How Much Does a Bali Trip Cost? [Experienced Traveller Perspective!]

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Bali, often dubbed the Island of the Gods, is a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, vibrant culture, and welcoming locals. Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget, a honeymooner seeking luxury, or a family looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation, Bali has something to offer everyone. However, one question that often arises for travellers is: How much does a Bali trip cost?

I mean, it’s kind of like asking, how long is a piece of a string? But we’ll try our best to break it down for you. In this guide, we’ll break down the costs associated with travelling to Bali, from accommodation and food to activities and transportation. By the end, hopefully, you’ll have a clear understanding of how much you need to spend to enjoy your Balinese adventure without breaking the bank. So, whether you’re planning a week-long holiday or a month-long exploration, let’s dive into the details and help you budget for the perfect Bali experience!

Why Bali is So Cheap: Indonesian Rupiah

Yes, I sometimes cringe a little when having to explain about the exchange rate of Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). At the time of writing, 1 US dollar is equal to 16,251.80 Indonesian Rupiah. Yep, that’s right. We have such a huge currency number, and everyone is a millionaire in Indonesia. So, don’t worry to see a price tag of something being 1 million rupiah, that’s literally about USD 60. For simplicity, we also typically truncate 16,000 by saying IDR 16K, so please don’t get confused as you keep reading below.

1. How Much are Average Flights to Bali? [UK, US, Australia]

Average Costs:

• From London: According to Google Flights, you can get flights as around £700 in low season but up to £1200 in high season, which I think is probably accurate. However, remember that some of these flights include 2 or more stopover, which I personally wouldn’t want to take. I think I typically pay around £900 for my flights from Manchester.
• From the US: I mean, the US is vast. so it really depends from which part of the country you fly from I suppose. From New York, it seems that London’s high season ticket price is New York’s low season ticket price.
• From Australia: oh, the lucky Australians. So close to the paradise, so much cheaper. I can’t even bear to look at it.

Tips:

• Book in Advance: Booking ahead instead of last minute can help to reduce cost.
• Travel between April and May!: there is reason why flights in January and February are a bit cheaper, it’s the peak of the rainy season and hence dengue fever season (you 100% don’t want to have that). But, price starts jumping between June/July and September because of the school holiday. October and November are typically already in the rainy season.

2. How Much is Accommodation Cost in Bali?

Bali offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts. And thankfully, it really is cheaper than many other destinations. You’ll definitely want to check my blog post on the ultimate guide on where to stay in Bali! The hotel I stayed in, for IDR 600K – around £30 ($38) per person per night, had a private villa and private swimming pool! It was unbelievable for sure.

Budget Accommodation

Prices range can be as low as $5 per night for hostels and guesthouses. These are ideal for backpackers and solo travellers looking to meet others. Most hostels offer dormitory-style rooms with shared facilities, while guesthouses might provide private rooms with basic amenities. I would personally suggest that you check the price for mid-range accommodation before resorting to budget accommodation. Bali is quite cheap and affordable generally – if you are from a place that’s quite expensive, maybe you’re used to staying in hostels. But for those prices you can get a mid-range accommodation in Bali. Also, I find that dormitory style spaces in Bali, are generally is less comfortable compared to hostels in many Western countries.

Mid-Range Accommodation

For those who want a bit more comfort without splurging, mid-range accommodations offer a great balance between cost and amenities. For hotels and villas, expect to pay between £20 and £50 per night. This category includes boutique hotels, family-friendly resorts, and private villas with more space and better facilities. For this prices, you can get private bathrooms and air conditioning, and sometimes even includes swimming pools, on-site restaurants, and often breakfast included.

Luxury Accommodation

If you’re looking to indulge in a more luxurious experience, Bali has numerous high-end options that promise exceptional comfort and service. If you are looking for luxury resorts and villas, prices start from £100 per night and can go up significantly for top-tier properties. These accommodations offer world-class amenities, stunning locations, and impeccable service. You can expect private pools, beachfront locations, fine dining restaurants, spas, concierge services, and often all-inclusive packages.

Tips for Finding the Best Deals

1. Book in Advance: Especially during peak seasons, booking early can save you money and secure the best spots.
2. Use Comparison Sites: Websites like Booking.com, Agoda, and Trip.com can help you compare prices and read reviews.
3. Consider Location: Ubud tends to be cheaper than South Bali area, so you could splurge more and choose better accommodation if you prefer.
4. Look for Packages: Some hotels offer package deals that include meals, airport transfers, and activities, which can be more cost-effective. I always book my airport transfers through Booking.com after booking my accommodation, and always find the best rate there. Not even only in Bali, but pretty much everywhere I travel.

3. How Much Food and Drink Cost in Bali?

Again, food and drink tends to be quite cheap in Bali. The local warungs (local …. food store? they sell all sorts of stuff too sometimes) you can get a meal around IDR 10-30K, which is super cheap. I had the best Babi Guling in my life for IDR 25K. This includes the rice, the pork, all the toppings including the veggie and broth and crackers, and a Teh Botol (bottled ice tea). Crazy right? Babi Guling, is a popular Balinese dish, you should definitely try it if you eat pork.

You could get them through food delivery if you are not sure how to order in Indonesian, the equivalent to Uber Eats is called Grab and Gojek. Gojek, however, require that you have an Indonesian SIM card, but not Grab. Hence Grab has been my go to.

For cafes and casual restaurant, expect something around IDR 50K (US$3ish) mark per person depending on what you eat as well. Drinks, for juice can be around IDR 5-20K (around US$1). My most expensive meal is at Koral Restaurant in Apurva Kempinski Bali. It was 7 course Michelin star restaurant, in the most expensive hotel in Bali …. that was IDR 2 million rupiah (US$120) per person. Just to give you an idea I suppose. It was worth it and intended, as we were celebrating our honeymoon. Special occasion I suppose.

Tips:

• Eat Local: Dining at local warungs not only saves money but also provides an authentic culinary experience.
• Happy Hours: Take advantage of happy hours for cheaper drinks and cocktails.

4. How Much Activities and Attractions Cost in Bali?

Again this will all depend on what activities and attractions. I like to use GetYourGuide.com and Viator to find tours in Bali for their activities. To me, this makes sense as Bali is not really a walkable place – you need a car to reach a lot of places. Secondly, it’s relatively not expensive still because of the Indonesian Rupiah, as written above.

• Beaches and Temples: Many beaches and temples have low or no entrance fees (donations encouraged), costing around IDR 10-50K (USD 1-3).
• Hiking and Nature Walks: Free, unless you take an organised tour!
• Water Sports: IDR 100K up to IDR 500K (USD 10-40ish) each for activities like snorkelling, jetski, diving, banana boat, parasailing, etc
• Cultural Experiences: IDR 50K – 400K for cooking classes, traditional dance performances, or yoga sessions I’d thought. Ticket for Kecak Dance in Uluwatu is IDR 150K, though there is the entrance fee to the temple itself which is IDR 50K.
• Private Tours: IDR 500K – 2 million for private guided tours of the island.
• Spa Treatments: Can be as low as IDR 200K (USD 17) but can be more than IDR 1 million (USD 150) depending on the spa and type of treatment.

5. How Much to Get Around in Bali?

Getting a scooter is quite popular way of getting around, but I highly discourage it if you don’t have a license. Firstly, taxi is very cheap and affordable especially if you travel in groups. Secondly, all Balinese I spoke to, have seen accidents of foreigners in scooters, sometimes fatal. Some people are not used to it I suppose and also, I hate to say but Indonesians are not the most disciplined driver either. Taxi, you can use apps such as Grab and Gojek. Though some islanders don’t like them, as is the problem in other places too. You could use a scooter taxi from Grab and Gojek too, which is cheaper from car, but ideal if you are travelling by yourself. For a day taxi, the rate is around IDR 600K for a day now – that includes the driver, the car and petrol as well. What’s not to like?!

Tips:

• Use a trusted taxi: either use Grab/Gojek if you don’t have one, or ask the hotel to call you one, or use a metered taxi such as Blue Bird (they are expensive though). Don’t use unofficial taxi unless you have good recommendation from someone.
• Safety First: If renting a scooter, ensure you have an international driving permit and always wear a helmet.

6. Miscellaneous Costs

Souvenirs and Shopping:

• Local Markets: $1 – $20 for handmade crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. Again depends on what you buy, but I bought a very nice, soft silk wrap trousers for I think $20. It’s not very cheap, but I absolutely love it, so it’s worth it!
• Boutique Shops: Prices can vary widely, from affordable trinkets to high-end designer pieces.

The Final Answer: How Much Does a Bali Trip Cost?

• Budget Trip: If you are in a very limited budget region, I think you can minimise the cost to around US$200 per person for a week excluding flights and enjoy Bali. This means you’ll find accommodation for US$10 per night, eat locally, and do low-cost activities such as going to the beach or visiting nearby temples/attractions.
• Mid-Range Trip: US$ 500 – 800 per person for a week excluding flights is how I spent in Bali. I chose a mid-range hotel that has pools, but nothing too crazy. I booked activities for some days and rested in the hotel for some other days. I am Indonesian, so I will refuse to eat non-Indonesian food for the length of my trip to Bali, which is also good for my wallet!
• Luxury Trip: sky is the limit lol I suppose, maybe more than $2000 per person for a week excluding flights. Especially if you stay in a resort like Apurva Kempinski, which is like US$350 per night already.

Final Thoughts

Bali offers something for everyone, regardless of budget. With careful planning and a bit of research, you can enjoy a memorable holiday that suits your financial preferences. In fact, you can spend a little less than other places and can still have an amazing time in Bali. Comment if you have any question!

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