The Bypass: A quick way of getting around in Bali

Bali has a Bypass that can help you get around quickly once you figure out how it works. Known locally as Bypass Ngurah Rai, it was named after Balinese hero Gusti Ngurah Rai of which there is a statue next to the Bypass in Tuban.

The Bypass runs from Kerobokan around the northern edge of Denpasar, down to Sanur, over to Kuta, then down to Nusa Dua. A trip from Sanur to Kuta will take around 25 minutes. Kuta to Nusa Dua is also 20-25 minutes. The Bypass is 4-lane generally and will be super busy around rush hour. If you are new to Bali and are riding a motorbike you might want to avoid rush hours on the Bypass as traffic is moving in all directions and some people act like its a race track.

Driving at night means you have to pay special attention to potholes which can be 2ft in diameter and 2 inches deep. Also the occasional local person going for a stroll across all 4 lanes and kaki-lima (5 legs) food cart vendors mean you have to be on your toes.

People staying in Kuta. Legian, Seminyak will appreciate the ease of getting to the Bukit and to Sanur. In recent years the Sunset Rd heading from the roundabout at Simpang Siur in Kuta all the way up to Jl. Raya Kerobokan means people have another option when driving around. I use a combination of Bypass, Sunset Rd and streets to get around.