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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $76, while the average daily cost in Zhangye is $87. 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 $43
    Zhangye $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $86
    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 $9.40
    Zhangye $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Private Airport Transfer Service, Kuta Legian Jimbaran: $5.60
  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • Private transfer: Uluwatu to Bali Airport (DPS): $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $16
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
  • Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $17
  • Private transfer: Nusa Dua to Bali Airport (DPS): $17
  • Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran: $20
  • Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23

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 $21
    Zhangye $26
Typical Food Prices in Bali

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


  • Coffee
    $1.29
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $28
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.40
  • Lunch for 2
    $9.30
  • 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.

  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $30
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
  • Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $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
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
  • Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $45
  • Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
  • Evening Bali Mangrove Canoe Tour with Dinner: $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $11
    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
    $56
  • 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 Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $0.05
  • Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
  • Bali Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
  • Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $9.29
  • Bali Bird Park: 1-Day Admission Ticket: $9.56
  • Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $11
  • Tanah Lot Bali Temple Sunset Small Group Tour – Half Day: $13
  • Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
  • Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
  • Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $15
  • Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $16
  • Private Kintamani Sunrise Jeep Tour with Breakfast: $17

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.33
    Zhangye $7.09


When comparing the travel costs between Bali and Zhangye, we can see that Zhangye is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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.