Wanting to travel to Bali on a budget? Absolutely doable.
Despite its popularity, Bali remains one of the most affordable travel destinations in Southeast Asia β if you know where to look.
Whether you’re a backpacker or just trying to stretch your dollars, travelling Bali on a budget is easier than you might think.
With smart choices around food, transport, activities, and accommodation, you can comfortably explore the island for as little as $50β$100 USD per day.
Here are my tried-and-tested tips for experiencing Bali on a budget, without skimping on the experience!
The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide
Going to Bali is a never-ending adventure with an activity to suit every soul! Experience surfing, yoga, trekking, delicious food and amazing nightlife.
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The Ultimate Indonesia Travel Guide
Indonesia is made up of a whopping 17,800 islands β something that would take you a lifetime to explore! Visit Bali, Komodo, Lombok, Gili T, or Raja Ampat!
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Β Budget Accommodations in Bali
There are tons of great hostel options in Bali if you prefer the social scene! My go-to is renting a private villa, and I’ve even found some for as low as $50 USD a night. Look for jungle vibes, pretty pools, and breathtaking cliff-side views; thereβs no shortage of these on the island.
Canggu/Seminyak Area
Grandmas Plus Hotel Seminyak: Just a 2-minute walk from Seminyak Beach, this budget hotel offers modern, single rooms starting at $46 USD per night.
Black Pearl Hostel:Β Located in Canggu and within a short walk to Echo Beach, this hostel has a beautiful pool and offers a restaurant, free WiFi, an outdoor swimming pool, plus garden and pool view terraces. Beds start as low as $9 USD per night.
Kos One Hostel:Β This is a very trendy and design-centric hostel β it has a beautiful pool and a stunning buffet breakfast. A dorm bed starts at $25 USD per night.
Ubud Area
Run House B&B: A simple B&B with air-conditioned rooms and free WiFi, and close to the Ubud Palace and Monkey Forest. Double rooms start at $14 USD per night!
WW Backpackers: A high-rated budget hostel in Ubud, very central to all the sites.
Sukaβs House B&B:Β Sukaβs House Bed & Breakfast features an outdoor pool and private rooms starting at $28 USD. Daily breakfast is served on the private terrace overlooking the garden.
Where to Stay in Bali
Fancy a trip to Bali but wondering just where you should stay? Get a breakdown of the best areas and what to expect in certain neighborhoods!
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Flying to Bali
It really depends on where youβre flying from, what time of year youβre going, and how far ahead you book. Bali isnβt the cheapest destination to fly to from every corner of the world. but there are definitely ways to find a deal if youβre flexible!
February is usually the cheapest month to fly, since itβs smack in the middle of the rainy season and tourism slows down a bit. But honestly, Bali is a year-round destination, donβt let the wet season scare you off.
If youβre flying from the States, expect return flights to sit around $1,200β$1,500 USD, usually with at least one layover. Itβs a long haul, but worth it.
Flights from Europe tend to hover around $1,100 USD return when booked in advance. Youβll usually get the best prices by flying through major hubs like London Heathrow or Amsterdam Schiphol. In low season, one-way flights can dip below $400 if youβre lucky (and quick!).
Aussies, youβve got it easy. Round-trip fares from Perth can be as low as $300 AUD, while Sydney and Melbourne are usually closer to $400β$600 AUD.
Tips for saving on flights
- Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to track deals and compare airline prices.
- Be flexible with your dates and departure cities; sometimes flying out of a different country or major hub can slash prices.
- Look out for airline sales or use your airline miles.
Getting Around Bali on a Budget
Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Bali, and if you’re not using a metered service like Blue Bird, you risk being overcharged or scammed. Many local taxi drivers set inflated fixed prices for tourists, especially in busy tourist areas like Seminyak or Ubud.
Renting a motorbike or scooter is the go-to for budget-conscious travellers and locals alike. Itβs cheap, flexible, and ideal for exploring at your own pace. Expect to pay 48,000β150,000 IDR ($3β$10 USD) per day, depending on the location and length of rental.
Not keen to drive? Apps like GO-JEK and Grab are Baliβs answer to Uber. Theyβre widely used and let you book a ride on the back of a motorbike (ojek) or in a car with transparent, upfront pricing, so no haggling required.
Quick tips:
- Always wear a helmet (itβs the law!).
- Check that your travel insurance covers motorbike use.
- Inspect the bike before riding.
- Stick to reputable taxi apps or metered cabs to avoid scams.
10 Tips for Your First Trip to Bali
Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia for travelers. But before you go, here are the things you need to know for your first trip to Bali!
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Budget Meals in Bali
Even if the hotels were insanely expensive in Bali, the cuisine alone would make it worth the visit. Mouthwatering dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice), mieΒ gorengΒ (noodles), satays,Β martabak pancakes, and noodle soups are abounding.
Local food and street food are very affordableβa plateful of chicken, rice, and veggies might only set you back a few dollars. Look for local ‘warungs’, which are local restaurants with typical Indonesian cuisines.
As a plus, food found at warungs is generally really fresh!
Restaurants owned by westerners have started marking up their prices a bit compared to five years ago, but typically, you can budget between $15-$30 USD a day on food and drink and eat quite well. Bali is full of casual cafes, and is very accommodating to vegans and vegetarians!
Read More:Β Where to Find the Best Vegan Food in Bali
Spa Services in Bali
One of the biggest attractions of Bali is the affordable spa services. Massage houses can be found on nearly every corner offering one-hour massages for $10-30 USD.
If you ever feel like splurging, try a spa at one of the many luxury hotels which usually include a day pass and pool access!
Read More:Β Which Four Seasons Bali Resort is Better
Staying at the AYANA Resort and Spa BALI
Budget Activities in Bali
There’s so much to see and do in Bali. Hanging out at the beautiful beaches will cost you nothing β and most of the beach bars offer affordable drink prices, so you can hang out in their loungers for a few hours!
For tours around the island, hire a local driver for the day, and split the cost with fellow travelers to save money. You can hire a driver for around $30 USD for the day and visit sites like Ubud Monkey Forest, Mt. Batur, Uluwatu, and the Pura Gunung Kawi Temple.
Read More:Β Top Things to See and Do in Ubud, Bali
The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide
Shopping on a Budget in Bali
Bali is also an amazing place to buy from local artisans. The Ubud market is one of the best locations for shopping.
For mass-produced items, you’ll find that you can haggle for less than half the initial price most vendors ask. As a benchmark, the typical, vibrant and loose-fitting pants for sale at nearly every vendor can usually be brought down about $5-7 USD.
Don’t miss my Ultimate Bali Travel Guide for more tips and recommendations!
Hi there! im travelling on my own to Indonesia for my first time and I will be staying for a month. I was just wondering if you booked all of your accommodations in advance or if it will be easy for me to find hostels/hotels last minute?
Hey Adrienne! A mix of both – I’m a bit of a planner so I like to have things organized ahead of time, but I also sometimes like to be spontaneous and am up for an adventure. It kind of depends if you’re wanting to stay in one place and also the time of year – consider if it’s a major tourist season and how quickly accommodations will book up. I would recommend joining the TBA Travel Tribe on FB and asking the ladies there, too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/947813952040668/
I have been there and It’s Amazing !! The nature is breathtaking, Really lovely tips thanks
Greetings from the manager of Imagine Morocco
Isn’t it so beautiful? And thank you! π