Emerald rice terraces, temples shrouded in mist, black sand beaches, and smoothie bowl cafes: Bali is a dream destination, and the good news is that this Indonesian island remains one of the most affordable long-haul destinations. However, knowing where your money goes is key to building a realistic budget without skimping or overspending.
To get straight to the point: expect to spend on average $1,750 to $3,200 CAD per person for two weeks, including flights, travelling comfortably but not luxuriously. Below, we break down each expense category — flight, accommodation, meals, transport, activities — and share our tips for smart travel.
Essential Gear for a Trip to Bali
Before diving into the numbers, a word on luggage: in Bali, you move around a lot (scooter rides, ferry trips to islands, sunrise treks), and a well-thought-out bag makes all the difference. A lightweight backpack that fits as carry-on avoids checked baggage fees and keeps your hands free; an anti-theft model offers peace of mind at markets and on public transport; packing cubes save a ton of time. Our trio of essentials:
How Much Does a Trip to Bali Cost?
The budget largely depends on your travel style and duration. For a typical two-week stay, including flights, consider these ranges per person: around $1,750 CAD for backpackers (guesthouses, warungs, scooter), $2,600 to $3,200 CAD for comfort (nice hotels, some guided tours), and easily $5,100 CAD and up for a villa with a pool and private driver. The beauty of Bali is that you can live well on a modest budget while leaving room for a few splurges.
On the ground, the cost of living is low: a full meal at a local warung costs around $4 to $7 CAD, a night in a clean guesthouse starts at $22 CAD, and scooter rental is $6 to $9 CAD per day. The flight is the biggest expense. Let's look at each category in detail.
The Bali Budget in Video
To see where the money goes over two weeks, this video reviews the major expense categories and provides real-world figures, from airfare to daily expenses on the ground.
The Budget According to Your Travel Style
Three profiles, three daily budgets (excluding flights), for a quick overview:
- Backpacker (≈ $37–45 CAD/day). Guesthouses and dorms, meals at warungs, scooter rentals, free or low-cost activities (beaches, rice terraces, temples). The best adventure/value ratio.
- Comfort (≈ $135–180 CAD/day). 3–4 star hotels or shared villas, varied restaurants, guided tours (volcano, Gili Islands, snorkelling), some massages. The most common balance.
- Premium ($300 CAD/day and up). Private villas with pools, daily driver, spas, gourmet dining, and beach clubs. Bali postcard version.
The Cost of Flights from Paris to Bali
This is the number one expense. A round-trip economy ticket to Denpasar (DPS) typically costs $1,000 to $1,600 CAD depending on the season, airline, and number of stopovers (the flight almost always involves one or two connections, via the Gulf or Asia). The most economical periods are often February-March and autumn; conversely, July-August and holidays drive up prices. Booking two to three months in advance and staying flexible on dates remains the best way to reduce costs.
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Accommodation: From Guesthouse to Villa
The range is vast and suits all budgets. A guesthouse or clean 2-star hotel can be found for $18 to $37 CAD per night, often with breakfast and sometimes a shared pool. 3–4 star hotels and comfortable villas range from $67 to $150 CAD, while private villas with pools start around $180 CAD and have no ceiling. Good to know: for groups, a shared villa often costs less than multiple hotel rooms — and the experience is memorable.
The Cost of Living on the Island
Once on the island, daily expenses are gentle on the wallet. Warungs serve delicious local dishes (nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay) for a few dollars; more touristy restaurants in Canggu or Ubud remain reasonable. The scooter is king for getting around, complemented by very affordable ride-hailing services (Grab, Gojek). Here's an estimate per category and per day, according to your style:
| Expense category (per day) | Small budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Meals (warung / restaurant) | $8 – $17 | $28 – $56 |
| Transport (scooter / driver) | $6 – $11 | $28 – $63 |
| Accommodation (per night) | $17 – $35 | $63 – $140 |
| Activities & tours | $7 – $17 | $35 – $84 |
| Estimated budget / day | ≈ $42 | ≈ $168 |
Add to this the must-do activities: sunrise hike up Mount Batur (≈ $52–75 CAD with guide), day trips to the Gili Islands, surfing or cooking classes, temple entry fees ($1 to $4 CAD). By mixing free experiences (Tegallalang rice terraces, waterfalls, beaches) with a few paid excursions, you can keep a controlled budget without missing out.
Travelling Light: Our Essentials
In Bali, you often change locations and carry your bag up stairs, onto ferries, and on the back of scooters: travelling light is not a luxury, it's a comfort. A good cabin backpack saves you checked baggage fees and fits everywhere; a luggage organiser sorts everything by category and doubles the available space; and a compact wash bag in travel size gets you through security stress-free. Check out all our cabin backpacks to find the ideal size.
Our Tips for Smart Travel in Bali
- Travel outside peak season. April-May and September-October offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices than July-August.
- Pay in cash for warungs and scooters, but keep a card for hotels: withdraw rupiah from bank ATMs (lower fees than currency exchange offices).
- Negotiate with a smile at markets and for weekly rentals: it's the norm, and the difference can be significant.
- Prepare the essentials for formalities. Before leaving, check entry conditions and official recommendations on the the UK government travel advice for Indonesia from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What budget for two weeks in Bali? Plan around $1,750 CAD per person for backpackers and $2,600 to $3,200 CAD for comfort, including flights. The flight alone accounts for $1,000 to $1,600 CAD.
Is Bali an expensive destination? No. Once the flight is paid for, the cost of living is low: meals for a few dollars, guesthouses from $22 CAD, scooter at $7 CAD/day. You can travel well on $45 CAD/day on the ground.
When is the best time for a cheap flight? February-March and autumn often have the lowest fares. Book two to three months in advance and stay flexible on dates.
How much to budget per day on the ground? Around $45 CAD/day on a small budget (warungs, guesthouse, scooter) and $135 to $180 CAD/day in comfort (hotels, restaurants, guided tours).
