Bali is famous as a cheap paradise, and for budget travellers it still is, but the honest answer to is Bali expensive is that it has two price worlds side by side. Eat at a warung, ride a scooter and stay in a guesthouse and you spend almost nothing. Book a private pool villa, eat at beach clubs and hire a driver every day and the bill climbs fast. The beauty is you choose. Here is what a trip really costs. For the wider plan, see our Bali travel guide.
What is cheap and what is not
- Very cheap: local warung meals, scooter hire, SIM data, massages, temple entries, and simple guesthouses.
- Mid range: private drivers, mid tier villas and hotels, Western cafes, and organised day tours.
- Pricier: pool villas in Seminyak, beach clubs, fine dining, and boat trips to the Nusa islands.
Typical daily costs
Rough guide per person per day, excluding international flights. Prices move, so treat these as planning ranges rather than quotes.
| Style | Where you stay and eat | Rough daily budget |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | Guesthouse, warung food, scooter | Very low, one of the cheapest in Asia |
| Mid range | Villa or hotel, mix of local and cafe meals, a driver and some tours | Moderate and very comfortable |
| Comfort | Private pool villa, beach clubs, fine dining, private driver | Higher, but below Western resort prices |
Where your money goes
- Food. The biggest split. A warung meal costs very little, while a beach club lunch can cost twenty times as much. Eat local most days and treat yourself occasionally.
- Transport. Scooter hire is tiny; a private driver for a full day is cheap by Western standards but adds up daily. There is no metro, so plan around this.
- Accommodation. A huge range, from a few dollars for a guesthouse to affordable private pool villas that feel luxurious for the price.
- Activities. Temples and beaches are cheap or free; Nusa Penida boat trips, diving and organised tours are the bigger spends.
How to keep costs down
- Eat at warungs, where a full local meal costs a fraction of a cafe.
- Hire a scooter if you are confident, or share a driver for day trips.
- Stay a street back from the beach, where villas and rooms cost far less.
- Book Nusa Penida as a stay rather than an expensive rushed day tour.
- Travel in the shoulder months for lower villa prices. See the best time to visit Bali.
If planning all this yourself feels like a lot, a packaged Bali tour package bundles hotels, transfers and day tours into one booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bali cheaper than Thailand?
They are broadly similar for budget travel. Bali can be cheaper for villas and scooters, while Thailand can be cheaper for internal transport. Both are excellent value, and eating local in either keeps costs very low.
How much money do I need per day in Bali?
It depends entirely on style. Backpackers eating at warungs and riding scooters spend very little, mid range travellers with a villa and a driver spend a moderate amount, and comfort travel with pool villas and beach clubs costs more but stays below Western resort prices.
What is the most expensive part of a Bali trip?
Usually accommodation if you choose a private pool villa, followed by beach clubs, fine dining and Nusa island boat trips. Everyday warung food and scooter transport are extremely cheap by comparison.
Is Bali cash or card?
Carry cash for warungs, markets and small guesthouses, which are cash only. Cards work in villas, malls and nicer restaurants. Withdraw Indonesian rupiah from ATMs, and watch for card skimming by using bank ATMs.
More Bali travel guides
- Bali Travel Guide: Visas, Money, Getting Around and When to Go
- Bali Itinerary: How Many Days and Sample 5 to 14 Day Routes
- Things to Do in Bali: 15 Experiences Worth Your Time
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