I spent nine days in Bali on exactly €50 a day — not because I had to, but because I wanted to prove it was possible without staying in hostels and eating instant noodles. I flew from Amsterdam with Air India for €699 round trip, including a meal and checked luggage. Here is exactly what worked, what did not, and what I wish I had known before I landed.
The flight was the hardest part. Amsterdam to Delhi was 7.5 hours, then a 3-hour layover at Indira Gandhi Airport ( terminal 3 is actually decent — free wifi, decent food court), then a 6-hour hop to Bali. Total travel time door-to-door: about 18 hours. Pack snacks. Bring a neck pillow that actually works. I use the Cabeau memory foam one and it saved my neck.
Landing in Bali: What Nobody Tells You
Immigration was smoother than I expected. The visa on arrival costs 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah — about €30 — and you pay at the counter right before passport control. I was through in 15 minutes flat. Do not bother pre-applying for the e-VOA, I saw people in the e-VOA line waiting longer because their QR codes would not scan. Just bring cash (euros or dollars work) or a card and pay at the counter.
The airport SIM card kiosks are a scam. I almost paid 350,000 IDR (€20) for a “tourist SIM” before a local stopped me. Walk 200 meters outside the arrivals terminal to the Telkomsel booth near the parking lot. I paid 100,000 IDR (€5.80) for 30GB over 30 days. Networks are fast in the south, patchy in Ubud.
Where to Actually Stay: Sanur, Not Ubud
Here is the honest opinion no influencer will give you: Ubud is beautiful but the traffic made me want to cry. I spent my first three nights there and lost nearly two hours a day sitting in moped gridlock trying to get from my guesthouse to the main attractions. The Monkey Forest was great — 13-minute walk from my homestay that took 45 minutes by car because of traffic. If you go, stay on Jalan Hanoman or walk everywhere.
I moved to Sanur for the last five nights and it was the best decision of the trip. Sanur is quieter, has a gorgeous beachfront boardwalk that goes for 5km, and the traffic is manageable. I found a guesthouse called Peneeda View on the beach road for 250,000 IDR a night (€14.50). Simple room, cold water, but it faced the ocean and I watched the sunrise over Mount Agung every morning. The owner, Wayan, brought me coffee at 6 AM without me asking. Best accommodation value I have ever had anywhere.
Daily Costs Breakdown
- Accommodation: 250,000 IDR (€14.50) — basic but clean guesthouse with AC
- Food: Warungs (local eateries) charge 25,000-40,000 IDR for nasi goreng or mie goreng — that is €1.50 to €2.30. I ate at a warung called Mak Beng in Sanur every other day. Get the fish soup set for 50,000 IDR (€2.90).
- Transport: Scooter rental is 70,000 IDR/day (€4). They ask for your passport as deposit — negotiate to leave a photocopy and a cash deposit instead. Never give them your actual passport.
- Activities: Temples cost 15,000-50,000 IDR entry (€0.90-€3). Tirta Empul temple was 50,000 IDR and worth every rupiah.
- Mosquito repellent that actually works: Buy Autan Protection Plus at any minimart for 40,000 IDR (€2.30). The stuff I brought from the Netherlands did nothing. The local spray works.
- Money exchange: Use the blue ATMs (BCA or Mandiri) that say “No Commission.” The exchange booths on the street charged 5-8% hidden fees even when they claimed zero commission. I lost 100,000 IDR before I figured this out.
Would I Do It Again?
Yes, but differently. €50 a day is possible but it means eating local every meal, staying in guesthouses without hot water, and riding a scooter everywhere. Next time I would budget €70 a day for more comfort — a nicer room with hot water and a pool, a few Western meals when I craved them, and a driver for longer distances. The Air India flight deal is excellent for the price. It is not the most comfortable 18-hour journey but for €699 to a place this beautiful? I will take it.
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About the author: I have been traveling full-time since 2021 and visited 17 countries on a budget. I test every deal, hotel, and restaurant I recommend. Nothing here is sponsored.