Which place is cheaper, Bali or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ubud or Bali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Bali. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ubud or Bali?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $150Bali $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $150, 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 Ubud and Bali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $133Bali $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $266Bali $84
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Bali
Looking for a hotel in Ubud 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.
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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.82Bali $9.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- Bali Airport Transfer: $5.34
- Bali Airport Private Transfer to Kerobokan: $5.34
- Bali Airport: Ngurah Rai Private Transfers To/From Hotel: $6.65
- Ubud Airport & Ground Transfers: $7.00
- Bali Private arrival airport transfer : $7.00
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $7.40
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $7.50
- Airport Transfer From (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Legian Area: $8.00
- Seminyak Premium Airport Transfer : $8.00
- Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS) - Private Transfer to/from Denpasar City: $8.00
- Bali Airport Private Hotel Transfer : $8.00
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
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:
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
- BEST ATV RIDE with LUNCH and PRIVATE HOTEL TRANSFER. : $65
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
- Bali Gili Fast Boat Transfer Ticket All Inclusive: $51
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $58
- Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $59
- Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $56
- Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $109
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Bali?
Prices for flights to both Bali and Ubud 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 dayUbud $12Bali $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Jimbaran Bay Sunset Dinner with Discount Voucher and Return Transport : $12
- Munduk authentic cooking class & banyumala waterfall: $19
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Classes with Market Tour: $22
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Class with Market Tour: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour with Transfers: $23
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $23
- Best of Ubud with Cooking Class Experience: $26
- Bali Amazing Cooking Class: $26
- Balinese Cooking Class with Hotel Transfers: $26
- Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
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.
- 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
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali Street Food Tour: $45
- Evening Bali Mangrove Canoe Tour with Dinner: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $10Bali $11
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Swing, Tirta Empul, Waterfall & Coffee Guided Tour: $0.32
- ATV Tandem or single Adventure Experience With Guaded: $1.54
- Ubud ATV Single Ride Adventure Guided: $3.17
- ATV Single or Tandem Guided Jungle Adventure: $3.85
- Bali: Mount Batur Jeep Sunrise with Day Tour-All Inclusive: $4.70
- Bali Sightseeing Tours - Top Things to Do: $5.00
- Mount Batur 4WD Jeep Sunrise Combo Experience in Bali: $5.00
- Bali Gate Of Heaven, Jungle Swing & Waterfall Private Tour: $5.00
- Seminyak Driver ( Customized Tour): $5.00
- Ubud : ATV Single & Tandem Ride Adventure Local Guided: $5.39
- ATV Single & Tandem Ride and Zipline Adventure: $6.16
- Bali: Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket: $6.41
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 Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.98
- Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple and Karang Boma Cliff Tour with Tickets: $15
- Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
- 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
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
- Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.88Bali $3.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Bali, we can see that Ubud 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud 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 Ubud Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Bali?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.
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.