How to travel in Bali on a low budget?

Bali, the island of immense natural beauty and rich culture, has become one of the hottest destinations on Earth. Although it is easy to splurge a fortune on a trip to the island of gods, how about doing it on a budget? Although the golden days of extremely cheap food, accommodation and transport are gone due to the island’s ever-growing popularity, it is still doable to explore Bali without a huge financial sacrifice. Where to start planning a trip if your budget is restricted? Here are some easy travel hacks that will help you save money. 

1. EAT IN LOCAL WARUNGS

Although this may be a challenge considering the variety of trendy cafes and restaurants in Bali, eating in the local warungs will save you a lot of money. Although the prices in all the famous cafes are still lower than in the US or Europe, they are very high considering how cheap South-East Asia is in general. While a lunch in a local warung or cheap restaurant (which will still serve delicious food) will cost you around $5, the fancy cafe will charge at least triple. Remember that the menu prices in Balinese restaurants do not include tax and service charge, which means that your final bill will be increased by 16%. 

2. ENJOY THE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST!

Unless you’re staying in a long-term rental or airbnb, your hotel room will most probably include breakfast, yay! The majority of hotels in Bali offer a la carte of a buffet breakfast at very affordable prices. Very often the difference between room only and B&B will be very slight in price and may save you a chunk of cash.

I must admit that breakfasts in Bali are always a great feast! Make the most of your hotel inclusions instead of spending money in the cafes. 

3. NEVER BOOK GUIDED TRIPS OR TRANSPORT WITH THE HOTEL 

Although you would think that letting the hotel organise everything for you lifts the weight of your shoulders, it is definitely a kill for the budget. Usually, the tours organised via hotels double in price when compared to what you can find online. The same rule applies to organising an airport transport for you. The hotel rate will always be higher than the driver’s. 

If you want to save as much as possible, search for the budget tours or ask on relevant social media groups if someone wants to team up and share the costs with you. There are many solo travellers out there looking for a travel buddy! 

4. GET A SCOOTER OR WALK YOUR DISTANCE

Are you an adventurous soul who is not afraid of the crazy Asian traffic? If you’re an experienced driver or simply feel comfortable driving on the Balinese roads, renting a scooter is going to save you a lot of money. A day scooter rental is approximately $3/day. To rent a taxi for a full day you will probably need to splurge anything between $80-$100. 

Considering how busy Bali roads are, renting a scooter will save you time getting through the traffic. But what is even more time and money efficient is walking your distance whenever possible. 

5.  SHARE A TAXI WITH YOUR TRAVEL MATES

If you feel like riding a scooter is not your best bet, how about sharing the cab with your travel buddies? Whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, it’s worth dropping a post in a relevant Facebook group or asking around in a hotel or at a beach club. The price is always per taxi so splitting the cost between a few people is a win win! 

6. PICK AFFORDABLE ACTIVITIES

Instead of signing up for an organised and guided tour, explore the locations that suit you and your pocket. For example, you can book in for a sunrise guided tour to hike the volcano which will cost you $50+ or you can explore the waterfalls and spend less than $1 for an entrance fee. Bali has a variety of incredible locations to offer and it is worth doing a solid research before booking organised tours! 

7. NEGOTIATE PRICE… ALWAYS! 

Hitting one of the Balinese markets to shop for goods? make sure you bargain! Although not many people feel comfortable doing so, this is a common practice in some countries in South-East Asia. The sellers will usually give you a higher price at first expecting you will bargain. Do so and you can get all the goodies at 50%-70% less than the original quote. 

8. SKIP THE FLOWER BATH AND FLOATING BREAKFAST

 Although Balinese spa rituals and floating breakfasts look incredible on pictures, they come at a high price point. The same applies to any scene that is Insta popular. For example, the flower bath may cost you even $70 and the breakfast floating in your pool will be around $40. The same breakfast served on a table will most probably be free of charge. Let’s face it- Bali has become insanely popular due to Instagram and there is a price to pay for it. 

9. PICK A HUMBLE STAY

Although Bali is famous for its incredible hotels with iconic infinity pools overlooking the jungle, these are often on an expensive side. Although you may be still able to find many affordable options, look for a hostel or a guesthouse instead of private villas. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time exploring the island, it doesn’t really matter where you stay, right? You can always split your booking and treat yourself to a nicer hotel if you’re planning to stay in and relax. 

Airbnb may be a great rental option if you’re considering staying in Bali for a longer while. They often run great referral and loyalty programs too which means that you can save up some extra cash!