How to Go from Ubud to Gilimanuk

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Taking a shared shuttle from Ubud to Gilimanuk

Shared shuttles are one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get from Ubud to Gilimanuk. The journey usually takes around 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and how many passenger pick-ups are scheduled along the way. Shuttles are typically minibuses with air conditioning, offering a comfortable ride without the hassle of changing vehicles.

Most companies provide hotel pick-up in Ubud, so you don’t need to lug your bags to a central meeting point. Drop-off is usually at the Gilimanuk ferry terminal, making it easy to head straight to the ticket counter. You can book shuttles online through platforms like 12Go Asia or in person at travel agencies in Ubud. Tickets are best reserved at least a day in advance, especially during peak travel months like July and August, when routes can fill up quickly.

Taxi from Ubud to Denpasar and then bus to Gilimanuk

If you want to travel independently and keep costs low, you can take a taxi from Ubud to Denpasar and then catch a public bus to Gilimanuk. The taxi ride from Ubud to the Denpasar bus terminal takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. From there, regular buses run to Gilimanuk, with the journey taking around 4 to 5 hours.

This option involves more coordination than a shuttle or private transfer, but it’s a good choice if you’re comfortable with local transport. Buses are generally no-frills, with basic seating and no air conditioning on some services. Tickets for the bus can be purchased directly at the terminal. While this is often the cheapest route, keep in mind you’ll be handling your own luggage transfers between the taxi and bus.

Taking a Private transfer from Ubud to Gilimanuk Private Transfer

A private transfer is the most comfortable and hassle-free way to travel from Ubud to Gilimanuk. The drive takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic, and you’ll be picked up directly from your accommodation at a time that suits you. This door-to-door service means no changes, no waiting, and no need to coordinate multiple transport connections.

Private transfers can be booked online through services like Daytrip.com, which lets you choose your pick-up time and even add sightseeing stops along the way. Vehicles are air-conditioned and driven by experienced local drivers who know the route well. While this option is more expensive than a shared shuttle, it’s ideal if you’re travelling with luggage, on a tight schedule, or simply want a stress-free ride straight to the ferry terminal.

Driving a Rental car from Ubud to Gilimanuk

Driving yourself from Ubud to Gilimanuk takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, covering roughly 78 miles (125 kilometers). The route is straightforward, passing through scenic stretches of countryside and coastal roads. Having your own car gives you flexibility to stop wherever you like along the way, whether that’s for a coffee break, a beach detour, or a viewpoint photo.

However, there’s a big catch – most Indonesian rental companies don’t allow one-way rentals between islands. This means you can drive onto the ferry, but you’ll need to return the car to Bali, which makes continuing your journey into Java tricky. If your trip is a round one back to Bali, this isn’t an issue. Otherwise, it’s usually better to take transport to Gilimanuk, cross to Java, and then rent a separate vehicle once you’re on the other side.

Motorbike from Ubud to Gilimanuk

Riding a motorbike from Ubud to Gilimanuk is an adventurous way to see Bali, but it’s a long journey of around 4 to 5 hours covering 78 miles (125 kilometers). The ride takes you through a mix of winding inland roads and coastal stretches, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and explore small towns and scenic spots along the way. If you’re looking to get an idea of the cost of bike rental, then check out bikesbooking – for costs, availability and locations in Ubud.

You can rent motorbikes easily in Ubud, but make sure you choose a reliable bike for such a distance and check that you’re confident riding in Bali’s traffic conditions. A helmet is essential, and wearing proper riding gear is recommended. Fuel is easy to find along the route, and parking at the Gilimanuk ferry terminal is straightforward. This is a great option if you want flexibility and don’t mind the physical effort, but it’s less comfortable than other transport choices.

Popular Indonesian Routes to Travel

Want to know more about different forms of transport in Indonesia? Our guide to Indonesian transport is here. And here’s how to travel some of the popular routes around Indonesia, your options, and how we did it.

• The Top 5 Scenic Routes in Indonesia.
• How to go from Bali to Lombok
• Going from Ubud to Gilimanuk
• How to go from Banyuwangi to Probolinggo
• How to go from Lombok to the Gili Islands
• Getting to Bromo Independently
• How to get to Kawah Ijen independently
• Going from Bali to Java
• How to get to the Gili Islands from Bali
• Going from Probolinggo to Yogyakarta
• How to get from Banyuwangi to Bromo
• How to get from Surabaya to Probolinggo

A Story on Going from Ubud to Gilimanuk

We had fun with this journey.  Well, it’s fun when you look back.  At the time, it was frustrating and somewhat annoying.  But hey, those are often the better travel days that you remember, right?

We booked a taxi from Ubud to get us to the main bus station in Denpasar, where we were going to catch a local bus to the port of Gilimanuk and from there a ferry to the island of Java.

We couldn’t find any public buses from Ubud to the Denpasar bus station.  We’d heard a whisper of a bemo that would get us within two blocks of the bus station, but we’d also heard a rumour that it might take us all day just to get to the bus station, so we gave in and booked the taxi.

Our driver spent the entire journey trying to convince us to just take the taxi straight to Gilimanuk for three times the rate we’d paid.  He wanted another 500,000 IDR.

It will be quicker, he said.  (True, we thought, while shaking our heads). 

It will be cheaper, he said.  The bus, he says, will cost us 250,000 per person.  Plus his fee of 250,000.  We know this is not to be the case.

The bus, he continued, will not leave until 3 or 4 pm.  And the last ferry will leave at 5 pm.  We will not get there in time.  (We know this is not the case)

A few minutes later.  He was down to a total of 600,000 (down from 750,000) to go straight to Gilimanuk.

It might, he says, in a second last-ditch attempt, not be a bus, but a small van like that minivan ( he says, pointing to a standard Asian minivan, which are usually way more comfortable than big buses).

Finally, and my personal favourite, he said “the local people are scary at the bus station”

“Mate.  (My face said, as I kept my mouth shut)  I’ve spent 5 months in India, the only Western woman in places for weeks at a time, your Indonesian bus touts know nothing about being scary.”

He dropped us off at the bus station.

The bus station was no better.  At the time, we were the only Western tourists here; most other people, it seemed, had more sense. There are three buses that look as though they’re heading to Gilimanuk or onwards to Java. The first is an “executive one” for 125,000 IDR per person. The second is a big bus for 80,000. The third one that we find is for 50,000 IDR. They’re all going “now”.

As they always are, of course.

“Now” in Indonesian is a much maligned term.

It means any time from 15 minutes from this immediate point in time to several hours in the future.

What it does not mean is NOW. 

We loiter around the small bus until it starts to fill up and then get on.

The dude who’d told us how much and that it would go at 11 am tells us to pay him now, so we do, eyeing the holes in the floor and the dodgy seats more than a little apprehensively.

There is, of course, no receipt. And we spend most of the journey expecting to be asked for more money, as once he gets our money, he legs it. It turns out that this is the Modus Operandi for dealing with foreign tourists on Indonesian buses.

There’s a different guy who takes the money from us, “Bule” (foreigners), than the domestic travelers.

He likely is the only one who’s speaking English, so he’s holding all the cards.

The price is what he tells you it is. For this trip, it’s probably double the cost that the locals pay, which I have no issue with, but already I’m fed up with the bullshit comments that it’s the same price. I’d have much more respect if they were honest that we’re paying more.

The bus leaves at 11 am.  (We’d arrived at this bus station at 1042 and were told 20 minutes for this little bus).

“Now” seems pretty on time today.

There are 7 of us on the bus.

And so we bounce our way north, heading to Gilimanuk, where the bus station is literally across the road from the ferry port.

And that’s it.  We’re done with Bali.

Next stop Java.

Tips for Traveling from Ubud to Gilimanuk

If you’re wondering which option suits you best, here’s a quick breakdown:

• The quickest way to get from Ubud to Gilimanuk: Private car in around 3.5 to 4 hours, followed by a shared shuttle if you can’t stretch to a private transfer.
• The easiest way to go to Gilimanuk from Ubud: Private transfer – door-to-door service with no changes or hassle. You can check private transfer rates here.
• The cheapest way to go from Ubud to Gilimanuk: Shared shuttle. It’s budget-friendly, comfortable, and drops you right at the ferry terminal.
• The best way to go from Ubud to Gilimanuk: Shared shuttle for a good balance of cost, comfort, and convenience, especially if you’re not in a rush. Get a price and book it here.

Final Words on How to Go from Ubud to Gilimanuk

Whether you choose the speed and comfort of a private transfer, the budget-friendly convenience of a shared shuttle, or the adventure of riding a motorbike, the key is to match your choice to your travel style and onward plans. If you’re heading to Java, make sure you leave enough buffer time before your ferry crossing, as Bali’s traffic can be unpredictable. Whichever way you go, this is the start of a whole new chapter in your Indonesian travels.

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