Three options for spending 10 days

Hi all,

I get to Indonesia in 2 days, and am trying to decide between three options I have for how to spend the 10 days between landing in Bali and flying out of Jakarta.

Option 1: spend all the time in Bali/Lombok/Gili Islands - seems to be the standard backpacker route
Option 2: spend all of the time in Java, slowly making my way across from Bali to Jakarta with public transport
Option 3: fly straight over to Sumatra to explore that, and then nip back to Jakarta

There would also be the option of combining 1 and 2... but I'm more inclined to pick one place and see it properly.

Generally I favour Option 2 (Java), as I'm tempted to get off the usual trail for a bit. My own research suggests they're all decent options, but I'd love to tap into everyone's wisdom - thank you very much in advance.

And if I may throw in another question: I land in Denpasar just after midnight. I'm not too keen on staying in Kuta, given what I've heard. Is getting out to Ubud in the middle of the night problematic?

Thank you very much all!

Spend all of the time in Java. Definitely option two. But probably you'll just visit like 2 until 3 places in java before you landed in Bali cuz the of the distance and you only have 10 days.

Oh and btw it's safe to go to Ubud in the middle of the night. Just make sure you order Uber. Don't use Cab or Taxi cause it's pretty expensive. Denpasar to Ubud is a bit far.

Quick one - from asking around and a bit more research, I've settled on Java for 10 days, after a quick stop in Ubud.

However - any tips on Java would be gratefully received!!

Spend all of the time in Java. Definitely option two. But probably you'll just visit like 2 until 3 places in java before you landed in Bali cuz the of the distance and you only have 10 days.

Many thanks! Only just seen this - glad you agree with the conclusion I came to.

About getting an Uber from the airport - if I use airport wifi to order it, will that be ok, or would I need an Indonesian SIM card as well?

Thank you!!

You need an Indonesian SIM card as well cause the driver will call you. And don't worry about the Languange, some of the driver are pretty well know English.
When will you gonna be in Indonesia? Are you gonna land in Jakarta or?

You need an Indonesian SIM card as well cause the driver will call you. And don't worry about the Languange, some of the driver are pretty well know English.
When will you gonna be in Indonesia? Are you gonna land in Jakarta or?

Many thanks. I presume SIMs are pretty cheap at the airport? I land in Denpasar.

Also - how much would you estimate an Uber to Ubud to be?

Thank you very much for your help!!

Uber is banned from the airport and at midnight I would not advise you to walk out to the main road as many people seem to suggest. If you only want to see Java for 10 days its better to fly into Surabaya or another East Java airport.

If you have your accomodation pick you up at the airport it will be about rp 350,000 or so (about 26 dollars usd) The ride after midnight will only be about one hour. Realistically, if you are going to be landing in Bali and basing yourself in Ubud I would do at least a few days to see some of the villages and temple, gamelan and dance. etc..

Lol really? Uber is banned?
I used uber just three weeks ago from the airport but yea I had to walk a bit first, really not that far. The cabs aren't using normal fare as it says, they would be just give you the randomly price especially if you're foreign. And it would be hella expensive.

There are many things that people do even though it's illegal.

Hi both - transfer sorted directly with the hostel but thank you both very much!!

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