A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ubud or Whitsundays?

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 Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays?

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.

Whitsundays

Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Ubud?

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 Ubud is $153, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ubud $128
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ubud $256
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Whitsundays? 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 Ubud


Hotels in Whitsundays


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ubud $1.75
    Whitsundays $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:

  • From Bali: With transfer Paragliding private experience: $245
  • Bali New Kuta Golf Package with Private Transfer: $205
  • Bali Private Tour Packages 5 Days with AIRPORT OR HOTEL Transfer: $193
  • Actively enjoy marine sports / Seawalker + Selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $171
  • Private Tour: Amazing 3 Days Bali Sightseeing Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $170
  • Bali Package Tour: 3 Days with AIRPORT or HOTEL TRANSFER: $133
  • Kaura: Bike to Beach & Choose Optional Tour with Private Transfer: $128
  • Bali Airport Transfer Check in or Check out with VIP Luxury Car: $125
  • 240 Minutes Romantic Healing Spa Treatment - Free Transfer: $115
  • Kaura Waterfall Hike & Choose Optional Tour with Private Transfer: $112
  • Batur Volcano Trekking with Hot-spring, Breakfast and Hotel Transfer: $110
  • Seminyak 4-Hour Spa Treatment with Hotel or Airport Transfer: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ubud $20
    Whitsundays $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.

  • Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
  • Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
  • Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
  • Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
  • Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $29
  • Uluwatu Sunset Trip with Kecak Dance Show and Jimbaran Dinner: $30
  • Amazing Half-Day Uluwatu Sunset Tour with Jimbaran Seafood Dinner: $30
  • Be a real Balinese with Traditional Balinese Cooking Class: $30
  • Private Traditional Bali Cooking Class in Sidemen: $31
  • Cultural Evening Dinner: $31
  • Uluwatu Sunset Experience: Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $34
  • Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays

For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ubud $9.84
    Whitsundays $25

Tours and Activities in Ubud

Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Balaji Adventure Bali Quad Bike 350cc and Ayung Rafting: $48
  • Bali Rafting and ATV Private Tour Adventure: $105
  • Barong Dance and Waterfall tour in Bali: $35
  • Best Ubud Tours -All inclusive with private driver: $35
  • Explore Bali with Private ATV Ride + Tour with VW Car: $80
  • Full Day Private Tour from Tegenungan Waterfall to Tanah Lot: $55
  • Full Day Ubud Tour: $95
  • Lembongan Snorkeling Swim With Manta Rays and Island Tour: $55
  • Mount Batur Jeep Tour and Hot Spring: $24
  • Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour & Natural Hot Spring: $40
  • Nusa Penida Island West Tour - All Inclusive: $37
  • One Day Tour Nusa Penida East & West Part : $49

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
  • MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ubud $6.62
    Whitsundays $12


When comparing the travel costs between Ubud and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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. Even though Ubud is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.