Everything you need to put together your Bali holiday — the best time to go, how many days, the top places, the route, transport, budget, hotels and activities.
Planning a trip to Bali can feel overwhelming: there is so much to see, from rice terraces and temples to clifftops, surf and unspoilt little islands. In this guide we cover it all. And if you would rather not piece it together yourself? With the free Bali trip planner you pick your places and instantly get a complete route with suggested days.
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Open the trip planner →The best time to visit Bali is the dry season, from April through October. That is when you get the most sunshine and the least chance of rain. July and August are the busiest and priciest. The shoulder periods April/May and September/October strike the best balance between good weather, fewer crowds and lower prices. During the wet season (November–March) Bali is greener, quieter and better value, with short afternoon showers — though it can also rain for longer spells. Even then, the temperatures stay lovely.
For a good first trip to Bali, plan on 10 to 14 days. That is enough to combine several areas without rushing — for example Ubud, the south coast around Uluwatu, and an island such as Nusa Penida or the Gilis. Got 2 to 3 weeks? Then you can travel at a gentler pace and add Lombok or the north coast. For each place the trip planner suggests a recommended number of nights, which you can adjust yourself.
These areas form the heart of most Bali trips:
Browse all the areas on the destinations page or put your favourites together right away in the trip planner.
A smart Bali itinerary follows the geography, so you are not driving back and forth. A popular order: start in the south (Uluwatu or Canggu), head inland via Ubud, and finish with an island (Nusa Penida or the Gilis). The trip planner automatically puts your chosen places into a logical route and shows the travel times — including the drive to the harbour and the boat crossing if you are heading to an island.
🗺️ Let us map out the route for you
Build my route →The easiest way to get around Bali is with a private driver and car — by the day or by the leg. It is comfortable and affordable, and you can stop along the way. Scooters are popular for short distances, but the traffic is busy. To the islands (Nusa Penida, Lembongan, the Gilis) you travel by speedboat; count the drive to the departure harbour separately and allow for the crossing. The trip planner shows all of this for each leg.
Bali suits many budgets. Food (including at good warungs and restaurants), local transport and activities are inexpensive. The biggest expenses are the flight and, if you fancy it, luxury resorts. In the trip planner you choose between budget, comfort or luxury for each place, so you immediately see an indication of your accommodation costs.
From affordable guesthouses to boutique villas with a private pool and cliffside resorts: the choice on Bali is enormous. Pick a style for each stop and Bali Explorer suggests fitting stays, with a direct link to check availability and the best price. That way you do not have to compare dozens of tabs.
Think of the rice terraces of Tegallalang, the water temple Tirta Empul, the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu, snorkelling with manta rays at Nusa Penida, the sunrise trek up Mount Batur (Kintamani) and dolphin spotting at Lovina. In your trip plan every place has a button with the activities, so you can view and book them straight away.
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Start the trip planner →