Transfer · Between bases
From Ubud to Sidemen, along the valley roads
Sidemen, a farming valley at the foot of Agung, is reached from Ubud by country roads rather than by the southern highways. The transfer is shorter than from the airport, which takes about 1 h 45. It is the simplest change of base in the site’s itineraries, and it lends itself to half a day of sightseeing: the Klungkung court of justice is on the way.
- Updated on
- Less than airport–Sidemen (about 1 h 45)
- 5 min read
- By Kylian Dev
Contents
In brief
- Time: shorter than airport–Sidemen, which takes about 1 h 45. Allow half a day with a stop.
- Price: no official fare. A driver by the trip or by the day is set in advance, stops included.
- Best time: leave in the late morning after check-out, arrive for the rice fields in the late afternoon.
- Good to know: the last roads into the valley are narrow and steep; a driver who knows the area is an asset.
From Ubud to Sidemen, the transfer is shorter than from the airport, which takes about 1 h 45. Take a driver by the trip or by the day, booked the day before through your accommodation, and stop at Klungkung. No fare is official: set the price and the stops before leaving.
The road leaves the hills of Ubud heading east, crosses Gianyar and Klungkung, then climbs a narrow valley to Sidemen. The landscape changes quickly: fewer shops, more rice fields, villages where you mostly meet farmers. Both regions have their page: Ubud and Sidemen.
This transfer is the second stage of the 10-day, 2-week and 3-week itineraries. The continuation to the east coast is on Ubud → Amed.
The options to get from Ubud to Sidemen
A driver, by the trip or by the day, is the safest option: they load the luggage, know the valley roads and stop wherever you want. Ride-hailing may accept the ride from Ubud, but there are few vehicles in Sidemen to leave again. A scooter is only for seasoned riders, without a suitcase.
| Mode | Time | Indicative price | Who it suits | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver by the trip | Less than airport–Sidemen (about 1 h 45) | Set in advance, stops included | Most travelers | Large suitcase, no problem |
| Driver for the day | Half a day or more, with visits | Set for the day and the route | Those who want to sightsee on the way | Large suitcase, no problem |
| Grab or Gojek ride-hailing (car) | Similar to a driver | Shown in the app | Light travelers, outbound | Depends on the category |
| Scooter | Variable | Rental in Ubud | Experienced riders, with an international license | Backpack only |
A driver for the day becomes worthwhile as soon as you add a visit: that is exactly the use case described in getting around Bali. Ask your accommodation in Ubud for a recommendation rather than a tout in the street.
The transfer, hour by hour
A typical day: leave Ubud after breakfast, cross Gianyar, stop at the Klungkung court of justice, lunch on the way, then climb into the Sidemen valley. Arrival in the early afternoon, in time for a walk in the rice fields before sunset.
| Moment | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Check-out, leave Ubud heading east |
| Around noon | Klungkung: the Kerta Gosa court of justice and its painted ceilings |
| Lunch | A warung on the way, or on arrival |
| Early afternoon | Climb into the valley on narrow roads, arrival in Sidemen |
| Late afternoon | Walk in the rice fields, low light on Agung |
Sidemen is not a single village but a valley of hamlets: the driver will often ask for the exact location, then stop at the end of a track. Let your accommodation know your arrival time, and keep a light bag for the last few meters if access is on foot.
The pitfalls of the Ubud–Sidemen transfer
The pitfalls are modest: a driver who does not know the valley, a night arrival on narrow roads, a vague address in a village without house numbers, and forgetting cash. Sidemen has few restaurants and shops.
- Leaving too late: the valley roads, narrow and steep, are harder at night.
- Giving only “Sidemen”: the valley stretches over several villages. Send the exact location of your accommodation.
- Negotiating without specifying the stops: Klungkung adds waiting time, to be included in the price.
- Arriving without cash: withdraw rupiah in Ubud, where the choice of ATMs is wider.
The smart alternative: a driver for the day
Rather than a simple transfer, book a driver for the day and turn the change of base into a visit: Klungkung, a temple in the east, lunch facing the rice fields. Compare both offers from the same driver: the day on the road becomes a day of travel.
Conversely, if you are short of time, Sidemen can be skipped: the 7-day itinerary does not go there. But with ten days or more, it is the best transition between Ubud and the east, quiet and rural.
Leaving Sidemen: to the airport or the coast
From Sidemen, the airport is about 1 h 45 away. For an evening flight, leaving in the late morning is enough. For an early flight, sleep in the south the night before. The 10-day itinerary links Sidemen and Uluwatu in one long day on the road.
| Flight time | Advice |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Last night in Sanur or on the Bukit |
| Midday | Leave very early, or spend the night before in the south |
| Late afternoon | Leave in the late morning, with a margin |
| Evening or night | Leave in the early afternoon |
From Sidemen, the most common next stop on the site is Amed, along the east coast. If you head back south, avoid the late afternoon around Denpasar, where the time gained on the valley roads gets lost. For Uluwatu, the 10-day itinerary speaks of a long day on the road: plan lunch on the way and no demanding visit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Ubud to Sidemen?
Less than from the airport, which takes about 1 h 45. Allow half a day if you stop at Klungkung.
How much does a driver from Ubud to Sidemen cost?
There is no official fare. The price is set in advance, by the trip or by the day: compare two offers and specify the stops.
Should you book the driver in advance?
Yes, at least the day before, through your accommodation in Ubud. They can also advise you on stops depending on the day’s ceremonies.
Can you go from Ubud to Sidemen by scooter?
Yes for an experienced rider, with an international license and a helmet, and without a suitcase. The valley roads are narrow and steep: never at night.
What can you see on the road between Ubud and Sidemen?
The Klungkung court of justice (Kerta Gosa) and its painted ceilings, on the way. Keep the rest of your time for the rice fields on arrival.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 17, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
