A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Salzburg for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Salzburg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Salzburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a stunning, tropical, and lush island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Bali travel costs.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a cultural, recognizable, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty in Salzburg as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Salzburg travel costs.

Bali and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Salzburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bali than Salzburg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Salzburg is known for its museums and attractions, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Bali is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Salzburg is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music.

How is Bali different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salzburg and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Salzburg?

Salzburg is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Salzburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Salzburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Bali is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Bali is a must-see party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its resorts. However, Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Salzburg?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Bali or Salzburg More Beautiful?

Bali and Salzburg are somewhat similar when it comes to the terrific scenery.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Salzburg.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Both Bali and Salzburg are terrific destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is terrific for backpackers. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Salzburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salzburg is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Salzburg can get you to some places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Salzburg is a very walkable city. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Bali?

How long in Bali or Salzburg?

In either Bali or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Salzburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Salzburg. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Salzburg if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Bali or Salzburg?

The beautiful island of Bali offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Salzburg?

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Salzburg?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Salzburg. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Salzburg?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

The historic city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Salzburg is in Europe, 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Bali Expensive? and Is Salzburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Salzburg?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Salzburg, 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.

When is the best time to visit Bali or Salzburg?

Salzburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is a little warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Salzburg averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Salzburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can be very cold during winter. Bali is much warmer than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Salzburg. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in April than Salzburg. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Bali