In this post I will cover:
- How to get to Bali for cheap
- Cheap accommodation in Bali
- Eating Cheaply in Bali and cheap tourist memorabilia
- Seeing Bali Cheaply
- How to stay long term in Bali or Indonesia
- More ways to save money whilst travelling : )
Bali, as most Australians know, is one huge, cheap party.
Follow my tips below and have an awesome, memorable, and importantly, affordable experience : )
Getting there cheaply
There are several options you may want to consider for getting to Bali. Each has their pros and cons, depending on where you are planning on getting there from.
Leaving from Australia - Melbourne
If you choose Tullamarine airport, there are two budget airlines that can take you direct to Bali - although the competition can mean lower prices, because it is Melbourne's main airport, it also means that the fees can be higher. Your other option if Avalon airport which has lower fees, but only one airline flying out of there.
You can find all the budget airlines for getting to Bali from Melbourne here
Leaving from Australia - Sydney
Sydney's Kingford Smith Airport also has two budget airlines flying direct to Bali, but expect to pay higher fees and have longer cues as this is Australia's busiest airport.
Departing from anywhere else in the world
Using a decent website that has all the budget airlines,,just write where you are, and where you want to go to, and it will tell you all the possible combinations of budget airlines to take you there : ).
Prices keep going up and down depending on demand, so it is difficult/pointless for me to list them. You will more likely benefit if you look at Hostelbookers.com and compare the prices for yourself. The good thing about this booking site is that unlike its main competitor hostelworld, it doesn't charge a US$2 booking fee on top of the 10% deposit. A nice saving in itself : )
Cheap Food and Tourist memorabilia
Don't fall for the 'Aussie Breakfast Specials', you're likely to pay 10 times what you should. Instead, ask a local where they like to eat and don't be afraid to venture into the side-streets where non tourists head - after all - travel is all about adventure. Don't be one of the mundane Australians (or other foreigners for that matter) who go to a foreign country simply to hang out with other Australians, eat Australian food and drink Australian beer. Why leave Australia if that's all you want?
For cheap memorabilia, head to the central market and save up to 50% on what you would at the touristy shops. Also, be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and haggle!! Start at 1/3 of the opening price.
Seeing Bali Cheaply
Hopefully you haven't booked travel through your travel agent already, because I can guarantee you will get ripped off. Instead, have an adventure and use the public buses as the locals do - and pay what locals do. You are also helping our earth by reducing pollution/carbon poison.
Want to stay here 6 months or longer?
If you've fallen in love with Indonesia, it will be easy for you to find work teaching English at a private or public school if you're a native English speaker.
Schools are more likely to take you seriously if you have a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
, which you can do online now or face to face over a weekend.