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

Should you visit Bali or Zhangjiajie?

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

Where Should I go: Bali or Zhangjiajie?

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.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Bali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $76, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $64. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bali $44
    Zhangjiajie $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $88
    Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Bali and Zhangjiajie

Looking for a hotel in Bali or Zhangjiajie? 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 Zhangjiajie


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 $9.46
    Zhangjiajie $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Paragliding In Bali With Private Hotel Transfer: $140
  • Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $109
  • BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
  • West Beach Nusa Penida Tour with Speedboat Transfer from Sanur: $99
  • Drive Your Own Jet Ski Without Instructor With Private Transfer: $85
  • Unforgettable Batur Volcano Hiking With Private Transfer: $85
  • Batur Volcano Jeep Tour Include Private Transfer: $80
  • Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Horse Riding on the Black Sand Beach and Free Hotel Transfers: $74
  • Nusa Penida All-Inclusive Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $70
  • Bali to/from Gili Gede: Fast Boat (Optional Bali Transfer): $66
  • Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

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

  • Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $18
  • Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $63
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
  • Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Zhangjiajie?

Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $21
    Zhangjiajie $21
Typical Food Prices in Bali

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


  • Coffee
    $1.30
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $28
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.45
  • Lunch for 2
    $9.36
  • Dinner for 2
    $10

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: $30
  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $30
  • Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner: $33
  • Traditional Dinner with visit to Ubud Night Market: $34
  • From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
  • Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $45
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
  • Bali Street Food Tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $11
    Zhangjiajie $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

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


  • Spa for Two
    $57
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $13
  • Cooking School
    $29

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 : $47
  • Lembongan Snorkeling and Island Tour: $80
  • Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure (Private & All-Inclusive): $129
  • Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
  • Tanah Lot, Padang Beach, Uluwatu Sunset, & Kecak Dance Tour: $55
  • White Water Rafting Adventure at Telaga Waja River : $43
  • (BCR Rafting) Rafting Adventure in Telaga Waja River 18km: $55
  • 2 Days Private Tours : Watersport And Uluwatu Temple: $124
  • 2-Hour Private Luxury Spa Experience Bali Aromatherapy Massage: $65
  • 3 Days Full Day Tours Tanah Lot Temple The Gate Of Heaven Temple: $300
  • 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
  • 30 minutes tandem Paragliding tours in Bali with free photo/video: $185

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.

  • Baofeng Lake Admission Ticket in Zhangjiajie (with Boat Ride): $37
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
  • Tianmen Mountain day tour: $92
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain With the Skywalk: $121
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $126
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $130
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
  • Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountain Glass Bridge day tour: $150
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.35
    Zhangjiajie $16


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bali or Zhangjiajie?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Zhangjiajie. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bali is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bali 27°C (81°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Bali or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?

Both Zhangjiajie and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

In the autumn, Bali is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bali 27°C (81°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Bali or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?

Both Zhangjiajie and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bali 26°C (79°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Bali or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

Bali is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bali 27°C (81°F) 
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Bali

Bali Zhangjiajie
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)