Which place is cheaper, Zhangye or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $73Zhangye $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $73, while the average daily cost in Zhangye is $85. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $42Zhangye $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $84Zhangye $76
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $9.03Zhangye $38
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$3.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
- Private transfer: Nusa Dua to Bali Airport (DPS): $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
- Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $15
- Mount Batur Sunrise 4WD Jeep With Transfer : $16
- Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran: $19
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
- Private Transfer Between Ubud and Canggu: $22
- Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $29
- Canggu/Berawa: 2-Hour Surf Lesson with Hotel Transfers: $29
- Half-Day Private City Tour with Transfers: $29
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
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Food Meals for one dayBali $21Zhangye $25
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.24
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Lunch for Two$14
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Bali Cafe for Two$27
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Lunch for Two$8.07
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Lunch for 2$8.93
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Dinner for 2$9.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset : $29
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset in the Beach: $30
- Uluwatu Temple Kecak And Dinner Half Day Private Guided Tour: $30
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Evening Bali Mangrove Canoe Tour with Dinner: $46
- Bali Cooking Class and Ubud Sightseeing Tour : $48
- Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $49
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $11Zhangye $10
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$54
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$28
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.97
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple and Karang Boma Cliff Tour with Tickets: $15
- Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $19
- All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
- 1-Day Instant Entry Ticket to Waterbom Bali: $19
- Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, Temple & Waterfalls Tour: $19
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
- Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour: $20
- Bali Traditional Purification And Sightseeing Private Guided Tour: $20
- All Inclusive Bali Snorkeling Blue Lagoon tour experience : $20
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
- Private Day Tour: Horse Hoof Temple Grottoes and Zhangye Danxia Landform: $299
- Private Hiking Tour: Binggou Danxia and Zhangye Danxia Geopark from Zhangye: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.20Zhangye $6.90
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.
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.