A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Bali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Bali can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Bali?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bali or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $201, while the average daily cost in Bali is $85. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Bali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $134
    Bali $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $268
    Bali $80
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Bali

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Bali? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Bali


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices and Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $14
    Bali $8.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Pick Up & Drop Off | Private Transfer Service: $77
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $161

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $2.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Denpasar HTL-APT(DPS) : $8.88
  • Traditional Balinese Massage with Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Ride Bali ATV Adventure Ticket And Transfer: $34
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $32
  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • LuxMe Bali Four Hands massage with Hotel Transfer: $58
  • Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
  • Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $72
  • Bali Spiritual: Blessing Ceremony, Pristine Nature and Transfer: $115
  • Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Bali?

Prices for flights to both Bali and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $43
    Bali $34
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.19
  • Lunch for Two
    $13
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $26
  • Lunch for Two
    $7.75
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.59
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $36
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $40
  • South Bali Beach Tour, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Fire Dance & Seafood Barbeque Dinner: $50
  • Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
  • Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
  • Bali Street Food Tour: $65
  • Sidemen Cooking Class: $77
  • Pure Bali Village Experience, Cooking & Jamu Class+VIP Transfer: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $47
    Bali $10

Tours and Activities in Arusha

For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Arusha Guided Walking City Tour: Culture, History & Local Markets: $20
  • Discover Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking City Tour. Learn & Live.: $25
  • Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
  • Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Hidden Arusha Village, Waterfall & Coffee Tour (All-Inclusive): $40
  • Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
  • Lake Duluti Luxury Canoe Tour: $50
  • Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55
  • Arusha city tour and Pickup: $55
  • Coffee tour and Buffet Lunch with Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
  • Materuni Waterfall, Chemka Hot Spring and Traditional Coffee Tour: $60

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $52
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $27

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

  • Bali Telaga Waja White Water Rafting Adventure : $55
  • Legendary Scenic Spots Of Nusa Penida Private Guided Day Tour: $37
  • Sightseeing to Ulundanu temple, banyumala waterfall & Tanah lot: $57
  • Ubud Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $45
  • 3-Days Lombok,Gili island Tour Hopping around departure from Bali island: $300
  • 5 Hours Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Tour Including Tanjung Jepun: $59
  • Alas Harum Bali Cretya Tegalalang Rice Terrace Ubud Swing Ticket: $25
  • Amazing Private Tour: Lempuyang temple, Tirta gangga, Tukad cepung waterfall: $60
  • Bali ATV Adventure: $61
  • Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure and Snorkeling Tour: $99
  • Bali Benoa Shore Excursion for Cruise's Passenger - All Inclusive: $49
  • Bali Instagram Tour : The Most Popular Spots In Bali: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Bali $3.07


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Bali, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Bali is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.