Bali is, without doubt, one of the most popular travel spots for Aussie travellers. Not only is it close to home, but the island boasts idyllic countryside, picture-perfect beaches, friendly locals, and world-class cuisine.

The best bit? It remains incredibly affordable to travel to Bali. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly escape, a 5-star resort stay, or a niche wellness retreat in the jungle, Bali really does have something for everyone.

Whether you’re solo backpacking or taking the whole family, you’ll want to know how much to budget for your 2026 adventure. This comprehensive Bali travel guide breaks down the cost of essentials (including Visa on Arrival and Tourist Levy costs), must-know travel tips, and how to convert your Australian Dollars to Indonesian Rupiah (AUD to IDR).

Ready? Let’s dive in! 

What goes into a budget for Bali?

Transport

Bali's proximity and popularity with Aussie travellers mean airlines are often slinging super cheap flights. Once you arrive, you have a few different ways of getting around:

• Taxis: These start at around $1.50 AUD and go up by $0.70 AUD or so per km. Bluebird Taxis are the most dependable for metered taxis and drivers who speak English.
• Rideshare: Grab is the go-to rideshare option in Bali; however, it can sometimes be more expensive than taxis. You can also use Gojek, however, it is generally for motorbike rideshares. Drivers will bring you a spare helmet, and they are super cheap.
• Scooter rentals: Did you even go to Bali if you didn't ride on a motorbike or scooter? For around ($6-$8 AUD), you can live the Bali dream and scoot around as you please. Just make sure your travel insurance has motorbike and scooter inclusions.
• Bicycles: Keen to be on two wheels without the motor? Grab a bike for around $3-5 AUD per day.
• Tourist bus: these are super cheap with air-conditioning and even Wi-Fi if you're lucky. Tickets start at $2 AUD and go up from there depending on where you travel.
• Boats: public ferries are a cost-effective way of getting to places like Lombok and the Gili Islands, with tickets from about $3.20 AUD one way. Alternatively, you can get a speedboat for around $15-30 AUD.
• Private car charter: if it's your first time on the island, and you're keen on a convenient way to explore the island with plenty of freedom, a private car is a great option, especially if there are a few of you travelling together. Rates for a private car and driver start at around $70-$80 AUD. 

Accommodation

Bali offers a full scope of accommodation options, from 5-star luxury villas with a private infinity pool and meal plan to humble boutique hotels and hostels. The vast supply of places means hotels are always competing, which is excellent news because you can nab some sweet digs for a very low price. Prices will surge in Aussie school holidays; otherwise, you can expect to pay around the following. This is a guide only, and prices will fluctuate with seasonality and location on the island. 

• Guesthouse and hostel:  $15 – $35 AUD per night
• Budget hotel: $45 – $110 AUD per night
• Private villa: $150 – $450 AUD per night
• Airbnb: $95 – $650 AUD per night
• Resort: $220 – $750 AUD per night
• Luxury room: $600 – $1,200+ AUD per night

Food

Bali boasts some mouth-watering, world-class cuisine. Its popularity with social media influencers has resulted in some very hip and trendy cafes and restaurants popping up across the island. Catering to all food preferences and cravings, you are bound to leave well-fed and satisfied. 

Food is relatively cheap, especially when compared to Australia. You can eat mountains of street food and local dishes without even putting a dent in your travel budget. The following is a good guide for prices while in Bali:

• Street food: $2 – $4 AUD
• Basic local dish: $3 – $8 AUD
• Western food: $15 – $28 AUD
• Restaurant cuisine: $30 – $65 AUD
• Bottle of water: $1 – $5 AUD

Make sure you try the following dishes while visiting:

• Babi Guling: a famous dish of tender suckling pig.
• Sate: mashed chicken blended with an array of spices.
• Pisang Goreng: fried bananas served with honey or palm sugar syrup, flaked coconut, and ice cream.
• Mie Goreng: fried noodles served with veggies, your choice of meat, all topped off with a fried egg.
• Nasi goreng: like Mie Goreng with rice instead of noodles.
• Spring rolls: you should know what these are.

It's also worth noting that alcohol is very cheap, and you can very easily get a great cocktail for a small price. Just be cautious of nasty bootleg drinks that appear cheap even by Bali standards. As a guide, avoid drinks labelled as 'arak'. 

Activities

There is plenty to keep your mind, body, and soul occupied while on holiday in Bali. We recommend setting some time aside for the following:

• Shop 'til you drop! Bali offers travellers more than the usual mass-produced souvenirs, boasting boutiques, high-end homeware stores, silver jewellery, and gorgeous antiques. Just keep in mind that a lot will cost the same as back home in Australia, so keep your eyes peeled for sales if you're keen on a bargain.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture, learning about customs and the Balinese way of life.
• Explore the temples. Pura Besakih is a popular location, mainly because it is located on the sacred Mount Agung, an active volcano. Tanah Lot Temple is also a famous and visually striking temple to visit. Just remember to wear
• See the wildlife, including monkeys (they are very cheeky), buffalo, and dolphins.
• Relax and pamper at one of the many spas. Balinese massage and spa treatments use herbs and spices to ignite the senses and re-energize your body.
• Have a go at some adventure sports, including mountain bike riding, horseback riding, ziplining, paragliding, and mountain trekking. There are also plenty of water sports available if you're keen to get the adrenaline pumping while staying cool.
• Speaking of water sports, Bali is very popular for its diving and snorkelling. If you're keen on scuba, make sure you check out the US Liberty cargo shipwreck dive.
• Head to a yoga or pilates retreat to destress and stretch. You can attend a single class or take part in a multi-day retreat.
• Listen to TLC and go chasing some waterfalls.
• Appreciate the local art, whether it be paintings, woodcarvings, metalwork, sculptures, or dance.
• Take a cooking class and learn to make classic Indonesian dishes.
• Relax on the beach with a cocktail in hand. 

Pre-travel expenses

Regardless of whether you’re staying less than 30 days in Bali, Australian travellers need to a valid passport with at least six months validity, a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or an Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA), proof of onward travel, a tourist levy, and the new All Indonesia Declaration Form, which combines customs, immigration, and biosecurity requirements into a single digital process, and replaces the Electronic Customs Declaration Form (e-CD) and SATUSEHAT Health Pass. 

Visa on Arrival (VoA) costs

The VOA and e-VOA cost approximately $50 AUD, with a small online processing fee applicable for the e-VOA. You can learn more and apply here. 

Tourist levy costs

The tourist levy costs approx. $15 AUD per person and applies to all tourists visiting Indonesia. 

To help keep the island beautiful, the Balinese government introduced the sustainability fee in 2024. This contribution goes toward local cultural and environmental projects and is paid separately from your entry visa (VoA/e-VoA). You can learn more and pay here. 

Travel insurance Bali, and other costs

Travel insurance for Bali is a must for all travellers, regardless of where you're staying. Things like flight cancellations, medical incidents, and theft can be very expensive without insurance. Comprehensive policies will set you back around $90 AUD for a week-long trip to Bali, with specific activities such as surfing or scooter riding as additional add-ons. 

Also, before leaving for your trip, stop by your GP to make sure you're up to date with any relevant travel immunisations you might need for Bali. 

You can visit the Smart Traveller site to make sure you’ve ticked everything off!

How much does a trip to Bali cost?

Don't know where to start with budgeting for your Bali trip? We've got you covered! We've listed out the steps you'll need to take when using our handy Budget Calculator. 

• Step 1: Enter your destination (Bali) and let us know how long you'll be away. Choose your currency next. In this case, it will either be AUD or IDR.
• Step 2: Unlike other locations around the world, it is very affordable to eat out for every meal in Bali. Many hotels will include breakfast as well, so be sure to factor this into your travel budget and consider whether you'll be focusing on local dishes and street food, or if you'll instead be hitting up more expensive restaurants.
• Step 3: In this section, estimate how much you plan on shopping while in Bali. From cheap souvenirs (don't kid yourself, you'll grab a Bintang singlet) to boutique homewares and jewellery, consider how much shopping you'll do while in Bali.
• Step 4: This is for all of your transport outside of flights, so the taxis, scooters, buses, and private cars.
• Step 5: The hard work is done! Here you'll find a simple layout of your planned expenses in both Australian dollars and Indonesian rupiah. From here, you can either go back and edit or start saving for your holiday!

It's important to note here that this only accounts for your most basic expenses. You'll need to add in travel insurance and other daily expenses. It's also worth having a bit of wiggle room in the kitty for unexpected costs, like finding the perfect Balinese dining table that you need to ship home, or a last-minute yoga retreat.

Bali Budget Examples

Here are some examples of what the bones of your travel budget would look like. Please note all of these examples are based on seven nights of accommodation and are quoted in Aussie dollars. Prices will, of course, vary with seasonality and availability.

Couples trip (or girls weekend away with your bestie!)

This couple is spending a week indulging in some meditation and pamper packages in stunning Ubud. Ah, the dream! 

Family getaway

We’re talking two parents and the two kids on a flop-and-drop holiday in Nusa Dua. The kids are treated to new friends and waterslides at the kids’ club, while the parents enjoy a week of sunsets and relaxation (all with a cocktail in hand, of course).

Solo traveller

This lucky vagabond is keen on exploring the hip, surfing vibes in Canggu while on a budget. 

Last-minute Bali travel tips

• Locals will know you’re a tourist, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings in case of pickpockets or vendors trying to do a sneaky on you.
• Don’t drink the water. Instead, grab bottled water from the shops or your accommodation. It is also recommended that you don’t have ice in your drinks.
• Tips aren’t expected, however, if you receive good service (and you probably will, the Balinese people are very generous and hospitable), it’s worth tipping a couple of dollars to your server
• While many places will accept card transactions, card fraud is common in Bali, so consider leaning more towards cash transactions.
• When it comes to your cash, store it in different locations to avoid losing it all should you get pickpocketed.
• If you’re worried about international roaming charges, it is very easy to rent a reliable pocket Wi-Fi device that will cover the extent of your trip.
• ATMs are easy to find in main cities, just be cautious of your surroundings and try to use those in banks instead of out on the street.
• Foreigners often pay more for entrance to certain locations.
• Bartering is very common and expected at markets and stores in Bali. Don’t ever pay the first price you were quoted. If you are new to bargaining, we recommend halving the initial cost and then increasing it from there. It’s also worth having an idea of how much you are willing to pay; if the price goes above that, then just walk away - chances are they’ll quickly lower the cost as you depart.
• The Southern part of the island is more expensive, so if you’re keen to save even more, look further north.
• You can save money on attractions by booking in advance online.
• Research your 'per day' budget and include the things you want to do. Once you know the costs, you have a savings goal to work towards.
• Take advantage of Travel Money Oz’s Price Beat Guarantee. If you find a better price from a competitor, we will beat it*.
• Hostels are a great way to save cash and meet like-minded travellers.
• Check out reviews if you think something is too good to be true. Chances are, it might be.
• Tourist attractions will always have higher prices, especially in more popular cities.
• Don't forget to factor in pre-travel costs like travel insurance, immunisations, and visas.
• Sign up for rate alerts. We'll let you know when the AUD is doing well against the IDR so you can purchase and maximise your travel money.

Converting AUD to IDR

Heading to Bali means preparing for a world of vibrant markets and delicious street food, where cash is king, making it essential to secure a hot AUD to IDR exchange rate before you depart.

Thankfully for you, we make it easy peasy! Exchange your Australian Dollar to Indonesian Rupiah in-store or online, with same-day delivery or click and collect.