Grab and Gojek in Indonesia

Grab and Gojek are the two dominant super-apps in Indonesia. Both offer car rides (taxi-equivalent), motorbike rides (ojek), food delivery, parcel delivery, and a dozen other services. They are the safest, easiest and almost always the cheapest way for tourists to get around Indonesian cities — much better than unmetered taxis or street ojek.

Which app to install

Install both. Driver availability varies by app and location. In Bali, Gojek is often slightly faster; in Jakarta, both compete. Side-by-side, one will frequently have a closer driver than the other.

Setup before arrival

Download both apps before flying — needs working internet
Register with your home phone number initially
Once Indonesia SIM is active, change registered number to Indonesian (some functions need Indonesian OTP)
Link payment:
- Cash works everywhere — simplest for visitors
- GrabPay / GoPay (digital wallet) — can be topped up at convenience stores or via Indonesian bank
- Visa/Mastercard for Grab (works for some users; less reliable than cash)
Save common addresses — your hotel, airport, restaurants you'll visit

Services on each app

Grab

GrabCar — taxi-equivalent
GrabBike — motorbike taxi
GrabFood — food delivery from restaurants
GrabExpress — parcel courier
GrabMart — supermarket delivery
GrabHotel, GrabTaxi for traditional licensed taxis

Gojek

GoCar — taxi-equivalent
GoRide — motorbike taxi
GoFood — food delivery
GoSend — parcel courier
GoMart — groceries
GoBox — moving / large items

Pricing (2026)

Car ride

Short ride (under 5km): IDR 25,000–60,000 (USD 1.50–4)
Medium ride (10km): IDR 60,000–120,000 (USD 4–8)
Airport-Seminyak (Bali): IDR 100,000–180,000 (USD 6.50–12)
Airport-Ubud (Bali): IDR 250,000–400,000 (USD 16–26)
Jakarta-Bandung (long distance): expensive, use train or domestic flight instead

Motorbike ride

Roughly 50% of car ride price
Faster in traffic (Jakarta, Bali rush hour)
Bring own helmet for hygiene if possible; rider provides one but quality varies

Food delivery

Restaurant prices + IDR 5,000–20,000 service + driver tip
Generally 20–40% more expensive than dine-in

Etiquette and tipping

Tipping is welcome but not required. IDR 5,000–10,000 (USD 0.30–0.70) for good service is appreciated.
Rate the driver in the app — drivers depend on ratings
Be ready when the driver arrives — they wait briefly and then leave
Wear a helmet on motorbikes — required by law
For motorbike — leave bulky bags at home; hold small bag securely in front of you
For airport rides — meet at the designated Grab / Gojek pickup zone (NOT at the regular taxi rank)

Where it works

Bali: extensively. Some areas (some Ubud kampung, deep south Uluwatu) have fewer drivers.
Jakarta: extensively. The best way around the city.
Yogyakarta: extensively in city centre; less near Borobudur.
Surabaya, Bandung, Medan: extensively.
Lombok: in Kuta Lombok and Senggigi, increasingly. Mataram fine.
Smaller cities and outer islands: less reliable. Bring backup options.

Where it DOESN'T work

Inside designated airport pickup zones in some places (e.g. older airports — drivers might not be allowed inside)
Inside major shopping mall pickup zones in some areas (taxi mafia issues)
During severe storms or holiday peak times — pricing surges dramatically
On Gili islands (no cars or motorbikes allowed)
In some rural areas (only ojek-pangkalan — traditional motorbike taxis)

Common mistakes

Not having Indonesian SIM and trying to log in with home number
Cancelling rides — your rating drops, drivers ignore your bookings
Walking to where the driver is rather than the designated pickup zone
Hiring a tout outside the airport when Grab is right there
Paying with cash and forgetting change
Tipping excessively — IDR 50,000 for a IDR 30,000 ride is generous; IDR 500,000 is awkward

Verify before acting

App functionality and payment options change. Confirm current setup with another tourist or driver on arrival. See disclaimer.