Bali is one of the best-value tropical destinations in the world: once you've paid for the flight, day-to-day costs are low. Here's what a budget trip really costs, broken down, plus the simple choices that keep it cheap without making it feel like you're missing out.
| Item | Budget cost |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse / hostel bed | €6–15 |
| Warung meals (3x) | €5–9 |
| Scooter hire (per day) | €4–6 |
| Grab/Gojek rides | €1–4 |
| Water, coffee, snacks | €3–5 |
| Activity / entrance | €0–8 |
| Typical day total | €20–35 |
For a fuller picture including flights and splurges, see our detailed Bali trip cost guide.
Bali is full of cheap, clean guesthouses and hostels, often with a pool. The trick: stay a street or two back from the beachfront and prices drop sharply for the same comfort. Compare places to stay and book the well-reviewed budget spots early — they fill up.
A warung (local eatery) serves a filling nasi/mie goreng for a euro or two, versus five to ten times that at a Western café. Mix in the odd nice meal, but lean on warungs and you'll eat brilliantly for very little. More in our food & drink guide.
A scooter is the cheapest way around if you're an experienced, insured rider (read our scooter guide on the real risks first). Otherwise Grab/Gojek are cheap for short hops, and for day trips it's cost-effective to split a private driver between a few people. See getting around Bali.
Some of Bali's best experiences cost nothing: beaches, clifftop viewpoints, rice-terrace walks, temples (small donation) and sunsets. Save your budget for the few paid things you really want — a Nusa Penida day trip, a snorkelling boat, a cooking class — and skip the rest.
Travelling in the shoulder months (roughly May–June and September) means lower prices on flights and stays, fewer crowds and still-good weather. Check the best time to visit Bali to pick your dates.
Map a cheap route across the island
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