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Bali and Thailand are both exotic destinations that offer budget-friendly and luxurious options.
Stuck between the two? We break down costs, accommodation and types of holidays to help you choose the paradise for your next big break.
The winner: Thailand works out to be cheaper overall, has a wider range of cuisines and activities for families and has cleaner beaches. If nightlife is where you're at though, Bali is the winner. Scroll here for our quick side-by-side comparison of each destination.
Generally, Thailand comes out cheaper in all aspects of travel (accommodation, food, drinks) except tours and flights. You can score flights for as little as $99 each way on budget airlines, whereas to Bangkok cheap seats tend to cost closer to $199 each way.
Price also varies depending on where you are going. For example, ground costs on Thai islands such as Phuket or Koh Phangan during the full moon party cost more than Bali.
| Bali cost | Thailand cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | $917 return (average paid by Australians in 2018) | $1,015 return (average paid by Australians in 2018) |
| Hotels (3-star hotel) | From $41 per night (based on a stay on 1 November 2019 via Hotels Finder) | From $28 per night (based on a stay in Bangkok on 1 November 2019 via Hotels Finder) |
| Beer | $2.30 | $1.50 |
| Meals | $3-28.50 | $2-$16.50 |
| Tour | 10-hour Bali tour from $51.71 | 8-hour Bangkok city tour from $169.48 |
Prices obtained on 25 March 2019. Food and meal prices obtained from Numbeo.
Bali art market stall.
Chatuchak market in Bangkok.
Bali offers a wider variety of choice than Thailand with everything from budget hostels to homestays (guesthouses), hotels, luxury beach resorts and villas available.
Prices vary significantly depending on which area you're staying in. Hostels in Bali start at $10 a night, homestays at $15, hotels at $30 and entire villas for $100. Depending on the level of luxury you're going for, accommodation can be upwards of $500 per night. Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua are the most expensive areas on Bali.
In Thailand your choices for accommodation include hostels, bungalows, hotels and resorts. Hostels start at $5 a night, bungalows at $15, hotels at $40 and resorts at $50. Again, prices vary significantly depending on where you're staying in Thailand. Expect accommodation in places such as Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai to be pricer. Top luxury resorts can cost as much as $1,000 per night.
Compare your hotel options now on Booking.com.
5-star hotel Melia Bali, Bali.
5-star hotel Baan Laimai Beach resort in Phuket.
The top areas to party in Bali include Kuta and Legian, but you'll find plenty of beach clubs in Seminyak and Canggu too. The nightlife scene is Bali is more sophisticated than Thailand as Bali brings in big-name DJs and international artists for concerts at high-end beach clubs and rooftop bars. See it all in a short amount of time with a skip-the-line Bali party crawl walking tour from $50.27 per person.
Thailand's nightlife is best for those on a budget, where buckets (large alcoholic drinks are served in buckets typically used for sand) are common and go-go bars are everywhere. Thailand's nightlife is more seedy than Bali's but it is still abundant with something for all ages. You can hit up the streets of Patong, Phuket from $28.73 on a dedicated Phuket pub crawl.
Drinks on Lovina Beach, Bali
Bangkok's Khao San Road, known for its nightlife. Image: Getty Images
Bali is surrounded by beaches and is the spot to go if you're interested in surfing. Beginners can try surfing in Canggu and the pros can hop on their boards in Uluwatu. Bali has both white sand beaches and volcanic black sand beaches. While Bali does offer some stunning beaches, not all are spectacular as it is common to find garbage floating in the water and on the beaches.
Thailand's islands have all types of beaches, most of which are idyllic. You won't have issues running into garbage like you do on some Bali beaches. The waters are calmer in Thailand making it an ideal destination for snorkelling and diving.
While most Bali beaches are busier, you will find some with few people. But in Thailand it is easier to find a paradise mostly to yourself.
Bali beaches. Image: Getty Images
Boats on the Phuket coast.
Another point of consideration is food. If there are some picky eaters in your crew then Thailand is the winner as there is an abundance of choices, with Thai cuisine that is loved by travellers and Western food also easy to come by. Bali also has many Western food choices, which is great for anyone who loves the creature comforts of home, but the local food has less variety than Thai cuisine.
Chicken satay skewers in Bali Image: Getty Images
A sample of Thai cuisine.
Both Bali and Thailand are filled with romantic resorts, restaurants overlooking the water and spas.
The best way to decide which is ideal for your honeymoon is when you're planning on going. Thailand and Bali have opposite rainy seasons, so Bali should be visited between April and September while Thailand is best between November and April.
If you have limited time and want to see everything, Bali may be best as it is much smaller than Thailand.
Lovers enjoying the view in Bali
Bali and Thailand both offer a wide-variety of family-style accommodation and family-friendly activities.
Bali's landscape of beach, rice paddies, temples and mountains offers marine activities, sightseeing and hiking trails for families. Thailand's landscape is much more rich and varied, particularly as it is a country rather than an island. Within its borders are beaches, jungle and city which seek to please beach bums with water based activities, adventurous souls with animal sanctuaries and shoppers and sightseers with buzzing markets, shopping centres and temples.
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| Feature | Bali | Thailand | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popular activities |
|
|
Both |
| Transport options | Bali has no public transport system so transport is limited to private drivers and some shuttles. | Flights, ferries, trains, buses and shuttles. | Thailand |
| Best months to visit | April–September | November–April | Both |
| Type of scenery/landscape | Lush jungles, mountains and volcanoes, scenic beaches, rice terraces. | Jungle, mountains, scenic beaches, islands, cities. | Both |
| Popular airlines that fly there from Australia |
|
|
Thailand |
| Average flight cost from Australia (according to Skyscanner) |
|
|
Bali |
| Cuisine | Indonesian cuisine mostly consists of rice, noodle or soup dishes. Dishes are typically fried and are packed with flavour. | Typical dishes include rice, noodle and soup dishes. Thai food is typically light and flavoursome. | Thailand |
| Travel style best suited for |
|
|
Both |
Thailand wins our vote here with its wider range of activities and cuisines, cheaper on-ground costs and greater family-friendly appeal. It's best for foodies, beach lovers and culture.
If you're after a better party scene or surf however, then Bali is the place to go.
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