Bali vs Thailand vs Vietnam Scooter Rental: Prices, Rules & Roads
If you’ve already done the Mae Hong Son Loop or bombed around Hoi An on a Honda, you’ll pick up Bali fast. But it isn’t a carbon copy. Here’s what’s the same, what’s different and what tends to surprise people who arrive with Thailand or Vietnam habits.
The quick comparison
| Bali | Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side of the road | Left | Left | Right |
| Typical rental | 110–160cc automatics (Scoopy, Vario, NMAX) | 110–160cc automatics (Click, PCX) | Automatics plus plenty of semi-auto step-throughs |
| Rough daily price, automatic | IDR 70–120k | About 200–350 baht | About 120–200k dong |
| Usual deposit | Cash deposit or ID | Often your passport or cash | Often your passport or cash |
| Paperwork for foreigners | Home motorbike licence + IDP | Home motorbike licence + IDP | Generally a 1968 IDP + home licence |
| Delivery to your hotel | Standard, often free nearby | Available, but shop pick-up is common | Available, but shop pick-up is common |
Those are ballpark tourist-market prices and they move with the season, the town and the age of the bike. For Bali specifics, see our Bali scooter rental price list.
What’s easier in Bali
- Delivery is the norm. The bike turns up at your villa and gets collected when you’re done. No hunting for a shop on day one — see scooter delivery to your hotel or villa.
- Cheap monthly deals. Thanks to the long-stay crowd in Canggu and Ubud, monthly rentals are genuinely good value.
- It’s a small island. Nearly everything worth seeing is one to three hours from Kuta or Ubud. No overnight legs unless you want them.
- Passports usually stay with you. A cash deposit is far more common than handing over your passport — and you shouldn’t agree to the latter anyway.
What’s harder in Bali
- The south is tight and busy. Canggu, Seminyak and the road to Uluwatu jam up, and the shortcut lanes are narrow, sandy and full of surprises. Think Pai’s walking street, but with trucks.
- Proper hills. Kintamani and Bedugul climb to well over 1,000 m. A 110cc bike with two people on it will crawl — get something with a bit more go (best scooter to rent in Bali).
- Ceremonies. Roads close for temple processions with little warning. It’s part of the magic; just wait it out with a smile.
Rules and police
In all three countries, foreigners are expected to carry a home motorbike licence plus an IDP and to wear a helmet. Vietnam is known for only recognising the 1968 IDP, which leaves US travellers with a 1949 permit in a grey zone. In Bali the key is that the motorcycle category is on both your licence and your IDP. Checkpoints are regular on tourist routes — see Bali police checkpoints & fines, and get your paperwork sorted with our IDP for Bali guide.
Riding culture
Coming from Thailand you’re already on the left, so the adjustment is mostly about density and patience. Coming from Vietnam, give yourself a day — your instinct at intersections will be wrong for a while. As in Vietnam, the horn is a hello, not an insult: a quick beep before a blind bend or when overtaking is normal. The finer points are in our Bali traffic etiquette guide.
Bottom line
If you’re comfortable on a scooter in Thailand, you’ll be fine in Bali. Pick a bike with enough power for the hills, be patient in the south, carry the right documents, and let the bike come to you. Compare areas and prices on our Bali scooter rental page.
Ready to ride? Compare daily, weekly & monthly rates on our Bali scooter rental page — delivered to your hotel or villa in 24 areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is renting a scooter cheaper in Bali or Thailand?
They’re about the same. An automatic in Bali is roughly IDR 70–120k a day; in Thailand about 200–350 baht. Bali wins on free hotel delivery and cheap monthly deals.
Do they drive on the left in Bali like Thailand?
Yes. Bali and Thailand both drive on the left. Vietnam drives on the right.
Can I use the same IDP in Bali as in Thailand?
Usually yes — your IDP is issued by your home country and travels with your licence. Just make sure the motorcycle category is stamped and it’s valid for your dates.
Is Bali harder to ride than Thailand?
South Bali is busier and the lanes are narrower, and the mountain roads are steeper. Most riders with Thailand experience adapt within a day or two.