Which place is cheaper, Bali or Yogyakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yogyakarta or Bali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta or Bali?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Cultural Tours in Indonesia, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Indonesia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $58Bali $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, 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 Yogyakarta and Bali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $37Bali $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $74Bali $84
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Bali
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.33Bali $9.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yogyakarta Private Departure Transfer- Yogyakarta Hotel to Airport: $20
- Private Transfer From or To Yogyakarta Airport: $24
- Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
- Ramayana Ballet Dance Show with Transfers: $25
- Private Transfer From/To Yogyakarta Airport: $26
- Yogyakarta Airport : for pick up or transfer service: $28
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport YIA To City Center: $29
- Borobudur 5-Hour Guided Tour with Climb-up Access & Transfer: $29
- Jomblang Cave Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $30
- Yogyakarta International Airport to Hotel - Arrival Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Karangwaru to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $34
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Yogyakarta City: $34
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:
- 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
- Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $15
- Private transfer: Nusa Dua to Bali Airport (DPS): $15
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $31
- Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $31
- 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
- Mount Batur Sunrise 4WD Jeep With Transfer : $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Bali?
Prices for flights to both Bali and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $12Bali $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $22
- Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
- Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $38
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $38
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
- Javanese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $56
- Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $58
- Nusantara Cooking Course and Lokal Market Tour: $80
- Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Ballet Show (VIP Seat with dinner): $125
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: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
- Private Full or Half-Day Authentic Food Tour: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yogyakarta $16Bali $11
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $1.52
- Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.90
- 6 hours Borobudur temple climb up tour only.: $19
- Jomblang cave Tour only.: $19
- Prambanan Afternoon Tour Discover Magic sunset: $19
- Yogyakarta tour to Volcano Tour, Borobudur Tour, Prambanan Tour: $20
- Yogyakarta : Jomblang Cave tour with local Guide: $21
- Walking Tour of Yogyakarta's Oldest Neighbourhood: $21
- Authentic Yogya Bicycle Tour: $22
- Jomblang Cave Tour: $22
- Guided Tour to Borobudur with Full Access: $23
- Borobudur and Prambanan Temple Tour: $23
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:
- ATV Rafting Jungle Swing Private Guided Tour : $63
- Lembongan Snorkeling and Island Tour: $80
- Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure (Private & All-Inclusive): $129
- Private Tours Tegenungan Waterfall Ubud Palace & Market: $80
- Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
- (BCR Rafting) Rafting Adventure in Telaga Waja River 18km: $55
- 2 Days Private Tours : Watersport And Uluwatu Temple: $124
- 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
- 30 minutes tandem Paragliding tours in Bali with free photo/video: $185
- 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
- 6-Hour White Water Rafting and Kanto Lampo Waterfall Private Tour: $79
- Adventure Canyoning in Tamata: $247
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYogyakarta $4.93Bali $3.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Yogyakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Bali?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.