Travel smart with 3 Money Saving Tips for your next Bali Trip

While planning for my Bali trip, I have challenged myself to travel smart. Travel smart by spending wisely however  it’s not a budget Bali Trip. Therefore, I have summarised a total of 3 Bali saving tips for you!

The Indonesia government has came up with a new campaign #ItstimeforBali, if you are planning to visit Bali during this Covid period it’s important to get the latest updates on Bali reopening before considering to book a Bali trip.

As a Smart Budget-conscious travellers, it’s important to spend wisely. With the extra savings, you can spend it on other travel expenses. The ultimate secret to spend wisely is to be smart & do enough research to pay the best price! 

3 Money saving tips for travelling to Bali

As Bali was just started to reopen, the price of the Bali tour packages might be in a mess. Therefore, these are the 3 essential money saving tips to consider when you are preparing to travel to Bali.

# Bali Saving Tips 1: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)  or USD?

As a newbie travelling to Bali, I was confused do I have to pay in IDR or USD in Bali. After my trip to Bali, IDR is widely used in Bali and there isn’t once I was asked to pay in USD. The saving tip is to change IDR currency for your trip.

While preparing for my Bali trip, I had enquired several private drivers and travel agents to book a private tour package. I have encountered some of private drivers or travel agents quoting their price in IDR & USD.

Do inform them that you will make payment in IDR instead. Generally, transactions in IDR are more advantage for tourists to Bali.

#Bali Saving Tips 2: Research & Compare the price

The 2nd Bali saving tips applies widely to any of your travel trips. By researching and comparing prices, we can clinch the best price and make every of our Indonesian rupiah worth.

I was planning for a day trip to Nusa Lembongan Island from Bali. With a total of 6 pax, we are looking for two-way hotel transfer & ferry ride and water activities tour packages. With the crystal clear water at Lembongan island, there are plenty of things to do at Lembongan island such as snorkeling & surfing!

These are some real experiences that I have encountered with 4 different travel agents while I’m doing researching and inquiring before making a decision.

From the 4 agents, the prices quoted varies differently even for the similar tour packages. There seems to be no standard market price for Lembongan island tour packages.

After researching, I have realised that the fast boat tickets to Lembongan Island are usually inclusive of two-way hotel transfer and much cheaper if you book the fast boat tickets yourself.

The total price of package A was IDR 950,000 per pax & package B was just only IDR 650,000 per pax. A total savings of IDR 300,000 per pax (Approx USD$22)!!

I almost paid so much more for the similar services! Another saving tip is it’s definitely advisable to do some homework before any booking because they might take advantage of your lack of pricing knowledge & jack the prices up.

As the borders are slowly opening up, it’s time for Bali! As we are learning to live with Covid,  there is a need to stay cautious when it comes to our health and well-being. If you are concerned about the safety distancing on the flight & the possible exposure to Covid, taking a private jet is another good alternative to have more private space during the flight. You could search how much does it cost to fly in a private jet to see if this could be an option for you and eliminate some of the worry when it comes to the travel part of your vacation!

#Bali Saving Tips 3: Bargain!

Since there is no standard market price so the price is not justifiable. Therefore,  trying to bargain or negotiate with the drivers for a better price wouldn’t harm much.

Another essential Bali saving tips is after researching & comparing prices with different travel agents, I’m in a better position to bargain so there is a higher chance of me closing the deal with a better price.

 

From these  4 types of packages above and I had enquired them from different agents. These are the prices they have quoted me.

With these information, I’m able to compare and contrast and negotiate with the agent to lower down the price to my advantage.

As I have partially agree to book package C’s agent therefore I tried to discuss with him that there are other agents who are able to provide me with a better price & negotiate if he is able to decrease his price for me.

Surprisingly, after his discussion with other agents for water activities, he is able to decrease the price for us.

 

Package A is his original quotation with the total price of IDR 1,700,000 per pax to package B a total price of IDR 1,250,000 per pax. A total savings of IDR 450,000 per pax (Approx USD$34)!!

They might have quoted the prices randomly that is not within the market rate so to get the best price please be sure to do some research about your Bali Trip or any trip before booking any tour packages.

Even though it takes loads of time and extra effort to research & compare prices between each tour packages. It would eventually benefit us as we get to travel smart by spending wisely. With the extra savings, we could spend it on other travel expenses.

A peek of my Bali Indonesia Adventure!

For more travel stories about my Bali trip, please continue to watch this space. 

For more travel tips:

• Travel Insurance Tips: Travel Insurance, Investment or Expense?

 

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Sea you soon,