A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Bali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Bali can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Bali?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bali or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $187, while the average daily cost in Bali is $79. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Bali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $125
    Bali $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $250
    Bali $74
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Bali

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Bali? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Bali


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices and Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Bali $8.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $296

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $2.79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • West Beach Nusa Penida Tour with Speedboat Transfer from Sanur: $99
  • Ubud ATV Quad Bike Ticket And Transfer: $29
  • Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $33
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
  • Private Bali Transfer & Costumize Day trip: $18
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
  • Private Airport Transfer: Densapar City → DPS Airport: $8.88
  • Luxury Bali Private Airport Transfer Alphard: $113
  • LuxMe Bali Four Hands massage with Hotel Transfer: $58
  • Lombok : private Transfer from bangsal port to kuta lombok: $38
  • Fast Boat Transfers between Bali and Lombok: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Bali?

Prices for flights to both Bali and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $40
    Bali $32
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
  • Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.12
  • Lunch for Two
    $12
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $24
  • Lunch for Two
    $7.26
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.04
  • Dinner for 2
    $8.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

  • Jimbaran Sunset Beachfront Seafood Dinner for 2: $16
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner: $33
  • Bali Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $36
  • Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
  • Nusa Dua: Bali Cooking Class Spice Herb Garden Visit-Free Pick Up: $45
  • Bali Village Sunset Experience – Jamu, Local Sweets & Dinner: $45
  • Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
  • Nusa Dua Beachfront Bali Cooking Class, Market Tour, Free Pick Up: $53
  • Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $55
  • Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
  • Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $43
    Bali $9.74

Tours and Activities in Arusha

For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Arusha City Walking Tour Markets Culture with Hotel Pickup: $15
  • Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $18
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
  • Arusha Town Tour: $30
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Hidden Arusha Waterfall, Village & Coffee Tour (All-Inclusive): $36
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
  • Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55
  • Lake Duluti Canoeing Forest Walking and Birdwatching Tour: $59

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $49
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $11
  • Cooking School
    $25

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

  • ‎All-Inclusive Ubud Melukat Tour: Holy Water Cleansing Experience: $58
  • 2 Day Tours Ubud Art Village, Dance And Other Tourist Attractions: $186
  • 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
  • 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
  • All Inclusive Bali Benoa Watersports and Jet Ski Adventure: $23
  • All Inclusive Tour to Tanah Lot Temple and Monkey Forest: $56
  • Amazing Experience ATV Quad Bike with Bali Swing: $75
  • Amazing Private Tour: Tukad Cepung Waterfall + 5 tourist objects: $63
  • Amazing Private Tours: Dolphins Lovina and Gitgit Waterfall include Lunch: $85
  • Amazing Rafting adventure on the Telaga Waja white water Bali include breakfast: $51
  • BALI INSTAGRAM TOUR: The Most Scenic Spots: $75
  • Bali : Batik Workshop & Ubud Experience - Private All Inclusive: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $10
    Bali $2.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Bali, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Bali is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.