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

Should you visit Bali or Zhangye?

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

Where Should I go: Bali or Zhangye?

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.

Zhangye

Zhangye, China is a city in the Gansu Province in the central north part of the country, close to Mongolia. This ancient city has often been used as a military strong hold, having been the headquarters of General Huo among many others. Zhangye is a fabulous day trip city to visit when staying in larger nearby cities.

Zhangye is privy to beautiful summer weather, with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70's Fahrenheit. The best times to visit are between July and September, when temperatures and sunshine are at their highest. Autumn, Winter, and Spring tend to be a little chillier and rainier.

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, Zhangye 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 Zhangye is $105. 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 Zhangye in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bali $40
    Zhangye $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $80
    Zhangye $78
Compare Hotels in Bali and Zhangye

Looking for a hotel in Bali or Zhangye? 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 Zhangye


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
    Zhangye $39
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
  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $32
  • Ride Bali ATV Adventure Ticket And Transfer: $34
  • Bali Nusa Dua Combo Parasailing And Snorkeling Include Transfer: $35
  • Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
  • Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
  • LuxMe Bali Four Hands massage with Hotel Transfer: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangye

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhangye:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Hotel to Zhangye Airport (YZY): $59
  • Private Airport Transfer: Zhangye Airport (YZY) to Zhangye Hotel: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Zhangye?

Prices for flights to both Zhangye 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
    Zhangye $45
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $10
    Zhangye $11
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:

  • Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
  • Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $14
  • Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Melasti Beach: $15
  • Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Uluwatu Temple: $17
  • Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $17
  • Besakih Mother Temple Tukad Cepung East Bali Private Guided Tour: $23
  • Alas Harum Bali Cretya Tegalalang Rice Terrace Ubud Swing Ticket: $25
  • Private Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Evening Tour in Jimbaran Bay: $27
  • Bali Quad Bike ATV Rides in Uluwatu Experiences: $28
  • Gunung Kawi Rice Terrace Swing And Waterfall Private Guided Tour : $28
  • Uluwatu Temple Entry and Kecak Fire Dance Ticket: $29
  • Uluwatu & Kecak Dance Tour: $29

Tours and Activities in Zhangye

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

  • Zhangye One Day City Tour: $77
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Danxia Landform the Rainbow Mountain: $150
  • Private day tour to Zhangye Mati temple & Giant Buddha Temple start from Zhangye: $155
  • Zhangye Danxia Half Day tour: $195
  • Zhangye Rainbow Danxia Private Day Tour: $214
  • Private Hiking Tour: Pingshanhu Grand Canyon and the Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes: $235
  • Danxia Geopark & Giant Buddha Private Day Tour: $246
  • Mati Temple Grottoes & Giant Buddha Temple Tour: $257
  • Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
  • Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299
  • From 6-Day Private Photography Tour to Dunhuang: $1,099

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.07
    Zhangye $7.01


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


Which is Bigger, Bali or Zhangye?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zhangye. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Zhangye, 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.