Even though Bali is the most expensive tourist destination in Indonesia it is still a very budget-friendly destination for travelers. So, though the island has become more expensive as more tourists discover more of Bali you will still be able to find cheap food and accommodations. Therefore, Bali is a very good destination for which you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. But if you are interested in splurging, Bali can be costly, as well as budget-friendly if that suits you the most.
Below we have gathered everything you need to know about the cost of traveling in Bali.
Food and drinks
The price of food and drinks in Bali varies a lot depending on what kind of cuisine you are going for. If you eat local food and street food you can expect to pay about 2 USD (28.000 IDR) per meal or less. If you want more western-style food you should expect to pay about triple the amount of money.
The cheapest way to eat in Bali is therefore at local restaurants, also known as warungs. But we would recommend you keep room in your Bali budget for a meal or two at some of the more Western restaurants – as these and the food they serve is very picture-worthy.
A good way to save money on food in Bali is by booking accommodations where breakfast is included in the price. Most of the accommodations around Bali include this kind of free breakfast – and it’s quite delicious often with eggs, fresh fruit, and banana pancakes.
Accommodations in Bali
Bali has everything when it comes to accommodations. You can stay in luxury hotels or villas with incredible infinity pools or jungle vibes, cozy homestays, or even shared dorm rooms in a hostel. So, it’s easy to say that Bali really does have everything accommodation-wise. Below you can read about the different types of places where you can stay during your trip to Bali.
Hostels
The cheapest choice of accommodation in Bali is staying at a hostel. The shared dorm rooms will be the cheapest but for a good price, you can get a private room if that is what suits you the best. The price for a bed in a dorm room is about 8 USD (115.000 IDR) per night, while a private room costs about 20 USD (285.000 IDR) per night and up.
If you want to stay in one of the more upscale and fancier hostels with a pool you should expect to pay a bit more for each of the rooms.
Homestays
The homestays in Bali are like a bed and breakfast. When staying in a homestay you are staying on a local family’s property – either in a private room or a private apartment. This kind of accommodation is usually very basic, but clean, homey, and comfortable. For this kind of accommodation, you should expect to pay around 35 USD (500.000 IDR) per night and up or down depending on your choice. As an extra plus breakfast is often included in the price, as well as many homestays in Bali offer a pool and garden area.
Villas
Renting a villa in Bali can be a very good choice if you’re traveling as a couple or a group. It’s possible to find 1 bedroom villas for about 50 USD (714.000 IDR) per night. Choosing a villa with more bedrooms will make the price more expensive, as well as the facilities will have an impact on the total price. The more luxurious the pricier it will be to rent a villa.
Mid-range hotels
Bali is filled with a lot of very nice mid-range hotels – all in great locations as well as good conditions. The prices for a mid-range hotel in Bali can vary a lot. But you can quite easily find a mid-range hotel room for 100 USD (1.500.000 IDR) per night.
Luxury hotels
If you want to splurge, a luxury hotel in Bali can be a perfect place for that. When it comes to luxury Bali has almost everything you could dream of. From fancy resorts to exotic villas – you will quite possibly find your luxury dream in Bali.
Airbnb
Renting accommodation through Airbnb is a very popular choice among travelers – including ourselves. Most of these types of accommodation are clean and safe. You must remember to read the reviews of a place, as well as making sure that it’s located in a central area. That way you can save some money on transportation during your stay. We managed to book through Airbnb and paid around 200 DKK (32 USD) per night. But it can also be done cheaper or more expensive depending on what you seek from an accommodation.
Transport
Transportation and getting around in Bali can be kind of a hassle. And some of the transportation in Bali can therefore be a bit pricey. Below we have gathered some of the most common types of transportation in Bali.
Flight tickets
Your flight tickets to and from Bali will probably be the biggest cost in your travel budget. The best way to save money is to avoid traveling during the high season in July and August, as well as during the holidays of Christmas and Easter. By visiting Bali in the off-season, you will have the opportunity to cut the price of your flight ticket to Bali in half.
Taxi
When it comes to transportation in Bali driving by taxi is the most expensive one. The taxi drivers of Bali have a reputation for ripping off tourists. Our best advice is therefore to use My BlueBird taxis and make sure that they turn on their meter.
| Taxi in Bali | Prices |
|---|---|
| Normal starting price when hailing a taxi from the road | 7.000 IDR (0,5 USD) |
| Price per kilometer – depending on traffic | 6.500 IDR (0,5 USD) – 10.000 IDR (0,7 USD) |
| Price for a taxi to wait around for you | 40.000 IDR (3 USD) per hour |
| Minimum fare when a BlueBird taxi is ordered by phone | 40.000 IDR (3 USD) |
Car with private driver
If you plan on going on bigger trips around the island or have a transit it can be an ideal idea to hire a car with a private driver. Hiring a private driver for a day will cost you around 30 USD (430.000 IDR) to 50 USD (715.000 IDR).
Renting a motorbike
Renting a motorbike is the best way to explore Bali. And as an extra plus it’s the cheapest type of transportation in Bali. When renting a motorbike in Bali you should expect to pay about 50.000 IDR (3 USD) to 60.000 IDR (4 USD) per day. And filling up a gas tank will probably cost you around 20.000 IDR (1-2 USD) at an authorized gas station.
Attractions
Bali is an island filled with attractions and beautiful sights. Even though many of the Balinese attractions are natural they come with a small fee to pay.
A few examples of natural and most popular attractions and their entrance fees are as follows:
| Attraction | Prices |
|---|---|
| Tegalalang Rice Terraces | 15.000 IDR per person (1 USD) |
| Ubud Monkey Forest | 80.000 IDR per adult (6 USD) |
| Coffee and Tea Plantation | Free |
Bali is also filled with stunning temples – which are all worth a visit if you have the time. These always have an entrance fee that you must pay. But in our opinion, it’s a small fee for visiting such amazing complexes.
Some of the popular temples and their entrance fees are as follows:
| Temple | Prices |
|---|---|
| Pura Taman Saraswati (Ubud Palace) | Free |
| Pura Tirta Empul (holy spring water) | 50.000 IDR per person (4 USD) |
| Pura Gunung Kawi | 50.000 IDR per person (4 USD) |
The cost of traveling in Bali
The cost of traveling in Bali can both be very budget-friendly or extravagant, as well as a thing in the middle of these two. The total cost of your travels in Bali, therefore, depends a lot on what kind of travel you are seeking. Bali can therefore be said to be a travel destination for almost every type of budget.