Bali is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, beautiful temples, and friendly locals. To explore the island and experience it to the fullest, renting a scooter is a convenient and affordable option. In this article, I will guide you through the process of how to rent a scooter in Bali.
Before I went to Bali I had researched everything about how to rent a scooter on the island. I was still shocked at the prices and how business was conducted. I was scammed out of IDR 200,000 because turns out I had not researched enough about Bali scooter rental. Renting a scooter in Bali can be a cumbersome experience but not if you already know all the ins and outs.
New Law Banning Scooter Rentals For Tourists
There are now new guidelines for scooter rentals for tourists in Bali. The Governor of Bali has stated that tourists can only rent scooters from certain business that are registered with the transport authority. I do not have all the details about which businesses currently qualify. Please make sure to only rent scooters from these businesses.
Should You Rent a Scooter in Bali?
Driving a scooter in Bali can be a fun and exciting way to explore the island, but it is not for everyone. If you are not comfortable driving in busy traffic or have never ridden a scooter before, it may not be the best option for you. It is important to assess your skills and experience before deciding.
The roads in Bali are very chaotic and narrow in places. It is not like the US or Europe where everybody follows the rules. In Bali almost no one follows the rules. You have to be very quick on your feet and maneuver some extremely tight and steep places. This can be very dangerous and there have been bad accidents from over confident tourists that went viral on social media.
In order to drive in Bali I would recommend you either have driven in countries like India, Pakistan, Mexico before where the roads are similar or you have enough experience to be able to manage the roads in Bali.
Documents Needed to Rent a Scooter in Bali
To rent a scooter in Bali, you will need a few important documents:
International Drivers Permit
An International Driver’s Permit or License (IDP) is required to rent a scooter in Bali. This permit can be obtained from your home country’s driving authority.
Passport
You will need to have a valid passport to rent a scooter in Bali.
Address of Your Hotel in Bali
The rental company will need to know the address of your accommodation to verify your stay.
Phone Number
You will need to provide your Whatsapp phone number for rental confirmation and communication purposes.
Cash in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Carrying cash in Indonesian Rupiah is essential for scooter rental, as most rental companies do not accept credit cards. You have to pay the entire amount for the rental up front.
Scooter Options
Honda Scoopy
This is a 109.5 cc engine and a very light scooter. I prefer this because of how light it weighs and at my size this is the one I am the most comfortable with. These scooters with low power have better control and are easier to maneuver. I have found there to be no reason to be driving high powered engines in Bali and usually only assholes are riding those.
Honda Vario 110cc
I am not sure why they are always priced more since this scooter has the same engine power as the Scoopy. They are a little bit bigger in some cases and have more luggage space under the seat.
Honda Vario 125cc
This scooter has a more powerful engine but the space under the seat is very small. It also guzzles up fuel much faster so you have to consider this if you are going to be driving a lot.
Honda Vario 160cc
This is an even more powerful engine and a pretty comfortable scooter. This tends to be more expensive though since it’s a newer model.
Yamaha NMax
This scooter was way too heavy for me. I couldn’t even balance on it properly. It has a 155cc engine and is the most powerful and expensive scooter to rent. Since it’s big, it has a wide cushion to sit on which is great if there are two people on it. The cheaper scooter tends to get uncomfortable for two people.
Scooter Rental Costs
The cost of scooter rental varies according to the location and type of scooter. I have paid IDR 70,000 per day for both of my trips to Bali. Some companies offer bottom of the barrel scooters at IDR 50,000 per day but these are too much headache and will likely break down on you at some point.
The rates are higher in areas that a lot of tourists visit like Kuta, Canggu and Ubud. Most legit companies have a roster of rates and you cannot negotiate with them. The cheap scooters like Scoopy usually work great.
Daily rental costs
- Scoopy 2017 – IDR 70,000
- Scoopy 2018-20 – IDR 80,000
- Scoopy 2021-22 – IDR 110,000
- Vario 110cc/125cc – IDR 100,000 to IDR 150,000 depending on model year.
- Nmax – IDR 100,000 to IDR 200,000 depending on model year.
Long term costs
- Scoopy 2017 – IDR 900,000
- Scoopy 2018-20 – IDR 1,200,000
- Scoopy 2021-22 – IDR 2,000,000
- Vario 110cc/125cc – IDR 1,200,000 to IDR 2,000,000 depending on model year.
- Nmax – IDR 1,500,000 to IDR 2,800,000 depending on model year.
Process of Renting a Scooter
Choose scooter
This is really important to know to make sure you aren’t getting scammed by anyone. When you get to the rental they will show you the scooters and hand you a price card which has all the prices for the scooters written on it. You can look at the individual scooters and sit on them and test their weight to make sure you like it. If you like any scooter they will start it and let you ride it a little bit so you can make sure it works properly and you are comfortable.
Choose helmet
After that you can choose a helmet. I like getting helmets without a visor because the visor helmets are too bulky and heavy on my neck. You can also ask them for a surf rack if you want to carry a surfboard with you.
Fill details and pay
Then you will be taken to the office. They will note down the details of the scooter on their agreement paper and ask you to send a photo of your passport to them through Whatsapp. I have never had any companies ask for my international driving permit but I take it with me anyway. No company will ever ask to keep your original ID or passport with them. Do not give this to them!
Sign agreement
After filling in details of your place of stay, time of rental and passport, they will ask you to read the terms and conditions on the back side of the paper. Then you will sign the agreement. They will then ask for the full amount of the rental money and hand you a receipt that says you paid the full amount.
Take video of scooter
Finally you go outside and they ask you to make a video of the scooter and take pictures of any scratches. They then take a picture of you standing with the scooter. After this you can take your scooter and be on your way.
Check the Scooter Before Renting It
Before renting a scooter, make sure to check it thoroughly for damages and malfunctions. Take pictures of any pre-existing damages to avoid being charged for them later. When the workers ask you to make a video of the scooter make sure to highlight any damages to the exterior, the tires or the seat.
Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Scooter in Bali?
Insurance is not mandatory in Bali, but it is highly recommended. Accidents can happen, and having insurance can save you from unexpected expenses. Some rental companies offer insurance for an additional fee.
Snorkel with Manta Rays Tour
Nusa Penida has some of the most amazing snorkeling with Manta Rays. Tours go to Manta Bay and Crystal Bay to swim with manta rays that come right up to you. Manta Rays are huge 5 meter long marine animals that gently glide along in the water. Swimming with them is one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
If you are in Bali you can do the manta ray tour from Bali on a speedboat or you can do the manta rays tour from Nusa Penida if you are already on the island.
Where Can You Rent a Scooter in Bali
You can rent a scooter from various places in Bali, such as:
- Local rental shops.
- Airbnbs and hotels sometimes have tie ups with rental companies and offer to have the scooter delivered to the airbnb or hotel.
- Online travel agencies – Bikago, Get Your Guide, Bali Bike House.
It is important to research the rental company before renting and ensure they have good reviews.
Where to Rent Scooter in Canggu
I always rent from Fajar Bali Rent Motorbike because they have good cheap scooters and the owner replies very quickly if there is any problem with their scooter.
- Fajar Bali Rent Motorbike – Most trusted by me.
- Canggu Scooter Rental
- Bike Rental Bali
Where to Rent Scooter in Kuta
There are many vendors right in front of Kuta Beach but I have found them to be rude and scammy so I don’t recommend them. They managed to scam me out of IDR 200,000 for some form I didn’t even need.
Where to Rent Scooter in Ubud
Where to Rent Scooter in Uluwatu
Alternatives to Scooter Rental
If you are not comfortable driving a scooter or prefer other modes of transportation, you can consider the following alternatives:
Renting a Car
You can rent a car with a driver for the whole day for around IDR 800,000 to IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 50 to USD 65), or rent a car on your own for around IDR 200,000 to IDR 300,000 (approximately USD 14 to USD 21) per day. However, keep in mind that parking can be limited and the roads can be narrow, so it’s important to drive carefully.
- Book Now: Private Car Charter for Bali
By Taxi through Gojek or Grab
Gojek and Grab are popular ride-sharing apps in Bali, and you can use them to go anywhere. For short distances within the same city or town, the base fare for Gojek or Grab rides usually starts at around IDR 6,000 to IDR 7,000 (approximately USD 0.40 to USD 0.50). Additional charges per kilometer or minute are typically added to the base fare. The rates can vary slightly between Gojek and Grab, and there may be surcharges during peak hours or for certain vehicle types. You can choose between riding a scooter or a car on these apps.
How to Remain Safe While on the Scooter
Don’t wear any purses or bags with expensive items on you. These can get stolen very fast while in traffic and you won’t even realize until after the fact.
I always carry a water bottle, sunscreen and a raincoat with me under the seat because you can get sunburnt very fast while riding long distances. You won’t feel the burning because of the air on the scooter but it will become red very quickly. I use hand socks and long pants and a shirt to cover myself when going long distances more than 10 minutes away.
Can You Rent Motorbikes or Dirt Bikes in Bali?
Yes! This is one of the things I loved about being in Bali. They have Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda and Royal Enfield bikes in Bali. All vendors have a rule that to rent motorbikes you cannot rent them for less than 3 days. You can get all of these at Bike House Bali. They have a great selection of more than 100 bikes you can choose from.
At the same time I would caution you not to ride bikes in cities like Canggu, Ubud etc. Everyone I have seen riding bikes inside cities is always some terrible driver that is putting everyone else in danger. I saw my ex-boyfriend fall off the bike after performing a very stupid maneuver and fracturing his toe. So please only ride on wide clear roads and not on crowded roads where you put other people in danger.
Dirt Biking Tours in Bali
There are some really cool tours near Ubud that combine quad biking with waterfalls, caves and river adventures. You can go to the rainforest, ride on the volcano or do a course. I am very excited about these and plan to do one the next time I go to Bali!
- Book Now: ATV Quad Biking Adventure Guided Tour
- Book Now: Quad Bike Jungles, Rivers, Waterfalls, Caves
There are also several companies that offer full day and multiple day dirt biking tours in Bali. They provide you with the complete protection suit, helmet and bike. For beginners who have not ridden a dirt bike before, they give a dirt biking lesson until you are comfortable to ride on your own. For advanced drivers they have tours that are more challenging.
Great articles and thanks for linking to Bali Dirt Bike Adventures