Expat Explorer Journal

Navigating the Road to Tianyar

Whether you hire a private driver, rent a scooter, or navigate the local ride-sharing apps, here is my guide to reaching the north-east without losing your head.

Transport Options Interactive Map
Photo by Tiomax80 / Openverse
Barnaby's Road Notes

The Journey to Karangasem

Driving through Bali is always an adventure, and the trip to Savana Tianyar is no exception. Located roughly 75 kilometres north-east of Ubud, the drive takes about two and a half hours each way. If you are setting off from Seminyak or Kuta, you can expect a solid three-hour journey. The route takes you along the scenic eastern bypass road, passing black sand beaches, coconut groves, and rural villages.

Winston absolutely loves the car journey. He sits with his head poked slightly out of the window of my Suzuki jeep, his golden ears flying in the wind, catching all the rural scents of duck farms and spice groves. Whilst the coastal bypass road is smooth and easy, the final approach road to the savanna is unpaved, extremely gravelly, and dusty. It requires slow, careful driving to avoid tyre punctures or sliding.

Because there are no commercial buses directly to this remote corner of Karangasem, you will need to plan your transport in advance. Fortunately, you have several reliable ways to get here, depending on your budget and sense of adventure.

Riding scooters on scenic Bali roads
Photo by Tiomax80 / Openverse
Travel Choices

Vetted Transport Options

I have broken down the primary ways to reach the grasslands. All cost estimates are duplicated in both Indonesian Rupiah and US Dollars for easy conversion.

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Private Car & Driver

This is my highest recommendation for a stress-free expedition. Balinese roads are notorious for unexpected hazards. Hiring a professional driver lets you relax, take photos of Mount Agung, and stay out of the fierce heat. Drivers usually charge flat rates covering fuel and parking.

Typical Cost (10 Hours): IDR 500,000 – IDR 800,000 (~$31.25 – $50.00 USD)
Convenience: Excellent (Air-conditioned, door-to-door)
Vetted Booking: Book Verified Expat Driver
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Scooter & Motorbike Rental

Perfect for solo travellers or couples looking for abslute freedom. Driving a scooter through the East Bali countryside is incredibly scenic, but it is not for the faint-hearted. Make sure you wear a proper helmet, carry an international driving permit, and drive slow on the unpaved savanna trails.

Rental Cost (Per Day): IDR 80,000 – IDR 150,000 (~$5.00 – $9.38 USD)
Fuel Cost (Full Tank): IDR 30,000 – IDR 50,000 (~$1.88 – $3.12 USD)
Recommended Rental: Bikago Scooter Rental
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Ride-Sharing Taxi Apps

You can easily book a taxi to Savana Tianyar using the major local applications. Grab and Gojek are widely used in Bali and offer transparent, upfront pricing. However, booking a return ride from the remote savanna can be incredibly difficult due to the lack of drivers in the area. I suggest negotiating a wait-and-return fee with your driver.

One-way Fare (From Ubud): IDR 400,000 – IDR 500,000 (~$25.00 – $31.25 USD)
Wait-and-Return Add-on: IDR 200,000 – IDR 300,000 (~$12.50 – $18.75 USD)
Download Apps: Grab Taxi / Gojek
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Public Transport & Coaches

There are no direct public transport lines to Savana Tianyar. If you are on a tight budget, you can take a regional coach from Denpasar or Ubud to the nearby coastal town of Amed or Singaraja, and then hire a local scooter taxi (Ojek) for the final leg. You can search bus tickets, routes, and schedule details using 12Go Asia.

Coach Ticket (To Amed): IDR 150,000 – IDR 250,000 (~$9.38 – $15.62 USD)
Local Ojek (Amed to Savanna): IDR 100,000 – IDR 150,000 (~$6.25 – $9.38 USD)
Book Buses Online: 12Go Asia Travel Portal
Navigation Guide

Finding Savana Tianyar

The grasslands lie near the village of Tianyar in the Kubu subdistrict of Karangasem. Finding it on Google Maps is easy, but the actual entrance turnoff can be easy to miss due to a complete lack of signage. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you approach the village coast. Look out for a dirt track heading inland towards Mount Agung.

Winston and I always park near the edge of the unpaved track to avoid getting my old Suzuki jeep stuck in the loose dirt. If you drive a scooter, please park on the grassy areas and avoid driving directly onto the dry meadows during the height of summer, as hot exhausts can spark fires in the dry yellow grass.

A voluntary parking donation of **IDR 5,000 to IDR 10,000** (~$0.31 to $0.62 USD) is occasionally collected by local villagers at the entrance track, especially on weekends when local families visit. It is a tiny fee that helps support the immediate community.