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Leaving the rice terraces and cultural heart of Ubud for the busy capital of Denpasar marks a transition from Bali's highlands to its urban administrative center. Whether you head to Denpasar for its markets, pass through the Sanur coastal area or catch a flight at the international airport, the road south reveals the changing face of the island.
The distance is short, but the travel time varies with your choice of transport and Bali's traffic.
Ubud to Denpasar by Shuttle and Van
Kura-Kura Bus runs scheduled shared shuttles on its Kuta, Sanur and Ubud lines, with four trips a day between Kuta and Ubud; reservations are required.[1] A one-way ticket costs Rp 100,000, and luggage is free of charge.[2] Perama Tour runs a shared shuttle bus between Ubud, Sanur and Denpasar Airport, among other stops.[3]
Booking platforms list shared vans from Ubud into the Denpasar area at about $11 per seat, with departures roughly every hour from 07:30 to 16:30 and trips of about 45 to 55 minutes (October 2026).[4] A minivan from the Bali area to Denpasar is listed at about $5 and about 45 minutes, with departures at 07:00, 11:00, 15:30 and 18:00.[4]
Ubud to Denpasar by Private Transfer
For maximum comfort, especially with a group or heavy luggage, a private transfer is the most flexible option, because you can leave at any time and travel without stops. Booking platforms list private transfers from Ubud to Sanur at about $19 to $71 and from Ubud to Ngurah Rai International Airport from about $13, depending on the vehicle, with trips of about 30 minutes to 2 hours (October 2026).[4] The listed vehicles range from small cars and economy cars to vans for up to 14 passengers.[4]
Ubud to Denpasar by Minibus
The minibus is the most economical choice for solo travelers. Booking platforms list it at about $6, with a journey of about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes within Bali and about 1 hour 50 minutes to the airport (October 2026).[4] Departures are listed at 11:00 and 17:00, and the airport minibus at 11:00.[4] It follows a set schedule with specific pick-up points.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Minibus | About $6 on booking platforms[4] | About 1h 10min to 1h 50min[4] |
| Shared van | About $11 per seat on booking platforms[4] | About 45 to 55 min[4] |
| Private transfer | From about $13 per vehicle (to the airport), about $19 to $71 (to Sanur)[4] | About 30 min to 2h[4] |
Tips for Traveling from Ubud to Denpasar
- Allow for Traffic: Traffic in the Gianyar and Denpasar areas can be unpredictable. With a flight to catch, add an extra hour to the estimated travel time.
- Book in Advance: Kura-Kura Bus requires reservations, and shared vans and private transfers can fill up in peak season.[1]
- Pick-up Points: For a shared van or bus, check the exact meeting point in Ubud, as some operators depart from an office while others offer hotel pick-ups. Perama's Ubud stop is its office.[3]
Timetable
| Bus Bali - Bali $ 5.52–6.16 1h 10m – 1h 30m | |
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| Bus Bali - I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport $ 5.52 1h 50m | |
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| Taxi Ubud - Sanur $ 18.55–70.88 45m – 1h 15m | |
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| Ferry Ubud - Sanur $ 7.18 2h 30m | |
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| Van Ubud - Sanur $ 6.35–11.04 15m – 1h | |
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| Taxi Ubud - I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport $ 13.14–239.47 30m – 2h | |
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| Taxi Ubud - Bali $ 17.94 55m | |
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| Van Ubud - Bali $ 11.04–71.77 45m – 55m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Ubud to Denpasar, including current prices and schedules.
The minibus is the cheapest, listed on booking platforms at about $6 (October 2026). Kura-Kura Bus charges Rp 100,000 one way on its Kuta, Sanur and Ubud lines.
Shared vans are listed at about 45 to 55 minutes. A private transfer lets you leave at any time and travels without stops, with listed times from about 30 minutes.
Booking platforms list shared vans at about 45 to 55 minutes, private transfers at about 30 minutes to 2 hours and the minibus at about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes.
Yes. Perama's shuttle bus stops at Denpasar Airport, and booking platforms list a minibus (about $6) and private transfers (from about $13) from Ubud to Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Yes. Booking platforms list private vans for up to 14 passengers, which suit groups traveling together with luggage.
Early morning or late evening is often best to avoid peak traffic in Denpasar. If you head to the airport, allow extra time whatever the time of day.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Kura-Kura Bus: Kura-Kura Bus: Seat in Coach (SIC) Service. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Kura-Kura Bus: Ticket Info: Kuta to Ubud shuttle. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Perama Tour: Bali Lombok Daily Shuttle Bus. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Ubud to Denpasar. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.