Bali Travel Cost 2024: Budget Breakdown and Estimates

Are you planning for a vacation in Bali, island of the gods? One of the things you need to plan for is how much the entire trip will cost. Well, as you are already aware Bali is a great destination for any traveler and despite it being a small island there are plenty to do and see such as the stunning natural attractions, hundreds of temples, beautiful villas, towering waterfalls, green rice terraces, epic sunsets and white sand beaches.

The total Bali trip cost will always vary depending on factors such as where you will be visiting, travel style, your stay duration, and what other plans do you have!

In this post, we will be breaking down how much it will cost for the flights, foods, hotels, sightseeing, transportation and plenty of activities.

PLAN OF THE ARTICLE :

• Air Costs
• Accommodations
• Luxury Villas and Hotels
• Hostels
• Local Transportation
• Attractions
• Foods and Drinks
• Random Spending
• HOW TO SAVE MONEY DURING YOUR TRIP TO BALI

How Much Is a Trip To Bali?

Air Costs

Flight prices tickets to and from Bali will be the biggest in your budget. However, you can lower the travel budget by avoiding traveling during popular holidays like Christmas and Easter or during the high season which start in July and ends in August. The average cost of a trip will not cost less than $850. Singapore airlines are known to be among the cheapest airlines. However, ensure you invest in travel insurance to get a good deal.

When traveling from United States or Canada, the distance you will cover is quite far and since there are no direct flights to Denpasar, you will have to play with different carriers and itineraries. You can opt to flay to Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong since quite cheaper. Thereafter, you can get cheap flights to Bali. This suits flexible travelers who can spare some of their time to carry out online searches as it will help them save a couple of dollars on air fare.

Accommodations

Bali has it all when it comes to accommodation options. There are several establishments with single bed in a shared hotel room to world class luxury villas with great jungle views and infinity pools.

If you are in need of a 3 star hotel in any central location, you should budget for approximately $80 a night. The average price can deflate or inflate depending with the travel style you aspire to have. Almost every accommodation will offer free Wi-Fi connection.

Below are a couple of recommendations to give you an idea of what to expect and budget. It is advisable that you apply for a credit card that does not have a foreign exchange fees before departing.

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Luxury Villas and Hotels

Have you ever dreamt of spending your vacation in a luxury hotel? Then Bali is a perfect place to make your dream come to reality. The island is full of elegant villas and resorts. Renting the luxury villas and resorts can be quite expensive hence; it is advisable to get credit cards to enable you save a few dollars.

If you are an American citizen, it is advisable you invest in a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. This is because you will stand a chance of earning up to 95,000 points and a welcome bonus of $ 300 in the US restaurants.

Ametis Villa (Canggu), W Bali (Seminyak), and Viceroy Bali (Ubud) are some of the popular luxury hotels and villas in Bali.

Hostels

Are you in need of cheap accommodation during your stay in Bali? Then you will need to book a hostel. Despite the accommodation costs being $8 per night, you can get a private room at around $20 a night. Some of the most common hostels in Bali are M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak), Wayan Family Homestay II (Ubud) and The Jungle House (Canggu).

Midrange Hotels

There are several great mid-range hotels in Bali. These mid-range hotels are always situated in great locations and are well equipped with great amenities.

The prices of vary depending with the size, duration and available amenities. The price is approximately $100 per night.

Homestays

If a bed and breakfast will suffice for you, then there are a couple of them in Bali at affordable rates. You will stay in a private room on a local family’s property. Such properties are known to be homier with free breakfast included. It will cost you approximately $30 a night. Some of the most popular homestays are Wita Homestay (Canggu), Nadialit (Seminyak) and Ujung Ubud Guesthouse (Ubud).

Local Transportation

I wrote more than 70 articles about the Island of Bali :

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One of the biggest hassles you will ever encounter during your trip to Bali is local transportation. This is because there is no public transportation while transfers can be quite costly. However, this should not stand in your way to having a memorable vacation. All you need is to plan and budget well.

Motorbike is an affordable and easy local transportation to get around during your stay in Bali. However, it can be a bit dangerous for anyone without motorbike riding experience despite it being an affordable deal. You will also need to have an international driver license despite it not being a requirement for renting one. This is because police will always pull you over for their regular checkups. It will cost you $20 to $30 to rent a motorbike for one week. Ensure you ask around for a reputable and reliable renter and do not forget to check the bike for any damages or scratches to avoid getting the blame.

However, if riding a motorbike is not your thing, expect to pay some significantly higher amounts to get around in Bali as you will have to hire a local driver. Yes, there are ubers. However, there are lots of problems and violence between them and the normal taxi drivers. Hence, there are areas where uber are not allowed. At times some drivers will take off leaving you stranded whenever they feel it is not safe. This makes uber not that secure and safe mode on transit in Bali.

Taxis are very popular in Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta. Just like in other countries, taxi drivers in Bali also have rip off their clients. Only use reputable taxi companies and ensure the meter is always turned on.

Whenever you have plans of going any distance, it is highly recommended that you hire a private driver. Most of the private car hires will cost around $50 or more for a single trip. You are free to haggle but keep in mind it is an expensive form of travel in Bali. You can save on transportation costs by basing yourself in either one or two areas during your entire vacation in Bali. You can also rely on group trips.

Important Tip: When you find a driver you like, consider making special arrangement for multiple day trips at discounted rates. Private drivers will definitely be happy with the business and high chances he or she will give you some good discount.

Attractions

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Bali boasts of having some of the popular destinations across the world. Right from the rice paddies to beaches, you cannot get bored. Despite nature being free to explore, there are certain spots you will have to part with some small fees to experience. For example, you will have to pay 15,000 IDR to explore the Tegalalang rice fields.

Other attractions where you will have to pay a small fee to experience include the different temples scattered across the Indonesian island. Some of the common ones are Tirta Empul, Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot and Goa Gajah. You will also have to pay some fees to access some of the beautiful beaches like Legian, Nusa Dua and Sanur beaches. Some of these beaches experiences great waves making them a top surfing spots.

Most of the Bali’s top attractions will cost less to access. For example, when you decide to rent a motorbike, it will cost you less. However, you will have to worry about the parking costs and the petrol prices. They are a little bit high if you drive a lot !

Most of the tickets to different attractions in Bali are quite affordable with visiting certain places such as the rice fields and the beaches being free.

To give you an idea of how much you will spend on different attraction sites, here are the entrance fees to some of the major tourist attractions in Bali.

Visiting Waterfalls in Bali: Price range from 15.000 to 50.000 ISD

Ubud Monkey Forest Entrance Fees: Rates ranges from 80.000 to 100.000 IDR

Different Temples Access Fees: Rates ranges from 30.000 to 100.000 IDR

Access to different Beaches in Bali: Rates ranges from Free to 10.000 IDR

There are activities such as diving in Bali, Hiking or booking a guided tour. These activities usually cost much more.

Are you a scuba diving fan and will be visiting Bali? Then you have to spare some cash for their will make your trip unforgettable. Bali is a scuba diving paradise; so, ensure you do some couple of dives. On average, scuba diving costs between $100 and $200 a day for four dives. The cost will cater for equipment rentals, transportation and lunch.

Other top attraction activities most people always forget to cater for when budgeting for their Bali trip is day pass at other hotels where you will have access to their beach and pool. There are hotels which offer yoga classes. This is a great activity to subscribe to when out for vacation.

Foods and Drinks

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You can never do without foods and drinks. However, like accommodation, the prices vary depending on what you will be going for. For example, when you opt for the western foods, you will spend close to three times compared to if you go for the street food which can cost a mere $2 per meal. Most travelers are known to prefer both the western and local food. Breakfast will be served in the villa, hostel or hotel you book. Lunch can cost you close to $5 while dinner can shoot to $20. This totals $25 together with soft drinks in a day. Breakfast has not been included since most of the private villas and hotels do serve breakfast.

If you have plans of alcoholic drinks, add more to your budget. Beers cost less than wine or cocktails in Bali. Bintang is among the most popular options of alcohol brands in the island. However, if you prefer cocktails, consider the two for one special.

Random Spending

It is difficult to go for a vacation and fail to fall in love with some souvenirs. Despite not being a shopping mecca, you will come across a few things you want to carry back home. Some of the most popular souvenirs for most travelers to Bali are coffee, tea and Batik Sarongs. Despite them being available in different qualities, none of them is quite costly unless you intend to purchase copious amounts.

Massages are very popular in Bali. You will definitely want to have some experience. Most travelers indulge in massages with others opting to have a feel on a daily basis. Although this might not be the case for every visitor to Bali, I assume you will want to have the experience either once or twice a week. The basic massages cost approximately $10 an hour. Massages and random shopping in mind will cost you up to $100. Ensure that you get a good price as most tourists are always cheated on the rates.

ADDITIONAL TIPS :

HOW TO SAVE MONEY DURING YOUR TRIP TO BALI

Saving money during your trip to Bali doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the experience. With some careful planning and smart choices, you can enjoy this beautiful destination without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you save money while traveling in Bali.

1. Travel during the offseason: Bali’s peak tourist season is from July to August and during the Christmas and New Year period. Consider visiting during the offseason, typically from April to June and September to November, when prices for accommodations and activities are generally lower.

2. Accommodation: Opt for budget-friendly accommodations such as guesthouses, hostels, or homestays instead of luxury resorts. Research and book your accommodation in advance to take advantage of early booking discounts and deals.

3. Local transportation: Use local transportation options, such as bemos (minivans), motorbike rentals, or bicycles, instead of taxis or private cars. This will not only save you money but also provide a more authentic experience of Bali.

4. Eat local: Enjoying meals at local warungs (small family-owned restaurants) and street food stalls can be much cheaper than dining at upscale tourist restaurants. Not only is the food delicious, but it’s also a great way to experience the local culture. Check our guide of local food HERE

5. Bargain at markets: When shopping at local markets and street vendors, don’t be afraid to haggle. Bargaining is a common practice in Bali, and you can often get items for a much lower price than initially quoted.

6. Free and low-cost activities: Bali offers plenty of free and low-cost activities, such as visiting temples, exploring rice terraces, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful beaches. Research these options and plan your itinerary around them to save on expensive tours and attractions.

7. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle): Bali’s hot climate can make you go through drinks quickly. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it from large water jugs to save on buying bottled water.

8. Avoid unnecessary tours: While some tours and activities are certainly worth the expense, others may not be. Be selective about the tours you book and consider exploring some attractions independently.

9. Exchange money wisely : Be mindful of where you exchange your currency. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or in touristy areas, as these places often offer unfavorable rates. Instead, use ATMs to withdraw cash in the local currency, as this will typically give you a better exchange rate.

10. Use local SIM cards : Instead of using international roaming, purchase a local SIM card for your phone. This will allow you to stay connected at a much lower cost.

By following these tips, you can make your trip to Bali more affordable without missing out on the incredible experiences this destination has to offer.

Conclusion

There you have it! You can now approximate on how much you can set aside for your entire Bali trip especially if it a one week trip. When traveling with two people, you will be forced to double the actual costs for air fare, transportation, food, attractions and more. However, accommodation cost remains the same if you are traveling with your partner.

With Bali widely known as a luxury destination, this post shows that a visit to the Island of Gods does not have to come with a hefty price tag. You need not to worry if you are a budget traveler or backpacker, you can equally have a memorable vacation if you are flexible enough and abide by the above advice and tips.

I wrote more than 70 articles about the Island of Bali :

Bali on a budget

Is it safe to travel to Bali ?

Best temples in Bali

Cheapest time to visit Bali

Best waterfalls in Bali 

AND WAY MORE !