VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Ubud: a cultural town in the Bali highlands, about 35 km north of Bali Airport (DPS).
Is a Car Worth It in Ubud?
The town centre, the market and the Monkey Forest are close together on foot, but the rice terraces, waterfalls, temples and volcanoes are spread out along narrow roads. A car lets you start early before the tour buses.
Our advice: book for the days you explore and ask the agency to deliver it to your hotel. Check that your accommodation has parking, as some lanes are very narrow.
Drive Times from Ubud
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Tegallalang rice terraces | ~10–12 km | 25–45 min |
| Mount Batur (Kintamani) | ~35–40 km | about 1–1.5 hours |
| Bali Airport (DPS) | ~35 km | about 1–2 hours |
| Lake Bratan (Bedugul) | ~50–60 km | about 2 hours |
| Seminyak | ~25–30 km | about 1–2 hours |
| Amed | ~90–100 km | about 3–3.5 hours |
Narrow Roads and Parking in Ubud
Roads around Ubud are narrow, lined with scooters and often congested in the afternoon. Jalan Raya Ubud and the lanes to the Monkey Forest can be gridlocked; use hotel or signed car parks and walk into the centre. Mountain roads towards Kintamani and Bedugul have bends and mist.
- Start early; roads are quieter before 09:00
- Avoid driving on mountain roads in heavy rain or after dark
- Fines from police are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Ubud, or collected at Bali Airport (DPS). Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your national driving licence — Indonesia expects visitors to carry both, so ask the agency exactly what you need before you travel
- Passport and the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Toll road charges, fines and parking are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Ubud: Roads and Habits
Scooters, tour vans and delivery trucks share narrow roads. Expect to wait at tight spots and keep your mirrors folded in only if the lane is clear.
- Traffic drives on the left and rental cars are right-hand drive; look right when pulling out and take roundabouts clockwise
- Scooters are everywhere and filter through gaps on both sides; check mirrors constantly, especially before turning
- Roads are often narrow with no hard shoulder, and congestion is heavy around Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud
- Speed limits are signed (typically around 40–50 km/h in towns and up to about 80 km/h on main roads); police checks are common
- Strict drink-driving rules — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- On Nyepi (the Day of Silence, usually in March) the airport closes and nobody drives: check the dates before you book
- Do not take the car off the paved road: insurance is not valid off-road