Table of Contents
Introduction of Bali
Travel Bali for Under $50 a Day: Is it actually possible to travel to Bali, land of dreamy beaches, lush jungles, spiritual temples, and rice terrace for under $50 a day? Absolutely. In fact, thousands of tourists do it every year without losing out on the island’s magic. Being practical, yet flexible is the key and knowing where to save and where to splurge is everything!
People in honeymoon stages and digital nomads have been going to this tropical paradise since a long time. Many people think it is cheap only when you are spending big or staying at luxury villas in Bali. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Bali has a great backpacker scene, delicious street food and plenty of free natural attractions. All which means Bali is still one of the best value destinations in south-east Asia. You just need to know where to look.

This guide tells you how to see Bali on a real budget. We’ll go through how much you are going to spend daily on accommodation, food, transport, and activities. We’ll include tips to save as much as possible!
So if you are a solo backpacker, a broke student or just someone with a good bargain, read on. Bali’s beauty is well within your budget!
1. PreTrip Planning to Save Money

Cheap Flights to Bali
Affordable flights are essential for a budget-friendly Bali trip! The best time to book? Think April to June, and September to October. The weather’s nice then, and not too many tourists. Try to avoid the busy and expensive months, such as the wet period from December to March and the peak July and August. Use flight aggregators like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare and set alerts.
The normal price is around $300 to $400 for a round trip from major Tier 1 cities (USA, Australia). Booking 23 months in advance and being flexible with dates (mid-week flights) can save you a lot of money (hundreds). If your arrival time in Vietnam is in the afternoon, booking a transit flight to Vietnam will be cheaper.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance Is Essential For Safety! After all, do you really want to risk our life savings over a trip? Get covered with affordable providers like SafetyWing (from $1.50/day) or World Nomads (around $2 to $3/day), both of which cater to backpackers and awkward activities like snorkeling or scooter riding. Check plans online to see what they cover to make sure they protect against Balispecific risks like dengue fever or loses from motorbike accidents, and buy early to get lower rates.
Visa Costs
Bali welcomes most nationalities with a visa-free entry for 30 days, which means hassle-free entry for the citizens of USA, UK, Canada, Australia and others. OIndonesia’s immigration website, apply online for the $35 eVisa extension (lasting 60 days) which is a costeffective option if you want to stay longer. Before traveling, always check the rules as they are subject to change. Ensure your passport has at least six month’s validity.
2. Affordable Accommodation (Under $15/Night)

Hostels & Guesthouses
Affordable accommodation that offers comfort remains the crucial factor for daily spending to remain under $50. Surf Shack Hostel in Canggu provides budget-friendly accommodation for $10 to $12 every night which includes a complimentary morning meal and serves surfers and group travelers. The cultural center of Ubud offers Joglo Hostel which features dormitory accommodations priced at $8 to $10/night in a garden setting. Budget beachgoers will find M Boutique Hostel located in Kuta at a rate of $9 to $12 per night. The various amenities such as WiFi and communal kitchens and social events at these hostels improve your stay quality while keeping costs low.
Homestays
Experiencing local culture reaches its depth when you choose homestays with families in their homes for $5 to $10 per night. The northern rural areas of Sidemen and Tegalalang offer an opportunity to experience Balinese life by residing with local families who prepare meals and share their insights about their community. Homestay.com website and recommendations found in travel blogs show you the way to discover genuine accommodations. The practice of staying with local families reduces expenses while fueling the local market thus following recent sustainable travel developments.
Tips
Use Hostelworld or Airbnb to reserve accommodations and look for price reductions during lastminute offers or when booking together with a group. Bargain for either weekly or monthly rates at prices starting from $60 to $70 per week or $200 to $250 per month since Bali hosts this type of accommodation agreement. The reviews serve as a tool to verify cleanliness standards and safety conditions of your accommodation so you can review staying outside central tourist zones for decreased expenses.
3. Transportation on a Budget ($5-$10/Day)

Rent a Scooter
Scooters serve as the fundamental mode of transportation for budget travelers in Bali by offering a rate range of $3 to $5 per day which includes fuel prices. You will regain your independence through scooter rentals so you can tour secluded waterfalls along with remote temples at rates determined by your schedule. Scooter rentals should come from trustworthy shops either in Kuta or Ubud while making sure to request a helmet because safety takes precedence. The rainy period from November to February creates hazardous road conditions that motivate bikers to stay off their vehicles and they should practice driving on established pathways.
RideSharing Apps
Bali residents favor Gojek and Grab ride-sharing services for short travels because these applications charge between $1 and $3 for each ride. The ride-sharing option offers safer and cheaper transportation than taxis and serves best when you need to go to or from the airport or travel late at night. Users should download the ride-sharing apps before their travel and establish payment methods while searching for fare prices from drivers based locally.
Public Buses
Travelers can use the KuraKura Bus to visit Ubud, Seminyak and Sanur from $0.50 to $1 each time. Communities using this service will find it establishes a dependable and budget-friendly mode of transport between cities. People can check route schedules through online platforms or stop terminals together with carrying little cash to buy their tickets.
4. Food & Drinks ($10-$15/Day)

Eat Like a Local
The best way to enjoy low-priced tasty food is by eating at warungs (local eateries). The prized local dishes include Nasi Campur ($1 to $2) rice mixed with vegetables and chicken and sambal sauce as well as Babi Guling ($3) roasted pork can both be found in Ubud and Denpasar. Night markets serve Martabak (sweet pancake, $1 to $2) among other items together with Satay (grilled skewers, $1 to $2) for local prices.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Western cafes in Seminyak or Canggu charge $10 to $15 for a meal—three times the local price. When saving money you should visit warungs for dining while preparing your food in hostel kitchens. Dining areas that tend to overcharge their customers should be identified ahead of time.
Stay Hydrated Cheaply
A reusable bottle costing $2 to $5 along with hotel and cafe water refilling options and open public water stations that exist frequently in Ubud provide an inexpensive hydration solution. Bottled water expenditures can be reduced as well as plastic waste through avoiding their purchase because ecofriendly travel practices rely on both budgeting and environmental awareness.
5. Free & Cheap Activities ($5-$10/Day)

Free Attractions
Nature in Bali presents itself to visitors completely free of charge. You can enjoy surfing at Padang Padang Beach before watching the sunsets over Echo Beach because entry at these spots is free. Both Tirta Gangga temple and Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) operate donation-based entrance which costs only between one and two dollars for visitors to experience their cultural sites.
Affordable Tours
Guests will find affordable $5 to $10 entrance fees at waterfall trails Tegenungan and Sekumpul while daily snorkeling equipment rental in Amed starts at $15. These budget-affordable activities provide thrilling experiences for participants.
DIY Adventures
Appreciate Ubud’s rice terraces while driving a scooter alongside Mount Batur lovers ($10-$15 with guide) by using free online maps and navigation tools. The self-organized method stands as an affordable solution which brings flexible benefits.
6. Miscellaneous Savings Tips to Travel Bali for Under $50 a Day

SIM Cards
The purchase of Telkomsel or XL Axiata SIM card for $5 provides 10GB data that suits your needs for navigation apps along with social media usage. The best option is to purchase SIM cards at convenience stores and airports followed by regular top-up transactions.
Haggling
The bargaining process at Ubud Art Market and Sukawati starts at thirty percent below the initial cost. Working with sellers to determine deals on souvenirs and other items will both save time and money in your shopping experiences.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Visitors should avoid high-priced beach clubs in Seminyak because beautiful Uluwatu Cliff provides free sunset viewing experiences as comparable to Seminyak’s clubs.
Sample Daily Budget Breakdown
Accommodation: $10
Food: $12
Transport: $5
Activities: $8
Miscellaneous: $5
Total: $40 (Leaves room for unexpected costs!)
Final Thoughts
Bali provides affordable vacation experiences that have high worth. Choosing hostels and family restaurants along with discovering budget-friendly adventures makes Balinese culture easy to explore. Proper preparation alongside positive energy helps you spend $50 per day to take full advantage of Bali’s attractions.
Budget tourists get to experience the same island attractions through Bali because they spend their funds wisely to explore the island. The following information lets all travelers reach Bali’s charm whether they are novices or experts in the field.
Are you prepared to travel Bali economically? Follow these guidelines to ensure your flight costs produce maximum value with limited packing. Our page offers full budget information and destination details to help you design your Bali trip.
Additional Resources
Budget Accommodation: Check Hostelworld or Airbnb.
Scooter Rentals: Explore Bali Scoot Rentals.
My Personal Recommendations: See Bali Food Guide.
More Destinations: Click Here