There’s a moment somewhere between Ubud’s rice paddies and Amed’s black-sand shores when you realize this drive might be the highlight of your entire Bali trip.
The road from Ubud to Amed takes you through the quieter, greener heart of the island past ancient water palaces, volcanic valleys, and mountain villages that most visitors never get to see.
If you’re planning this journey, SatuSatu and SatuSatu.com have everything you need to make it smooth, flexible, and genuinely memorable.
What Is the Ubud to Amed Route?
Ubud is Bali’s cultural and artistic heartland a highland town surrounded by forested gorges, terraced rice fields, and sacred temples. Amed, by contrast, is a string of quiet fishing villages along Bali’s northeast coast in Karangasem Regency.
The distance between Ubud and Amed is roughly 87 kilometers, and the drive typically takes around 2 hours and 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and the route you choose.
This isn’t just a transfer. The landscape shifts dramatically as you head east from the lush, misty hills of central Bali to the drier, volcanic terrain of Karangasem. It’s one of those journeys where looking out the window is genuinely half the experience.
Your Transport Options (And What They Actually Cost)
Knowing your options ahead of time saves both money and stress. Here’s what to expect.
Private Car with Driver
This is the most popular choice for good reason. Hiring a private driver from Ubud to Amed costs approximately IDR 600,000 for a standard vehicle accommodating up to four passengers.
You get door-to-door service, the freedom to stop wherever you like, and a local driver who knows the roads well. It’s the best option if you want to turn the journey into a mini-tour of East Bali.
Shuttle Bus
Perama Tour operates a shared shuttle from their Ubud office, with tickets priced at around IDR 200,000 per person.
The journey takes approximately two hours, and you’ll be dropped off at Amed Cafe and Hotel Kebun Wayan, situated between Pantai Amed and Pantai Jemeluk. It’s budget-friendly, but the fixed schedule and limited drop-off point mean less flexibility.
Scooter Rental
Renting a scooter gives you total freedom on the road. It’s important to note that Bali’s roads on this route can be challenging, with winding sections and varying traffic conditions.
Rental prices generally run IDR 70,000–100,000 per day, but this option is only really comfortable for experienced riders who are confident navigating narrow mountain roads.
Two Routes Worth Knowing
There are two natural routes from Ubud to Amed. The first goes over Sidemen a highland route that passes through Semarapura and takes you close to Tirta Gangga.
The second follows the coast via Candidasa, which also naturally passes near Tirta Gangga. Both are beautiful; the Sidemen route tends to offer more dramatic mountain scenery, while the coastal road gives you ocean glimpses along the way.
If you’re with a private driver, ask them which route they recommend based on current traffic conditions and which stops you want to make.
5 Stops Worth Making Along the Way
Sidemen Valley
📍Sidemen, Karangasem, roughly midway between Ubud and Amed via the inland route
💰Free to walk around; meals at local warungs from IDR 20,000–50,000
👥 Best For: Nature lovers, photographers, travelers who want a slower, more local feel
🕐Accessible at all hours; warungs typically open 8am–9pm
✨ What Makes It Special: Unobstructed views of Agung rising above the rice fields, with almost none of the tourist crowds you find in Ubud
Sidemen is the kind of place that makes you wish you’d built an extra day into your itinerary.
Sidemen is one of Bali’s best-kept secrets a lush highland valley with sweeping views of Mount Agung and terraced rice fields that feel completely untouched.
Warung Maha Neka, run by a local family, is a great lunch option here. The valley is also known for traditional Balinese weaving workshops, where you can watch artisans work ikat fabric by hand.
Taman Kertha Gosa, Semarapura
📍Central Semarapura, on Jalan Untung Surapati, about halfway between Ubud and Amed
💰 Entrance around IDR 15,000–25,000 per person
👥 Best For: History buffs, culture seekers, anyone interested in Balinese royal heritage
🕐 Generally 8am–5pm daily
✨What Makes It Special: The ceiling paintings are some of the most detailed traditional Balinese artwork still in their original setting anywhere on the island
Semarapura (formerly Klungkung) is the royal capital of the old Klungkung Kingdom, and Taman Kertha Gosa is its most atmospheric remnant. The highlight is the Hall of Justice an open-air pavilion with a ceiling covered in traditional Kamasan paintings depicting Balinese cosmology and the afterlife.
It’s a quick stop 30 to 45 minutes is enough but it adds real historical depth to the drive east.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
📍Ababi village, Karangasem, approximately 30 minutes from Amed
💰IDR 70,000 entry for non-Indonesian adults
👥 Best For: All traveler types; especially popular with couples and photographers 🕐6am–7pm daily; arriving around 8am helps you beat the heat and the tour group crowds.
✨ What Makes It Special: The stepping-stone pathway through the koi ponds is one of the most photographed spots in East Bali, but the surrounding gardens are equally beautiful and often overlooked
Tirta Gangga is one of Bali’s most famous water palaces, located just 20 minutes from Lempuyang Temple.
The name translates roughly to “water from the Ganges,” and the one-hectare complex includes stepping-stone pools, koi ponds, fountains, statues, and ornate gardens. Entry for non-Indonesian adults is around IDR 70,000.
If you buy fish food from vendors near the entrance, you can feed the koi a small detail that kids and adults both love.
Pura Lempuyang (Gate of Heaven)
📍Karangasem, roughly 15–20 minutes from Tirta Gangga
💰Donation-based entry; sarong rental available on-site
👥 Best For: Spiritual travelers, photographers, sunrise seekers
🕐Opens from around 6am; arriving very early is strongly recommended to avoid the long queues at the main gate.
✨ What Makes It Special: The gate framing Agung on a clear morning is genuinely breathtaking but the temple complex itself, with its multiple shrines and cool mountain air, is worth the visit even beyond the photo
Pura Lempuyang is one of Bali’s nine directional temples, perched on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang in East Bali. Its split gate framing Mount Agung in the background is one of the most iconic images in all of Indonesian travel photography.
The main temple at the summit, Pura Luhur Lempuyang, requires climbing over 1,700 steps, but the views across East Bali make every step worthwhile.
If you’re not keen on the full climb, the famous gate is accessible near the lower car park.
Taman Ujung Water Palace
📍Near Amlapura city, Karangasem, about 20 minutes south of Amed
💰Entrance around IDR 50,000 per person
👥Best For: Architecture enthusiasts, couples, anyone wanting a quieter royal palace experience
🕐 8am–6pm daily
✨ What Makes It Special: The palace sits on a gentle hillside with ocean views in one direction and Mount Agung in the other it’s one of East Bali’s most underrated photo spots
Taman Ujung was built by the last king of Karangasem and blends Balinese and European architectural styles, with expansive gardens, large ponds, and open pavilions offering sweeping coastal views.
It’s less visited than Tirta Gangga, which means a quieter, more relaxed experience.
Many travelers pair Taman Ujung with Tirta Gangga on the same day, since they’re only about 20 minutes apart.
Explore East Bali Further with SatuSatu
Making the most of the Ubud to Amed journey is much easier when your transport is already sorted before you arrive. SatuSatu’s Airport Transfer is the smoothest way to start any Bali trip transparent pricing, same-day booking available, and a reliable driver meeting you right at Ngurah Rai Airport with no haggling required.
Once you’re exploring the island, the SatuSatu Exclusive Car Charter lets you move through East Bali on your own schedule, with a dedicated local driver and completely flexible timing perfect for a route like Ubud to Amed where the stops along the way are genuinely worth your time.
For those heading to Amed specifically for the underwater scene, SatuSatu also lists the Bayu Suta Watersport Adventure a great option if you want a proper guided watersports experience to complement the snorkeling and diving culture that makes Amed so special.
All bookings are made directly on SatuSatu.com and support local payment methods including BCA, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, credit cards, and more.