Hire Car with Driver in Bali

You’ll get Bali without the transport stress. This private hire car run from Ubud lets you hit major sights on your schedule, with a driver who can adapt stops as your day unfolds. I especially like the small-group setup (up to 4) and the fact that the driver waits while you explore.

I also like that the car comes with practical perks like AC and cold water, so you’re not melting between sites. One drawback to factor in: entrance tickets are not included, and several stops require separate payments in addition to the tour price.

Key Highlights Worth Your Attention

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Key Highlights Worth Your Attention

  • Up to 4 people for one price: better value if you’re traveling as a duo or a family unit.
  • Pickup from Ubud Art Market at 8:00 am and return there at the end of your day.
  • English-speaking driver to smooth out timing, logistics, and on-the-fly changes.
  • A tight classics route: Monkey Forest area, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, Tegenungan Waterfall.
  • Cold water + AC included, plus gasoline and parking taken care of.
  • Drivers with a real personal touch, including names like Pande and his team (Wayan, Gablor, Pande Jr.) showing up in past service experiences.

Why a Private Driver Works So Well in Bali (Especially From Ubud)

Ubud is a great base, but Bali’s best sights aren’t close together like they are in some cities. Public transport exists, yet it can be slow and awkward when you’re trying to hop between temples, rice terraces, and waterfalls in one day.

That’s where a private hire car with driver shines. Instead of losing half your day to transit, you spend that time where you want it: at the sights themselves. And because it’s private, you’re not stuck syncing your pace with anyone else’s group.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.

The 8–10 Hour Day: How This Route Flows

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - The 8–10 Hour Day: How This Route Flows
This is built as an all-day highlights plan, running about 8 to 10 hours total. The tour starts at 8:00 am from Ubud Art Market (Jl. Raya Ubud No.35, Ubud) and ends back at the meeting point.

The idea is simple: you cover the major Ubud-region icons in a logical order, then keep moving. You’ll also have built-in stop time for photos and actual wandering—not just quick drop-offs—because the driver is there to accompany you and then wait at each point.

A helpful note for planning: the stops are a mix of popular and sacred sites. That means you can expect crowds at the busiest ones (like the water temple), and a calmer feel at others.

Stop 1: Sacred River Spa Stop + Monkey Forest Time

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Stop 1: Sacred River Spa Stop + Monkey Forest Time
Your day typically begins with a Sacred River Spa-area stop, and it’s paired with a visit to the Monkey Forest. It’s a straightforward start: you arrive, see the monkeys, and take in the green forest views from inside the experience.

You’ll get about 1 hour here, and this is also where you should budget extra. The additional ticket mentioned is around IDR 80k per person. If you want selfies up close, this is usually the stop where you’ll do it.

Practical thought: because monkeys are the main draw, you’ll want your time here to be flexible. If you get absorbed by photo ops or watching monkey behavior, the hour usually works out well.

Stop 2: Tegalalang Rice Terrace Walk (Plus Swing Options)

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Stop 2: Tegalalang Rice Terrace Walk (Plus Swing Options)
Next comes Tegalalang Rice Terrace, one of Bali’s most famous rice-field scenes. This is where the day turns scenic in a different way—less about sacred rituals, more about walking viewpoints and getting your photos with that classic Bali rice-terrace texture.

You’ll have time to walk around and enjoy the view. There are also extra activities you might run into, including zipline swing-style experiences, but those are separate from the ticket.

The entrance cost listed for this stop is about IDR 25k per person. The stop itself is quick on the schedule, so think of it as: arrive, choose your viewpoint, take a walk, and move on when you’re satisfied.

Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and Its Holy Springs

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple and Its Holy Springs
Then you reach Tirta Empul Temple, one of the busiest water temples in Indonesia. This is a spiritual stop, not just a photo stop. The temple is sacred to Balinese Hindu community members, and the story you’ll hear (and see reflected in the bathing areas) centers on the holy springs said to have been created by the God Indra.

The key detail here: people come to bathe in the springs believed to help purify. If you’ve only seen temples from the outside, this is the one that turns the experience into something more physical and ritual-based.

Plan for about 1 hour. The entrance ticket listed is around IDR 50k per person, and this is also the stop where you’ll likely feel the tempo shift—people move differently here because the main event is the bathing process.

Stop 4: Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple for a Temple-Story Pause

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Stop 4: Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple for a Temple-Story Pause
After the big water temple, you head to Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple. Bali has a lot of temples, but this one is framed around meaning and story—why temples were made where they are, and what makes them worth your attention beyond just architecture.

This stop runs about 1 hour. Unlike the rice terraces, where the main action is walking and viewing, a temple stop is more about observation and respect. You’ll want to take your time reading the atmosphere rather than rushing for photos.

Also, like the others, entrance tickets are not included for this item in the tour price, so have some cash or payment readiness.

Stop 5: Tegenungan Waterfall (Also Known as Kemenuh)

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - Stop 5: Tegenungan Waterfall (Also Known as Kemenuh)
The final highlight is Tegenungan Waterfall, located in Gianyar. The tour description also notes it can appear under another name—Kemenuh Waterfall—because it’s tied to the local village name.

One more detail you might notice: the name Tegenungan is connected to the road tourists often pass on the way to the waterfall. That’s a nice example of how Balinese place names often reflect how locals experience daily life and routes—not just what a brochure decides.

You’ll have a short time here (the itinerary indicates a very brief stop), so treat it as a viewpoint-and-walk moment: get your photos, take in the sound and spray, then enjoy the rest of the afternoon as the day winds down.

What You Pay Extra vs. What’s Included in the Tour Price

Hire Car with Driver in Bali - What You Pay Extra vs. What’s Included in the Tour Price
This tour’s pricing is set up so you’re paying mostly for transport + driver + logistics, not entrance fees.

Included

You get:

  • Private tour
  • Driver who speaks English
  • Gasoline
  • Parking
  • AC
  • Cold water

That combination matters in Bali. Parking and fuel fees can add up, and having AC for the midday stretch is more than comfort—it helps you stay functional.

Not Included

You’ll pay separately for:

  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
  • Entrance tickets

And several entrance tickets are specifically listed with approximate prices:

  • Monkey Forest area: around IDR 80k per person
  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace: IDR 25k per person
  • Tirta Empul Temple: IDR 50k per person
  • Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple and Tegenungan Waterfall: entrance tickets not included (prices not stated in your data)

So if you want to budget realistically, plan for a day where you’ll be paying at multiple stops. The good news is the tour itself doesn’t require you to guess what the vehicle costs or how to manage parking.

Price and Value: Why This Works for Up to 4 People

The price listed is $64.11 per group (up to 4), for about 8 to 10 hours. That’s usually the point where I pause and do the math based on what you’re actually buying:

You’re not only getting a car. You’re getting:

  • an English-speaking driver who can handle timing
  • someone who can wait while you’re inside each site
  • AC and cold water built into the day
  • gasoline and parking sorted out

For a group of two, it’s already practical. For a group of three or four, it can feel like the least painful way to do a highlights day without chaos.

Then factor in that you’re still paying entrance tickets and food separately. But that’s normal in Bali. The real question is whether you can get the same pacing and stress-free movement with buses or scooters—especially if you don’t want to wrestle traffic or navigation.

What the Driver Experience Feels Like in Real Life

The service is private, and the driver accompanies you anywhere on the island you want to go for the tour day. The driver also waits at each stop, which means you’re not sprinting back to the car like a scavenger hunt.

You’ll also benefit from a driver who has clear communication and flexibility. Past service examples mention drivers such as Pande, and his team members Wayan, Gaborl (spelled in your notes as Gablor), and Pande Jr. People also describe strong traits like punctuality, politeness, safe driving, and accommodating changes.

A detail that’s especially useful: one note mentions WiFi in the car and a clean setup. Not every day needs WiFi, but it’s handy for keeping phones ready for tickets, maps, and photos.

Timing Tips You Can Use Without Guessing

Since your day starts at 8:00 am, you have a head start on the day. That matters because multiple stops can get busy, especially the temple with water activities.

Also, because tickets aren’t included, your best move is to plan for extra stops costs up front rather than hoping to wing it. The tour already lists some ticket prices in IDR, so consider having cash ready for those exact fees.

One more timing reality: the schedule mixes longer spiritual stops (like the temple hour) with quicker scenic stops (like a brief waterfall window). So if your priority is photos at one spot, you may want to mentally assign the longer moments to the places that matter most to you.

Who Should Book This Hire Car With Driver?

This works best if:

  • You want a high-visibility Bali day without juggling transit
  • You’re traveling in a group of up to 4 people and want a manageable price per person
  • You prefer a flexible itinerary where the driver can support your choices
  • Temple and scenic stops both matter to your day

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys “see it, then move on,” this route fits well. If you want long, slow, single-site immersion, you might prefer a shorter day or a customized swap—since this format supports your own itinerary style.

Should You Book This Tour?

I’d book this if you’re spending your Bali time around Ubud and want a stress-light way to hit the big names: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, and Tegenungan Waterfall.

Skip it (or adjust expectations) if you hate paying entrance fees on top of your tour price or if you’re looking for a food-included day plan. This is transport-and-access heavy, not a full packaged meal tour.

Given the included AC + cold water + private driver setup, plus the practicality of pickup and return at Ubud Art Market, it’s a strong way to buy yourself freedom for the day.

FAQ

Is this a private tour or shared with other groups?

It’s a private tour. Only your group participates.

Where does pickup happen and when does the tour start?

Pickup is from Ubud Art Market at 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours.

How many people can be in a group for this price?

The price is per group and is listed for up to 4 people.

What’s included in the hire car cost?

Included are a private tour, an English-speaking driver, gasoline, parking tickets, AC, and cold water.

What isn’t included in the price?

Food and drinks, lunch, and entrance tickets are not included.

Are entrance tickets needed for the stops?

Yes. Entrance tickets are not included, and some stops list example ticket costs such as IDR 80k for the Monkey Forest area, IDR 25k for Tegalalang Rice Terrace, and IDR 50k for Tirta Empul Temple.

Does the driver wait while we explore each stop?

Yes. The driver accompanies you and will wait for you at each stop.

Will I get confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellation less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Ubud we have reviewed