Bali without the right apps? You’re making it harder than it needs to be. Whether you’re navigating chaotic Seminyak traffic, hunting down the best nasi campur, or trying to figure out which SIM card actually works in the rice terraces, the right digital toolkit changes everything. This guide covers the essential travel apps for Bali across transport, food delivery, accommodation, local communities, and utilities—all updated for 2025 with what actually works on the ground.
Transport & Navigation Apps in Bali
GoJek
GoJek is what locals actually use: GoRide for bikes, GoCar for cars, GoFood for meals, GoPay for digital wallet transactions, even GoMassage if you need a spa therapist to come to your villa.
The app works reliably in tourist areas like Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. Less so in remote spots like Amed or Sidemen, where you’re better off negotiating with local drivers. Pricing is transparent, drivers are rated, and you can pay cash or link a card. Quick airport pickups, short hops between beaches, late-night food runs, Gojek handles it all without drama.
Grab
Grab isn’t just for rides anymore. It’s evolved into Southeast Asia’s answer to everything: transport, food delivery, package sending, even bill payments. In Bali, you’ll use it constantly for GrabCar (private car), GrabBike (scooter taxi), and GrabFood.
Google Maps
You probably already have this. Use it. Google Maps in Bali is surprisingly accurate, even for tiny gang (alleyways) and unmarked warungs. Download offline maps for your area before heading into the hills because cell service gets spotty once you leave the coast.
Perfect for general navigation, finding ATMs, locating addresses when your Gojek driver calls asking where you are. This app also helps guide you to the best eats in Bali by sorting through highly-rated restaurants both tourists and locals love.
My Bluebird
Sometimes you want a more reliable and comfortable metered taxi instead of ride-hailing apps. My Bluebird connects you with Bali’s most reputable taxi company. The app works similarly to Gojek but connects you specifically with Bluebird’s fleet. Useful when ride-hailing apps are surging or you want the peace of mind that comes with an established taxi company.
Accommodation & Booking Apps in Bali
Airbnb
Bali’s Airbnb scene is massive. You’ll find everything from jungle treehouses to beachfront villas with infinity pools. The platform works well here because so many properties are privately owned and managed directly by hosts, meaning better communication and flexibility than standard hotel bookings.
Prices vary wildly depending on season and location. Always check recent reviews for mentions of noise, water pressure, and whether the photos match reality. Best for monthly stays, villas with pools, unique accommodations that hotels can’t match.
Booking.com
Booking.com dominates the mid-range hotel market in Bali. The selection is huge, the filters work well, and the cancellation policies are usually more forgiving than competitors. You can often book now and cancel free up to 24 hours before check-in, which is clutch if your plans are fluid.
Ticket.com
Aside from flight tickets and hotels, Ticket.com is where you can reliably purchase experiences around Bali, like viewing the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, catching a sunset kecak dance, and even splashing around in the Waterbom, the best waterpark in the world!
Food Delivery & Dining Apps
GoFood & GrabFood
GoFood and GrabFood are like your Ubereats embedded within their respective apps and offer the most comprehensive restaurant selection in Bali. We’re talking about everything, from high-end cafes to late-night martabak. The directory is deep because it includes tons of local spots that would never bother with English-language platforms.
Delivery times can vary. Sometimes your meal arrives in 20 minutes. Sometimes the driver gets lost and you’re waiting 50. Get convenient discounts and track your order in real-time. Perfect for authentic Indonesian food, last-minute munchies, maximum variety.
Zomato
Zomato isn’t as dominant in Bali as it once was, but it’s still useful for browsing menus and reading reviews before committing to a restaurant.
Use it for research more than ordering. Check out photos, see what dishes people recommend, scope out prices. Then either go in person or order through Grab/GoJek for faster delivery.
Community Apps
The Bali Bible
Your all-in-one app! After gaining traction with their Instagram, the Bali Bible designed a user-friendly guide for both first-timers and seasoned travellers. The app itself is straightforward, with the latest updates, deals, and exclusive experiences for users.
You’ll get a quick rundown of Bali, including insider cultural knowledge to help you navigate this uniquely diverse island.
Essential Utilities
XE Currency, Google Translate & SIM Management
You’re going to check exchange rates constantly, especially in your first week. XE Currency is clean, accurate, and works offline using the last downloaded rates. Essential for market negotiations and budgeting.
Google Translate’s offline mode works surprisingly well once you download the Indonesian language pack. The camera translation feature is clutch for reading menus, signs, ingredient lists.
Once you grab a local SIM card, MyTelkomsel or IM3 Ooredoo apps let you manage top-ups, check data balances, and activate packages. Both apps are clunky and not fully translated into English, but they beat hunting down convenience stores every time you run out of data.
Surfline
For all you surfers, this app is your next best friend! A real-time update of the best waves on the island, current conditions, and upcoming forecasts.
Final thoughts
The right travel apps for Bali make the difference between fumbling through every interaction and moving through the island with confidence, be it cruising down Canggu on your way to Café del Mar Bali or simply taking in the island ambiance. Download these before you land, get your local SIM sorted on day one, and you’ll navigate Bali like you’ve been here for months instead of days.