Ubud
Ubud airport to city centre: transfers and costs
Ubud has no airport: you land at Ngurah Rai (DPS) near Denpasar and drive 1.5–2 hours north. Book a private car (Rp350,000–600,000) or an app car; there is no train. Add 30–60 minutes in evening traffic, or sleep near the airport if you land after dark.
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GuideUbud
Key facts
- Airport
- Ngurah Rai International (DPS), about 40 km south of Ubud
- Drive time
- 1.5–2 h; add 30–60 min in evening traffic
- Train
- None — no rail line serves Ubud or DPS
- Private carcheck
- Rp350,000–600,000, 2026 estimate
- App car (Grab/Gojek)check
- Rp250,000–450,000, 2026 estimate; pickup zones are restricted at DPS
- Shared shuttlecheck
- Rp150,000–250,000 per person, 2026 estimate; runs on set departures
- Public buscheck
- No direct Trans Metro Dewata route to Ubud; check current routes
- Best for
- Private car for groups and late arrivals; shuttle for solo budget travellers
Your options at a glance
Ubud sits in the hills about 40 km north of Bali's only international gateway, Ngurah Rai (DPS). Every option is a road transfer, and the choice is mostly about price against door-to-door convenience.
A private car booked ahead is the default for two or more travellers with luggage. App cars are cheaper but DPS restricts where they can pick up, so you may need to walk to a designated point. Shared shuttles cost least per person but wait for other passengers and drop at a fixed point in central Ubud.
| Option | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car (booked) | 1.5–2 h | Rp350,000–600,000 per car | Groups, late arrivals, heavy bags |
| App car (Grab/Gojek) | 1.5–2 h | Rp250,000–450,000 | Solo or pairs, flexible timing |
| Shared shuttle | 2–2.5 h | Rp150,000–250,000 per person | Budget solo travellers |
| Hotel transfer | 1.5–2 h | Rp400,000–700,000 | First-timers who want it handled |
| Public bus | 2.5 h+ | Under Rp100,000 | Very light bags, daytime only |
Prices are 2026 estimates and vary with traffic, luggage and booking channel.
How each transfer works
Private car: pre-book through your hotel, a local operator or a ride app. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and takes you straight to your Ubud address. This is the simplest option if you land after dark or carry surfboards and large bags.
App car: Grab and Gojek operate across Bali, but DPS has restricted pickup zones, so you may need to walk to a nearby point outside the terminal. Fares are metered and usually cheaper than a pre-booked car, but availability drops late at night.
Shared shuttle: operators run fixed departures from DPS to central Ubud, often every one to two hours in daylight. You wait for the vehicle to fill, then stop at several hotels. Cheap, but slow and not ideal if you arrive at 23:00.
Public bus: Bali's Trans Metro Dewata network serves Denpasar and the south, not Ubud directly. You would need to reach a terminal and change, which rarely beats a direct car for time or comfort.
What you will pay
Budget Rp300,000–600,000 for a car to Ubud in 2026, or Rp150,000–250,000 per person for a shared shuttle. Airport taxis use a prepaid counter inside arrivals; agree the price before you get in if you book on the spot.
Tipping is not required, but Rp50,000–100,000 for a driver who handles bags and waits in traffic is normal. Bring some rupiah or use a card-enabled app; not every driver takes cards.
| Item | Typical cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Private car, DPS to Ubud | Rp350,000–600,000 |
| App car, DPS to Ubud | Rp250,000–450,000 |
| Shared shuttle, per person | Rp150,000–250,000 |
| Driver tip | Rp50,000–100,000 |
| Scooter rental in Ubud, per day | Rp70,000–150,000 |
Practical tips
Land before 16:00 if you can: the Denpasar–Ubud road slows sharply in the evening and the drive can stretch past two hours.
If your flight arrives after 21:00, consider one night near the airport and travel north the next morning. It is cheaper than a late-night private car and far less tiring.
Download an offline map and your accommodation's pin before you leave the terminal; Ubud addresses are often vague and drivers rely on landmarks.
Bali shuts down for Nyepi, the Day of Silence, when even the airport closes. Check the date before booking a transfer that day.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do I get from Ubud airport to the city centre?
There is no Ubud airport. You fly into Ngurah Rai (DPS) near Denpasar and drive 1.5–2 hours north. Book a private car (Rp350,000–600,000, 2026 estimate), use an app car, or take a shared shuttle (Rp150,000–250,000 per person).
How much is a taxi from Ubud airport?
Expect Rp350,000–600,000 for a private car or airport taxi to Ubud in 2026. App cars run Rp250,000–450,000. Prices rise with traffic and late-night timing; agree the fare before you set off.
Is there a train from Ubud airport?
No. Bali has no rail line to Ubud or to Ngurah Rai airport. All transfers are by road, so plan for a 1.5–2 hour drive and add buffer in the evening.
How long does the transfer take?
Usually 1.5–2 hours from DPS to central Ubud. Evening traffic can add 30–60 minutes, and shared shuttles take longer because they stop at multiple hotels.
Should I book a transfer in advance?
Yes if you arrive after dark or travel with a group. Pre-booking fixes the price and the driver waits if your flight is delayed. Solo daytime travellers can often use an app car instead.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNgurah Rai International Airport (Angkasa Pura I)
- officialTrans Metro Dewata
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bali