Reviewed · UBUD TOURS

Hire Car in Bali

5.0 · 20 reviews From $45 Operated by Lanang Bali Trip · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Bali is easier when someone else drives. This private car charter gives you a custom day without the strain of Bali’s crowded roads, tricky parking, or route planning. I like the freedom to choose Ubud, East Bali, Kintamani, South Bali, or another listed region, and I like that the air-conditioned car, fuel, parking, bottled water, pickup, and drop-off are included.

The main caution is simple: Bali traffic can eat your plans. One happy customer praised the driver for getting the group to a midday booking on time, but also warned that you need plenty of extra time. You also need to keep your itinerary within one region, and entrance tickets, lunch, and dinner cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

Hire Car in Bali - Key points to know before booking

  • Ten hours behind the wheel: You get a full private car service, with pickup and drop-off included.
  • Choose one Bali region: Ubud, East Bali, Kintamani, South Bali, West Bali, and city routes are covered.
  • Wika receives especially warm praise: He is described as fun, helpful, accommodating, and good at explaining Balinese art and culture.
  • The price is $45 per person: The minimum booking is two people, with a maximum of five people and no luggage.
  • Traffic controls the day: Leave generous time between stops, especially if you have a timed booking.
  • Remote areas cost more: Amed, Tulamben, Lovina, Munduk, North Bali, Gerokgak, and Negara require an extra $20 to $40 per car.

Why a private car makes sense in Bali

Hire Car in Bali - Why a private car makes sense in Bali

Bali looks compact on a map. On the road, it often feels much larger. Traffic can be slow, roads can be crowded, and parking near popular sights is not always simple. If you hire a car with a local driver, you can look out the window instead of watching every turn.

That is the real value here. This is not a fixed sightseeing bus with a printed schedule. You tell the company where you want to go, then shape the day around your interests. You can also ask the driver for ideas if you have only a rough plan.

The service lasts about 10 hours. That gives you enough time for a few meaningful stops, a meal, and some flexibility. It does not mean you can cross the whole island in one day. The company limits the trip to one region, which is sensible. Trying to combine Uluwatu, Ubud, and Tanah Lot in one day would leave you staring at traffic instead of seeing Bali.

The car is air-conditioned, an important detail in Bali’s heat. Bottled water is provided, along with fuel, parking fees, private transportation, and the driver. You pay separately for entrance tickets and meals.

A few more Ubud trips worth weighing up

Pickup from Ubud, the airport, or coastal resorts

Hire Car in Bali - Pickup from Ubud, the airport, or coastal resorts

Pickup is available from the airport, hotels, and special request locations within the listed service area. Pickup locations include Ubud, Sukawati, Sayan, Peliatan, Mas, Sanur, Seminyak, Canggu, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Benoa.

The company contacts you one day before the trip to discuss your plans and offer suggestions. Use that conversation well. Give the driver your top priorities, tell them if you have a timed reservation, and ask what is realistic in 10 hours.

The minimum is two people, and the maximum is five people. The stated maximum applies to travelers without luggage, so this is best treated as a sightseeing charter rather than a transfer service for a full group with suitcases.

A private car also means the day belongs only to your party. You do not wait for strangers, follow a fixed group schedule, or spend time collecting people from several hotels. That privacy is especially useful for couples, families, and small groups with different energy levels.

Ubud: art, temples, and flexible pacing

Hire Car in Bali - Ubud: art, temples, and flexible pacing

An Ubud day works well if you want a mix of culture and local scenery without spending the entire day on long drives. The area includes Ubud and nearby places such as Sukawati, Sayan, Peliatan, and Mas.

You could ask the driver to help shape a day around Balinese art and culture. One praised driver, Wika, was singled out for creating an itinerary that helped explain those subjects. The useful point is not simply that he drove the car. He helped connect the places into a day that made sense.

I would keep an Ubud plan selective. Choose a few main stops rather than trying to collect every temple, market, and village. A custom charter works best when you leave room for a longer visit at the places that interest you most.

Traffic still matters around Ubud. A short distance may take longer than expected, so avoid stacking timed bookings too closely. If you have a fixed midday reservation, tell the driver in advance and leave a generous buffer.

East Bali: Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Ujung, and Candi Dasa

Hire Car in Bali - East Bali: Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Ujung, and Candi Dasa

East Bali is the choice for grand temple scenery and palace gardens. The listed route includes Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, Ujung Palace, and Candi Dasa.

Lempuyang Temple is likely to be the main reason many people choose this route. Tirta Gangga adds a different mood, with its well-known water gardens and formal features. Ujung Palace gives the day another architectural stop, while Candi Dasa provides a coastal finish.

These sights are spread across East Bali, so the route needs discipline. You should not expect to linger for hours at every stop and still return comfortably within the 10-hour window. Ask the driver to help you rank the stops before departure.

This is also a route where an early start may help, though the available departure time should be discussed when arranging the trip. The service offers a choice of departure times, which makes it easier to match the day to your plans and energy level.

A completely different kind of day out in Ubud:

Kintamani: crater views and cultural villages

Hire Car in Bali - Kintamani: crater views and cultural villages

The Kintamani area gives you a highland route with several different types of stops. The coverage includes Kintamani, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and Penglipuran Village.

Kintamani is the place to choose if you want broad mountain and volcanic views. Tukad Cepung adds a nature stop, while Penglipuran offers a village setting and a closer look at local architecture and community life.

You should be realistic about the physical side of the waterfall stop. The supplied details do not specify walking conditions or the amount of time needed there, so ask the driver for current practical advice. A private car gives you more control, but it cannot remove the walking or weather factors at a natural site.

This route suits you if you want more variety than a string of temples. It combines scenery, a waterfall, and a village. It also rewards a clear plan, because every added stop reduces your time at the others.

South Bali: Uluwatu, Benoa, Nusa Dua, and Pecatu

Hire Car in Bali - South Bali: Uluwatu, Benoa, Nusa Dua, and Pecatu

South Bali is the most natural choice for a coastal day from the resort areas. The route includes Uluwatu, Benoa, Nusa Dua, and Pecatu.

Uluwatu and Pecatu make sense for dramatic coastal scenery and temple-focused sightseeing. Benoa and Nusa Dua offer a different side of the south, with resort and waterfront areas. You can ask the driver to build a day around scenery, cultural sites, or a combination.

Do not assume that every listed place will fit into one comfortable day. The area may be covered, but the best plan depends on your pickup point and how long you want to spend at each stop. From Ubud, a South Bali route also means more time on the road than it would from Nusa Dua or Jimbaran.

If you have a sunset or timed activity, say so before the day begins. The company can help with planning, but traffic remains outside anyone’s control. A driver can choose practical routes and manage parking, but cannot make Bali’s roads empty.

West Bali: Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih, and Bedugul

Hire Car in Bali - West Bali: Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih, and Bedugul

The West Bali route includes Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih, and the Beratan Lake temple area in Bedugul. This is a good choice if you want a day built around temples, highland scenery, and broad rice-growing areas.

Tanah Lot is the familiar coastal temple stop. Jatiluwih offers open agricultural views, while Bedugul and the lake temple bring cooler highland scenery. The three areas feel different from one another, which gives the day a strong sense of variety.

The drawback is distance. These stops are not clustered tightly, and road conditions can make the timetable unpredictable. I would choose two main priorities and treat the third as optional, rather than racing through all three.

This route may suit you better if your pickup is in western or southern resort areas than if you are starting far to the east. The car is private, but private does not mean fast.

City routes around Denpasar and the beach districts

Hire Car in Bali - City routes around Denpasar and the beach districts

The city route covers Denpasar, Kuta, Legian, Canggu, and Seminyak. This option makes sense if you want to stay closer to urban Bali and avoid a long cross-island excursion.

You could use the day to link several city and beach districts, or ask for a route that focuses on a particular part of Bali’s urban life. The advantage is flexibility. You are not tied to a sightseeing route that includes distant temples when your real interest is the coast, shopping areas, or city neighborhoods.

Traffic is likely to be the central issue here. Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu can take time to cross, especially when stops are close on the map but slow by road. Keep the schedule loose and avoid booking several timed activities.

What the $45 price really buys you

The advertised price is $45 per person. Since the minimum booking is two people, the starting cost is effectively $90 for a private car and driver for the day. Up to five people can share the vehicle, provided there is no luggage.

For two people, the cost is reasonable if you value convenience and privacy. You are paying for 10 hours of transport, a dedicated driver, fuel, parking, air-conditioning, bottled water, pickup, and drop-off. You also avoid the mental work of navigating and parking.

For four or five people, the per-person value improves considerably. A small group can split the car cost while keeping the private format. Just confirm the vehicle arrangement and luggage restriction before booking if your group includes bags.

The price does not include lunch, dinner, or entrance fees. These expenses can add up, especially on a temple-heavy route. Build them into your budget rather than treating the $45 as the full cost of the day.

Remote destinations require an additional $20 to $40 per car. The listed areas are Amed, Tulamben, Tejakula, Lovina, Munduk, North Bali, Gerokgak, and Negara. The exact amount depends on distance.

If you run beyond 10 hours, the company adds a 10 percent hourly overtime fee. The driver collects extra charges directly, so ask for a clear estimate before extending the day.

The driver can shape more than the route

The driver is the key part of this experience. You are not just hiring a vehicle. You are relying on a local person to manage roads, parking, timing, and practical decisions.

Wika received especially strong praise for being accommodating, fun, helpful, and good at explaining Balinese art and culture. The service response also emphasizes friendly Balinese hospitality. That suggests the best version of this trip comes when you communicate openly and treat the driver as a partner in planning.

I would send your priorities before pickup. List the places you care about most, any dietary or timing needs, and any activity that cannot be missed. Then let the driver tell you what fits.

A good driver can also help you avoid an overstuffed schedule. The most memorable day is often not the one with the longest list. It is the one where you have enough time to notice where you are.

What is included, and what is not

Included:

  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Parking fees
  • Pickup and drop-off

Not included:

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Entrance fees
  • Extra charges for certain remote areas
  • Overtime after 10 hours

The inclusion of parking and fuel removes two common sources of small expenses. Entrance tickets remain your responsibility, and prices may vary by site, so carry room in your budget.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The service also requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Bali car charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small groups who want control over the day. It is also useful if you have a short stay and want to focus on one part of Bali without arranging several separate transfers.

It suits you if driving in Bali sounds stressful, if you want air-conditioning, or if you prefer to stop when you choose. It is less suitable if you want a fully scripted guided tour with every ticket and meal arranged in advance.

The one-region rule is not a flaw. It is a helpful guardrail. Choose Ubud, East Bali, Kintamani, South Bali, West Bali, or the city area, then build a sensible route within that zone.

Should you book it?

Book this private car hire if you want a flexible Bali day and do not want to drive yourself. The strongest reasons are the private format, 10-hour duration, local driver support, included parking and fuel, and the chance to shape the route around your interests.

Before paying, settle three points: your chosen region, your top two or three stops, and the likely extra costs. Keep plenty of time between appointments. If you do that, the service offers a practical middle ground between an expensive private tour and the hassle of arranging Bali transport on your own.

FAQ

How long is the private car hire?

The service lasts approximately 10 hours. Overtime after that limit is charged at an additional 10 percent per hour.

How many people can join the booking?

The minimum booking is two people, and the maximum is five people without luggage.

Can I visit different regions of Bali in one day?

No. The tour must remain within one region. Covered choices include Ubud, East Bali, the city area, West Bali, Kintamani, and South Bali.

Are entrance fees and meals included?

No. Lunch, dinner, and entrance fees are not included in the price.

Does the service include pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with pickup available from the airport, hotels, and listed areas such as Ubud, Sanur, Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Benoa.

What happens if I need to visit a remote area or stay out longer?

A $20 to $40 per-car fee applies to listed remote areas such as Amed, Tulamben, Lovina, Munduk, and North Bali. If the service runs beyond 10 hours, a 10 percent hourly overtime fee is added.

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.