The capital of Bali and the main gateway to the island is Denpasar. Denpasar is a popular destination in its own right, with many beautiful beaches, green areas and beautiful temples, which, along with its museums, add to its cultural appeal, making it a fantastic place to base your visit to Bali. If you prefer to leave the big city and go for the atmosphere of a smaller town, a short distance north you will find the city of Ubud. Set in the highlands of Bali, set amidst a stunning landscape of rainforests and terraced rice fields, with magnificent temples and sanctuaries at every turn. Traveling from Denpasar to Ubud for a day trip or an extended stay and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere is easy, no matter what you choose.
Travel options from Denpasar to Ubud
From the center of Denpasar to Ubud it is only about 24 kilometers, so it’s not far. If you are traveling by car, depending on traffic and where you start your journey, driving alone should take between 30 and 45 minutes. You can rent a car, but since inexpensive public transport is also available, most tourists travel from Denpasar to Ubud by bus or taxi unless they plan to go to other places later. Optionally, you can use public buses, although this short distance usually takes longer to travel. There are also private bus and tour companies that offer bus services and will be a better option if you want to arrive quickly and start exploring. Below we provide detailed information about all these options.(/vc_column_text)
Public bus from Denpasar to Ubud
Public buses in Denpasar run every hour throughout the day and are easily identified by their light green color. This is always a great option if you want to get around Bali in the most economical way possible. However, the disadvantage of the public bus from Denpasar to Ubud is that it takes a long time to cover the short distance between them due to the dedicated routes, which include numerous stops along the way, picking up and dropping off passengers throughout Denpasar and then on to the city and smaller towns, directing to the north. On the one hand, this makes traveling by bus an interesting experience because you’ll share the bus with locals and see parts of Bali you wouldn’t otherwise see. If you like meeting people, traveling by public bus is also a good place to strike up a conversation and learn more about people and their culture.
The public bus from Denpasar to Ubud runs from the Havaianas Outlet area of the city and winds near but not inside the airport, then north to the bus stop and the DFS Galleria shopping district. This initial part of the journey is on line 4, so you can take the bus anywhere along the route. If you start in Havaianas, it will take about an hour and 45 minutes to reach the Galleria. These buses run every hour throughout the day and are easy to recognize thanks to their light green color. Change buses at DFS Galleria and take line 5. Apparently there are five buses a day to Ubud and the journey takes about an hour and 45 minutes. So depending on where you start in Denpasar, this will determine the cost of your ticket and the length of your trip.
From Denpasar to Ubud by private bus
The advantage of a private bus company is that the journey is more direct and does not involve many stops along the way. Perama Tour runs several minibuses daily from Denpasar to Ubud. There are several different starting points, strategically placed in the center to make it easier for tourists to take the bus, avoiding long journeys. One of the starting points is Kuta, close to Kuta Beach and numerous hotels in the city. The next point is Sanur, near Sanur beach.
Perama Tour offers three daily sailings from Denpasar to Ubud. They depart Kuta at 07:00, 10:00 and 14:00 and pick up passengers in Sanur approximately thirty minutes later, so you can choose which of these pickup points is most convenient for you. Since the distance to Kuta is longer, tickets are slightly more expensive than those from Sanur and the total travel time should be 90 minutes from Kuta and an hour from Sanur to Ubud.
The advantage of private bus tour companies is that tickets can be booked online in advance. Tickets for the Perama Tour are available through: 12 Go, where you’ll find more details and reviews. Minibuses are air-conditioned, which ensures a comfortable journey, even if they are a bit cramped. Tickets are more expensive than public buses, but the added convenience of booking in advance and a more direct service that gets you to Ubud quickly makes it worth it.
Private taxi from Denpasar to Ubud
Although you can take a regular taxi from Denpasar to Ubud, it will cost much more than booking in advance. A private taxi is a cheaper and more comfortable option.
Similar to private buses, you can book a private taxi online 12 Go with Perama Tour. These taxis can accommodate a maximum of three passengers and the price is the same whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or in a group of three people in the vehicle. If you divide the cost by three, the price comes out very similar to the price of private buses per passenger. If you are traveling with several people, a private taxi will certainly be an economical and convenient option.
The vehicles are air-conditioned and offer more space than buses, and best of all, private taxi from Denpasar to Ubud includes pickup from your hotel in Denpasar and transfer to your chosen hotel in Ubud. This makes it a very convenient option because you don’t have to go to the pick-up point first and you can wait at your hotel until the driver arrives. Another advantage of these taxis is that they adapt to your timetables, so you can tell them when you want to be picked up, rather than sticking to bus timetables. The journey from your hotel in the Sanur area is estimated to take around an hour and from Kuta it will take one hour and ten minutes, although this is probably quicker.
As you can see, you have three excellent options for traveling from Denpasar to Ubud: public bus, which is the cheapest but slowest option; private bus, which is a good compromise at a slightly higher price, but allows you to get to Ubud faster; and private taxis, which provide maximum comfort and are very affordable for three passengers.
How far is Denpasar to Ubud?
The distance between Denpasar and Ubud is approximately 24 km.
What is the distance between Ngurah Rai International Airport and Ubud?
The distance between Ngurah Rai International Airport and Ubud is 36 kilometers. The journey usually takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. There are several options for getting from Denpasar Airport to Ubud, but the most popular is by taxi. There are also bus services and private car rentals, although the latter are usually more expensive.
How much does a taxi ride from Denpasar to Ubud cost?
The cost of a taxi from Denpasar to Ubud is IDR 320,000 (EUR 20). This rate is fixed, so there is no need to negotiate with the driver. The journey should take approximately 1 hour under normal traffic conditions. However, please note that Bali can be quite busy, so it is advisable to allow extra time if possible. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can consider taking the local bus or renting a motorbike.
How much does a taxi cost from Denpasar airport to Ubud?
The taxi fare from Denpasar Airport to Ubud is IDR 320,000 (EUR 20). This rate is fixed and the journey usually takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.