Updated October 2026 · By the owners of Jolies Maisons Bali

The Canggu shortcut and how to beat Canggu traffic

Canggu traffic is the number one complaint of people who live here, and "the shortcut" is the most famous way around it. Here is what it is, who can use it, and how to plan your days so you spend them at the beach, not on the road.

What is the Canggu shortcut?

When people in Canggu talk about "the shortcut", they mean Jalan Anggrek, a narrow lane through the rice paddies that links Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong with Jalan Pantai Berawa. Instead of looping out to the main road and back, it cuts straight across between the two beach areas. When traffic is bad, local press has estimated it can save around 30 minutes compared with the main road.

The catch is that it was never designed for this much traffic. It is narrow, has no kerbs, and runs right beside the paddy fields.

Who can use it?

• Scooters can use it in both directions.
• Cars are only allowed one way, from Canggu towards Berawa, and are not allowed to enter from the Berawa side.
• It jams at peak times, especially late afternoon, when everyone heads for sunset.

If you are in a car going from Berawa back to Canggu, plan to use the main roads.

The other "shortcut"

In 2022 Badung Regency started building a separate link: a roughly 400 m road from the Simpang Canggu area towards Tibubeneng and Dalung, bypassing the busy Jalan Raya Canggu / Padonan / Pantai Berawa junction on the way to the Tanah Lot bypass. It was reported to be about 80% complete in January 2024.

Looking further ahead, the regency is planning a new Gatsu Barat–Canggu–Mengwi road of about 6 km, including a 375 m underground section. Land acquisition is scheduled for 2026, with completion targeted for 2028.

How to beat Canggu traffic

1. Rent a scooter if you are comfortable riding one. It is the only way to use the shortcut both ways and to filter through slow traffic. Padang Linjong alone has several well-reviewed rental shops.
2. Use Grab or Gojek bikes instead of cars for short trips, if you do not ride yourself.
3. Avoid the sunset rush towards the beaches, roughly from late afternoon until after dark.
4. Live where you play. The biggest time saver is staying somewhere central, so the places you go every day are a few minutes away and you rarely need to cross Canggu at peak time.

Why location matters more than shortcuts

From Jalan Padang Linjong, where our villas are, Echo Beach is 3–5 minutes by scooter and both Batu Bolong and Pererenan are 5–10 minutes away. The street itself has gyms, two padel clubs, cafés, groceries and scooter rentals. For most days you never need the shortcut at all, and when you do head to Berawa, the shortcut is only a few minutes away. Read our Padang Linjong street guide for everything that is on the street.