Which place is cheaper, Johor Bahru or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bali or Johor Bahru?
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 Johor Bahru can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Johor Bahru?
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.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia.
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Bali Prices
Indonesia PricesJohor Bahru Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $79Johor Bahru $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $79, while the average daily cost in Johor Bahru is $66. 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 Johor Bahru in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $37Johor Bahru $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $74Johor Bahru $82
Compare Hotels in Bali and Johor Bahru
Looking for a hotel in Bali or Johor Bahru? 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.
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 and Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.11Johor Bahru $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Private Airport Transfer: Densapar City → DPS Airport: $8.88
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
- Private Bali Transfer & Costumize Day trip: $18
- Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
- Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $33
- Ubud ATV Quad Bike Ticket And Transfer: $34
- Devdan Treasure of the Archipelago Show with Transfer from Bali: $36
- Lombok : private Transfer from bangsal port to kuta lombok: $38
- Bangsal Harbour to Kuta Lombok Private Transfer: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Transfer [Van]: $73
- Malaysia：Senai International Airport（JHB）One-Way Transfer: $80
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Transfer [Van]: $87
- ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore MPV Transfer: $100
- Private Transfer from Johor Bahru City Center to Singapore Hotels: $102
- Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
- Universal Studios Singapore Tickets with Round-trip Transfers: $116
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Johor Bahru?
Prices for flights to both Johor Bahru 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
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Food Meals for one dayBali $32Johor Bahru $16
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.11
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Lunch for Two$12
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Bali Cafe for Two$24
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Lunch for Two$7.24
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Lunch for 2$8.02
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Dinner for 2$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Bali include Sunset: $21
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset: $30
- 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
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran beach: $38
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
- Nusa Dua: Bali Cooking Class Spice Herb Garden Visit-Free Pick Up: $42
- Bali Village Sunset Experience – Jamu, Local Sweets & Dinner: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $55
- Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $9.72Johor Bahru $8.04
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$48
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Snorkelling Trip$11
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Cooking School$25
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Skip-the-Line: Uluwatu Kecak Dance Ticket (First Session): $8.96
- Legendary Barong Cave ATV Experience in Sukawati Bali: $9.09
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking by Your Bali Trekking Tour: $9.59
- Karang Boma Cliff Sunset Kecak Dance Hidden Gem Experience: $11
- Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Uluwatu Temple: $11
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $12
- Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Melasti Beach: $14
- Skip The Line Tour: Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Tour – Half Day: $20
- Ulu Petanu Waterfall Monkey Forest And Swing Private Guided Tour: $20
- All Inclusive Bali Benoa Watersports and Jet Ski Adventure: $23
- Bali Jetski Watersport Nusa Dua Beach Experience: $23
- Bali Full Day Uluwatu Highlights Tour: $23
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.53
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Wings of Time Admission Ticket: $14
- Seletar Indigenous & Fish Farm Tour: $17
- Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $18
- Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony Tickets: $19
- DaVinci & The Wheel of Time - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
- Causeway Tour: $20
- Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
- Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
- Singapore: Madame Tussauds Sentosa E-Ticket: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $2.87Johor Bahru $5.25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Johor Bahru, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Johor Bahru Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Johor Bahru?
Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Johor Bahru, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.