Don’t let the pictures of over-the-water bungalows and romantic sunset dinners fool you, the Maldives is more than just a destination for honeymooners.
We compare the Maldives to Bali for honeymooners and family travellers to determine which is more budget friendly and where you can do the activities that you love most.
TL;DR: Our verdict
We love a good, cheap break and Bali has it in spades. It's an exotic location with beaches, villas and delectable eats that won't break the bank.
Bali is a destination that can serve travellers with any kind of budget. The Maldives targets luxury travellers; however, you can cut costs by eating in-resort as most packages include meals and by abusing the resort's complimentary transport options.
If you do choose to make your own way around the Maldives, you can catch inter-island ferries for $2.50-$6.60 and speed boats for $9.70-$27.10. In Bali, taxis and scooters are the norm. A one-hour trip to another area of Bali costs $9.40-$28.20. You can also hire a scooter for $5 per day or a car for $25 per day.
Prices obtained on 9 April 2019. Food and meal prices obtained from Numbeo.
Winner. Bali is cheaper by a landslide.
Flights
How do flights from Australia compare?
Cost. Flights are much cheaper to Bali than to the Maldives. We've seen flights to Bali drop as low as $99 while flights to the Maldives can drop down to $199 each way.
Airlines. You can catch direct flights to Bali, but not to the Maldives. Airlines that fly non-stop to Bali include Jetstar, AirAsia, Qantas, Garuda Indonesia and Virgin Australia. To get to the Maldives, you'll have to transfer at least once. Airlines that fly to the Maldives include Scoot, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.
Airports. Both destinations have one main international airport. Bali's is in Denpasar and the Maldives’ is in Malé.
Flight duration. Direct flights to Bali from Sydney take 6 hours and 40 minutes. Flights from Sydney to the Maldives take around 16 hours due to stopovers.
Flight times and frequency. Numerous direct flights depart from major Australian airports daily while flights to the Maldives are more complicated as they require at least one stopover, typically somewhere in Asia. This may work in your favour if you wish to visit multiple destinations on your holiday
Winner. Bali is much easier and cheaper to get to. There are numerous direct flights available on budget airlines saving you time and money.
Compare prices for flights to Bali and Maldives now
AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali Image: Supplied
Meeru Island Resort & Spa Image: Supplied
Hotels
Which is better for hotels?
For choice, Bali can't be beat. Hostels start at $10 a night, homestays at $15, hotels at $30 and villas for $100.
Options in the Maldives are predominantly limited to resorts. Guesthouses are becoming more popular and hotels can only be found in Malé, the capital. Your cheapest option is a guesthouse, with prices starting at $53, while a resort during the low season has prices starting at $79. During the high season, resorts can start as low as $130 but can easily reach up to $1,350 for more luxurious stays.
As a bonus, the Maldives is one of the few destinations in the world that offers overwater bungalows. Bali has none.
In both destinations you'll discover top DJs from around the world spinning decks. In the Maldives, the parties often happen in luxurious settings such as W Retreat and Spa or Niyama Maldives, aka the first underwater club.
Bali's nightlife is less refined, boasting a mix of raging clubs, relaxed bars and beachfronts. Make the most of the day and night with a beach and bar hopping tour.
Winner. Bali has more nightlife options, so it’s the clear winner of this round.
The beaches in the Maldives are absolutely divine. Image: Getty Images
Bali beaches are often crowded and overrun with litter. Image: Getty Images
Which is better for beaches?
Bali offers white sand beaches in places like Uluwatu or volcanic black sand beaches filled with lounge chairs in hot spots such as Canggu. There's no shortage of sand in Bali, but be warned – if you stay in the tourist areas, beaches will be crowded and dirty with rubbish washed up on the shore. Short on time? Book a beach hopping tour to catch the best of them.
The Maldives is truly idyllic because of its soft white sand beaches and some of the clearest and bluest waters you will ever lay your eyes on. There’s no doubt that the beaches of the Maldives are one of the country’s highlights. They're uncrowded, clean and out-of-this-world beautiful. Catch the best of them on an island hopping tour.
Winner. I’m sure you’re with us when we say that we can’t miss visiting one of the top destinations in the world for beaches: the Maldives.
Travel style
Romance in Bali Image: Getty Images
Romance in the Maldives Image: Getty Images
Which is better for a honeymoon?
It’s difficult to compare Bali to the Maldives for a honeymoon as both destinations are completely different.
Bali offers a ton of activities for a more active honeymoon. These include snorkelling, surfing, hiking up volcanoes, visiting rice terraces and learning about local Balinese culture.
The Maldives is much quieter compared to Bali. It’s more tranquil and calmer, which is why it's more popular with lovebirds. There are less activities and entertainment, with most options limited to water-based activities such as snorkelling/diving, windsurfing, submarine rides and stand-up paddle boarding.
Winner. The Maldives specifically targets travellers looking for romance.
Which is better for families?
You won’t have an issue finding family-friendly accommodation in either island destination as there are a large number of resorts that cater to families in both places.
In the Maldives, the focus is on the sun, sea and sand. That means that activities are surrounded by water, such as snorkelling and banana boat rides, most of which are better suited to older children.
Bali has a wider variety of activities including water parks, animal parks, cooking classes and trekking.
Winner. Bali has more to offer families to help keep the little ones entertained.
Bali vs the Maldives: Features compared
Feature
Bali
The Maldives
Winner
Popular activities
Snorkelling/diving
Beaches
Surfing
Island hopping
Visiting temples
Volcano treks
Visiting rice terraces
Snorkelling/diving
Beaches
Island hopping
Relaxation
Bali
Transport options
Bali has no public transport system, so transport is limited to private drivers and some shuttles.
The Maldives has public transport by inter-island ferry. The majority of resorts organise or include transportation.
Maldives
Best months to visit
April-September
December-April
Both
Landscape
Lush jungle
Mountains
Volcanoes
Beaches
Rice terraces
Beaches
Ocean vistas
Colourful sunsets
Bali
Airlines that fly there from Australia
Jetstar
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Garuda Indonesia
AirAsia
Malindo Air
Batik Air
No airlines fly direct from Australia.
Bali
Average flight cost from Australia, according to Skyscanner
$277 (Darwin, cheapest city to fly from)
$753 (Sydney)
$749 (Melbourne)
$643 (Brisbane)
$1,083 (Sydney)
$975 (Melbourne)
$1,306 (Brisbane)
$1,394 (Perth)
Bali
Cuisine
Indonesian cuisine mostly consists of rice, noodle or soup dishes. Dishes are typically fried and are packed with flavour. Western dishes are also popular.
Maldivian cuisine (Dhivehi cuisine) uses a lot of coconut with plenty of vegetarian options and excellent seafood dishes. The cuisine uses mild flavours with an Indian and Sri Lankan influence.
Bali
Travel style best suited for
Adventure travellers
Beach lovers
Culture
Beach lovers
Romantic getaways
Underwater adventurers
Relaxation
Both
Bali vs the Maldives: Who won?
Sorry, Maldives, while you'll never cease to be on our bucket list, Bali comes out on top as the more affordable people-pleaser. It offers various activities and cuisines to suit even fussy travellers and is only a short flight from our shores.
Here's a list of each destination's high points:
Bali
Offers direct flights
Cheaper flights, accommodation and on-the-ground costs
Variety of marine and on-land activities
Wider variety of cuisine, including traditional Indonesian and Western food
More lively nightlife
The Maldives
More luxurious accommodation, including overwater villas
Cleaner and more heavenly beaches
More serene and luxurious atmosphere, ideal for romance and honeymoons
Available for travel on select dates including Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Maldives, Vanuatu, Oahu Island, Bali, Brisbane, Phuket, Cairns, Fiji, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates from February - September 2020. Other flights available with Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia and more. Sample fare is Perth-Denpasar (Bali) with Malindo Air. T&Cs apply.
Year-end sale: Extra $10 off experiences with code
Valid for use on select dates. Destinations include Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore, Osaka, Kyoto, Bali, Seoul and more. Minimum spend of $150 applies. T&Cs apply.
Year-end sale: Extra $40 off experiences with code
Valid for use on select dates. Destinations include Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore, Osaka, Kyoto, Bali, Seoul and more. Minimum spend of $450 applies. T&Cs apply.
Up to 75% off worldwide hotels + extra 5% off with code
Valid for travel from 18 June 2019 - 30 June 2020. Destinations include New York, Los Angeles, Bali, Singapore, Phuket, Hong Kong, London, Paris and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
Valid for travel on select dates on Getaway, Freedom and Business fares. Destinations include across Australia to Bali, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Port Moresby or Pacific Islands. Minimum of 20-day advance purchase. T&Cs apply.
Valid for travel on select dates. Must book 20 days in advance. Destinations include across Australia to New Zealand, Hong Kong, Bali, Port Moresby and Pacific Islands. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel 1 May - 15 June 2020 with Jetstar. Includes accommodation at Legian Paradiso Hotel, return flights from Darwin, daily breakfast and more. T&Cs apply.
Destinations include Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Bali, Phuket, Fiji, Vietnam and Hawaii. Sample packages include a 5-night stay in Surfers Paradise for $299 (Regularly $579) and a 5-night package to Fiji for $999 (Regularly $2,101).
Save on snorkelling tours, Waterbom entry, whitewater rafting, Mount Batur hiking tours especially on holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more. Sample discount is for a day tour in Bali. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel until 20 December 2020 including through Christmas. Package includes accommodation at Maharaja Villas Bali, meals, cocktails, massage, and more. Valid for 2 people. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates from February – September 2020. Other flights available with Malindo Air, Virgin Australia, Garuda Indonesia and more. Sample fare is Perth–Denpasar (Bali) with Air Asia. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates from January - September 2020. Destinations include London, Los Angeles, Mumbai and more. Sample fare is Perth-Bali with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select 2019 and 2020 dates. Destinations include Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Norway, Antarctica, Italy and more. T&Cs apply.
Bali: 5-night luxury hotel stay + flights from $2,271
Available for travel until 14 July 2021. Includes accommodation at the 5-star Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, flights departing from Perth, daily breakfast, 60-minute massages and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until 20 September 2020. Package includes flights departing either from Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide, accommodation, meals, transfers and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel 27 November 2019 - 14 October 2020. Includes accommodation at Outrigger Konotta Maldives, return flights from Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select 2020 travel dates. Sample flight is Perth-Denpasar with Citilink. Other flights with Jetstar, Malindo Air, Qanta, and more. T&Cs apply.
Bali: 5-night private pool villa stay with cocktails and gourmet dining
Available for travel until 31 March 20201 including through Christmas. Package includes accommodation at Agata VIllas Seminyak, meals, cocktails, transfers and more. Valid for 4 people. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel until January 2020 including Christmas season. Sample fare is Perth-Denpasar with AirAsia and Citilink. Destinations include Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates until April 2020 including through Christmas. Destinations include India, Thailand, Indonesia, China and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel until 20 December 2020 including through Christmas. Package includes accommodation at Maharaja Villas Bali, meals, cocktails, massage, and more. Valid for 2 people. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates including Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Phuket, Tokyo, Bangkok, Bali, Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, Seoul and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates including Christmas season. Destinations include Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Bali, Cairns, Port Douglas, Coffs Harbour and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for pick up until 1 January 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Perth, Surfers Paradise, Wellington, Perth, Bangkok, Bali, Singapore, Paris, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles and more. T&Cs apply.
Year-end sale: Extra $25 off experiences with code
Valid for use on select dates. Destinations include Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore, Osaka, Kyoto, Bali, Seoul and more. Minimum spend of $300 applies. T&Cs apply.
Indonesia: 3-night beachfront island getaway from $499
Valid for travel from 1 September 2019 until 30 June 2020. Includes daily buffet breakfast served at the Mahagiri restaurant and three-course lunch from a set menu during your stay. T&Cs apply.
Valid for stays on select 2019-2020 dates across China, Kenya, Maldives, Philippines, Thailand, UAE, USA and more. Discount applies when you book in advance on dusit.com. T&Cs apply.
Taylor Lorenz is a writer for Finder, focusing on travel content. She has previously written guides for World Nomads, Matador Network and the Huffington Post, and she also writes for her own travel blog, Taylor’s Tracks. Taylor makes her way around the globe writing and beach hopping and can usually be found with a book and a cup of tea in hand.
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