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Bali or Singapore? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Bali for a longer beach-and-nature holiday of rice terraces, temples, volcano sunrises and spa days, at a mid-range cost (about IDR 1,750,000 a day) roughly half of Singapore's €181. Pick Singapore for a short, easy city break with hawker food, Gardens by the Bay and family attractions, where everything just works.
Bali: suits couples, honeymooners, solo travellers and remote workers with a week or more for beaches, temples, rice terraces and spas.
Singapore: suits families and first-timers to Asia who want a clean, safe, effortless city with outstanding hawker food.
Side by side
| Bali | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €87 IDR1,750,000 local | €182 S$262 local |
| Budget day* | €30 | €77 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About IDR 1,750,000 a day mid-range; villas offer great value. | ●●●●●About €181 a day; hawker food saves, hotels cost plenty. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Canggu, Seminyak and Ubud jammed with traffic and visitors. | ●●●●●Marina Bay and hawker lunch rushes busy, but well managed. |
| Food | ●●●●●Babi guling, nasi campur and warungs; strong café scene. | ●●●●●Hawker centres serve superb chicken rice, laksa and satay. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Beach clubs in Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu; quiet elsewhere. | ●●●●●Clarke Quay and rooftop bars, but drinks are very expensive. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Pools and calm beaches in Sanur and Nusa Dua; long drives. | ●●●●●Zoo, Sentosa and Gardens by the Bay; safe and spotless. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Almost no public transport; heavy traffic, drivers or scooters. | ●●●●●Excellent MRT and covered walkways; the easiest city in the region. |
| Best months | year-round, see below | year-round, see below |
| Warmest / coolest | Dec 30°C / Jul 27°C | Feb 30°C / Jan 29°C |
| Known for | Terraced Ubud rice paddies, Uluwatu sea-cliff temple, Mount Batur volcanic sunrise | Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, hawker centre Michelin street food |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Bali and Singapore day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Bali if…
- you have a week or more
- you want beaches, rice terraces and a pool villa
- Yoga, spas and slow days appeal
- you are on a honeymoon or working remotely
Pick Singapore if…
- you have two to four days
- you are travelling with young children
- Food and city sights matter more than beaches
- you want effortless logistics
Weather month by month
| Month | Bali high / rainy days | Singapore high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C · 27 | 29°C · 21 |
| Feb | 29°C · 27 | 30°C · 17 |
| Mar | 29°C · 26 | 29°C · 24 |
| Apr | 29°C · 19 | 30°C · 27 |
| May | 29°C · 17 | 30°C · 25 |
| Jun | 29°C · 18 | 29°C · 28 |
| Jul | 27°C · 18 | 30°C · 23 |
| Aug | 27°C · 21 | 29°C · 27 |
| Sep | 28°C · 20 | 29°C · 23 |
| Oct | 29°C · 19 | 30°C · 25 |
| Nov | 29°C · 27 | 29°C · 25 |
| Dec | 30°C · 25 | 29°C · 29 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Bali
Spit-roast suckling pig · Mixed rice plate · Minced satay · Slow-cooked spiced duck or chicken · Lawar · Small wrapped rice packet
Where: Ubud Market (Pasar Ubud), Gianyar Night Market (Pasar Senggol Gianyar), Badung Market (Pasar Badung), Denpasar, Kereneng Night Market, Denpasar
Singapore
Hainanese chicken rice · Laksa · Fried flat noodles · Satay · Pork rib soup · Indian flatbread
Where: Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown/Tanjong Pagar), Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Satay Street, Tekka Centre (Little India)
Doing both in one trip
10 days: 3 in Singapore + 7 in Bali
Start in Singapore to break the long-haul journey and recover from jet lag in an easy city, then unwind in Bali.
Getting between them: Direct flight about 2 h 40 between Singapore Changi and Bali's Denpasar airport, plus airport time; many daily flights. Distance about 1,635 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–3: Singapore — Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, hawker centres
- Day 4: Fly to Bali, transfer to Ubud
- Day 5–6: Ubud rice terraces, temples and Ubud Market, optional Mount Batur sunrise
- Day 7–9: South coast — Uluwatu temple at sunset, beaches, a beach club
- Day 10: Fly home
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Common questions
Is Bali or Singapore cheaper?
Bali, by a wide margin. Our mid-range figure is about IDR 1,750,000 per person per day, roughly half of Singapore's €181, or S$262, at recent exchange rates. A private pool villa in Bali can cost what a small hotel room does in Singapore. Bali also charges foreign visitors a tourist levy on arrival; check the current amount before travelling.
When is the best time to visit?
Bali's dry season, roughly April to October, is the best time, with July and August the busiest. The wet season, about November to March, brings heavy afternoon rain but greener landscapes and lower prices. Singapore is hot and humid all year, around 29–30°C, with showers in every month, so plan your dates around Bali.
How do I get around Bali?
There is almost no useful public transport for visitors. Most people hire a car with a driver by the day, use ride apps such as Grab or Gojek where allowed, or rent a scooter, which is only wise for experienced riders with a valid licence. Traffic between the south coast and Ubud is heavy, so allow an hour or more.
Should I stop in Singapore on the way to Bali?
It works well. Singapore is about 2 h 40 from Bali by air, and Changi is a major long-haul hub. Two or three days there break the journey, help with jet lag and give you a city and food fix before Bali's beaches. Families find it especially useful as a gentle first stop.