Taking Your Own Motorbike to Bali by Ferry: Route & Costs
By the SiapPergi Editorial Team · Published 11 October 2026 · 8 min read
Crossing to Bali on your own motorbike is a dream for many riders from Java: ride Surabaya–Banyuwangi, take the ferry from Ketapang, then follow Bali's west coast to Denpasar. It's an exciting trip, but also tiring, and it requires documents and tickets that are now fully online. This guide explains how to book a Ferizy ticket for a motorbike, which documents you must bring, estimated times and costs, and an honest comparison with the alternative of taking a bus to Bali and renting a scooter there.
Route and estimated times
The only ferry crossing from Java to Bali is the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route across the Bali Strait. From cities in Java, the trip has three parts: the ride to Ketapang, the crossing, and the ride from Gilimanuk to your destination in Bali.
| Stage | Approx. distance | Approx. riding time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surabaya → Ketapang (via Probolinggo–Situbondo) | ±290 km | 6–8 hours | East north-coast road; lots of trucks, passes through Baluran forest |
| Malang → Ketapang (via Lumajang–Jember) | ±250–300 km | 6–8 hours | Crosses the winding Gumitir pass |
| Queue and crossing Ketapang → Gilimanuk | ±5 km by sea | 1–2 hours | Longer on long holidays and weekend nights |
| Gilimanuk → Denpasar | ±125 km | 3–4 hours | Two-lane national road, many trucks and buses |
| Gilimanuk → Lovina (North Bali) | ±80 km | 2–2.5 hours | Alternative if you're heading to North Bali |
Times above are estimates without traffic and don't include breaks. From Jakarta it's more than 1,100 km, usually covered in 3–4 days by riders who want to stay safe. Don't push long night rides; fatigue is the main cause of accidents on long motorbike trips.
How to book a Ferizy ticket for a motorbike
- Download the Ferizy app or open its official website, then register an account with your email and phone number.
- Choose the Ketapang – Gilimanuk route, the regular service class, and the vehicle user type.
- Choose Class II (Golongan II) for motorbikes under 500 cc. Motorbikes of 500 cc and above are Class III.
- Choose the date and port entry time, enter the plate number and the rider's details as on their ID. Add the pillion as a passenger.
- Pay with one of the methods available in the app, then save the ticket or booking code.
- Arrive at the port at the entry time shown and follow the two-wheeler queue.
Official fares are set by the government and can change, and there are fare discounts in certain periods such as the homecoming (mudik) season. Always check the final price in the Ferizy app. Buying from touts around the port risks paying more and is best avoided. Route and schedule information is also on the Ketapang to Gilimanuk ferry page.
Book a few days ahead in the holiday season, on long weekends, at Lebaran (Eid) and at year end. In those periods the queue at Ketapang can take hours; leaving before dawn or at midday on a weekday is usually smoother.
Documents you must bring
- Original STNK (registration card) that is valid, with the annual tax endorsed.
- An active SIM C (motorcycle licence) in the rider's name.
- KTP (Indonesian ID card) or other ID for the rider and passenger; details must match the ticket.
- A stamped letter of authorisation from the owner if the bike is in someone else's name, with a copy of the owner's KTP. This helps if you're checked on the road.
- Ferizy ticket in digital or printed form.
ID and vehicle document checks are sometimes held on entering Bali at Gilimanuk, especially before holidays. With complete documents, the check usually takes only a few minutes.
Preparing your motorbike before you go
- Full service: engine oil, gear oil for automatics, brakes, tyres, battery and lights.
- Tyres with plenty of tread, as the Gilimanuk–Denpasar road is often wet in the rainy season.
- Bring rain gear, basic tools, and the numbers of authorised workshops along the route.
- Strap luggage firmly to a box or rack; don't stack bags high where they upset your balance.
- Fill up before entering Baluran forest and before Bali's west-coast road.
Estimated cost of Surabaya–Denpasar on your own motorbike
| Item | Solo | Two (with pillion) |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for ±420 km (economical automatic ±40–50 km/litre) | ±Rp85–110k | ±Rp95–120k |
| Class II ferry ticket | ±Rp31,600 | ±Rp31,600 + passenger ticket ±Rp10,600 |
| Food and drinks on the road | ±Rp50–100k | ±Rp100–200k |
| Service before departure | ±Rp100–250k | ±Rp100–250k |
| Estimated one-way total | ±Rp270–490k | ±Rp340–610k |
These figures don't include accommodation if you stay overnight in Banyuwangi, wear on the motorbike, or the energy it takes out of you. Fuel prices are based on Pertalite at about Rp10,000 per litre.
Alternative: take a bus, then rent a scooter in Bali
For many people, especially on holidays under two weeks, taking a bus to Bali and renting a scooter there makes more sense. Buses from Java to Bali include the ferry crossing, you can sleep on the way, and you arrive with full energy. Estimated times and drop-off points can be checked on the Surabaya to Denpasar bus and Jakarta to Denpasar bus pages; routes from Malang and Yogyakarta are also on the routes page.
| Consideration | Bring your own motorbike | Bus + scooter rental in Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Very tiring, 10–13 hours from Surabaya | You can rest on the bus |
| Risks on the road | Flat tyres, breakdowns, weather, fatigue | Handled by the bus operator |
| Freedom in Bali | Full, your own bike | Full, rental scooter delivered to where you stay |
| Choice of bike | The bike you own | Choose a BeAT, Vario, NMAX or PCX to suit your route |
| Cost for a short holiday | Cheap on fuel, expensive in energy and wear | Bus ticket + daily rental (BeAT ±Rp60–80k/day) |
| Best for | Touring, long stays, relocating | 3–14 day holidays |
If you choose the bus, you can book a scooter before you arrive and have it delivered to the terminal or your accommodation. Estimated prices per model are on the Bali scooter rental page; if you stay in the city centre, see scooter rental in Denpasar.
If you're staying long-term
Motorbikes with non-Bali plates can be used in Bali, but the five-yearly STNK and plate replacement usually has to be done at the Samsat (vehicle registration office) of the home region. If you're moving and settling, consider transferring to a DK plate. The cost of bringing a bike, buying in Bali, or renting monthly is compared in buying or renting a scooter for a long stay in Bali.
The reverse plan, taking a rental scooter from Bali to Java or another island, is usually not allowed by rentals. If you want to take a bike from Bali to another island, get the rental's written permission before you leave.
Conclusion
Bringing your own motorbike to Bali makes sense for touring, relocating or long stays. Book a Class II ticket via Ferizy, bring your STNK, SIM and KTP, service the bike before leaving, and split the trip so you don't ride more than 8 hours a day. For a short holiday, taking a bus and then booking Bali scooter rental usually saves energy and gives you the same freedom at your destination.
Ready to rent a scooter?
See estimated prices by area & model, then book on WhatsApp — the final price is confirmed before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry ticket for a motorbike?
The regular Class II fare for motorbikes under 500 cc is about Rp31,600 per bike per crossing, including one rider. A pillion passenger buys an adult passenger ticket for about Rp10,600. Fares can change and there are discounts in certain periods, so check the final price in the Ferizy app.
Can I buy a motorbike ferry ticket to Bali at the port?
The counters at Ketapang and Gilimanuk no longer sell tickets directly. Tickets are bought online via the Ferizy app or website, or through official partners such as retail outlets and bank agents.
How long does it take to ride from Surabaya to Bali?
About 10–13 hours to Denpasar: ±6–8 hours Surabaya–Ketapang, 1–2 hours queuing and crossing, then ±3–4 hours Gilimanuk–Denpasar. This doesn't include long breaks.
What documents do I need to bring my motorbike to Bali?
The original, valid STNK with tax paid, a SIM C, KTP for the rider and passenger, the Ferizy ticket, and a stamped letter of authorisation if the bike is in someone else's name.
Is it cheaper to bring my own motorbike or take a bus and rent a scooter in Bali?
In direct costs, your own bike can be cheaper. But for a 3–14 day holiday, taking a bus and renting a scooter in Bali often saves energy, reduces the risk of breaking down on the road, and lets you choose a scooter that suits your route.
This article follows the SiapPergi editorial policy: facts are checked, prices are given as ranges, and mistakes are corrected. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.