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Expenses in Bali: How Much Does it Really Cost to Visit Bali?
Expenses in Bali: How Much Does it Really Cost to Visit Bali?
Most tourists overlook the importance of budgeting for expenses in Bali when planning a vacation, and thus, end up with unexpected costs and in stressful situations.
To make your trip planning easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide breaking down all expenses that you may encounter in Bali.
Pick out the options and facilities of your choice, that fit your budget, and set yourself up for a stress-free trip!
You Might Also Like: Do’s and Don’t in Bali as a Tourist!
1. Flight Cost to Bali
The first, and likely the biggest, expense for your trip to Bali will be the plane tickets. Flight costs vary depending on where you depart from, the kind of flight you book, and when you book it.
However, for a general overview, take a look at the pointers below.
- From U.S. (Los Angeles) – Round-trip Economy: $800 - $1,300
- From Australia (Sydney) – Round-trip Economy: $300 - $600
- From Europe (London) – Round-trip Economy: $700 - $1,200
- Premium or Business Class from U.S.: $3,000 - $6,000
Travel from the U.S. or Europe typically costs more due to the distance.
Tips to Save:
1. Book early
2. Be flexible with dates
3. Use online comparison websites to find the best flights. These include Skyscanner, Smarter Flyer, and FareCompare among others.
4. If you can, plan your trip to Bali in off-peak months (October-November and February-April) when tickets can go as low as $350 from the United States.
2. Accommodation Costs
- Budget (Hostels and Guesthouses): $10 - $30 per night
- Mid-Range (3-Star Hotels/Airbnbs): $40 - $80 per night
- Luxury (Private Villas, 5-Star Hotels): $100 - $500+ per night
Bali’s diversity ensures that irrespective of where you’re from or how much you can afford to pay, there will be good accommodation options for you.
- The closer you are to the city the more expensive your accommodation will be.
- However, at the same time, the closer you get to scenic sites, the more will the costs increase.
A great place to stay in Bali is Ubud which not only offers peace and natural beauty but will also keep you close to the island’s cultural heart. Ubud is perfect for unique experiences like Ubud Story Walks, which will allow you to explore Balinese traditions deeply.
Tips to Save:
1. Book in advance, and as early as you can.
2. Like airfare, accommodation costs, too, will be cheaper if you’re traveling off-season.
You Might Also Like: 12 Best Hotels in Ubud [Updated 2024]
3. Food and Dining
- Local Warungs and Street Food: $1 - $3
- Casual Dining: $5 - $15 per dish
- Mid-range Dining: $10-$30
- Fine Dining (Western or Upscale Balinese): $30+
You can try rich local dishes like Nasi Campur and Sate for just a few dollars from Warungs (small local eateries) as well as visit luxury restaurants for a blend of national and international flavors.
Tips to Save:
A good idea to manage expenses in Bali without compromising on experiences would be to mix up your meals between local warungs and mid-range cafes to balance flavor and budget.
4. Transportation
- Scooter Rentals or Local Transport: $2 - $4 per day
- Taxis or Ride-Hailing (e.g., Grab, Gojek): $0.5 per km
- Private Drivers: $30 - $50 per day
Travel Smartly:
Decide your perfect mode of transportation is based on your itinerary. For example,
1. If you have to visit a single site on a given day, go with local transport.
2. However, if you plan on making multiple stops at sites that can each only be reached by car, it would be best to hire a private driver to save yourself from the headache of finding/booking rides repeatedly.
Not sure how to fill your itinerary? Check out our suggested itineraries here.
5. Activities and Tours
- Temple Visits and Cultural Sites: $0.0038 - $0.5 entry fees
- Ubud Story Walks Cultural Tours: Starting at $19+ per person
- Adventure Activities (Snorkeling, Rafting, Diving): $20 - $180 per activity
Travel Smartly:
A good tip to make the most of your trip would be to cut down on your everyday expenses in Bali and instead, invest in memorable experiences like heritage tours and scuba diving.
However, if you’re tight on budget,
1. Go for free or low-cost temples for visits.
2. For tours and other activities, book with local guides like Ubud Story Walks.
3. Rent gear like snorkeling masks and quad bikes instead of booking whole tours, if you have previous experience with such activities.
You Might Also Like: 15 Best Activities in Ubud [Things to Do]
6. Shopping and Souvenirs
- Small Souvenirs (Magnets, Keychains): $1 - $5
- Handcrafted Goods (Textiles, Wood Carvings): $5 - $20+
- Artisan Markets (Paintings, Jewelry): $15 - $100+
- Clothing (T-shirts, Shoes): $5-$20
Ubud is a fantastic place with lots of local shops to buy traditional Balinese items and high-quality handicrafts.
Tip to Save:
Unless you’re buying from a souvenir mall like the Krisna Mall, bargaining is quite common in Bali and prices are usually negotiable. So, don’t hesitate to politely negotiate for the best deals to reduce expenses on your Bali trip.
7. Essential Purchases and Miscellaneous Expenses
- Daily Essentials (Bottled Water, Bug Spray)
It is important to carry around bottled water and bug spray at all times. Costs for general everyday essentials aren’t too much and range from $0.20 to $3. However, these items often require frequent repurchasing, which can increase your trip expenses in Bali, so it’s best to buy several at once!
- Sunscreen
Sunscreens in Bali are generally quite expensive. Costs range from $15 to $50+ for small to mid-size bottles/tubes. It is recommended to bring extra sunscreens from your home country.
- SIM Cards and Data Plans
You can easily get prepaid SIM cards from airports as well as convenience stores in Bali. e-SIMs can be purchased online.
Costs depend on the data package. However, for an estimate, check out the details of two e-SIMs’ packages below,
a. Unlimited data (1-day validity) – $6, by Holafly
b. 10GB data (30-day validity) – $24.75, by Airalo
- Laundry Services
These typically cost $1-$3 per kg of clothes at local laundromats and can go higher at $5-$10 for hotel laundry services. Places like Ubud and Canggu are full of great laundromats that offer exceptional services, including pick-up and delivery, at low costs.
- Travel Insurance
Costs for travel insurance plans differ greatly based on the coverage you want and your time of stay. For insurance, it is ideal to get a quote based on your particular needs.
Ready to make the most of your trip? Follow Ubud Story Walks on Instagram to get a taste of Bali before you even set foot on the island!
Read what people say about Ubud Story Walks...
Ubud Story Walks is something different. It’s a fun, entertaining and refreshing way to delve into Ubud’s past. The knowledgeable guides place as much emphasis on how they tell a story as they do on what they’re sharing, which means all sorts of magical and mystifying details are revealed. I believe the best way to get to know a place is to walk its streets, which makes Ubud Story Walks one of the best ways to get to know Ubud.
Julia Winterflood
We had a fantastic time walking around the historical centre of Ubud! Even though we've been based in Bali for a few years, we'd never had an actual tour of some of Bali's most iconic landmarks and learning about the history was fascinating. Our guide was hilarious and full of information and it was a lovely and relaxing way to learn so much. The tour was early in the morning which was perfect timing as the temperature was still cool and we were able to witness the morning bustle of Ubud's famous markets. 10/10 would recommend!
Rahima Saikal
Anthony Besnault2024-05-04I highly recommend this tour for anyone eager to delve into the rich culture, tradition, art, philosophy and history of Bali. My experience with Khana was truly delightful; her warmth and knowledge made for a smooth and captivating discussion. It's undoubtedly a 5-star tour!
Elia Argentiero2024-05-02Wonderful tour! Khana is a passionate and knowledgeable guide which made the whole experience amazing!
Caroline o'Hara2024-04-28What a gem of a morning this was! We just loved it and we learnt so much. Perfectly paced and beautifully explained, Balinese and specifically Ubud history and culture came alive for us. Thank you Khana and Joe for such a great start to our few days in Ubud. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a more bespoke and small group learning experience.
Amanda Frisby2024-04-07The past to present tour was excellent! Our guides were passionate about the history they were telling us and explained things very well. The story walk was a high light for me in my visit to Bali!
Clara Gómez Donoso2024-03-27Amazing tour to learn about Balinese culture! Really made me appreciate their way of living. Highly recommended, the guides are very generous sharing their knowledge and experience. Thanks so much Khana and Ira!
Olivia Pilla2024-03-15Khana was my guide and she was so friendly and knowledgeable about the history of Bali. I had an extremely enjoyable tour and would highly recommend it! The morning tea stop was delicious also. Thank you again Khana!
Marry Jay2024-03-14It was a beautiful little tour through ubud and a truly authentic experience. Though a bit more expensive than other tours I would highly recommend to book this tour to experience an authentic tour with a local. Thank you again Windari.
Judy Astridge2024-03-11Our guide Win shared interesting insights into Balinese culture. We highly recommend the walk Ubud past and present. Very enjoyable and a nice size of group.
Kate Gilkison2024-03-06I can 100% recommend this tour. I was looking for a short tour that would give me a taste of Bali’s history, culture, art and way of life, and this definitely delivered. Khana was an excellent guide, who answered all our questions and more!