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

Should you visit Bali or Dali?

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 Dali can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bali or Dali?

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.

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Dali or Bali?

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 Bali is $85, while the average daily cost in Dali is $62. 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 Bali and Dali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bali $40
    Dali $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $80
    Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Bali and Dali

Looking for a hotel in Bali or Dali? 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 Bali


Hotels in Dali


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: Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bali $8.68
    Dali $9.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $2.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Denpasar HTL-APT(DPS) : $8.88
  • Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Ride Bali ATV Adventure Ticket And Transfer: $34
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $32
  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • LuxMe Bali Four Hands massage with Hotel Transfer: $58
  • Fast Boat Transfers between Bali and Lombok: $48
  • Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
  • Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $48
  • Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $72

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Dali?

Prices for flights to both Dali 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bali $34
    Dali $32
Typical Food Prices in Bali

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


  • Coffee
    $1.19
  • Lunch for Two
    $13
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $26
  • Lunch for Two
    $7.75
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.59
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

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

  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $36
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $40
  • South Bali Beach Tour, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Fire Dance & Seafood Barbeque Dinner: $50
  • Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
  • Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
  • Bali Street Food Tour: $65
  • Sidemen Cooking Class: $77
  • Pure Bali Village Experience, Cooking & Jamu Class+VIP Transfer: $89

Typical Food Prices in Dali

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


  • Lunch
    $4.49
  • Breakfast
    $3.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

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

  • Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $10
    Dali $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

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


  • Spa for Two
    $52
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $27

Tours and Activities in Bali

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

  • Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $55
  • Legendary Scenic Spots Of Nusa Penida Private Guided Day Tour: $37
  • Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
  • Ubud Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $45
  • 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
  • 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
  • Alas Harum Bali Cretya Tegalalang Rice Terrace Ubud Swing Ticket: $25
  • Amazing Private Tour: Lempuyang temple, Tirta gangga, Tukad cepung waterfall: $60
  • Bali ATV Adventure: $61
  • Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure and Snorkeling Tour: $99
  • Bali Benoa Shore Excursion for Cruise's Passenger - All Inclusive: $49
  • Bali Instagram Tour : The Most Popular Spots In Bali: $62

Tours and Activities in Dali

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

  • Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
  • Yunnan Dali Erhai 3 Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple One Day Tour: $74
  • Zhoucheng Village Tie Dyeing Private Experience: $87
  • Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $87
  • Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
  • Shaxi Ancient Town Private Tour: $99
  • Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $190
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.07
    Dali $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Dali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.

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


Which is Bigger, Bali or Dali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Dali, 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.