Canggu to Ubud: Easiest Ways to Get There & Best Times To Travel

Trying to work out the best way to get from Canggu to Ubud? I get it. On paper, it’s only around an hour, but thanks to Bali’s traffic, that can easily turn into two or even three if you travel at the wrong time.

I’ve done this journey more times than I can count over several trips to Bali, and one thing I’ve learnt is that timing makes all the difference. Leave early in the morning or later in the evening if you can. Any other time… well, welcome to Bali traffic.

Even though Canggu and Ubud aren’t far apart, they feel like completely different places. Canggu is full of beach clubs, surf and cafés, while Ubud is surrounded by jungle, rice terraces and temples.

I always recommend visiting both if you’ve got the time because they each offer a completely different side of the island.

For most people, booking a private driver is by far the easiest way to get from Canggu to Ubud. But if you’re travelling on a tighter budget, or you’re happy driving in Bali, there are a few other options too, including scooters and ride-sharing apps.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every way to get from Canggu to Ubud, including how long each one takes, how much it costs, and which option I think is best depending on your budget and travel style.

How To Get From Canggu To Ubud At A Glance

Reaching Ubud from Canggu (or vice versa) is pretty straightforward although it’s no secret that traffic in both towns can be a bit of a pain! Here’s all you need to know at a glance.

Transport Options

Over the years I’ve visited Bali, I’ve used all of these options (except for one) to get from Canggu to Ubud.

Traffic is quite a big issue in both Canggu and Ubud, so whichever way you choose to travel, I do recommend starting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. The journey should only take between 1 – 2 hours, depending on the time you leave.

Compared to UK taxi prices, Bali feels ridiculously affordable. Even travelling between different towns won’t cost nearly as much as you’d expect.

Private Car And Driver

If you’re looking for the easiest and most convenient way to get between Ubud and Canggu then booking a private car with a driver is the way to go.

If you’ve got large suitcases, don’t fancy haggling with taxi drivers, or you’re arriving after a long flight, this is probably the option I’d choose. Being picked up from your accommodation and dropped exactly where you need to be just makes travel days that little bit easier.

You can also make a full day of it as you can usually hire a private driver for 8-10 hours for about £25 – £30. This way you can also have them take you to other attractions for the day.

You can either drop your luggage at your hotel first or just keep it in the car while you explore along the way. The driver will stay with the car and your luggage so you don’t need to worry.

You can let your driver know any stops you want to visit, and they’ll plan the route for you. If you’re not sure where to go, the drivers are usually happy to suggest some cool spots to visit.

Scooter

This is the only option that I’ve personally not used, as I only recently got my driving license (yes, it took me till my early 30s to take my test!). But it’s a great option for solo travellers or couples.

I only recommend hiring a scooter if you’re a confident driver because the traffic in Ubud and Canggu can be quite tough to navigate. I know this is pretty obvious, but you’ll need a valid driving license and good travel insurance.

Using a scooter won’t be the best option if you have your suitcases with you, as I’m not sure where you’d even put them! But if you’re travelling light or are only doing a day trip, scooters can be a great, cheap option for you to use as they only cost a few pounds per day.

Travelling by scooter also means you can explore on your journey between Canggu and Ubud and you can go at your own pace.

Ride Sharing App

There is no Uber in Bali, but there are a few other ride-sharing apps that work in the same sort of way! Grab and Gojek are the main two apps, and you can choose between hiring a bike taxi or a car with a driver.

I use Grab and Gojek all the time when I’m in Bali. They’re perfect for shorter journeys around town, and they’re unbelievably cheap. We’ve paid less than the price of a coffee to get across Canggu before, and bike taxis are even cheaper if you’re travelling light.

You can book a car to drive you from Canggu to Ubud, but it won’t be much cheaper, if at all, than hiring a private driver.

I’ve used the car option a few times, and while it’s great, there are a couple of downsides. First, just like with Uber, drivers can cancel on you after you’ve booked them. If you’re not in a rush, it’s not a huge deal since you can usually book another one pretty easily.

But there is also the ongoing issue with the local ‘taxi mafia’ who are local taxi drivers that will scam tourists and rip them off. There are some zones where Grab and Gojek aren’t allowed, so you might not get door-to-door service.

When this has happened to us, we’ve only had to be dropped around the corner, so it’s not a huge issue, just something to consider.

Bluebird Taxi

If you’d rather use a regular taxi, Bluebird is the company I’d recommend. They’re reliable, metered, and we’ve never had any issues using them in Bali. Just bear in mind that in heavy traffic the fare can climb, so a journey during peak times may cost a bit more.

Unfortunately, you will need to have your wits about you if you are hailing down a Bluebird taxi. The local ‘taxi mafia’ has gotten quite clever with making their cars look like Bluebirds. The best way to tell if they are genuine is by looking for the Bluebird logo on the windscreen.

If you’re still unsure, Bluebird taxis will always run the meter whereas the scam taxis will try to haggle a grossly overpriced journey with you. If they refuse to run the meter, you can almost guarantee they aren’t a Bluebird taxi.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Ubud From Canggu?

Yes! You absolutely can do a day trip from Canggu to Ubud!

As they are only about an hour apart, it’s really easy to visit Ubud for the day before heading back to Canggu. There are Ubud day tours that you can arrange to pick you up from your hotel and take you to some of the best sights around Ubud.

If you’re only making the journey once and don’t plan to stay overnight, I’d honestly turn it into a full day out.

Most tours combine the drive with stops at places like Tegallalang Rice Terrace (although I recommend Mupu Rice Terraces instead, as reviews suggest Tegallalang now supplies luwak coffee, which is a big fucking no from me), waterfalls and a few other highlights, so you get much more out of the day than simply travelling from A to B.

Best Time Of Day To Travel

Sitting in traffic for hours on end is the last thing you want to do during your Bali itinerary!

The centres of both Ubud and Canggu are notorious for bad traffic, so you’ll want to try and miss this to make the most of your time. The best time to travel will be earlier in the morning, before 9 am, or much later in the afternoon to avoid the gridlock.

Once you’re outside the towns though, the roads should be pretty clear, whatever the time of day.

Best Time Of Year To Visit

The best time to visit Bali for weather is during the dry season between April and October. To avoid the crowds during this time though, Bali’s shoulder seasons (April, May, September and October) are great times to visit.

Although Bali is worth visiting all year round, the wet season can be quite unpredictable and can be a pain if you’re only staying for a short time. This is the cheaper and quieter time to visit though, which you might prefer when exploring the island.

Things To Do In Ubud

Whether you’re visiting Ubud for a day trip from Canggu or staying for a few days, there are lots of things for you to do while you’re here! Although the centre of Ubud can get crazy busy, I love how green and calm the surrounding area is!

Where To Stay In Ubud

Ubud has some of the most stunning places to stay in Bali with relaxing eco-resorts, hotels with infinity pools overlooking the jungle or homes tucked between the rice paddies.

You can also find sweet little guesthouses and homestays tucked away from the hustle and bustle.

Things To Do In Canggu

Canggu and Ubud couldn’t be more different if they tried! Ubud is surrounded by jungle and is an artistic hub, whereas Canggu is lined with sandy beaches and beach clubs. I love spending a few days in Canggu at the start of my trip, the vibe here is so much fun!

Where To Stay In Canggu

Canggu has lots of great places to stay, whether you’re looking for some social vibes in a hostel, a private villa or a beachfront hotel.

Canggu to Ubud FAQs

So, How Are You Getting Between Canggu and Ubud?

There are lots of different ways to get from Canggu to Ubud, depending on your budget and whether you want to drive yourself on a scooter, hire a private driver or book onto a day tour.

Although I personally prefer the convenience of booking a private driver, there is no right or wrong way to get from one town to another. You will need to travel outside of the peak hours to avoid the heavy Bali traffic, but once you are outside of the towns the road should be much clearer.

However you decide to travel, I’d always recommend booking a private driver for the easiest, most stress-free way to get between Canggu and Ubud.