Ubud feels different in a VW. This all-in-one day trip has you cruising around in a classic vintage VW “Thing” with a professional driver, while entrance fees, lunch, mineral water, and cool towels are handled for you. I especially like that it’s pickup-from-your-hotel easy, and that the car experience is part of the fun, not just the transport.

One thing to plan for: the drive is open-air and the day runs about 5 to 8 hours, so you’ll want to dress for sun and be ready for a full, sightseeing-focused morning to afternoon.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Open-air VW “Thing” transport so the views and photo moments come naturally
• Pickup from any Ubud-area hotel to keep your morning stress low
• Lunch, mineral water, cool towels, and entrance fees included for real value
• Balinese buffet lunch included, not a vague snack-stop promise
• Requesting Santanu/Santana can seriously improve the day thanks to great, friendly guidance

Vintage VW “Thing” Rides Through Ubud

If you like travel days that feel like an experience, not just a checklist, this tour does that well. You’re not squeezed into a plain bus setup. Instead, you’ll ride around Ubud in a classic open-air VW “Thing,” which changes the whole mood of the day. The air, the movement, and the constant “we’re there already” feeling make Ubud feel closer.

The real payoff is that you can spend your energy on the sights instead of logistics. The tour is built around the idea that you get driven around to the major highlights—temples and rice terraces, plus other landmark stops your driver selects along the way—while you stay comfortable and hydrated.

And because it’s a structured day with key costs covered, you’re less likely to get nickel-and-dimed during the tour. When entrance fees and lunch are included, you can stay in the moment and not stress about money mid-day.

Pickup, Timing, and What the 5 to 8 Hours Means

This tour starts at 8:00 am and runs about 5 to 8 hours. That’s a good length for Ubud. It’s long enough to see multiple kinds of sites (temples, terraced rice scenery, and landmarks), but not so long that it turns into a wear-you-out marathon.

Pickup is available from any hotel in the Ubud area, which is a big quality-of-life win. You don’t have to navigate rideshare pickup spots or figure out where to meet. You just get moving.

One practical note: because the schedule is built around a morning start, plan for an early start on your trip. If your body clock likes to roll late, you may feel the morning. Still, the upside is you’ll likely enjoy Ubud at a calmer pace than the later-day crush.

Also, this is listed as near public transportation. So if you’re the kind of person who likes backup options, that’s a comfort.

What’s Included: Entrance Fees, Lunch, Water, Cool Towels

This is where the tour earns its value.

You get:

• entrance ticket
• donations
• classic car
• professional driver
• mineral water
• cool towels
• Balinese buffet lunch
• insurance Jasaraharja

That list matters because it covers the things that usually add up on your own. Entrance fees and food can become the hidden cost of a “cheap” day. Here, they’re already folded into the price, so you can budget with confidence.

The Balinese buffet lunch is included, which is often the difference between a good tour day and a frustrating one. You won’t be left hunting for food while everyone else is moving on. And mineral water plus cool towels is a smart combo for the Ubud heat, especially when you’re out in the open-air VW.

Insurance is also included via Jasaraharja. You don’t think about that when the day is going well, but it’s a nice safety blanket when it doesn’t.

Temples and Rice Terraces: Getting More From the Sights

The tour is built around classic Ubud highlights: temples and rice terraces, plus other landmark stops.

Here’s how I’d think about those site types so you can enjoy them more.

Temples: why the visit fits a driver day

Temples are the kind of stop where having a professional driver helps. The tour handles the route and timing so you can focus on seeing what’s in front of you. Even without adding extra planning, temple visits tend to give you that Ubud sense of place—spiritual sites, local life nearby, and a feeling that you’re not just driving past scenery.

Rice terraces: the payoff is in the slow viewing

Rice terraces are visual. You want time to look, take photos, and just watch how the light hits the slopes. From the way this day is structured, you’ll be moving between viewpoints at a comfortable pace rather than trying to stitch terrace visits together on your own.

Since the VW is open-air, you’ll also feel more connected to the surroundings while you ride. That can turn a “we drove here and got out” stop into something more like a sightseeing experience.

Other landmark stops: useful for a well-rounded day

The tour also includes other landmark stops around Ubud. This is a good approach if you want variety without building your own mini-itinerary. You’ll come away with multiple types of memories: spiritual, scenic, and general “this is what Ubud looks like” images.

A small consideration: the tour doesn’t promise you a long, slow hang at any one spot. It’s designed as a day of highlights, so you’ll likely see a bit of everything rather than one deeply timed moment at one location. If you’re a slow-photography person, plan to spend your attention on the terrace and temple views when you get them.

Professional Driver Service and the Santanu Factor

The driver is a major part of the experience, and the name Santanu comes up for a reason. In the feedback you shared, people specifically mention Santanu/Santana as friendly, caring, and good at showing you the day in a way that feels smooth and well handled.

What that means for you: you should treat the driver as your secret weapon. If you care about what you’re looking at, ask simple questions while you’re on the move. If you want more time at a view, say it early. A great driver can help the itinerary feel more like your day and less like a fixed script.

This tour is also clear about using a professional driver. That matters in Bali where traffic and route decisions can make or break your experience. When someone else handles the driving, you get to enjoy Ubud instead of white-knuckling the journey.

Price and Value: Why $87.18 Can Make Sense

The price is $87.18 per person, and the tour is commonly booked about 9 days in advance on average.

Is it “cheap”? No. But it’s not just paying for a ride in a VW. You’re paying for a structured, all-in format that already includes:

• entrance fees
• lunch (Balinese buffet)
• mineral water
• cool towels
• donations
• insurance via Jasaraharja
• pickup in the Ubud hotel area
• professional driving in a classic car

When entrance fees and lunch are included, you reduce the number of things you’d otherwise pay separately. For many people, that’s where the value shows up fast—especially on a day where you want a classic experience without doing extra planning.

The value gets even better if you want the open-air VW Thing feel but you also want someone else to manage the routing and stops. In that case, you’re not just buying attractions. You’re buying a low-friction way to see the highlights.

Who This Ubud VW Tour Is Best For

This tour fits best if you like:

• classic vehicles and memorable ride experiences
• a driver-led day plan (you want to relax)
• a one-stop way to cover Ubud highlights like temples and rice terraces
• an all-in lunch-and-entrance-fees approach

If you’re traveling with limited time, this makes sense. Starting at 8:00 am and running up to about 8 hours gives you a full chunk of Ubud without needing to build your own schedule.

It’s also listed as something most people can participate. That suggests the overall pace and setup is fairly accessible for a wide range of visitors, as long as you’re comfortable with an open-air car ride and a full half-day style schedule.

Should You Book This Ubud VW Tour?

I’d book it if you want the Ubud experience to feel fun and easy at the same time. The open-air VW “Thing” plus pickup convenience plus all-in inclusions (entrance fees, lunch, water, cool towels) is a rare combination. You’re not forced to track down tickets, negotiate for food, or improvise the day.

Book it sooner rather than later if you can, since it’s commonly reserved about 9 days in advance.

The only reason to hesitate is if you strongly prefer a very slow, ultra-specific pace at just one or two locations. This is built for highlights. If that’s your style, you’ll be very happy. If you want long, detailed time in a single spot, you might want a different format.

FAQ

What time does the Ubud VW tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 5 to 8 hours (approx.).

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup is offered from any hotel in the Ubud area.

What’s included in the price?

What’s included includes entrance ticket, donations, the classic car, a professional driver, mineral water, cool towels, and a Balinese buffet luncheon. Insurance Jasaraharja is also included.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees are included.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

What if the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

If the tour is canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for most people?

It’s listed as most people can participate. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.