Exactly How to Do a Bali Family Trip for $4K (Even in the School Holidays)!

Bali – it's the dream holiday destination for families, with its beautiful weather, vibrant culture, and family-friendly attractions. But in the cost of living crisis, is it possible for a family to still have a magical holiday in Bali without breaking the bank?

As a mum who's holidayed there several times, it's a question my friends and family often ask me, especially when it's difficult to go anywhere in Australia as a family for $4k. And my answer is always yes, it is entirely possible to visit Bali as a family on a budget (and no, the trip won't resemble a backpacker's journey).

I'm talking great hotels, flights, delicious meals, nannies, ice creams for the kids, massages, and insurance – even during the school holidays!

Here's How:

Travelling to Bali with kids? Grab a Bali Travel Diary & Activity Book 

Each travel diary includes info about Bali, activities, video content, space for photos, and journal pages.

FLIGHTS: 

Join a frequent flyer program and use your points to offset travel costs.

As a Barefoot Investor fan and former credit card critic, it took a lot of convincing for me to sign up for a points-earning credit card. However, it has been a game changer for our family's ability to afford travel. 

We recently scored cheap flights to Bali during the school holidays, using points we racked up by paying for our usual household bills and purchases. The cost was $185 per person return. 

Pro Tips:

While many people talk about using points for upgrades, we use frequent flyer points for economy flights to travel in the first place instead of splurging on expensive business-class tickets. Finding "free seats" is much easier, and the points required are significantly less.

Cost: $856 - you only pay for the taxes!

We use and love the QANTAS AMEX for our personal expenses and have now also obtained a BUSINESS AMEX.

Please note, you don't need two cards to be able to travel regularly! Most of our points to date have been accumulated on our personal card! 

ACCOMMODATION:

Opt for boutique accommodation over big chains.

By choosing smaller resorts, we've saved a ton of cash. One of our recent stays in Bali was at a charming place that cost $60 per night for a spacious 2-bedroom room with a kitchenette, just 200m from the beach. 

Some of my favourite picks across the island include Sagara Villas & Suites, Parigata Resort & Spa, Sevn Legian, Mamaka and Truntum.

Pro Tips:

Book directly or leverage cashback websites like Shopback when they have travel specials.

Cost: $1050 or $150 per night

The hotel rooms & villas at Sagara are both excellent value! 

Click HERE to see my full list of budget friendly accommodation recommendations for families in Bali! - coming soon

AVOID RESORTS WITH KID'S CLUBS: 

Kids clubs aren't the be-all and end-all, and these resorts can cost a lot more.

In my experience, kids are just as happy with a pool, some pool toys, and an ice cream! Fun doesn't have to be expensive. 

Qualified nannies are very affordable in Bali too - ranging from $10-12 an hour if you want some kid-free time. They typically bring games to entertain the kids as well. 

ACTIVITIES:

Prioritise relaxation and budget-friendly fun: You don't need to do every 'touristy' activity on the island.

Some of our best holidays have been when we have just rested, played card games, and enjoyed each other’s company, which can fall by the wayside during term time.

Pro Tips:

Choose one splurge activity, such as Waterbom Park, ATV riding, or a cooking class, then spend the rest of the time doing low - or no-cost activities. We love playing frisbee, and tiggy is always a hit.

Beach cricket kits are cheap to hire ($12 for 3 days), as are bicycles ($10 for 2 hours) and you can get a great massage at a nicer spa for $20! 

 

Riding The Python at Waterbom Park

EATING & DRINKING:

Consider whether the buffet breakfast is worth it for your family. While it can be convenient, a lot of the time you don't get your money's worth, especially with smaller children

Opt for local warungs. These small family-run restaurants are worth checking out, and step back a street or two from the main drag to find similar meals for significantly less.

Keep a list of food specials near your hotel. Many places offer ‘Taco Tuesdays’ or 2-for-1 cocktails. Facebook groups and Tripadvisor are great for researching deals before your trip!

Stock up your mini-bar with supermarket snacks and drinks when you first arrive, as it’ll save you from paying resort prices for everything. 

Go easy on the booze, as those costs will add up quickly. We like to choose 1 or 2 designated date nights and splurge on cocktails then, or sometimes we grab a bottle duty-free.

 

Concerned your kids won’t eat 'local food'? Most warungs offer chicken nuggets and chips for $3-4, and satay skewers are always a hit!

FAMILY OF FOUR: BALI BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

$856 for flights (you pay for taxes)

$164 for insurance ($0 if you book your trip on your AMEX)

$700 for food

$240 for 2 x full days nanny hire

$70 for parents' date night, including cocktails and beer

$160 for Waterbom Park entry

$1050 for accommodation

$100 for shopping (handbags, basketball jerseys for the kids, sunnies)!

$250 for visas

$80 for daily ice-creams

$40 for 2 x massages at a nice spa

$10 for bicycle hire to ride on the beach path

$280 for incidentals (e.g., Grab/GoJek transport)

Total: $4K

Order your kids a Bali Travel Diary & Activity Book here!

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

You can flex this budget to suit your family's preferences. If shopping isn't a priority, you could allocate more to food or another activity. Likewise, if you don’t need or want a nanny, that money could be used elsewhere too.

Want to splurge on nicer accommodation? Go for five days – the flight time is short! Search Tripadvisor for the best deals, and honest accommodation reviews! 

Staying in one place helps to keep travel costs down, and choosing somewhere with eateries in walking distance is a huge plus. And always do a marketplace clean-out before you go; we often make $500 out of what we perceive as trash!

Kindest, 

Kirstin - Travel Writer & Founder of My Big Adventure Kids Travel Diaries. 

This article was originally published as a guest feature on Kidspot.