The general image of Bali is of a luxurious and expensive island. Although this is true to some extent, I won’t bet all my money on it. As I have successfully visited the Indonesian island under £500, I am here to show how you can also plan your Bali holidays on a tight budget.
And this was not a one-day or two-day trip; I spent around exactly a week in the beautiful island, and I can proudly say that I enjoyed the best Balinese experience that you can’t even get at some of the most luxurious places. Here are all the details that you need to know about planning a perfect Bali vacation under 500 pounds. There is another way to plan your vacation, and it is Bali holiday packages. If you are lucky, you can find a very good deal around 700 pounds with all the amenities included.
Everything You Need to Know About a Cheap Bali Holiday
Flights
Whenever you plan a trip that involves air travel, a major share goes into flights. I booked a return ticket from London to Denpasar for £270. The things that helped me book a cheap flight were midweek travelling and avoiding peak seasons like summer holidays and Christmas break. I booked a flight without any frills. So, I packed light with a carry-on and brought my own snacks for the long flight.
The flight was quite long and had an extended layover at Kuala Lumpur, but for the price, it was worth it. Another thing that helped me book a cheap flight was my comparison skills at online tools like Skyscanner. Whenever you are looking to book flights, make sure you clear browser cookies so websites can’t track your browsing history.
Accommodation
If you want to plan a cheap Bali holiday, luxury resorts and hotels are a no-go area. There are many local guesthouses and hostels that offer deals for only £8 to £10 for a night. At this price, you can still find rooms with clean beds, washrooms, and basic amenities like a bar of soap.
These places are usually away from the city centre, but there are quite a few cheap transport options in Bali. So, you don’t need to worry about that. If you compare the price with a high-end resort, it will cost you around £100 for a night. That’s a lot of money for someone who is running on a tight budget.
Foods and Drinks
An excellent thing about Bali is its super cheap food. There are scores of stalls that offer cheap food options such as nasi goreng or mie goreng that cost around £1.50. The fresh juice and smoothies are around £1. If you spend on food carefully, you might manage a couple of £4 brunches that are so fulfilling and last for a whole day.
Local markets are a perfect place to find cheap snacks and foods. To save more, I avoided visiting fancy restaurants and bars, which have higher prices. If you really want to take care of your wallet, avoid alcohol. It is quite costly in Bali and only available at a few places.
Transport
If you are willing to navigate the island like a local, Bali can be super cheap. You can rent a scooter for as low as £4, which sums up to £28 for a whole week. If you don’t know how to ride a scooter, I suggest you take some classes before leaving, as it is a confirmed way to save impressively during your Bali holidays.
There are also options for you to book scooter rides from apps like Grab and Gojek. They are also super cheap. I also used cars from them at times if my pocket allowed. Then, you have the option of using public buses, which are not too costly either, but they can be time-consuming and confusing. So, I avoided them to not waste my time.
Activities and Attractions
Bali is home to countless attractions and things to see & do. The best part is that most of them are either free or cost very little. Places like Tirta Empul and Tanah Lot only cost a couple of pounds. I also booked a guided tour with a breakfast for £15, and it was totally worth it. Most of the attractions in Bali have a small entrance fee of 1 to 2 pounds. Beaches are free for all, unless you want access to a private shore. I guess such things are usually off-limits when it comes to enjoying holidays on a tight budget.
SIM Card
You will need a local SIM card to use the internet if you are staying at a cheap hotel. They don’t generally offer Wi-Fi. I got a card for £5 at the airport with a 10GB data package. That was more than enough and lasted easily during my 7 days on the island.
Final Words
500 pounds is more than enough to explore Bali, and you’ll love every experience on your trip. If you want any help planning your Bali or Indonesia holidays, reach out to Virikson Holidays. They make things easy for travellers with their amazing deals at highly affordable prices.