Ubud Day Trips: Best Options & How to Choose

Featured image: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: the best day trip from Ubud

Take the north route if you have one day and want the classic mix. It links Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Pura Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul, and some itineraries label it an 8-hour day. Treat that figure as a planning guide only, because traffic and queues change it. Everyone else can pick by profile. Not sure Bali's inland base suits you? Our take on whether Ubud suits your trip may help first.

• First-timer with one day: the north loop of Tegallalang, Pura Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul.
• Temple and culture focus: Tirta Empul, Pura Gunung Kawi and Goa Gajah, which sit close together.
• Families with kids: a short terrace or waterfall stop, plus Sacred Monkey Forest on a separate half-day.
• Repeat visitor who has done the Monkey Forest: Kintamani volcano views or the Sukawati and Celuk craft villages.
• Rain-day fallback: Gianyar town and museum stops, then a dry-weather trip on another day.
• Heaven's Gate dilemma: choose it only if you accept a full day, otherwise pick a shorter route.

Ubud day trips compared

Use this table to weigh distance, crowds and who should skip each trip. Day lengths are relative (near, half, full) because we have no verified drive times. For prices and opening hours, check the venue's official page or ask your driver before you go.

East and Kintamani route

Kintamani is the choice for volcano views, and the route also passes through the east side of Ubud's temple belt. Besakih, Bali's largest temple complex, lies further east and works better as its own full-day plan. Start early, because cloud often builds over the caldera as the day warms. Ask your driver which viewpoint restaurants are open before you commit to lunch. Skip this route if you want a short outing, as it adds long return-traffic time. Our Ubud temple guide covers dress basics for any shrine you add.

Terraces, waterfalls and nearby highlights

Tegallalang pairs naturally with Tirta Empul and Pura Gunung Kawi, so one driver can link all three. Tegenungan Waterfall suits a shorter day, usually combined with Sukawati or Celuk craft stops. Goa Gajah is the easiest add-on if you want temple time without a long drive. Pack swimwear and a quick-dry towel for the waterfall, and pack a sarong for the temples. Gianyar town is a flexible fallback if a stop is closed for a ceremony. Plan two main stops per day, three at most. Back in town, a stop at Ubud's markets turns the afternoon into a relaxed finish.

Longer full-day options

Heaven's Gate at Lempuyang is a long day from Ubud, and forum threads often ask whether it is worth the drive. Our editorial view: go only if the famous gate photo is your priority and you have no other plans that day. Otherwise the north loop gives more variety for the same effort. Uluwatu and Sanur sit on the opposite side of the island and each deserve their own outing. Do not stack them with an Ubud-area route. For rest after a long day, book an evening at an Ubud Spa Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Your Day.

Easy half-days close to town

Campuhan Ridge Walk and Sacred Monkey Forest need no driver at all. Visit the ridge early for cooler air, then spend the afternoon indoors at one of the Ubud art museums. Opening hours and ticket prices for the Monkey Forest are on the sanctuary's official site. Repeat visitors who have done it can swap in the quiet corners from our list of lesser-known Ubud spots. Tight budget? Browse free activities around town. For an evening plan, consider the kecak fire dance or a Balinese cooking class.

Getting there: driver, scooter or tour

A private driver is the simplest way to link several stops and suits the north loop. Compare current rates on our page for hiring a private driver. Scooters give freedom on short trips, but long highland routes and rain raise the risk. See our notes on renting a scooter before you decide. For the wider picture, read how to move around town. Group tours are the cheapest hands-off option, but check whether they skip the early-morning window. Arriving from the airport? Our arrival guide covers the transfer, and flight details are on the airport's official site.

When to go and what to bring

Wet-season roads and viewpoints change the trade-offs, so match the trip to the weather. Check forecasts with Indonesia's weather agency BMKG. Our guide to season-by-season timing explains the months. When showers roll in, switch to rainy-day options and save waterfalls for a dry spell. Carry a sarong or sash for temples, though some sites supply them, so verify on arrival. Bring cash for donations, parking and small stalls, since card acceptance varies. Official visitor information is at Indonesia Tourism.

Mistakes to avoid

Most wasted days come from the same few errors.

• Overpacking stops: more than three in a day means rushing every one.
• Ignoring return traffic: leave margin before dinner plans.
• Booking tours that skip the sunrise or morning window.
• Underestimating temple dress needs, especially covered shoulders and knees.
• Carrying only cards where cash is expected (verify at each site).