What's an average trip to Bali cost in 2024?
An average one-week trip to Bali typically involves expenses like $100 per night for accommodation, $1,120 for flights, and daily costs of $80 for food, drink, and activities, totaling $2,485 per person.
Options to reduce costs include choosing budget accommodations, using public transportation, and savoring local street food, allowing for a more affordable yet enriching experience in this Indonesian paradise.
Located on the western side of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, Bali is the second most populous city in the country. If you’re looking to visit this fabled tourist destination, it’s important to consider how much you’ll spend along the way.
The good news is that there’s plenty of competition and services on the island, making it relatively easy to cut costs if you’re on a shoestring budget.
The competition also makes it easier to upgrade without going overboard on your budget. If you’re a little nervous about diving into all of the prices on the islands, you can relax; we’ve done the hard work for you.
Read on to learn about the average Bali vacation cost, what factors affect the total price you’ll pay, the options available to you, and much more. Let us be your guide!
Average Trip to Bali Cost in 2024
For a one-week trip to Bali, you can expect to spend the following per person:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $100 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $1,120 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $80 per day
- Transportation: $105 total
- Total Cost: $2,485
Keep in mind that these prices are just averages. You can cut down on how much you spend on food, transportation, and lodgings with the many bargains located all around the city.
If you’re short on cash, keep in mind that Bali is a great place to travel with a group of friends. Splitting the costs of your hotel and transportation can help you bring down your bills, so you have more to spend on souvenirs or a fancy dinner.
Of course, there are trade-offs if you’re going to pick the cheapest options on the island. For instance, the city has a decent public transportation system, which can knock the cost of getting around to pennies.
The downside is that these vehicles may be older, and the open ones tend to be hot and dusty.
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Accommodation Costs
For the most part, the cost of hotels in Bali are reasonable. The most luxurious hotels will run you between $400 and $500 per night, but you can find boutique and budget apartments and hotels for just $4 – $30 per night.
This is a trend that you’ll see as you search. Why is one villa $100 per night while another is $5,000 per night? It breaks down to what you’ll get for the money.
On the lower end, you may not get a shower, only a bucket of water to douse yourself in. (You may also find yourself surrounded by critters that have managed to crawl in.)
You may not get a standard toilet, but just a hole in the ground. If you spring for a little, you’ll get a Western bathroom with a standard toilet, sink, etc. and a cold-water shower (which might feel great after the temperatures kick up).
If you’re really looking to save money while living like a local, consider a homestay. These accommodations are often bungalows, hotels, or villas, but you stay on the same property as the family who owns them.
Not all of these homestays will offer luxury amenities for budget prices, but some of the better ones will be immaculately kept and offer standard hotel perks for around $50 per night.
Flight Costs
The costs of flights to Bali are by far the big-ticket item, ranging from around $1,000 to $1,200 per person. The main reason why these prices have shot up is due to a lack of competition in the market.
The fewer airlines, the more they can charge. The high season is in the summertime, where you’ll pay the most for flights. The rainy season goes from November to April, with February typically being the cheapest time to fly.
The major warning is that flight prices may only change a few hundred dollars between high and low season.
The good news is that flight prices, particularly to this region of the world, can adjust on a dime. It sometimes only takes one carrier to change their routes or enter space before you start to see big fluctuations.
What you spend will depend on everything from the seats you choose to the cabin class to your origin city. If you can find cheap tickets to major hubs, like JFK or LAX, you might be able to save more money by flying from there.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
In general, be prepared to spend around $70 per day for all of your drinks, food, and activities. If you want to save money on food and drinks, you’re better off shopping in the smaller markets and shops around the island.
Whether your hotel has cooking facilities or not, you can find local ingredients to serve as anything from snacks to tide you over to full meals if you can be creative enough.
That being said, it’s worth noting that street foods and stands may not be that much more than what you’ll find in the markets. Bali may be a tourist destination, but there are 4.3 million locals who live here too.
In this country, it’s all about getting out and exploring your world. If you want to be taken to all of the off-the-beaten path places, consider hiring a tour guide. They may cost more upfront, but they can save you money in the long run.
If they can take you to the most affordable places without sacrificing quality, you end up having a more memorable and authentic experience.
For instance, they may know the tour operators who are running day trips, the food vendors that sell the best (cheapest) suckling pig, and the most honest taxi drivers on the island.
Transportation Costs
There are a variety of ways to get around Bali:
- Car/driver: This option is an excellent way to give yourself some freedom. You don’t have to worry about navigating the sometimes crazy traffic on the island, nor do you have to wonder if you’re taking the right roads. Costs can range from $35 – $100 per day and include the driver’s meals and drinks.
- Bikes: These cost anywhere from $5 to $24 per day, and they’re a popular way mode of trasnport. The main drawback is that the roads can get extremely congested, and local drivers are not always predictable.
- Car rentals: Car rentals are easy and affordable, with plenty of rental agencies dotted all round the island. However, the signage and unpredictable drivers can make for a chaotic way to travel.
- Taxis: With fares starting at $0.50, taxis are typically not an expensive way to get around. The drawback to taxis is that not every driver is honest. Some will do whatever they can to raise the fare, which can add up over the course of a week.
- Public transportation: Private and public buses are both affordable on Bali, and some are even equipped with modern amenities. Even the newest public shuttle has wi-fi, air conditioning, and luggage racks, and you can hop on it for anywhere between $1.50 – $5.50. The main drawback is that bus routes are limited both in terms of location and schedules.
There’s a lot to keep in mind in terms of transportation around the island, but it all depends on your traveling circumstances.
If you’re renting with a large group of people (e.g, 15 – 17), you can get a private mini-bus for less than $100 per day. This breaks down to just a few buck per person for your own well-equipped.
In general, though, if you don’t want to risk your life on a bike or haggle endlessly with taxi drivers, you’re better off hiring a car and driver for the time you’re there.
Things to Consider
Ubud, Indonesia – August 24 2019: Cars and motobikes drive in ealry morning along the Monkey Forest street in the heart of Ubud in Bali, Indonesia/AsiaTravel/Shutterstock
Before you make your final arrangements, keep the following in mind:
- Traffic isn’t just heavy in Bali, it’s downright dangerous. With few signs and lots of people on the road, the rules are sort of made to be broken here.
- Don’t drink the water. This means avoiding ice in your drinks or food that’s been washed in tap water, in addition to brushing your teeth (do so with filtered water) and taking a shower (just avoid opening your mouth).
- You don’t need to be too afraid of food poisoning, though it is still a concern. If you’re nervous when getting street food, look for lines with plenty of kids or elderly people in them. This population has less of a tolerance to germs or parasites that might have worked their way into your food.
- Haggling is expected there. It is customary for the people of Bali to charge you more because you’re a foreigner, and you’re expected to negotiate. For those who don’t want to engage in this practice, you may want to negotiate with one tour guide for the trip who will then do the rest of the negotiations for you.
- The currency in Bali is the Rupiah (around 300 Rupiah is equal to $1). In general, most vendors will not take US dollars, so make sure to convert your cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Bali as cheap as people say?
Yes and no. The flights are unlikely to be cheap, but it is possible to do Bali for pennies per day. To really get the best deals, it will take a lot of research, and it will likely mean giving up some creature comforts (e.g., air conditioning, Western toilets, etc.) if you really want to live for just a few dollars per day.
How far does $100 go in Bali?
$100 can go pretty far in Bali, especially if you’re ready to negotiate and research. There are plenty of deals on this island, though they’re not always as obvious as you may want them to be.
How much does a meal cost in Bali?
The average cost of a meal in Bali breaks down to about $8 each. If you want to get the best value, you’re better off filling up on breakfast as these are typically a little cheaper than lunches or dinners.
How long can a US tourist stay in Bali?
Your visa will be good for 30 days. Keep this in mind, especially if you become injured or ill on your trip and need to extend your time there.
How many days are ideal for Bali?
Bali is a beautiful country with plenty to see and do. We recommend staying anywhere from one to two weeks to absorb all the country has to offer.
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So, What Is the Average Cost for a Bali Trip?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $100 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $1,120 round-trip |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $80 per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $105 total |
| 💲 Total Cost | $2,485 |
A trip to Bali for one person can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $2,500 on average, depending on where you’re flying from, where you’re staying, and what activities you choose to do.
Use our guide as standard averages and then feel free to offer a little less. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to save in this country. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to Bali today!