Ubud
3 days in Ubud: itinerary
Yes, 3 days is enough for Ubud if you keep one day for the town and rice terraces, one for a temple-and-waterfall loop, and one for a single day trip. Add a fourth night only if you want Mount Batur at sunrise or a second volcano day. Book drivers the night before.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideUbud
Key facts
- Nights to book
- 3 nights covers town, a temple loop and one day trip
- Best months
- April–October, dry season; September is the sweet spot
- Getting around
- Private driver by the day, or scooter if you already ride
- Driver day ratecheck
- 600,000–900,000 IDR per day (2026 estimate, check)
- Scooter rentalcheck
- 70,000–100,000 IDR per day (2026 estimate, check)
- Scooter rule
- Foreign licence plus IDP required; many rentals ask for your passport
- Rain pattern
- Nov–Mar afternoon downpours; Apr–Oct mostly dry
- Nyepicheck
- Bali shuts for 24 h, airport closed, everyone stays indoors (date check)
Top picks
Three days works when each day has one anchor and one flexible block. Mornings are for the places that get crowded and hot; afternoons are for the town, a spa, or a slow meal.
Day 1 stays in Ubud: the Campuhan Ridge walk early, the palace and market, then the rice terraces. Day 2 is the temple-and-waterfall loop east and north of town. Day 3 is one day trip, not two.
| Day | Anchor | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campuhan Ridge walk, Ubud Palace, market, rice terraces | Free–50,000 IDR entry at some terraces | Full day, easy pace |
| 2 | Temple and waterfall loop by private driver | 600,000–900,000 IDR per car | 8–10 h |
| 3 | One day trip: Batur, Tegenungan, or Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi | Entry fees 50,000–150,000 IDR plus driver | 8–10 h |
| Any | Balinese massage in town | 150,000–400,000 IDR per hour | 1–2 h |
| Any | Scooter rental, if you ride | 70,000–100,000 IDR per day | Per day |
Prices and hours
Ubud is a walking town in the centre, but the temples, waterfalls and volcanoes sit 20–60 minutes away by road. That gap is why most travellers hire a driver for at least one full day.
Prices below are 2026 estimates and move with the season. Temple entry usually includes a sarong loan; waterfalls charge parking on top of entry. Carry small notes, as change is often short.
| Item | Price (2026 estimate) | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Private driver, full day | 600,000–900,000 IDR | 8–10 h, arrange the night before |
| Scooter rental | 70,000–100,000 IDR per day | Collect in the morning |
| Temple entry | 30,000–50,000 IDR | Daylight hours; check each site |
| Waterfall entry | 20,000–50,000 IDR plus parking | Morning to late afternoon |
| Mount Batur sunrise trek | 400,000–700,000 IDR with guide | Pickup about 02:00 |
| Balinese massage | 150,000–400,000 IDR per hour | Most spas 09:00–21:00 |
| Warung meal | 25,000–60,000 IDR | Lunch and dinner |
| Airport transfer to Ubud | 350,000–500,000 IDR | 45–90 min depending on traffic |
All figures are 2026 estimates; confirm with your driver or hotel.
Getting there
Ubud has no airport and no train. Most travellers arrive from Ngurah Rai International Airport near Denpasar, 35–45 km south, which is 45–90 minutes by car depending on traffic. A pre-booked transfer or a metered taxi from the official counter is the simplest arrival.
From other Bali bases: Canggu and Seminyak are 60–90 minutes, Sanur about 45–60 minutes, Kuta 60–90 minutes. From the Gili islands or Nusa Penida you land at Padang Bai or Sanur and continue by road.
Once in Ubud, the centre is walkable. For anything outside it, use a driver, a ride-hailing app where available, or a scooter if you hold the right licence.
Tips
Book your driver the night before, not on the morning. Good drivers fill up, and the price rises when you are standing on a corner at 08:00.
Start early. Temples and waterfalls are calm before 09:00 and packed by 11:00. Mount Batur pickups leave around 02:00.
Dress for temples: shoulders and knees covered, sarong provided at the gate. Women who are menstruating are asked not to enter some temples, per local custom.
Carry cash. Many warungs, drivers and small entries do not take cards, and ATMs in the centre run out on weekends.
Watch the monkeys at the forest temple and along the ridge: keep bags zipped, glasses on, and do not feed them.
Check the calendar. During Nyepi, Bali shuts for 24 hours, the airport closes and everyone stays indoors; Galungan and Kuningan also close some businesses (dates check).
Rain in the wet season usually comes as an afternoon burst, so plan outdoor stops for the morning and keep one indoor option per day.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is 3 days enough for Ubud?
Yes. Three days covers the town, the rice terraces, a temple-and-waterfall loop and one day trip. Add a night only if you want Mount Batur at sunrise or a second volcano day.
What is the best 3-day itinerary for Ubud?
Day 1 in town: Campuhan Ridge walk, palace, market, rice terraces. Day 2: temple and waterfall loop by driver. Day 3: one day trip, such as Batur, Tegenungan or Tirta Empul with Gunung Kawi.
Which day trips fit a 3-day stay in Ubud?
Pick one: Mount Batur sunrise trek, the Tegenungan and Tibumana waterfalls, or the Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi temple run. Each takes most of a day, so two in three days means rushing.
How much does a day in Ubud cost?
A driver day runs 600,000–900,000 IDR, entries 20,000–150,000 IDR, and meals 25,000–60,000 IDR at a warung. Budget roughly 1–1.5 million IDR per person per day with a driver (2026 estimate).
Do I need a scooter in Ubud?
No. The centre is walkable and drivers cover the rest. If you do ride, bring a home licence plus an International Driving Permit; rentals often ask to hold your passport, which you can refuse.
When is the best time for 3 days in Ubud?
April to October is the dry season, with September the sweet spot for weather and crowds. November to March brings afternoon downpours, and Nyepi in March shuts the island for 24 hours (date check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialIndonesia.travel (Ministry of Tourism)
- officialBali Provincial Government
- secondaryWikivoyage – Ubud
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bali