Reviewed · UBUD TOURS

Daily VW Tour – Ubud VW Tour

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews From $87 Operated by Ubud VW Tour · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Let the old VW set your Ubud pace. This open-air vintage Volkswagen Thing gives you a breezy way to see Ubud’s temples, rice terraces, and other key sights without worrying about driving or parking. I like the included lunch and entrance fees, and I also like the personal touch of a professional driver who handles the route.

The main drawback is the uncertain five-to-eight-hour length. That flexibility may help the day fit your schedule, but you will not have a precise finish time. The small sample of six ratings is perfect at 5 out of 5, with especially warm praise for drivers named Santana and Santanu.

Key points about the Ubud VW tour

Daily VW Tour - Ubud VW Tour - Key points about the Ubud VW tour

  • A classic open-air VW Thing provides the transport, giving you a much more memorable ride than a standard car or minibus.
  • Hotel pickup is offered throughout the Ubud area, with an 8:00 am start.
  • Temples, rice terraces, and other Ubud landmarks are included, though the supplied details do not name every stop.
  • Lunch, entrance fees, donations, mineral water, and cool towels are covered, so fewer small costs appear during the day.
  • Driver quality matters here, and the names Santana and Santanu receive especially strong praise for friendliness, care, and local know-how.
  • The price is $87.18 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Why a VW Thing makes Ubud more fun

Daily VW Tour - Ubud VW Tour - Why a VW Thing makes Ubud more fun

Ubud is the kind of place where the ride between sights can be part of the day. A regular vehicle gets you from point to point, but a vintage Volkswagen Thing turns the transfer into an attraction. With the roof and windscreen open, you get a fuller sense of the road, the air, and the passing countryside.

That open design also gives you better sightlines than a closed vehicle. You can look around without peering through tinted glass or leaning across a seat. It is a simple pleasure, but it changes the mood of the outing. You are not just being delivered to Ubud’s sights. You are riding through the area in a car that attracts attention.

There is a practical side to this arrangement, too. Your professional driver takes care of the driving while you focus on the views. You do not have to deal with unfamiliar roads, route planning, or finding somewhere to leave the car at each stop.

Still, the VW is not the quietest or most climate-controlled way to tour. An open car leaves you exposed to sun, wind, and road conditions. Bring suitable sun protection and a light layer, and be ready for a ride that feels more like an outing than private limousine service.

A few more Ubud trips worth weighing up

Starting at 8:00 am from your Ubud hotel

Daily VW Tour - Ubud VW Tour - Starting at 8:00 am from your Ubud hotel

The tour begins at 8:00 am, with pickup offered from any hotel in the Ubud area. That is useful because you do not need to make your own way to a central meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book, and a mobile ticket is available.

An early start makes sense for a sightseeing day in Ubud. You get moving before the day has fully warmed up, and you have more time available for the included stops. Since the overall outing lasts about five to eight hours, the morning departure leaves room for a substantial half-day or full-day experience.

The wide time range is worth noting before you book. Five hours and eight hours are very different commitments. If you have a dinner reservation, a spa appointment, or a second activity, leave plenty of space after the tour. The exact finish can depend on the day’s route and how long you spend at each place.

The pickup area is specifically Ubud. If your accommodation is outside that area, do not assume collection is included. Check your hotel location when booking.

Temples and Ubud’s cultural sights

The route includes temples and other important Ubud landmarks. The available details do not give a fixed list of named temples, so you should treat this as a highlights tour rather than a guaranteed visit to one particular shrine.

That distinction matters. A highlights tour is useful if you want a broad first look at Ubud without building your own route. Your driver can move you between several types of sight, while entrance fees and donations are already covered. You get a day with fewer decisions and fewer moments spent handling payment.

Temples are not just photo stops. They are active places of worship, so you should follow local instructions and dress respectfully. The supplied information does not state a specific dress code, so ask your driver if a particular stop requires extra covering. That small question can save you a problem at the entrance.

The value of seeing cultural sites with a local driver is not only transportation. A good driver can help the day feel less mechanical by explaining what you are seeing and helping you understand the setting. The two strongest driver comments praise Santana or Santanu for being friendly, caring, and highly informed about the area.

Because the driver names are spelled differently in the two accounts, I would ask for the name carefully if you want to request one of them. Both names point to the same useful tip: driver service seems to be one of the most important parts of this experience.

Rice terraces from an open-air classic car

Rice terraces are another main feature of the route. They offer a different side of Ubud from temples and town streets, with carefully shaped fields spreading across sloped ground. From the VW, the journey toward the terraces becomes part of the view rather than a simple transfer.

The open car should be particularly enjoyable here. You can take in more of the surroundings as you move along, and the ride gives you a chance to see the countryside between formal stops. The classic vehicle also makes the day feel distinct from a standard private sightseeing drive.

Do not expect the supplied tour details to promise a specific terrace, viewpoint, or length of stop. The route description only confirms rice terraces among the sights. If one particular terrace matters to you, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming it is included.

You should also remember that a rice terrace visit may involve uneven ground or steps, but the available information does not provide exact access details. The tour notes say most people can participate, yet anyone with mobility concerns should ask for more information before paying.

A completely different kind of day out in Ubud:

Lunch, water, and the small comforts included

Daily VW Tour - Ubud VW Tour - Lunch, water, and the small comforts included

A Balinese buffet lunch is included, along with mineral water and cool towels. These details make the price easier to assess because you are not paying only for the car and driver. Food, hydration, and basic refreshment are built into the day.

The buffet format also suits a sightseeing tour. You can eat a proper meal without having to search for a restaurant during the route. Since the exact menu is not provided, you should not book this expecting a specific dish or special dietary arrangement. Ask ahead if you have food allergies or strict dietary needs.

Mineral water is a practical inclusion in Bali’s warm conditions. The cool towels are a welcome touch after time outside, especially if your day runs closer to eight hours than five. These are modest extras, but they show that the tour is designed as a full day out rather than just a vehicle hire.

Entrance tickets and donations are also included. That helps keep the day simple. You are less likely to find yourself repeatedly reaching for cash at each stop, though the information does not specify every possible personal expense. Keep some money with you for anything not covered.

What the drivers add to the day

A classic vehicle can attract attention, but the driver determines how smoothly the experience runs. The strongest praise is directed at Santana and Santanu. One account describes Santana as friendly, caring, and very well informed, while another says Santanu went out of his way to make the day enjoyable and handled the tour with confidence.

That praise is more useful than a vague promise of professional service. It tells you what to value: a driver who can manage the route, answer questions, and look after the details while you enjoy the ride.

The driver is also your main link to the area. Since the published information does not provide a separate guide, the driver appears to carry much of the practical and interpretive role. If you care about local explanations, ask your driver questions rather than treating the day as a silent photo circuit.

I would request Santana or Santanu when booking, while checking the spelling and availability. A request is not a guarantee, but it is a sensible tip based on the strongest praise attached to this experience.

Is $87.18 per person fair value?

At $87.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to move around Ubud. You could spend less by arranging basic transport on your own. The better question is what you receive for the extra cost.

The package includes a classic VW Thing, a professional driver, hotel pickup in Ubud, entrance fees, donations, lunch, mineral water, cool towels, and insurance through Jasaraharja. When you add those parts together, the price becomes easier to justify, especially if you want a full sightseeing day without organizing every stop yourself.

The car is the experience’s biggest value point. If you only need transport, a regular vehicle may suit you better. If you want something memorable and photogenic, the vintage VW gives the day a clear identity.

The duration also affects the value. Five hours gives you a compact highlights tour. Eight hours makes the included lunch, multiple sights, and hotel pickup more worthwhile. Since the time is approximate, ask for a clearer idea of the expected route if you are comparing this with another Ubud activity.

This tour is likely best for couples, families, and small groups who want sightseeing to feel relaxed and special. It also suits first-time visitors who prefer a ready-made route. You may want another option if you dislike open-air vehicles, need a tightly timed schedule, or want a detailed list of guaranteed stops before booking.

Practical details to know before booking

The experience is confirmed at the time of booking and comes with a mobile ticket. It is near public transportation, though pickup from an Ubud hotel means you may not need public transport at all.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. No special accessibility details are given, so ask directly about steps, uneven surfaces, and getting in and out of the vintage car if those issues affect you.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

The perfect 5 out of 5 score from six ratings is encouraging, especially because the praise focuses on the driver and the overall feel of the day. It is still a small sample, so I would judge the tour mainly on whether the open-air VW style and flexible timing suit you.

Who should book this Ubud VW experience?

Book it if you want Ubud sightseeing with character. The vintage VW Thing, open sides, included lunch, and hotel pickup create a day that feels more memorable than a standard car tour.

It is a good match if you want temples and rice terraces without arranging the route yourself. It is also a smart choice if you place high value on a friendly driver and want to request Santana or Santanu.

Think twice if you need a firm end time or a detailed, fixed list of named stops. The five-to-eight-hour duration is broad, and the available information does not identify every temple or landmark. You should also consider the heat and exposure of an open-air vehicle.

For most people seeking a relaxed, photogenic introduction to Ubud, I would book it. The price is reasonable for an all-inclusive sightseeing day, provided you value the vintage car and do not mind giving up some control over the exact schedule.

FAQ

What is included in the Ubud VW tour?

The tour includes entrance tickets, donations, the classic car, a professional driver, mineral water, cool towels, a Balinese buffet lunch, and Jasaraharja insurance.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $87.18 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is five to eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from any hotel in the Ubud area.

What sights are included?

The tour includes Ubud highlights such as temples, rice terraces, and other landmarks. Specific stop names are not provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

What happens if the minimum number of participants is not reached?

If the experience is canceled because the minimum number is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

More like this

Ubud Tours, compared.

The full Ubud Tours list →
All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 14,344 reviews· from $100

All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour

Read our review →
Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 8,571 reviews· from $56

Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing

Read our review →
Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7,160 reviews· from $31

Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple

Read our review →
Best of Ubud 1-Day Private Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 4,451 reviews· from $54

Best of Ubud 1-Day Private Tour

Read our review →
Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket
★★★★★★★★★★4.4· 3,979 reviews· from $6

Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket

Read our review →
Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,681 reviews· from $35

Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Read our review →
Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,620 reviews· from $100

Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey

Read our review →
Body Massage Experience in Ubud Traditional Spa
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,506 reviews· from $21

Body Massage Experience in Ubud Traditional Spa

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Bali

Pick a volcano, a coastline or a kitchen.