Scooter Rental in Ubud: Complete Guide

Why Rent a Scooter in Ubud?

Ubud town itself is small and walkable in 30 minutes. But the area around Ubud is enormous — rice terraces, waterfalls, temples, jungle valleys, art villages, and the climb up to Mount Batur all within a 30-90 minute ride. Without a scooter you're reliant on tour drivers (~600,000 IDR/day) or shared taxis that run set routes.

Most Ubud-based travellers rent for 3-7 days. Use it for daily excursions: Tegalalang rice terraces in the morning, Tegenungan waterfall in the afternoon, sunset back in town. Ubud is also the standard launching point for the pre-dawn ride to Mount Batur — see our dedicated Mount Batur ride guide.

Ubud Pricing

• Honda Scoopy / Vario 110-125cc: 50,000-80,000 IDR/day (~$3-5 USD)
• Yamaha NMax / Aerox 155cc: 100,000-150,000 IDR/day
• Honda PCX 160cc: 150,000-250,000 IDR/day
• Manual / off-road bikes (CRF 150L): 200,000-350,000 IDR/day
• Multi-day discount: 10-25% off for 3+ days, larger for weekly

Ubud is one of the cheaper rental areas in Bali. Long-stay digital nomads regularly negotiate 500,000-700,000 IDR/month rates (~$30-45) for monthly rentals on a 110cc Scoopy.

Deposit: 1,000,000-2,000,000 IDR cash OR a passport photocopy. Don't leave the original.

Where to Rent in Ubud

The main rental cluster is along Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Raya Ubud in central Ubud — dozens of shops within 10 minutes' walk of each other. Slightly cheaper rates are available in Penestanan (5 minutes west of centre) and Pengosekan (5 minutes south).

• If your accommodation has rentals: often the easiest option. Slightly more expensive than walk-up shops but the convenience of bike-at-your-door is real.
• Independent shops on Hanoman: the bulk of options. Walk past 5 before picking — rates and bike condition vary widely.
• Long-term rental specialists (sometimes labelled "monthly rentals"): Penestanan and Pengosekan have shops oriented at digital nomads. Newer fleets, longer contracts, monthly pricing.

What to verify before paying:

• Bike has the registration document (STNK) inside the seat compartment
• Helmet fits and isn't cracked
• Brake levers feel firm; lights and horn work
• Walk-around with the shop owner — photograph every panel
• Test ride around the shop area

The Best Day Rides from Ubud

1. Tegalalang Rice Terraces (Half Day)

The instagram rice terraces. 12km north of Ubud, easy paved road. Arrive by 8am to avoid tour buses; the photos are best in the early morning light. Plenty of cafes on the rim serving overpriced but pretty breakfast. Continue north to Tegalalang village for handicraft shops and a slower scene.

Distance: 12km / Ride time: 25-30 min each way

2. Tegenungan Waterfall (Half Day)

The closest swim-able waterfall to Ubud. 8km south on paved road. Wide curtain of water, rope swing, plenty of warung food at the top. Slippery stairs down to the basin — wear shoes with grip.

Distance: 8km / Entry fee: 20,000 IDR

3. Tirta Empul + Gunung Kawi (Full Day)

Two of central Bali's most important temples, 20-30km north of Ubud. Tirta Empul is the holy water temple where Balinese still come for purification rituals. Gunung Kawi is an 11th-century cave-shrine complex carved into the cliff face above a river. Combine into one half-day if you start early.

Distance: 25km each way / Entry: 50,000 IDR each (foreigner)

4. Tirta Gangga + Lempuyang Temple (Full Day)

For the "gates of heaven" photo and a full day of east Bali exploration. 75km from Ubud — long but the road is decent. Tirta Gangga water palace + Lempuyang temple combine well. Leave Ubud at 6am to beat the lines at Lempuyang.

Distance: 75km each way / Ride time: 2 hours each way

5. Mount Batur Sunrise Ride (Pre-Dawn)

The legendary one. Leave Ubud at 4am, ride 60km north through dark mountain roads to Kintamani. Park, hike up Mount Batur in the dark, watch sunrise from the rim. Ride back via the lake road for a long but unforgettable day. See our dedicated Mount Batur ride guidefor the full breakdown.

Distance: 60km each way / Total day: 5am-2pm

6. Sidemen Valley (Full Day or Overnight)

For travellers who've already done the obvious Ubud loops, Sidemen Valley is a quieter eastern Ubud — more rice terraces, fewer tourists, several rustic homestays for an overnight. About 35km east. The road climbs through real countryside.

Distance: 35km each way / Best as: overnight

Ubud-Specific Riding Hazards

• The Monkey Forest road: tight, busy, and the monkeys themselves unpredictable. Slow down — locals routinely brake hard for monkeys crossing.
• Tour van traffic on Jalan Raya Ubud: tour buses double-park constantly. Lane discipline disappears. Ride patiently.
• The Tegalalang shoulder: narrow road with a steep drop to the rice terraces. Don't pass on the right; stay in your lane.
• Wet leaves on temple roads: the smaller roads to Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, and minor temples have leaf litter that becomes slick when wet. Take corners conservatively.
• Banjar processions: Ubud regularly closes streets for ceremonies. Just pull over and wait — usually 10-30 minutes.

Police Checkpoints in Ubud

Ubud has fewer police checkpoints than Kuta or Canggu — but they happen. Common locations:

• The road into central Ubud from Sukawati (south)
• Jalan Raya Ubud near the football field
• Occasionally on the road to Tegalalang

See our Bali licence + police guide for the complete handling playbook. The short version: carry your IDP + home country licence + passport copy, ride wearing a proper full-face helmet, pay the small fine if it's asked for, ride on.

Final Thoughts

Ubud is the easiest place in Bali to learn to ride. Traffic is moderate, the roads are mostly paved, the rides are scenic enough to keep you motivated, and the rental ecosystem is competitive enough that you can shop around. The combination of rice terraces, waterfalls, temples, and Mount Batur access makes it the best Bali base for riders who want substance more than nightlife.

Get a Scoopy 110cc for daily errands and short rides. Upgrade to a 155cc+ if you're tackling Mount Batur or Lempuyang. Wear the full-face. Photograph the bike at handover. Then enjoy what makes Ubud different.