How Much Does a Trip to Bali Actually Cost?

That's not nearly as true as it used to be. By now, the Balinese are well aware of the appeal their island has to people from far wealthier countries, so prices are a lot higher than they used to be, and higher than they are in most other parts of Indonesia, too.

Still, though, Bali can be a real bargain for those travelling on a budget.

So how much does a trip to Bali really cost? Well, that depends on your budget and your travel style. But let's look at what you can reasonably expect to spend on your trip so you can start saving your pocket money.

Flights

Flights are often one of the biggest expenses, especially for those coming from Europe or North America. Flying from Australia is a little cheaper, with tickets available for around $300 to $400, and sometimes less on sale.

As always with flights, the prices vary according to your departure airport, the time of year you go, and how far in advance you book. Booking several months ahead can save you a good chunk of change. So can travelling in Bali's shoulder seasons, for example April to June or September to October. Yes, the weather isn't as good, but the savings on your plane ticket may be worth it.

Accommodation

The other big single expense on any trip is what you spend on accommodation. Luckily, there's a lot you can do to get this cost down, but ultimately, you have to sleep somewhere.

For a room in a hostel dorm, you can expect to spend US$8 to US$20 a night (AU$12-AU$31). A budget guesthouse could be more in the region of US$20-US$40 (AU$31-AU$61).

For a three-star hotel, you could be looking closer to US$45-US$90 per night, and a boutique hotel will be more like US$80-180 per night.

Beyond that, the sky's the limit. If you want to go big and stay in a private villa with a beachfront view, you can, but it could cost you $500 a night or more.

Food

Food is one area where Bali really shines. It's both cheap and delicious, and trying all the delicious flavours is a big part of the travel experience here. Also, unless you go super high-end, it doesn't need to cost you a lot.

In fact, as every traveller knows, sometimes the cheapest places offer the best food.

Warungs, or traditional family-run restaurants, are a budget traveller's best friend. They offer authentic dishes like mie goreng, nasi goreng, and satay at unbelievably low prices. You could get a substantial meal at a warung for US$2-5 (AU$3-8).

If you want something a little fancier, a midrange dinner is around US$10-US$20, and even fine dining experiences can be had starting at around US$40 and going up from there.

When a local beer costs as little as US$2, with a coffee around the same, it's easy to see how staying in Bali can be much cheaper than staying at home, at least when it comes to eating out.

Transport

Bali isn't huge, but there's enough to see that you'll be making use of transport sooner or later. How you approach that is going to depend not only on your budget, but on your tolerance for risk.

One of the most popular ways to get around Bali is by renting a scooter. You can rent a scooter for as little as US$5 (AU$8) per day. These scooters sip petrol, so they offer one of the most affordable ways to get around the island.

Still, it can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you've never driven one before. In that case, ridesharing apps like Grab or Gojek could be a better option. Within the towns, these can cost only a few dollars for a ride. If you're relocating from one town to another, bus rides aren't much more expensive.

If you want to go high-end, you could even hire a private driver for around US$40-US$60 (AU$60-AU$85) per day. That's a great way to see more of the island without the stress.

Attractions, Shopping, and Souvenirs

Bali is full of some really affordable attractions. For example, entrance to the stunning temples of the island is often free, or on a donation basis. Hiking through the forest to beautiful waterfalls doesn't need to cost you anything, and museums and cultural performances tend to be cheap.

More elaborate activities, like snorkeling trips, surfing lessons, cooking classes, and volcano hikes are naturally more expensive. But even then, they can offer surprising value. For example, you can take a snorkeling trip for US$25-US$60, or a surf lesson for US$20-US$40.

Extra Costs

Sometimes, it's the little things that get you. It's easy to overlook some of the costs of travel, especially for first-time travellers. Remember to leave room in your budget for things like:

• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Airport transfers
• Tips
• Laundry
• ATM fees
• SIM cards One of the best ways to take a trip more affordably is to not pay extortionate roaming fees to your mobile phone operator. Instead, get yourself an Indonesia eSIM from ZenSim. Starting at just AU$7 per day, these SIM cards let you connect to the strongest local network so that you can use your phone just like you do at home and stay connected wherever you go.

So, How Much Does a Trip to Bali Actually Cost?

Okay, now you have a better idea of what you can expect to spend on some of the biggest costs in Indonesia.

Basically, it all comes down to how you want to spend your time. Are you a budget-conscious backpacker, a thrifty couple looking for bargains, or someone who wants the best no matter what the cost?

Here are some averages for what you can expect to spend, not including your flight:

Obviously, once you add the flight on, this gets a little more expensive.

Ultimately, a seven-day backpacker trip could come in around US$600-US$1200 (AU$900-AU$1800).

A midrange couples' trip could be more like US$1800-$3500 (AU$2700-AU$5000).

And if you want to go luxury, well, really, there's no limit to what you could spend. But US$4000 (AU$6000) could give you seven nights in a premium villa with spa treatments, fine dining, and private tours.

Is Bali Affordable?

Lots of places in Southeast Asia are far cheaper than Bali these days. But not all of them offer the infrastructure, friendliness, and ease of getting around that this island does. Besides, Bali still compares pretty well on price to similar destinations like the Maldives or Hawaii. Your money will go a lot further here.

Making your trip affordable begins before you leave. Download an eSIM from ZenSim, and you can have unlimited data for your trip at a very affordable price. With plans that cover you across all of Asia, you can save money even on a long multicountry adventure.