Travelling to Bali is a dream for many visitors across the world. Beaches, temples, rice terraces, and warm culture make it one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Still, the cost of a Bali trip often increases during peak months, and many travellers feel unsure whether they can afford it.
The truth is that you can visit Bali on a budget with the right plan. You only need to understand where your money goes, what to avoid, and how to build a simple itinerary that helps you enjoy the island without spending too much.
Your 2025 Bali Trip Guide: How to Stay in Bali on a Budget and Reduce Daily Cost
This guide brings together the most practical ways to control your daily cost, find affordable places to stay in Bali, and choose the right time to travel. It includes solutions based on recent survey figures, real examples, and clear tips for 2025. With this approach, you can enjoy a comfortable and memorable holiday that does not strain your savings.
Why a Bali Trip Can Feel Expensive
A trip to Bali can be costly if you travel during peak holiday periods or focus on areas with high tourist demand. According to 2025 data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 60% of tourists in Bali spend around IDR 500,000–1,000,000 per day. During peak months, the price of hotels, transport, and meals can rise by up to 50%.
Another 2025 survey by TripAdvisor shows that 70% of travellers want to enjoy Bali on a budget, but only 20% succeed. The main reasons include poor planning, travelling during high season, and relying too much on international restaurants or premium hotels in areas such as Seminyak or Nusa Dua.
Your aim should be simple: keep the trip comfortable, enjoyable, and efficient. You do not need to skip good food, nice beaches, waterfall, or cultural attractions. You only need a plan that suits your budget and daily habits.
Money-Saving Tips for a Bali Trip in 2025
Choose the Right Time to Visit Bali, Indonesia
Timing can decide half of your total spending. Bali’s prices rise sharply during Christmas, New Year, Eid holidays, and July–August. During these months, hotels and flights increase due to demand.
The best periods for a Bali on budget trip are:
- May–June
- September–early October
These months still offer good weather but with lower room rates and less traffic. If you avoid public holidays, you will often find cheaper flights and quieter attractions.
Find Affordable Accommodation
Accommodation takes the biggest portion of the daily cost. Many visitors stay in central luxury areas, but there are cheaper choices with good quality.
Budget-friendly areas:
- Ubud (outside Monkey Forest Road)
- Canggu (Pererenan, Padonan)
- Sanur
- East Bali
Guesthouses, homestays, and hostel are easy to find. Many offer clean hotel rooms, Wi-Fi, breakfast, and friendly service. However if you don’t want to stay with stranger in the same room, like many experience in homestays and hostels, you can book a private room at a mid-range hotel.
Money-saving ideas:
- Book early for better prices.
- Compare rates on several platforms.
- Avoid beachfront hotels and resort if you want to stay in Bali on a budget.
- Choose weekly or monthly stays for lower rates.
Budget Guide: Eat Local and Skip International Restaurants
Food prices vary widely in Bali. International cafés often cost as much as restaurants in Western cities. Meals can reach IDR 120,000–200,000 per person.
For a budget-friendly Bali trip, try:
- Local warungs
- Street food stalls
- Traditional markets like Pasar Badung or Ubud Market
A meal at a warung often costs:
- IDR 25,000–40,000 for nasi campur or nasi goreng
- IDR 40,000–60,000 for grilled chicken or seafood
- IDR 10,000–20,000 for snacks
You will still find great flavour, and you get a chance to try local dishes during your time in Bali. Mix local meals with occasional café visits if you want to balance cost and comfort.
Skip the Taxi, Use Public Transportation or Online Transport
Transport can quickly become expensive. Hiring a car with a private driver is convenient but not always necessary.
Best way to get around with affordable transport options:
- Trans Metro Dewata buses (IDR 3,500 per ride)
- Online motorbikes and taxis (Grab, Gojek, Uber)
- Scooter or Motorbike rental (IDR 80,000–120,000/day)
If you want both convenience and savings, use a mix of online rides and buses. For day trips far from town, share costs with friends or join group tours.
Travel Tips: Visit Affordable Attractions
Some of Bali’s most popular spots are free or very cheap. You do not need expensive beach clubs or premium park tickets to enjoy the island.
Affordable places around Bali:
Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is a holy spring temple famous for its purification pools fed by natural spring water. Balinese Hindus come here to perform a cleansing ritual, and visitors are welcome to observe or take part respectfully. The entrance fee is small, and the temple provides a peaceful look into local spiritual life, architecture, and long-standing cultural traditions.
Sanur Beach
Sped a day in Bali by walking in Sanur Beach. It has a long paved walkway, calm waves, and an easygoing coastal atmosphere. It is ideal for morning walks, cycling, or sitting by the water without needing to spend much. Local vendors sell snacks and drinks at friendly prices, and the sunrise views make it a relaxing alternative to Bali’s busier beaches.
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is one of Bali’s most famous public beaches, not only for foreign tourist but also Indonesian. It’s free to access and suits visitors who enjoy swimming, surfing lessons, or watching the sunset. Despite its busy character, Kuta remains a convenient and budget-friendly option for travellers staying near the southern part of the island.
Uluwatu Temple (small fee)
Uluwatu Temple sits on a cliff above the ocean and offers dramatic sunset views for a modest entrance fee. The location is impressive, with waves crashing far below and traditional Balinese architecture perched at the edge of the cliff. Visitors often come in the late afternoon to enjoy the scenery or stay for the optional Kecak dance performance.
These places offer amazing views and culture, perfect for your budget travel in Bali.
Affordable Hangout Spots and Tourist Attractions in Ubud, Bali — Ideal for Backpackers and Solo Travelers
Ubud is known for its serene cafés and restaurants, many of which offer premium menus, beautiful interiors, and high prices to match. While these places attract travellers seeking comfort and style, they can be costly for backpackers or visitors trying to manage their spending.
The good news is that Ubud also has many budget-friendly options. These spots offer good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and prices that suit anyone travelling on a budget. Here are two affordable places worth visiting.
Warung Titi
Warung Titi, located at Jalan Tirta Tawar No. 7171 in Kutuh Village, Ubud District, Gianyar, is often described as a hidden gem. According to the Instagram account @warung_titi, the warung offers a calm and pleasant setting, suitable for a simple lunch or early dinner. The menu includes chicken porridge, tuna steak, chicken curry, and pork satay, along with a wide choice of fresh juices.
The warung operates from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM WITA, and food prices range from Rp 8,000 to Rp 60,000, making it one of the more affordable dining options in Ubud.
Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku
Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku is another popular place for cheap and tasty meals. The restaurant has a pleasant setting with trees and a gazebo area, creating a relaxed dining experience. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as Ayam Betutu Takilan, the restaurant’s signature Nasi Ayam Kedewatan, and tipat kuah. Drink options include es soda senang, hot orange juice, and iced fruit.
The restaurant is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM WITA, and prices range from Rp 8,000 to Rp 45,000, making it a great choice for travellers looking for authentic Balinese food at a low cost.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Ubud)
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of Bali’s most recognisable landscapes, known for its layered green rice fields set along steep hillsides. Visitors come to walk through the terraces, enjoy the calm rural atmosphere, and see traditional Subak irrigation up close. It’s an easy stop from central Ubud and offers great photo spots without the need for costly entry tickets or tours.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Campuhan Ridge Walk is a gentle hilltop path surrounded by green valleys and open views. It’s one of Ubud’s best free activities and popular for morning or late-afternoon walks. The route is simple, quiet, and great for anyone who wants fresh air and scenery without travelling far from the town centre or paying for entry.
Taman Saraswati, Ubud
Taman Saraswati is a small temple in central Ubud known for its lotus-filled pond and detailed Balinese carvings. The area is free to walk around, and the pond creates a calm setting right in the middle of the town’s busy streets. It’s a quick but pleasant stop for photos, architecture, and a quiet moment before continuing your Ubud itinerary.
