Planning a trip from Canggu to Uluwatu?

You’ve come to the right place.

Uluwatu has become more popular recently and it’s a common destination from Canggu. However, the journey there can be quite a hassle!

The trip from Canggu to Uluwatu typically takes 1-2 hours by car, depending on traffic.

Traffic can nearly double the time and in this article, we reveal a brand new way to get Uluwatu that SKIPS the traffic.

Matthew and I traveled from Canggu to Uluwatu ourselves multiple times using different transport options. We’ve done day trips and weekend getaways to Uluwatu. Apart from the traffic, the journey is worth it for the spectacular cliffside sunsets alone.

In this article, we are sharing the 4 best transport options to get from Canggu to Uluwatu including tips and cool spots to check out once you’ve arrived!

Before You Go: Things To Know First

Here’s some important information to know before hitting the road that makes your trip more smooth and comfortable.

Distance And Travel Time

What’s the distance between Canggu and Uluwatu exactly?

These areas in Bali are about 35km apart from each other, depending on your start and end point. This exact trip takes around 1-1.5 hours, at minimum.

Usually, it takes longer because of traffic. Rush hours can double your travel time to around 2-2.5 hours.

We found that if you leave early in the morning (before 8:00am) or in the evening (after 6:00pm), this helps avoid traffic congestion.

Best Time To Start Your Trip

We’ve learned that timing is everything when traveling around different areas in Bali.

If you really want to avoid any hint of traffic, the best time to leave is between 6:00am to 7:00am from Canggu. 

Not an early bird? Aim for a late afternoon departure around 1:00pm to 2:00pm, as there’s less traffic on the roads.

The worst time to travel from Canggu to Uluwatu is during rush hour from 8:00am-10:00am or 4:00pm-7:00pm.

Weekends are more unpredictable for traffic conditions. There’s less traffic but it’s still there!

Travel Medical Insurance

We can’t stress this enough: don’t skip travel medical insurance for Bali!

Driving around the roads can be tricky, accidents do happen and you never know what else could go down.

For example, our friends were driving down to Uluwatu on their motorbike. One of them pulled out their phone to take a video when all of a sudden another motorbike rode up next to them and tried to snatch the phone from her hands…while on the bike. That’s wild!!

Again, whenever you travel, you never know what people are willing to try.

SafetyWing is our preferred choice for nomad insurance. They provide good medical coverage, are flexible, and 24/7 support for assistance.

The best part?

It works like a subscription. The price starts from just a few dollars per day and you can cancel anytime.

SafetyWing also has an option to add coverage for electronics theft, protecting devices like laptops, tablets, and cameras for up to $1,000 per stolen item.

Get Cash Out

ATMs in Bali are spread out all over the island. You’ll find good options in Uluwatu like BCA or BNI bank.

Make sure to get at least 200,000 IDR ($12.75 USD) out! in case you need to pay for parking, entrance to Padang Padang Beach or anything else.

eSIM For Bali Travel

The other important thing to have while traveling to Bali is obviously mobile data. You can buy a physical SIM card in Bali for a good price — we recommend going with Telkomsel for the best coverage all over the island.

The most convenient option is buying an eSIM instead. We love using Holafly eSIM because it’s easy to set up on the app and they have unlimited data plans. It’s pricier than a physical SIM but less hassle!

Best Ways To Travel From Canggu To Uluwatu

How to get from Canggu to Uluwatu exactly?

You have several options to choose from!

We’ll explore the most popular transportation choices to the lesser-known ones. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what’s best for you because each option has its perks and drawbacks.

1. Hire A Private Driver ✔️Comfortable ✔️Day Trips

Hiring a private driver is common in Bali for tourists. They offer a comfortable car with air-conditioning, drive you to whichever destination you choose and its the best door-to-door service.

Amongst our 23 helpful Bali travel tips, we share that a private driver is the best for day trips to areas like Ubud or Uluwatu.

A private driver can take you from Canggu to Uluwatu but more than that, they will drive you to key highlights like Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Padang Padang Beach.

You can find a driver through your hotel or even better — we usually find our drivers through Grab and ask for their WhatsApp if we like their service. Most of them offer day trips, so make sure to clarify the price beforehand.

It’s the perfect option for bigger groups who want to travel together. Otherwise, a private driver is more expensive for couples or solo travelers.

2. Book via Taxi App (Grab or GoJek) ✔️Convenient ✔️Budget-friendly

The best rideshare apps for getting around Bali are Grab or GoJek. We use them both interchangeably, honestly, whichever gives us the best price.

Grab or Gojek is usually much cheaper than a private driver or regular taxi. You can also choose the best mode of transport for you:

• Standard Car
• XL Car (think SUV type)
• Motorbike
• XL Motorbike (think PCX or NMax)

From the time you book, wait times vary from 2-10 minutes. The best part is that the price is the price — there’s no haggling!

A Grab motorbike is perfect for solo travelers. This just means you hop on the back while a local drives you to your destination. Some have helmets to give you, otherwise we bring our own helmets.

A car is much more comfortable for a couple traveling to Uluwatu. 

We don’t recommend and personally wouldn’t hail a taxi. We have had bad experiences with them changing the price at the end and being quite mean. Some say they use the meter, others will price gauge you — it depends if you’re willing to risk it!

The only downside?

There is a so-called ‘taxi mafia’ around Uluwatu which means certain zones are restricted for Grabs/Gojeks to pick you up. However, drop-offs are allowed.

So if you do take a Grab, you need to figure out how to get back to Canggu from Uluwatu another way.

3. Ride The GoBoat ✔️Fast ✔️Adventurous

Want to SKIP the traffic completely?

Take this new service called GoBoat.id and travel from Canggu to Uluwatu by fast boat instead.

You can catch the boat from Nelayan Beach in Canggu and you’ll conveniently arrive on the shores of Padang Padang Beach!

You can easily book tickets on their website, pay online and you’re all set!

Again, this is a great option if you think a boat trip would be fun! It’s important to know that you could get wet on the way to Uluwatu, depending on the sea conditions. This might not be best if you are sensitive to seasickness.

This is a shared boat so you will be with other travelers and they have a set schedule starting from 9:00 and services every 2 hours until 5:00pm.

4. Hire A Scooter Rental ✔️Independent ✔️Flexible

Renting a scooter is the most flexible way to get from Canggu to Uluwatu. This is also the cheapest transport option on this list.

You can rent different types of scooters including smaller bikes like the Honda Vario or Scoopy to bigger bikes like the PCX or NMax. For longer drives, a bigger scooter is much more comfortable.

Scooter rental prices depend on how long you rent them for. You can rent for a day, week or month. A scooter rental for a day usually starts from 65,000 IDR ($4.15 USD) depending on the kind of scooter you choose.

If you’ve driven a scooter in Bali before, this trip is pretty doable. This is ❌ not the best option for inexperienced riders or those not used to local driving conditions.

Make sure to have the right documents. Traffic is also pretty chaotic so be cautious when weaving through the cars and scooters.

We prefer taking our own scooter down from Canggu to Uluwatu because it gives us so much more freedom to explore on our own and go wherever we like, whenever we want!

However, we must let you know: our butts were in pain after an hour! Make sure to stop for stretch breaks and see if you can make the seat more comfortable.

How To Get Around In Uluwatu

Unless you take your own scooter, getting around Uluwatu can be tricky.

Why?

Grab and GoJek are typically drop-off only in the hotspot areas like around Single Fin Uluwatu. You may have to walk 10+ minutes out of the area in order to book a Grab.

Taxis are around but again, they don’t always use a meter so it’s important to agree on a price beforehand.

Renting a scooter is the best option to get around. If you didn’t drive down with one, you can ask your hotel about scooter rentals and they may provide you with one for a price.

Where To Stay In Uluwatu

Choosing the best area to stay in Uluwatu is important. This district is much more spread out and less walkable.

If you don’t have your own motorbike, it’s important to choose a hotel that’s within walking distance of some restaurants, bars or a beach.

Here’s our recommendations for hotels in Uluwatu:

On our Uluwatu trip, we stayed at The Gatsby Hotel ourselves. While we had our own motorbike, it was easy to walk to restaurants and bars from this hotel if needed.

Best Stops While In Uluwatu

Once you’re in Uluwatu, it’s a whole different vibe. You’ve got the professional surfers riding tall waves, the cliffside beach clubs and so much more.

Here are some iconic spots to check out while in Uluwatu:

Padang Padang Beach

Padang Padang Beach became famous after appearing in the classic movie “Eat, Pray, Love”. The white sand is a welcome change if you know what the beaches in Canggu are like!

You have to walk down some stairs to get to the beach but it’s perfect to spend the afternoon swimming, reading a book or hanging out with friends.

Suluban Beach

Suluban Beach (aka Blue Point Beach) is a hidden gem in the area. It’s tucked beneath limestone cliffs and has incredible sunset views.

There’s cool caves and rock pools to discover during low tide. It’s a small beach but there are fewer crowds than Padang Padang.

Dreamland Beach

Looking for crystal-blue waters? You’ll find it at Dreamland Beach.

This beach is slightly bigger with plenty of room for people to tan and lay out. It’s great for swimming, although the waves can get big at times.

The Different Ways To Get From Canggu To Uluwatu

Which is the best way to get from Canggu to Uluwatu for you?

The answer is different for everyone depending on how quickly you want to get there, how big your group is and what’s the best value for money.

As for us, we traveled to Uluwatu with a private driver, a Grab car and a scooter ourselves. We personally prefer having our own scooter because it gives us the freedom to explore Uluwatu more.

If that isn’t an option for you, the new GoBoat service is something to consider that skips the bad traffic!

Whether you’re visiting Uluwatu for a day trip or a weekend trip, it’s easier to travel from Canggu than you think. And trust us, it’s worth the trip!