Bali Travel Budget Guide: Daily Costs and Money-Saving Tips

Accommodation is typically your largest daily expense in Bali, and the range is enormous. At the budget end, hostel dorm beds cost IDR 80,000-150,000 ($5-10 USD) per night, with popular options in Canggu, Kuta, and Ubud. Private rooms in guesthouses and homestays run IDR 150,000-400,000 ($10-25 USD), often including breakfast and a fan or basic air conditioning. These family-run homestays offer the most authentic cultural experience and often include a small garden or rice paddy view. Mid-range travelers have an incredible selection. Boutique hotels with pools cost IDR 500,000-1,200,000 ($32-76 USD) per night, and private villas with one or two bedrooms start at IDR 800,000-2,000,000 ($50-127 USD). At this level, you get air conditioning, daily housekeeping, a private pool in many cases, and breakfast included. Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud offer the widest mid-range selection. For luxury travelers, Bali is a playground. Five-star resorts like The Mulia, Four Seasons, and Alila cost IDR 4,000,000-15,000,000+ ($253-950+ USD) per night. Private multi-bedroom villas with staff, chef, and infinity pool run IDR 3,000,000-8,000,000 ($190-506 USD) and become exceptional value when shared among a group of friends. Booking through platforms like Booking.com or Agoda typically yields the best rates, and booking directly with hotels sometimes includes perks like room upgrades or spa credits.

Eating in Bali is where your budget stretches furthest. Local warungs serve generous plates of nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), nasi campur (mixed rice), and ayam betutu (slow-cooked chicken) for IDR 20,000-45,000 ($1.30-2.85 USD). These family-run restaurants serve some of the most delicious food on the island, and eating at warungs is not just a budget choice but a cultural one. A filling warung meal with a drink costs under IDR 40,000 ($2.50). Mid-range cafes and restaurants, especially in Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud, serve Western-style dishes (smoothie bowls, avocado toast, pasta, burgers) for IDR 60,000-120,000 ($3.80-7.60). Coffee shop lattes run IDR 35,000-55,000 ($2.20-3.50). A restaurant dinner with appetizer, main course, and a cocktail costs approximately IDR 200,000-400,000 ($12.70-25.30) per person at this level. Fine dining in Bali is world-class and significantly cheaper than equivalent restaurants in Western capitals. A tasting menu at top restaurants like Locavore, Mozaic, or Mejekawi costs IDR 800,000-1,500,000 ($50-95 USD) per person. Cocktails at beach clubs run IDR 120,000-200,000 ($7.60-12.70) each. A large Bintang beer at a bar costs IDR 35,000-60,000 ($2.20-3.80), while a minimart Bintang is just IDR 20,000-25,000 ($1.30-1.60). Water is IDR 3,000-5,000 ($0.20-0.30) per bottle at convenience stores.

Getting around Bali is affordable but requires planning because there is no reliable public transport system. The cheapest option is renting a scooter (motorbike) for IDR 70,000-100,000 ($4.40-6.30 USD) per day, or IDR 1,200,000-1,800,000 ($76-114) per month. Petrol costs IDR 10,000-15,000 ($0.65-0.95) per liter at official Pertamina stations, and a full tank lasts several days of moderate driving. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) with a motorcycle endorsement to ride legally; police checkpoints targeting tourists are common, and the fine is IDR 500,000-1,000,000 ($32-63). Ride-hailing apps Grab and Gojek are the go-to for car and motorbike rides. A Grab car from Seminyak to Ubud (35 km) costs approximately IDR 120,000-180,000 ($7.60-11.40), while a GrabBike ride across Canggu is IDR 15,000-30,000 ($1-1.90). Note that ride-hailing services are banned or restricted in certain areas, including Ubud center, the airport, and some beach club entrances due to local taxi mafia agreements. Hiring a private driver for a full day (8-10 hours) costs IDR 500,000-700,000 ($32-44), including fuel and a knowledgeable local guide. This is the most comfortable option for temple tours and long-distance trips, and the price is per car, not per person. For groups of two or more, a private driver is often cheaper than multiple Grab rides while being far more flexible.

Bali offers hundreds of activities across every price point. Many of the best experiences are free or nearly free: walking through Tegallalang or Jatiluwih rice terraces (IDR 15,000-40,000 entrance, $1-2.50), watching sunset at Tanah Lot or Uluwatu (temple entry IDR 30,000-50,000, $1.90-3.15), and exploring local markets, beaches, and village streets. Temples across Bali charge minimal entrance fees of IDR 15,000-50,000 ($1-3.15), with a sarong rental included. Moderate-cost activities include guided rice terrace walks (IDR 200,000-400,000, $12.70-25.30), cooking classes (IDR 350,000-500,000, $22-32), traditional Balinese massage (IDR 100,000-200,000 for 60 minutes, $6.30-12.70 at a local spa), and snorkeling trips to Nusa Penida or Menjangan (IDR 400,000-800,000, $25-50 including boat and gear). White-water rafting on the Ayung River costs IDR 350,000-500,000 ($22-32) for two hours. Premium experiences include Mount Batur sunrise trekking with guide (IDR 450,000-700,000, $28-44), PADI Open Water diving certification (IDR 6,000,000-8,000,000, $380-506 for three days), helicopter tours (IDR 3,000,000-5,000,000, $190-316), and luxury yacht day trips to Nusa Lembongan (IDR 2,000,000-4,000,000, $127-253). Book activities through Klook or GetYourGuide for reliable operators with cancellation policies, or negotiate directly with local providers for potentially lower rates.

Here is what a realistic day in Bali costs at three different budget levels, all prices per person per day. Budget backpacker ($30-50 USD / IDR 475,000-790,000): hostel dorm IDR 100,000 ($6.30), three warung meals IDR 90,000 ($5.70), scooter rental IDR 80,000 ($5.05), one temple visit IDR 30,000 ($1.90), water and snacks IDR 20,000 ($1.25), one activity IDR 150,000 ($9.50). Total: approximately IDR 470,000 ($30). This assumes shared accommodation, exclusively local food, and self-guided exploring. Mid-range comfort ($80-150 USD / IDR 1,265,000-2,370,000): boutique hotel IDR 700,000 ($44.30), mixed dining (warung lunch, restaurant dinner) IDR 250,000 ($15.80), Grab rides IDR 100,000 ($6.30), two activities IDR 400,000 ($25.30), drinks and coffee IDR 100,000 ($6.30). Total per person: approximately IDR 1,550,000 ($98) when splitting hotel costs with a partner. This is the sweet spot for most visitors. Luxury ($300+ USD / IDR 4,740,000+): five-star resort or private villa IDR 3,000,000 ($190), fine dining IDR 500,000 ($32), private driver IDR 350,000 ($22, split), premium activity IDR 700,000 ($44), beach club and cocktails IDR 500,000 ($32). Total: approximately IDR 5,050,000 ($320). Remember these are per-person figures; couples sharing accommodation and transport get better per-person rates at mid-range and luxury levels.

Several hidden costs catch travelers off guard in Bali. Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% government tax plus 5-10% service charge on top of listed prices, meaning the actual bill can be 15-21% higher than menu prices. Always check whether prices include tax and service before ordering. ATM withdrawal fees add up: foreign banks typically charge $3-5 per transaction, plus your home bank may charge another $2-5. Withdraw the maximum amount each time (usually IDR 2,500,000-3,000,000) to minimize per-transaction costs. Better yet, use a fee-free travel card like Wise or Revolut. Scooter rental agreements sometimes include undisclosed damage charges. Photograph the scooter thoroughly before taking it, and clarify insurance coverage for scratches and dents. Avoid renting from hotels, which mark up prices by 50-100%; rent from independent shops instead. Bargaining is expected at markets and with street vendors. Start at 30-40% of the asking price and aim to settle around 50-60%. Fixed prices at minimarts, cafes, and most restaurants are not negotiable. Data roaming from your home carrier is a budget killer; buy a local SIM or eSIM instead. Finally, plan your spending in IDR rather than constantly converting to your home currency, as this helps you make faster purchasing decisions and avoid overspending due to the confusing large numbers.