When visiting Bali, navigating the island efficiently can significantly enhance your experience. Grab and Gojek are two ride-hailing apps that have revolutionized transportation in Bali, offering convenient alternatives to traditional taxis and public transport.

What are Grab & Gojek?

Grab and Gojek are ride-hailing and delivery services that have become integral to Bali’s transportation landscape. They are equivalent to Uber or Lyft (which don’t operate in Bali). Here’s what they offer:

  • Scooter Taxis: Known as Go-Ride (Gojek) and GrabBike (Grab), these services provide quick and cost-effective rides on scooters, which are ideal for short distances and avoiding traffic.
  • Car Services: Go-Car (Gojek) and GrabCar (Grab) offer taxi-like services with fixed pricing, making them safer and often cheaper than traditional taxis.
  • Food Delivery: Both apps allow you to order food from a wide range of restaurants, perfect for those lazy evenings or when you want to explore Bali’s culinary scene from your villa.
  • Courier Services: Need to send something across town? Services like GoSend (Gojek) and Grab Express (Grab) can handle your deliveries efficiently.

Why Choose Grab & Gojek in Bali?

Advantages

  • Transparent pricing: Fixed prices are shown before booking, eliminating haggling and tourist overcharging
  • Convenience: Book rides from anywhere using your smartphone
  • Quick service: Most rides arrive within 10 minutes (except during peak hours or in remote areas)
  • Safety: Drivers are registered and regulated with trip monitoring features
  • Affordability: Generally cheaper than traditional taxis
  • Language barrier solution: The app handles destination input, reducing communication issues

Downsides and Challenges

  • “No-Gojek Zones”: Local taxi cartels have created areas where ride-sharing apps are restricted or banned
  • Potential confrontations: Some traditional taxi drivers may become aggressive if they see you using these apps
  • Driver cancellations: Drivers can sometimes double-book and cancel your journey in favor of another
  • Limited service in remote areas: Northern Bali in particular has minimal coverage
  • Language barriers: Not all drivers speak English, which can lead to communication challenges if you do need to communicate
  • New regulations: As of 2025, Bali has implemented quotas limiting the number of Grab and Gojek drivers allowed to operate
  • Wait times at airport: During busy periods at Bali Airport, wait times can be 20-40 minutes

Safety Considerations

Grab and Gojek are generally safe for tourists, including solo female travelers. Both platforms have implemented safety features:

  • Trip monitoring: The app tracks your journey and alerts if the vehicle goes off-route
  • Ride sharing: Share your ride details with friends or family for added security
  • Driver verification: All drivers are pre-screened and registered

Getting Started with Grab & Gojek

What You’ll Need

  1. A local Indonesian SIM card or eSIM with phone number: Required for initial registration
  2. Smartphone: Download the Grab (Apple/Android) and/or Gojek (Apple/Android) apps
  3. Payment method: Cash or credit card (both apps accept either option)

How to Download & Set Up

  1. Download Grab or Gojek from your app store
  2. Register with your phone number (must be an Indonesian number for some features)
  3. Enter your email address and name
  4. Add a payment method (optional, as you can pay with cash)

How to Book a Ride

For Grab:

  1. Open the app and select Car or Bike
  2. Enter your destination in “Where to”
  3. Confirm your pick-up location
  4. Choose your ride type (GrabCar or GrabBike)
  5. Select payment method
  6. Tap “Book” and wait for your driver

For Gojek:

  1. Open the app and select GoRide (motorbike) or GoCar
  2. Enter your destination
  3. Confirm your pick-up point
  4. Choose payment method
  5. Tap “Order” and wait for driver confirmation

Important Things to Know

eSIM Considerations for Ride-Hailing Apps

Most data-only eSIMs don’t include a local phone number, which can cause issues when registering for Gojek and Grab. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Gojek: Often requires a valid Indonesian phone number for registration, with users reporting “Invalid phone number” errors when using data-only eSIMs.
  • Grab: May be more flexible, with some users reporting that Grab can send verification codes via WhatsApp instead of SMS.

Workarounds if using a data-only eSIM:

  • Register for these apps before your trip using your home phone number
  • Consider an eSIM that includes a local Indonesian phone number
  • Some travelers report success using Google Voice numbers

For more detailed information about eSIMs in Bali, check our complete guide to eSIMs for Bali travelers.

No-Gojek Zones

Local taxi drivers (sometimes called the “taxi mafia”) have created “no-gojek zones” in popular tourist areas where these apps are restricted. These areas include:

In these areas, drivers can drop you off but may not be able to pick you up. If you’re in a no-gojek zone, you might need to walk a short distance away or use a local taxi.

Airport Pickup

Both Grab and Gojek are available at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport:

  • Look for the Grab Lounge (bright green corner) in the arrivals area
  • Staff can help you book a ride
  • Expect to pay more than usual for airport pickups (AUD $45-60)
  • During busy periods, wait times can be 20-40 minutes

Helpful Tips

  • Use promo codes: Both apps frequently offer discounts, especially Gojek
  • Compare prices: Check both apps before booking as rates can vary
  • Add notes: Include specific details about your pickup location to help drivers find you
  • Tip your drivers: They earn a modest income, so consider adding a small tip
  • Be patient during peak hours: Traffic in Bali can be extremely congested, especially in tourist areas
  • Communicate with your driver: You can chat or call through the app if needed
  • Schedule rides in advance: Both apps allow you to book rides ahead of time
  • Be discreet when using the apps: In contested areas, don’t obviously flag or wave at your driver[8]
  • Cancel if the driver doesn’t move within 3 minutes: This is a good rule to avoid wasting time[6]

Grab vs. Gojek: Which One is Better?

When it comes to choosing between Grab and Gojek in Bali, there’s no definitive “better” option – both apps have their strengths and work well for tourists. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which might work best for your needs:

Service Availability

  • Grab: Stronger presence across Southeast Asia, including Bali’s tourist areas
  • Gojek: Dominates Indonesia with approximately 60% market share in ride-hailing

Pricing

  • Grab: Sometimes slightly more expensive but offers frequent promotions
  • Gojek: Often has better promos and discounts, especially for new users

When to Choose Grab

  • If you’re in tourist hotspots like Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta
  • If you prefer a more international app that works across Southeast Asia
  • For airport pickups (they have a dedicated Grab Lounge at Bali Airport)

When to Choose Gojek

  • For better promos and discounts (especially for first-time users)
  • For more extensive food delivery options through GoFood
  • If you’re staying longer in Bali and want to use more local services

Practical Advice

The smartest approach is to download both apps and compare prices before booking. Many travelers report that Gojek often offers better deals, while Grab might have more available drivers in certain areas. Prices can vary significantly between the apps depending on time of day, location, and current promotions.

For the best experience in Bali, have both apps ready on your phone and check which offers the better rate or shorter wait time for each journey.

Is it Better Than Other Methods of Transportation?

  • Versus Taxis: Grab and Gojek are generally cheaper, more transparent in pricing, and offer a broader range of services. Traditional taxis might be more readily available in some areas but can be pricier and less reliable in terms of pricing.
  • Versus Private Drivers: For short trips, ride-sharing apps are more economical. However, for day-long excursions or trips to remote areas, hiring a private driver might be more practical due to the limitations of app services in less touristy areas.
  • Versus Renting a Scooter: While renting a scooter gives you freedom, it comes with the responsibility of navigating Bali’s chaotic traffic and the risk of accidents. Grab and Gojek eliminate these concerns.

Is It Worth It?

For most tourists, Grab and Gojek offer the most convenient, safe, and affordable transportation options in Bali. They eliminate language barriers, provide transparent pricing, and offer the flexibility to choose between cars and motorbikes depending on traffic conditions.

While there are some limitations in certain areas, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, making these apps essential tools for navigating Bali with ease.

Download both apps before your trip, get a local SIM card or appropriate eSIM upon arrival, and enjoy the convenience of on-demand transportation throughout your Bali adventure.