Bali vs Phuket: Which Is More Budget-Friendly?

When comparing Bali vs Phuket, you can’t help but consider how much money you need to have. As a traveler, you need to ensure you have enough funds to cover your stay until your return home. Unfortunately, many people often fall for any tourist trap and end up spending a lot more.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a penny pincher or aim to splurge. A budget will always help you to make the most of your vacation.

Bali vs Phuket: Budget Breakdown

1.    Travel and Accommodation

The flight cost can differ depending on several things, including when you booked the flight and the departure airport. Traveling from Western Australia to Bali will be cheaper than traveling to Phuket. However, the flight to Thailand is more affordable if you're flying from Japan or China. 

Accommodation is a crucial part of your budget plan. Phuket offers beachside hotels, which naturally can get quite expensive. If you’re looking for a budget option, the island also has chain hotels.

Bali offers a wider variety of accommodations than you can get. Some of the options include a luxury villa, a luxury resort, chain hotels, a boutique, and even a hostel, where it’s more like a community. The price point also can be quite low as to $5 to $1000 per night.

2.    Food

Both Phuket and Bali have a diverse food culture, highlighting the visitors’ favorites and local specialties. Thai food is already far more popular than any Indonesian food. You can find restaurants offering authentic or fusion Thai cuisine all over Phuket.

Yet, the price can be quite high, especially if you only go to the sme resturant. Most tourists reported spending an average of $150 daily for accommodation, transportation, and food in Phuket.

Bali has more affordable food options and cuisines. You can get a bowl of Acai for less than $10 in Bali. The average daily living cost for Bali is only $80, or almost half that of the living cost in Thailand.

3.    Transportation

To get around Phuket, you can walk or rent a car with a driver. Getting a taxi is one of the easiest ways to get around. However, transportation can get costly when you have multiple stops along the way.

Bali is larger and naturally has more areas to cover. It has public transportation, such as buses, that cover the island. And you can also rent a car to take you around.

However, you can also save a lot of money by renting a scooter. It only costs $3 per day, and some rental places may even offer a lower price if you rent it for a whole week.

4.    Activities

Phuket has always been famous for its beaches, especially the three Koh islands that you can visit in a day. But in the past years, the island added multiple new destinations, such as theme parks, to cater to families. But the lack of space means it still lacks the activities to try.

Bali has natural and cultural activities you can enjoy. You sure have heard about Bali zoo and the safari park.

The beaches in Bali is also varied from calm enough to swim to the venue for international surfing competitions. You won't ever get bored while in Bali, as there is always a new thing around the corner.

5.    Vacation Duration

Yes, everybody wants a six-month holiday twice a year. But while it sounds impossible, you can achieve it by staying a little bit longer than usual. It also helps that the best time to visit Bali is from May to October, while for Phuket, it’s November to April.

Unfortunately, the pricing in Phuket makes it impossible for you to stay a little over a week. The islands are gorgeous, and the daily life is much simpler there. But you can run out of activities very soon, and the high room prices make it even less sense to extend your stay.

Bali, on the other hand, is perfect for a long-term stay. You can find a special rate for accommodations when you’re staying for over a week. And most importantly, you can have a taste of everything Bali has to offer during your stay and still leave much to explore.

Budgeting Tips for Your Vacation

1.    Carry Enough Cash

Like in many tourist areas, cash is King. However, the exchange rate can be quite troublesome. Rather than going to a money changer, it’s much more convenient to get your cash from an ATM.

Pay attention to the maximum amount you can withdraw from the machine and whether it accepts your card. Having cash also means you need to calculate the exchange rate and quickly adapt to the local currency. 

2.    Use Credit Cards Sparingly

In short, using a card is the easiest choice. Most vendors accept credit cards, and you don’t have to constantly calculate the exchange rate. However, your credit card fee will continue to pile up the more you use it.

3.    Look For The Locals' Preferred Apps

Paying with a QR code is already so common in both Bali and Phuket. Locals and frequent travelers already choose this payment method over paying in cash. The vendor will get the exact amount you pay without any deduction or fees.

In this case, Bali has the edge thanks to the universal Indonesian QRIS system. You just need to download a digital wallet and register with a local sim card upon arrival. Most digital wallets can link to your debit or credit card, and you can also do a top-up with cash in a local minimart.

Almost all vendors in Phuket also have QR codes as a payment method. But you need to own a local bank account to use their app and pay. Furthermore, these codes are not interoperable, meaning you need to have multiple apps and accounts for each QR.

Final Verdict on the Budget

In terms of budgeting, the Bali vs Phuket comparison shows how the Indonesian island is a better choice. You can adjust your budget accordingly and splurge on some days without breaking your bank. And most importantly, you can enjoy your vacation and may come back for more.