Grab and Gojek are Bali's two apps for rides, motorbike taxis and food delivery. They are very similar, but a few differences really matter for travellers: paying with a foreign card, airport pickup, and the areas where app drivers can't pick you up.
The comparison
| Grab | Gojek | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Southeast Asian group | Indonesian app |
| Foreign bank card | Widely accepted | Often declined: use cash or top up GoPay |
| Motorbike taxi | GrabBike | GoRide, often slightly cheaper |
| Car | GrabCar, often seen as handier for airport runs | GoCar |
| Food delivery | GrabFood | GoFood, very wide choice in the south |
| Message translation | Built in | Simple English advised |
Our tip: install both. Prices vary between the apps with time and demand, and comparing takes ten seconds.
Before you leave: install and verify
- Create your accounts at home: sign-up requires an SMS code, easier to receive on your usual number.
- Add your bank card to Grab before you go.
- Keep small rupiah notes: they're your fallback if a card payment fails.
- You need mobile data from the moment you land: see our eSIM & apps guide.
At Denpasar airport
Grab and Gojek work at Ngurah Rai airport, but pickup isn't at the arrivals exit: it happens at dedicated points in the parking buildings. Book in the app, then follow the signs to the meeting point shown. With lots of luggage or a group, a pre-booked transfer remains the simplest option.
Areas where the apps are refused
In some tourist areas, local transport cooperatives object to app drivers picking up customers. It isn't a legal ban but a tolerated local rule, often marked by signs. Drop-off is usually fine; pickup is the problem.
- Bukit peninsula (Uluwatu, Bingin, Padang Padang): the most restrictive area.
- Central Ubud, around the Monkey Forest and the palace.
- Parts of Canggu, notably at the gates of some beach clubs.
The fix: walk 5–10 minutes to a main road before booking, or accept the local taxis' fixed fare. Stay polite: these tensions are local and long-standing, and the driver can't change them.
App or rental: which to choose?
For short trips in the south or a one-way ride, the apps are unbeatable. To string several stops together in a day, a scooter or a day driver becomes handier: see our scooter or driver comparison.
❓ Frequently asked questions▾
Grab or Gojek: which is cheaper in Bali?
Gojek is often slightly cheaper, especially for motorbike taxis, but it varies with time and demand. The simplest approach is to compare both apps before each ride.
Can you pay Gojek with a French card?
Often not: foreign cards are frequently declined. Pay cash or top up the GoPay wallet at a convenience store such as Alfamart or Indomaret. Grab handles foreign cards better.
Can you get a Grab in Uluwatu?
Drop-off is usually possible, but pickup is often blocked by local cooperatives. Walk to a main road before booking.
Practical information here is provided for guidance only and can change without notice. Always check current rules, prices and conditions before you travel.
📚 Sources▾
Information cross-checked on 8 October 2026 against specialist travel guides published in 2026. Local rules change: check on the ground.