Should you visit Bali or Bandung?
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 Bandung can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Bandung
Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.
Which city is cheaper, Bandung or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $65, while the average daily cost in Bandung is $36. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bali and Bandung in more detail.
Accommodation
Bali's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $74. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $37.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $38 in Bandung For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Bali food costs typically run travelers around $18 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
In Bandung travelers spend around $13 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bali $18
Bandung $13
Typical Food prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee
$1.40
-
Lunch for Two
$15
-
Bali Cafe for Two
$30
-
Lunch for Two
$9.12
-
Lunch for 2
$10
-
Dinner for 2
$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
-
Seafood Dinner in Jimbaran Bali:
$4.59
-
Bandung Street Food Tour:
$5.40
-
Omah Kecebong Fun Outbound and Dinner Experience in Yogyakarta:
$11
-
Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour:
$13
-
Pirate Dinner Cruise by Sea Safari Cruise in Bali:
$13
-
Online Cooking Class with Chef Juna by Kelas.com:
$18
-
Cooking Class in Ubud:
$21
-
Indonesia Food Online Cooking Class by Masakonline:
$21
-
Cooking Class and Village Tour Experience at Bukit Lawang:
$21
-
Eat while chef is cooking in front of you:
$24
-
Jambangan Bali Cooking Class in Ubud:
$25
-
Visesa Cooking Class in Ubud :
$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung
For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Seafood Dinner in Jimbaran Bali:
$4.59
-
Bandung Street Food Tour:
$5.40
-
Omah Kecebong Fun Outbound and Dinner Experience in Yogyakarta:
$11
-
Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour:
$13
-
Pirate Dinner Cruise by Sea Safari Cruise in Bali:
$13
-
Online Cooking Class with Chef Juna by Kelas.com:
$18
-
Indonesia Food Online Cooking Class by Masakonline:
$21
-
Cooking Class in Ubud:
$21
-
Cooking Class and Village Tour Experience at Bukit Lawang:
$21
-
Jambangan Bali Cooking Class in Ubud:
$25
-
Visesa Cooking Class in Ubud :
$27
-
Balinese Farm Cooking Class with Organic Farm Tour by Pemulan Bali (Cookly):
$28
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Bali is $8.17 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
To get around in Bandung, the average visitor spends $5.21 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
-
[PAYDAY PROMO] Private Transfer between Jakarta and Bogor:
$44
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Solo:
$204
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Semarang:
$176
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Purwokerto:
$260
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Malang:
$57
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Jogja:
$158
-
Surabaya Intercity Private Transfer to Cirebon:
$275
-
Shared City and Airport Transfers Between Juanda Airport (SUB), Surabaya, Malang, and Batu:
$7.49
-
Shared City Transfer to Singaraja :
$5.65
-
Raminten Cabaret Show in Yogyakarta with Transfers:
$11
-
Private Transfer from Bali to Sitia (JSH) Airport:
$394
-
Private Transfer between Jakarta and Bandung:
$70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung
Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Beach Club Shuttle Transfers in Bali:
$3.55
-
Private Komodo Airport (LBJ) Transfers for Labuan Bajo by Fun Adventure :
$4.09
-
Private Transfer Between Marina Harbour and Labuan Bajo:
$4.85
-
Private Transfer Between Batu Cermin Cave and Labuan Bajo:
$4.85
-
Private Blimbingsari Airport (BWX) Transfers for Banyuwangi:
$5.39
-
Private Husein Sastranegara International Airport Transfers (BDO) for Bandung:
$5.45
-
Shared City Transfer to Singaraja :
$5.65
-
Private Juanda Airport Transfer (SUB) for Surabaya:
$5.99
-
Private H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport (TJQ) Transfers for Belitung:
$6.35
-
Private Ngurah Rai International Airport Transfers (DPS) in Bali by Bali Made:
$6.59
-
Private Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (MLG) Transfers for Malang:
$7.05
-
Shared City and Airport Transfers Between Juanda Airport (SUB), Surabaya, Malang, and Batu:
$7.49
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Bandung?
Prices for flights to both Bandung and Bali 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.
Entertainment
Bali's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $9.79 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
In Bandung, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $5.13 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two
$61
-
Snorkelling Trip
$14
-
Cooking School
$32
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
-
2D1N Bromo and Ijen Crater Private Hiking Tour from Malang:
$93
-
Aristocrat Sailing Cruise Tour to Nusa Lembongan by Bali Hai Cruise:
$133
-
Best Rafting and Bali Bird Park Combo Experience in Bail:
$63
-
Borobudur Temple Tour:
$16
-
Elo River Rafting Experience by Citra Elo from Yogyakarta:
$42
-
FANPEKKA by Aeon Fantasy Ticket in Jakarta:
$6.49
-
Fast Boat Ticket between Sanur and Nusa Penida by The Angkal:
$5.19
-
Full Body Massage Experience at Bali Orchid Spa:
$18
-
Instagramable Kedung Pedut Waterfall and Borobudur Temple Tour:
$24
-
Nakamura Spa Experience in Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi:
$11
-
Nusa Penida Tour from Bali :
$13
-
Prambanan Temple Sunset Tour:
$14
Tours and Activities in Bandung
For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Hutan Pinus Pal 16 Cikole Lembang Ticket in Bandung:
$0.39
-
Puncak 9 Bukit Ngisis Ticket in Kulon Progo:
$0.65
-
Mount Halimun National Park and Camping Experience:
$0.69
-
Blue Lagoon Waterfall (Puncak Sari) Ticket in Bali:
$0.89
-
Jembong Waterfall Ticket in Buleleng Bali:
$0.95
-
Taman Pelangi Yogyakarta Admission Ticket:
$0.95
-
Kroya Waterfall Ticket in North Bali:
$0.95
-
Mangli Skyview Ticket in Magelang:
$1.00
-
Rumah Belanda Ticket in Bandung:
$1.19
-
Indonesian Islamic Art Museum Ticket in Lamongan:
$1.25
-
Banyumala Twin Waterfall Ticket in Wanagiri:
$1.29
-
Gereja Ayam Bukit Rhema Ticket in Magelang:
$1.59
Alcohol
The average person spends about $2.89 on alcoholic beverages in Bali per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Bandung spend on average $3.13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bali
Also in Bali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Sababay Winery Tour with Wine Tasting in Bali:
$13
Sample the Local Flavors in Bandung
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bandung:
-
Sababay Winery Tour with Wine Tasting in Bali:
$13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Bandung, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Bandung.
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