Backpacking Bali On A Budget

Backpacking Bali is a great way to experience what the island has to offer. You can sunbathe on the beach while drinking a coconut or even try to surf on one of the big waves! With a fun party scene, many backpackers love the partying, chill and relaxing vibes, you can find it all in Bali.  

If you’re traveling long-term in Southeast Asia or even if you are a bit short on cash, it’s possible to travel Bali on a budget. You simply have to be aware of the potential expenses, aware of the potential scams and know where to go, eat and stay.

Planning a trip to Bali should be fun! Let’s take a look at the options to help you make the most of your cheap Bali holidays!

 

Is Bali Expensive?

 

Bali backpacking

 

It can be super expensive and it can be super cheap! The first time I went to Bali was in 2016. I was on an extremely tight budget and I managed to survive for less than USD 10 a day. I wasn’t doing anything special, mostly enjoying the beaches. I was broke (and I was waiting for my Australian tax return) so I had to stay put for a bit.

In 2017, when I moved to Bali, I was also on a budget. My daily budget was around USD 15 a day, sometimes even less as I started working for a hostel which provided free accommodation. This way, I would only spend money on food and on my scooter rental.

Since 2018, I have my own “apartment”, which is basically a private room with ensuite bathroom in a guesthouse. I spend between USD 20 and 35 per day.

Let’s take a deeper look at what you will possibly spend money on!

 

Backpacking Bali Budget Tips

 

As I just told you, it’s possible to keep it super cheap in Bali. You might have to limit yourself to fewer destinations or opt for free activities. Let’s start with the money saving options here!

 

Pick the Right Budget Destinations in Bali

 

Photo by @ericbriggs

 

Some places are a bit more budget friendly in Bali. Places like Canggu (popular backpacking area), Ubud or Kuta are quite cheap and there are many hostels in these areas. Of course, if you’re planning on discovering other parts of Indonesia in a short period of time, you’ll end up spending more money quickly to get there and back. Slow travel would be a smarter option or you could also limit yourself to Bali which should save you more money.

 

One Week in Bali

 

If you only have one week in Bali, you could either concentrate on one destination or pick a few to spend a couple of days at each destination. One week is quite short, you will likely not have time to go visit other Indonesian islands. It’s possible to do so but you can’t do everything in just a week! I can hear you already – decisions, decision!

If you’re planning on relaxing on a beach, then you should go to Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu or Kuta. (I’d highly recommend Canggu!). If you’d like to mix it up and check out beaches, temples, rice terraces, waterfalls and volcanoes, you might want to consider going to Canggu, Ubud and maybe another place such as Uluwatu.

 

Longer Holidays in Bali

 

If you’re planning on staying longer then you’ll have more time to visit Bali and also the time to visit other Indonesian islands such as the Nusa Islands, the Gili Islands and Lombok (which are quite popular). Other cool destinations to consider would be Java, Flores or Sumatra, but then again, you might need more time to do all of this! Indonesia is a wonderful country, but traveling from an island to another isn’t always budget friendly!

 

Cost of Living in Bali

 

If you’re planning on making a big move and staying long-term in Bali then check out this guide to moving to Bali. Bali is a great destination for digital nomads or freedom seekers. Staying somewhere longer does influence how much you will spend. It’s normally cheaper to rent a room or a scooter longer term. On the other hand, staying in Bali longer also means your tastes might get fancier at some point, you might get fed up with local food at some point and you might want to spend more money on food, etc.

Renting a room can cost between USD 250 and 1000 per month. Of course, if you’d rather be close to the beach and have a pool you can expect to pay more or less. My room costs about USD 310 per month.

Renting a scooter longer-term is also a lot cheaper than daily. You can rent a scooter for about USD 45 per month.

 

Bali Trip Budget | Bali Budget Per Day

 

Real Life Example

 

On a typical day in Bali you might just want to chill and head to the beach. You could get there on foot or by scooter. If you’re on a tight budget you might want to make sure you pick a hostel that is closer to the beach so you can walk there without spending money on transportation. If you eat local food you can expect to spend between USD 1-2 per meal. If you eat in a western restaurant you can expect to pay between USD 6-10 per meal. Then, depending on the season, the cheaper beds found are only USD 2 per night. Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be decent, but for that price, you can’t really complain, can you?!

This means that if you’re choosing the cheapest options every time you could easily survive like this:

Accommodation ($2) + Local Meals ($1×3=$3 (let’s make it $5) + Temptations AKA Anything Else You Could Want to Buy ($3) = $10 per day. This would obviously pretty extreme budget traveling in Bali, but this should show you that it’s possible to do it on the very cheap.

Obviously, if you feel fancier, if you’re craving a beer (or two) and if you’re planning to do many activities while you’re there, you will likely spend more money!

 

GIVE ME A SUPER CHEAP BED IN BALI ($2-3 for a bed depending on availabilities):

• The Endless Summer Guesthouse, Seminyak
• Bali Backpackers Hostel, Ubud
• Szabrian Hostel, Denpasar
• White Villa Hostel, Ubud
• Pondok Mesari House, Ubud
• Canggu Beach Hostel, Canggu

 

Accommodation in Bali

 

Backpack Bali

 

As I just told you, accommodation can be super cheap in Bali! Of course, if you’d rather stay somewhere more comfortable with a better location you might want to spend a bit more money. You can easily find a decent bed in a dorm between USD 5 and 15. If you’re after a private room, you can expect to pay a bit more, but it’s still affordable.

 

TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND A DECENT ROOM AT A DECENT PRICE ($5-10 for a bed depending on availabilities)

 

In Ubud:

• Sunshine Vintage House
• Guesthouse Alam Pracetha
• Jero di Bisma Hostel

In Kuta:

• Bali Caps
• Celebbest Kuta Hostel
• Bread and Jam Hostel

In Canggu:

• V Canggu Dormitory
• Kadaka Hostel
• Tipsy Gypsy

In Uluwatu:

• Home-Bience Hostel
• S.O.S Sultans of Swell
• C8 Bed and Breakfast

In Seminyak:

• Cozy Bobo Hostel
• M Boutique Hostel
• Karisa Pods

 

You may also like to read more about the best hostels in Canggu and the best places to stay in Canggu.

 

Book your room in Bali now!

 

Food & Drinks in Bali

 

Bali backpackers

 

If you eat local food you can eat for as cheap as USD 1 for a vegetarian meal. You can find street food and warungs pretty much everywhere around Bali. There are also a lot of cool bars and Western restaurants that are a bit more pricey, but still affordable.

There are also grocery stores around Bali but cooking your own food isn’t always cheap. I believe it’s cheaper to eat out than cooking my own food.

 

Real Life Examples

 

Vegetarian Mie Goreng or Nasi Goreng can cost between USD 1-3 depending on where you order them

Fresh coconut on the beach: around USD 1.50

Beer: USD 1.50-3 depending on where you buy them (shop or bar)

 

Getting Around Bali

 

The cheapest way to get around Bali is by foot or by scooter. You can expect to pay around USD 3.50 per day to rent a scooter. A litre of gas is about USD 0.70. If you’re staying longer you can try to negotiate a weekly or a monthly rate.

If you’re not comfortable with driving you should download apps such as Go-Jek or Grab to get around. You can either get a driver with a motorbike or a car to drive you around. This would also be the cheapest option to get to your destination from the airport. Unfortunately, taxi drivers charge a lot of money and take advantage of the tourists who aren’t well aware of the currency exchange rate at their arrival in the country. I heard countless stories where people spent ridiculous amounts for a taxi ride on their arrival. You don’t want to be telling that same story later on!

 

Getting a SIM card in Bali

 

Getting a SIM card is super easy and it’s also super cheap (as long as you don’t buy it straight at the airport). You can pay between USD3-8 depending on the data plan and the company you pick. The best company would be Telkomsel, but this isn’t the cheapest one.

 

Activities VS Free Things to Do in Bali

 

Backpacking Bali on a budget

 

Most great things about Bali are free! Enjoying the beach, admiring the colorful sunsets and swimming in the waves are free and it shouldn’t damage your budget too much! You can see the best of Bali on a budget!

If you’re just planning on relaxing during your holidays, you’ll keep your wallet happy! Renting a surfboard is about USD 3.50 for a couple of hours.

Although, if you’d rather have some fun and go on day trips you will likely spend more money. This is also the case if you want surfing lessons or if you’re going to visit temples.

To make sure you don’t get ripped off, you could book some of your activities in advance with GetYourGuide. This way, you’ll know beforehand how much you will spend on activities.

Also, you should keep in mind that surf-camps, snorkeling trips and diving trips are quite expensive. So, if you’d love to experience this while in Bali, make sure you keep enough money to be able to do it!

Here’s a list of the cheapest tours in Bali (below USD 30):

• Ayung River (Rafting)
• Cooking Class in Ubud
• Rice Terraces Electric Bike Tour

 

Take a look at the tours in Bali!

 

How to Find Cheap Flights to Bali

 

Depending on your current location, finding a cheap flight to Bali can be easy or challenging! If you’re willing to make a stop on the way then flying to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur first are normally the best options. You can then find a cheap flight from one of these cities to Denpasar (Bali). Check out the flight options via Skyscanner (or download their app). Skyscanner always gives me a better idea of what I can expect to pay for flights. Also, if your dates are flexible, it’s even better to find the best deals.

If you’re already in Asia you should take a look at AirAsia as they always have cheap and great options to Bali!

 

Let’s look at the flights… just for fun!

 
 

FAQ

🏝️ Where do backpackers stay in Bali?

Backpackers usually stay in hostels. You can find cheap dorms easily in Bali.

🏝️ How much does it cost to backpack Bali?

If you keep it cheap, you could easily do it for USD 10 per day.

🏝️ Is Bali safe?

If you follow some safety measures, you should be okay. Although, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to ATMs, driving at night, etc. I'd suggest you read our posts to learn more about safety in Bali.

 

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READ MORE ABOUT BALI

 

‣ Surf camps in Bali
‣ Top Hostels in Canggu
‣ Best Places to Stay in Canggu, Bali

 

BEFORE YOU GO TO BALI

 

☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.

☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.

☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.

☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!

☑  Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.

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