A Bali trip costs about US$35 a day for a backpacker and $100 to $140 a day for a balanced mid-range trip. A budget of $1,000 for 7 days works out to around $140 a day, which is solid mid-range money on the island, but it leaves out international flights. Add the tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (about $10) and a visa if you need one. Rooms, transport and your base decide most of the rest.
What does a day in Bali cost?
A backpacker should get by on about US$35 a day. That covers bare-bones lodging, three meals at US$3 each and a few drinks. A mid-range plan uses a boutique hotel or private villa at $60-120 a night.
For a balanced trip that covers a stay, food, transport and activities, plan on $100-$140 a day. A comfortable daily range is $50 to $150. Luxury villas run $100 to $300+ per night, and they break most budgets fast.
What does a week cost?
It depends on your style. A dorm traveler who eats at warungs and rents a scooter can spend well under $500 a week. A mid-range traveler with a private room and a pool lands in the $850 to $1,100 range.
So $1,000 is enough for a week if you travel smart and skip luxury. Villas, daily brunches and taxis everywhere make it vanish. A $3 meal can turn into a $15 brunch without you noticing.
A good low-cost base is Ubud, with day trips to Denpasar and Sanur. South Bali (Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu) costs roughly 30 to 50 percent more than Ubud, Amed or Sanur for similar food and rooms.
How much are flights?
Flights are the big unknown. They depend on where you start, and they are the single biggest cost for most trips. Check your fare first, then see what is left for the week.
What are the entry costs?
Every international visitor pays the tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (about $10). It has applied since February 2024. You can pay online through the official Love Bali website or at the airport. The airport line is slow, so paying online saves time.
Some travelers also need a visa. Here is how the options compare:
Your passport needs at least 6 months’ validity and a blank page. You must also complete the All Indonesia arrival card before you travel. It is free and done online. The website opens 72 hours before your flight.
Rules may tighten in 2026. Bali has discussed asking for proof of funds, confirmed accommodation and a basic itinerary. Enforcement was inconsistent as of early 2026. A return ticket and a couple of bookings are still sensible to carry.
How much does a room cost?
Budget rooms are cheap. Hostels and guesthouses start at $10-$25 a night. A guest house, homestay or losmen room can cost as little as US$10-15. A private room with a bathroom and air conditioning can come in under US$20.
Basic losmen are often under US$15 a night. They are fan-cooled and have shared bathrooms. A room at Rp300,000 (US$20) may already include breakfast.
Hotels, boutique villas and homestays run $30-$80. Mid-range boutique hotels and private villas cost $60-120. At the top end, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan in Ubud lists prices from 520 EUR. That figure is not a live rate.
Hotels charge by the room, not the person. A couple costs almost as much as a solo traveler, apart from breakfast. Sharing a room is the easiest way to cut your per-person cost.
How much does food cost?
Local food is the best value on the island. Nasi jinggo is a street staple of rice, shredded chicken, sambal and fried noodles. It costs IDR 5,000-10,000, and three of them make a meal.
Rp20,000 (roughly US$1.50) buys a street meal, a 3 km taxi ride or three liters of drinking water. Snacks and cold drinks in convenience stores mostly cost less than Rp15,000.
- Warung meals: $2-$5. A plate of nasi goreng costs a little over $1 USD.
- Cafe meals: $7-$15.
Drinks add up. Water and soft drinks are cheap. A 1.5-liter bottle of water costs about 50 cents in a convenience store. Wine and liquor can be pricey because of local taxes.
How much does getting around cost?
Bali is not very pedestrian-friendly. It has few sidewalks, heat and long distances. Bali has no public transportation system. Where you stay shapes your transport bill.
Scooters
A scooter costs around $5-$8 per day. A NMAX or Vario is about IDR 150k ($10) per day. Longer rentals cost less per day. One traveler paid about $25 for four days in Canggu. For one or two people, a motorbike for a whole month runs around $200.
Police checkpoints are common.
Cars and drivers
A car rented from a local cost about $15 a day. A legitimate rental brand will probably cost more like $30 per day. Renting a car in Bali comes with risks, as there is no insurance.
A private driver for day trips costs IDR 600,000-800,000 per day. Another price list puts a private car and driver at $60-$70 USD for a 10-hour day. A driver is the best choice for far sites, such as Goa Gajah, Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul.
Taxis and apps
For short rides, use Gojek or Grab. Both show fixed prices in the app before you book. Uber does not operate in Bali. Short rides add up fast. Several a day cost $20-30 daily, or $140-200 a week.
A Standard Car suits groups of up to 3.
For a week of moderate travel, budget $80 to $150 for transport, including the airport transfer each way. In Ubud, walk. Use a scooter or a driver for farther sites.
What do sights and activities cost?
Entry fees are small next to flights and rooms. Parking and vehicle fees are extra.
Other well-known stops include Uluwatu Temple, Tirta Empul and Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Besakih Temple and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are also worth a visit. Check current fees before you go.
For a full week, set aside $60 to $150 for activities. A one-hour traditional Balinese massage costs $10 to $20.
How do season and location change the price?
Rooms and villas cost 30%-50% less in mid and low season than in high season. High season includes Easter holidays, July to mid September, Christmas and New Year, Chinese New Year and the end of Ramadan.
In the busiest weeks, hotels in Ubud and Seminyak spike 40-60%. Check the date of Nyepi, usually in March. The whole island shuts down for 24 hours, with no flights and no driving.
Your base matters too. Budget travelers tend to head to Kuta, Bukit, Canggu and Padangbai for cheap hotels and eateries. Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu and Sanur each have a distinct feel.
What do full trips cost?
A 2017 one-month trip gives a real data point. A family of seven spent about $8,000, and airfare alone was $4,690 of that. Two people should expect about $3,400 for a month. These are 2017 prices, so expect some change today.
Should I carry cash or a card?
Bringing $300-$500 in cash is usually enough, as ATMs are widely available. Keep cash for the visa on arrival, which is cash only.
Opening hours, prices and visiting details: Medewi, Ubud Palace, Bali Botanic Garden, Ubud Monkey Forest.