Bali Travel Cost Per Day: Budgeting Guide for Australian Travellers

According to the Bali Provincial Government's Love Bali portal, every foreign visitor to the island must pay a mandatory IDR 150,000 Foreign Tourist Levy (around A$12 as of October 2026). This is completely separate from Indonesia's IDR 500,000 Visa on Arrival (around A$39), which is managed by the Directorate General of Immigration.

For generations of Aussies, Bali has been the default choice for cheap international holidays from Australia. But as local regulations evolve and popular hubs like Canggu and Uluwatu shift toward boutique dining, working out your Bali travel cost per day needs a fresh look at current prices. Whether you're after a low-cost backpacking trip or a relaxed villa stay, knowing what things cost keeps your holiday genuinely budget-friendly.

Quick answers

What's the minimum daily cost in Bali for budget travellers? A budget traveller staying in guesthouses, eating at local warungs and riding a scooter can expect to spend roughly A$40 to A$65 per day (excluding international flights). Treat this as an estimate – prices vary a lot by area and season.
How much does a mid-range day in Bali cost? A mid-range style with private air-conditioned accommodation, a mix of cafes and restaurants, and the occasional day tour costs roughly A$100 to A$180 per person per day.
What entry fees must Australians pay? Budget around A$51 per person (as of October 2026): IDR 500,000 (about A$39) for the 30-day Visa on Arrival plus IDR 150,000 (about A$12) for the Bali Foreign Tourist Levy. The AUD amount moves with the exchange rate.

Understand how daily travel costs in Bali actually work

Planning a daily budget for Bali is a bit like managing a flexible prepaid phone plan. Your base plan covers fixed entry costs and the basics – simple accommodation, local food and straightforward transport. Optional "add-ons" such as day trips with a private driver, high-end beach clubs or Western coffee shops eat into your daily allowance much faster.

Treating your daily spending as a modular plan is a simple way to avoid budget blowouts. Bali is still one of the most accessible destinations for Australians, but costs have shifted. You can compare overall destination costs in our guide to the cheapest countries to visit from Australia on a budget, but Bali deserves a closer look at day-to-day spending because prices vary dramatically by location and lifestyle.

Glossary of key terms

IDR (Indonesian Rupiah): Indonesia's currency. As of late October 2026, A$1 buys roughly IDR 12,700 (check Bank Indonesia or your card provider for the current rate). A quick mental shortcut: divide the rupiah price by 10,000, then take off about a fifth.
Warung: A small, family-run Indonesian eatery serving traditional dishes like nasi goreng or nasi campur at low prices.
e-VoA (Electronic Visa on Arrival): The online version of Indonesia's Visa on Arrival for 30-day tourist stays, issued through the official Indonesian e-visa website.
Love Bali Levy: The provincial government's mandatory levy on foreign tourists entering Bali, used for environmental and cultural protection.
Gojek / Grab: The two main ride-hailing and delivery apps in Indonesia, used for cheap motorbike rides, cars and food delivery.

Calculate your daily Bali travel budget by spending style

Your daily spend depends on accommodation, dining habits and how you get around. The table below gives rough daily estimates for Australian travellers in 2026. The rupiah figures are converted at about IDR 12,700 to A$1 and rounded, so treat both columns as a guide rather than fixed prices.

Travel Style	Est. Daily Cost (AUD)	Approx. Daily Cost (IDR)	What's Included?
Shoestring / Backpacker	A$40 – A$65	IDR 500,000 – 825,000	Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse room, local warung meals, 125cc scooter hire, public beaches.
Mid-Range Comfort	A$100 – A$180	IDR 1,270,000 – 2,300,000	Private hotel room or shared villa with A/C, mix of Western cafes and warungs, Grab rides, entry fees.
Resort & Villa Luxury	A$250 – A$450+	IDR 3,200,000 – 5,700,000+	4–5-star beachfront resort or private pool villa, fine dining, private driver, spa treatments, beach club sunbeds.

If you're weighing Bali against other Asian destinations, compare these figures with our guide on how to travel Japan on a budget. Japan rewards careful planning, while Bali gives budget-conscious Aussies more flexibility to scale costs up or down day by day.

Budget for mandatory entry fees and visa expenses

Before you spend a cent on accommodation or coconuts, there are government fees to clear. These fixed costs push up your daily average, especially on short trips.

Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VoA / e-VoA): Cost: IDR 500,000 (around A$39 as of October 2026) per person. Details: The Visa on Arrival allows a 30-day stay and can be extended once for another 30 days. Australians can apply online for an e-VoA through the official Indonesian e-visa website before flying – Smartraveller recommends applying at least 48 hours before travel.
Bali Foreign Tourist Levy: Cost: IDR 150,000 (around A$12 as of October 2026) per person. Details: Set under Bali Provincial Regulation No. 2 of 2025 (amending Regulation No. 6 of 2023), the levy funds environmental and cultural protection. Pay it through the official Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id).
Arrival declaration ("All Indonesia"): Cost: Free. Details: Smartraveller advises completing the "All Indonesia" arrival card within 72 hours before you arrive. You'll get a QR code to show on arrival.
Travel insurance: Cost: Varies by provider, trip length and medical cover – compare a few quotes before you book. Details: Smartraveller strongly advises comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical costs and evacuation, and warns that activities like motorcycling may be excluded or cost extra. For tips on choosing a policy that covers scooters, see our practical budget travel tips for Australians.

Manage daily meal, drink and dining expenses

Food is where Australian travellers can either save big or overspend without noticing. The prices below are typical ranges, converted at about IDR 12,700 to A$1 – expect variation between areas.

Local warungs (about A$2 – A$4 per meal): Local dishes such as mie goreng, nasi campur or gado-gado at traditional warungs typically cost IDR 20,000 to 50,000. Eating local for two out of three meals a day keeps your food bill low.
Western-style cafes: Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu are full of modern cafes serving flat whites, smashed avo and smoothie bowls. Expect around IDR 35,000 to 50,000 (about A$3–A$4) for a coffee and IDR 80,000 to 150,000 (about A$6–A$12) for a main.
Drinks:
Bottled water: around IDR 5,000 – 10,000 (under A$1) for a 1.5L bottle.
Local Bintang beer: around IDR 30,000 – 50,000 (about A$2.50–A$4) at bars or convenience stores.
Imported spirits and cocktails: often IDR 120,000 – 200,000+ (about A$9.50–A$16+), as imported alcohol is heavily taxed.

Get around without overspending

Getting around Bali cheaply means balancing cost against safety.

Scooter hire: A 125cc scooter typically costs around IDR 70,000 to 100,000 a day (about A$5.50–A$8). Important: Smartraveller says you need an Indonesian licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your Australian driver's licence, and the licence must be right for the vehicle, including motorbikes. Many travel insurance policies won't cover you if you don't hold the correct licence, so check your policy's PDS before you ride.
Ride-hailing apps (Gojek & Grab): Short motorbike rides (GoRide or GrabBike) usually cost around IDR 15,000 to 35,000 (about A$1.20–A$2.75). Car rides (GoCar or GrabCar) are typically IDR 50,000 to 150,000 (about A$4–A$12) for trips around town.
Private drivers: Hiring an air-conditioned car with a driver for 8 to 10 hours is often around IDR 500,000 to 800,000 (about A$40–A$65). For families or groups of three or four, this can work out cheaper and far more comfortable than separate taxis.

Cut hidden currency conversion and ATM fees

Money leaks can quietly drain your holiday budget. A few simple rules help:

Skip airport currency exchange kiosks: Airport FX desks generally offer worse rates than banks and reputable money changers in town.
Use a card with no foreign transaction fees: Many standard Australian bank cards charge around 3% on every overseas purchase, and some add an overseas ATM fee. Travel-friendly accounts and cards (such as Wise or Macquarie) can reduce or remove these markups – check each provider's current fee schedule.
Always pay in rupiah (IDR): If a card terminal asks whether to pay in AUD or IDR, choose IDR. Choosing AUD triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which usually comes with a worse exchange rate.
Make fewer, larger ATM withdrawals: Indonesian ATMs have per-transaction limits and may charge a local fee, so fewer, larger withdrawals usually cost less than lots of small ones.

Take action to plan your budget-friendly Bali escape

Before you leave Australia:

Apply for your e-VoA online: Use the official Indonesian e-visa website at least 48 hours before departure to pay the IDR 500,000 fee.
Pay the tourist levy before you fly: Visit lovebali.baliprov.go.id to pay the IDR 150,000 levy and save the QR code voucher to your phone.
Complete your arrival declaration: Fill in the "All Indonesia" arrival card online within 72 hours before you arrive.
Set up payment and transport apps: Download Gojek and Grab before you go and link them to a low-fee travel card.
Set a daily spending cap: Try a simple split – for example, 60% for accommodation and planned activities, 20% for meals and 20% for transport and extras – and adjust it to suit your style.

Make your Bali budget stretch further

Ready to keep planning? Start with our guide to scoring cheap flights from Australia, find out when the cheapest time to fly from Australia is, and read our practical budget travel tips for saving on insurance, cards and vouchers.

Sources

Facts were checked against the sources above in late October 2026. Prices, fees and exchange rates change, so confirm before you book.