A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Austin for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Austin?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Austin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a spiritual, cultural, and stunning island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Austin

Austin is a eccentric, unconventional, and lively city. It's a big city with many activities to entertain visitors, too. This is a very beautiful destination, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Austin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Austin?

Both Austin and Bali have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Bali is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Austin attracts visitors for its museums, music, and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Austin and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Austin is famous for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population.

How is Bali different from Austin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Austin and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Austin?

Austin is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Austin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Austin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Bali and Austin offer a number of terrific restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Austin is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and Austin are terrific when it comes to partying.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Austin is a must-see party destination. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Music?

Austin is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Austin Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Austin is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Austin is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Austin?

Bali is a great destination for shopping. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Bali is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Austin. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Families?

Bali is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Many backpackers visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Students?

Austin is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Austin is very popular with students. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Austin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bali is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bali, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Is Bali or Austin a more walkable city?

Bali and Austin both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Austin is generally not a very walkable island. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Austin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Austin or Bali?

How long in Bali or Austin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Austin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Austin. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Austin.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Austin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Austin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Austin if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Bali or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Austin. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Austin?

Bali is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Austin is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Austin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the unconventional destination of Austin. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Austin?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The eccentric city of Austin offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Austin, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Austin is in North America, 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin 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 Bali Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Austin?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Austin, 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.

When is the best time to visit Bali or Austin?

Austin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Austin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Austin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bali is generally cooler than Austin. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Austin. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Austin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Austin. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Austin in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bali is a little warmer than Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Austin. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Austin. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Austin in the Winter?

Both Austin and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Austin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Austin averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Austin during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Austin. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Austin in the Spring?

Both Austin and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Austin because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Bali is generally a little warmer than Austin. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Austin. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Austin. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Typical Weather for Austin and Bali