Scooters Are the Default — With Real Risk Attached
Renting a scooter is cheap and genuinely the fastest way to move around towns like Canggu or Ubud. It's also the single biggest source of tourist injuries on the island — road conditions vary, traffic can be chaotic, and an International Driving Permit is technically required. If you haven't ridden one before, Bali's roads are not the place to learn.
Private Drivers Are the Practical Default for Families and Longer Trips
Hiring a driver for a day or a full itinerary is affordable relative to Western prices and removes the scooter risk entirely. It's the standard choice for families, temple-and-rice-terrace day trips, and anyone not confident navigating Balinese traffic themselves.
Grab and Gojek Work Well in the Tourist Hubs
Ride-hailing apps are reliable in Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud, but coverage thins out in more rural areas, and some zones restrict app-based pickups due to disputes with local taxi drivers — don't assume an app will work everywhere on the island.
Distances Are Deceptive
Seminyak to Ubud looks like a short hop on a map but can take well over an hour depending on traffic, especially around Denpasar and Canggu at peak times. Build real transfer time into any day that involves moving between areas.
For a first Bali trip, a private driver for inter-area travel and day trips, plus walking or a short Grab ride within whichever area you're based in, is the least stressful combination — save scooters for once you've got a feel for the roads.