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

Should you visit Lhasa or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lhasa or Bali? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Bali?

Lhasa

Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bali or Lhasa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $71, while the average daily cost in Bali is $73. 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 Lhasa and Bali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $39
    Bali $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $78
    Bali $84
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Bali

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Bali? 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 Lhasa


Hotels in Bali


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.
    Lhasa $2.56
    Bali $9.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

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

  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • West Beach Nusa Penida Tour with Speedboat Transfer from Sanur: $99
  • Unforgettable Batur Volcano Hiking With Private Transfer: $85
  • Ubud: Sky Bike and Jungle Swing Experience with Transfer: $63
  • Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $15
  • Private transfer: Nusa Dua to Bali Airport (DPS): $15
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
  • Parasailing Adventure In Bali Including Return Transfer: $46
  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Bali?

Prices for flights to both Bali and Lhasa 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
    Lhasa $26
    Bali $21

Typical Food Prices in Bali

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


  • Coffee
    $1.24
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $27
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.07
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.93
  • 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.

  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $28
  • 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
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • 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
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Bali $11

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $745
  • 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
  • Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
  • 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
  • Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,729

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

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


  • Spa for Two
    $54
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $28

Tours and Activities in Bali

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

  • ATV Rafting Jungle Swing Private Guided Tour : $63
  • Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $47
  • Lembongan Snorkeling and Island Tour: $80
  • Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure (Private & All-Inclusive): $129
  • Private Tour Bali Bird Park And Ubud Tour: $110
  • Private Tours Tegenungan Waterfall Ubud Palace & Market: $80
  • Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
  • White Water Rafting Adventure at Telaga Waja River : $43
  • (BCR Rafting) Rafting Adventure in Telaga Waja River 18km: $55
  • 2 Day Tours Ubud Art Village, Dance And Other Tourist Attractions: $186
  • 2 Days Private Tours : Watersport And Uluwatu Temple: $124
  • 2-Hour Private Luxury Spa Experience Bali Aromatherapy Massage: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $6.90
    Bali $3.20


When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Bali, we can see that Bali 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 Lhasa Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Bali, 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.