby and toddler seats are available at most agencies. Book in advance — stock is limited, especially in high season (July–August, December).

Always check whether fuel is included or not before signing. Most self-drive rentals in Ubud are fuel-not-included — you return the car with the same level of petrol you received it.

How to Book a Rental Car in Ubud Without Overpaying

Ubud has dozens of local car hire operators. Quality varies. Here’s how to book well.

Book at least 48 hours ahead in peak season (July, August, Christmas, New Year). Stock sells out.
Pay by card where possible — it gives you a paper trail for any deposit disputes.
Photograph every scratch, dent, and scuff before you drive away. Send the photos to the agency via WhatsApp so there’s a timestamp.
Check the tyre pressure and spare tyre before leaving the lot — uphill Ubud roads are hard on underinflated tyres.
Read the cancellation policy. Most agencies offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Carry your IDP, passport, and rental agreement in the car at all times during your hire period.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Rental Ubud

Yes. An IDP is required by Indonesian law for foreign nationals driving in Bali. You must obtain it in your home country before travelling — it cannot be issued in Indonesia. Most agencies will still rent to you without one, but you carry the legal risk at police checkpoints.

Yes. One-way rentals from Ubud to Ngurah Rai Airport are available. Most agencies charge a one-way drop fee of IDR 50,000–150,000. Book this in advance and confirm the exact airport meetpoint — some agencies use a parking area outside the main terminal.

Most rental companies in Ubud require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Some set the minimum at 23 for larger vehicles like the Innova. Drivers under 25 may pay a young driver surcharge at some agencies.

For self-drive rentals, fuel is almost never included. You pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. With-driver packages often include fuel as part of the daily rate — confirm this when booking.

Self-drive rates start at around IDR 220,000 (~$14 USD) per day for a small hatchback, up to IDR 700,000+ (~$45 USD) for a 4WD. Adding a driver typically adds IDR 150,000–200,000 (~$10–$13 USD) per day. Multi-day discounts of 10–20% are common for rentals of 3 days or more.

Some agencies offer half-day rentals (4–5 hours), usually at around 60–70% of the full day rate. These suit short trips — like a morning run to Tegalalang and back. Call ahead to confirm availability, as most fleet management is organised around full-day blocks.

Yes, with reasonable care. The main risks are motorbike density in town and steep, winding roads on the way to Kintamani. Drive slowly through villages (30–40 km/h), use your horn on blind bends (standard practice in Bali), and avoid driving after dark on rural roads if you can.

Ubud has no reliable public bus system for tourists. Local bemos (minibuses) run limited intra-town routes, but they are inconsistent and don’t serve most tourist attractions. Grab (ride-hailing) works in central Ubud but surge pricing is common, and drivers are sometimes reluctant to accept rides on narrow rural roads. A rental car is the most practical option for any multi-stop itinerary.

Why Book Your Ubud Car Hire Through Rentrals

Rentrals works with vetted local operators across Bali. Every car rental in Ubud listed on the platform has been reviewed for vehicle condition, insurance coverage, and pricing transparency.

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