Getting around Bali: Grab, taxis, scooters, boats

Your home licence must cover motorbikes, with an international driving permit from home beside it: the 1968 format for a UK licence, and an international permit for an Australian one. For any other licence, check which permit your own government issues. Don't buy an international permit in Bali, as one issued in Indonesia is valid only abroad. Ride without the right licence and your travel insurer can refuse any claim.^{[2, 3, 4, 5]}

With a KITAP (permanent stay permit), or a KITAS (limited stay permit) held as an expert worker or a student, you can apply for a SIM (Indonesian driving licence) instead. With any other stay permit, sources differ, so ask the licence office. The scooter licence guide covers who qualifies, the tests and what each offence costs.^[5]

Book a car through a ride-hailing app, or take a licensed metered taxi or a driver who knows the roads. Gojek usually offers the cheapest fares overall; drivers booked off the app charge a little more and may haggle, and a full-day driver's price depends on a good contact or on negotiating well. The airport guide shows where the taxi counters and the app pickup are when you land.^{[4, 12]}

Riding without a helmet to Indonesia's national standard, or carrying a passenger without one, risks a fine of up to IDR 250,000 (about AUD 20). The fine for a passenger without one falls on the rider.^[1]

Some stations cap Pertalite (regular subsidised petrol) fills at 3 litres a motorbike, under limits announced for 17 to 19 October 2026; the province and Pertamina review them daily. Fill up before a long ride and check that stations on your route are open: Negara, in the west, ran out on 17 October. The fuel shortage page carries the current position.^{[9, 10, 13]}

Fast boats reach Nusa Penida from Sanur in about 45 minutes, for about IDR 170,000 to 215,000 one way booked online. From Serangan, the timetabled Gili boat calls at islands on the way out and reaches Gili Trawangan in about 3 hours 45, with fares from IDR 700,000 (about AUD 56) one way; a boat advertising about 1 hour 30 does not state its harbour. What a fare includes, such as a hotel transfer, is often not stated. The fast boat guide compares harbours, fares and what happens when the sea cancels a crossing.^{[6, 7, 8]}