If you’re trying to decide between Bali and Thailand for your next holiday then our Bali Vs Thailand head-to-head round-up is exactly what you need.
We’ve broken down the differences between Thailand & Bali into fifteen categories and ranked them for you, so you can book your next trip with confidence knowing that you will get the right experience based on your needs.
Bali Basics: What’s Bali Like?
If you like to wander through rice paddies and discover hidden waterfalls in the jungle and enjoy a truly tropical climate, that’s what Bali’s like. Even in the rainy season, Bali sees 8 hours or more of sunshine every single day.
Bali’s iconic temples are another major attraction for the island and Bali offers many beach clubs on the Indian Ocean for a very affordable cost (including FINNS, the world’s best beach club).
Beach lovers will be happy with a choice of both white sand beaches and black sand beaches and there’s so much more to do on the island that it’s impossible to get bored.
Thailand Basics: What’s Thailand Like?
Thailand is a whole country. It’s much bigger than Bali and thus there’s more to see from Thailand’s islands (such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, etc.) to the mega city of Bangkok, to the world-famous resort towns of Pattaya and Phuket (and Patong Beach) to the north of the country where the palm trees shade rice terraces.
It’s a big place and the vibe very much depends on where you are and what you’re doing the Dusit Grand Palace in Bangkok is a very different feel to a street market in Nan or Pai.
In short, you can’t really experience all of Thailand in one go, and it’s a place that you need to travel around to really appreciate, unlike Bali where everything is much closer together and within a day trip’s journey from the popular resort towns around Nusa Dua Beach, Seminyak Beach, Canggu Beach, Kuta Beach and Ubud.
Bali Vs Thailand Head-To-Head Comparison
To make things fair, we’ve drawn up a list of fifteen direct comparisons between Bali & Thailand that a visitor is likely to make before they book a holiday.
At the end, we tally up the scores and decide which place is best overall. However, we should stress in advance that both Bali & Thailand are popular holiday destinations for good reasons.
We doubt that you’re going to have a bad time in either place.
Visas For Bali Vs Thailand
Thailand makes things easy for most visitors by providing a free “visa waiver” on arrival which lasts for 30 days and which can be extended in the country.
By contrast, Bali does not make things easy for arrivals. Bali offers a tourist visa for most nationalities which you can either purchase online or on arrival for 500,000 IDR (that’s \$35 USD or \$50 AUD) per person.
This can be extended for an additional fee in the country.
However, Bali also requires visitors to pay a tourist tax of 150,000 IDR (that’s $10 USD or $15 AUD) per person which can also be paid online (but using a completely different portal to the visa) or at the airport (in a completely different place to your visa).
You also need to fill in a customs declaration for Bali and you don’t have to in Thailand.
In short, Thailand offer a much easier arrival experience than Bali. So, Thailand wins this category.
Accommodation In Bali Or Thailand?
Bali has some of the world’s best accommodation. It has more hotel rooms that cost $1,000 USD or more per night than anywhere on Earth.
It also has a great range of accommodation for other budgets and the guest houses, hostels, kosts, etc. of Bali are famed for their warm hospitality and comforts.
Thailand’s no slouch in this department either and most towns have a few luxury resorts and some have many more. There aren’t as many luxurious villas in Thailand as in Bali but there are enough.
You can also find good hostels, mid-range hotels and Airbnbs throughout the nation and that’s a good thing, we think.
However, given that Bali has the best accommodation in Southeast Asia, we have to give Bali this category, though it’s very close, indeed.
Bali’s Beaches Vs Thailand’s Beaches
Bali has some very beautiful beaches and the resort town of Nusa Dua is often considered to have the best beach in the land, with white soft powdery sand that goes on forever.
The waters of the Indian Ocean have never looked so good and if you want to swim, surf, or snorkel, you’ll find that Bali has you covered.
However, many of the island’s beaches are black sand beaches and people often find these beaches to be less aesthetically pleasing than white sand beaches.
Thailand has many more beaches than Bali and famous beaches like Railay Beach are considered to be among the world’s finest.
Some beach resort towns in Thailand attract the kind of clientele that come for Thailand’s rather specialist nightlife though and that can be off-putting to some.
There’s not a lot in this category one way or another and we’d call it a draw. And don’t forget that if you want pristine sands, you can always hit one of the Thai islands or the Gili Islands or Nusa Islands just off the coast of Bali.
Safety In Bali Vs Safety In Thailand
Bali is very safe and the most crime you’re likely to run into in Bali is petty crime such as a snatch and grab on your bags or some pickpocketing.
That doesn’t mean that nobody has ever visited Bali and got into trouble, mind you, but most people leave Bali in exactly the same state as they arrived without ever encountering any problems.
The biggest safety issue in Bali is either going to Bali Belly which is easily dealt with in most cases or scooter accidents.
However, though Bali’s roads aren’t great, Thailand’s are lethal and have the highest rate of road death outside of war zones in the world!
Much of Thailand is also very safe from a crime perspective, but there’s no doubt that the dubious nightlife districts in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket attract scammers and occasional acts of violence too.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either country based on their overall safety record but we think Bali edges this one. You’re also much less likely to end up in jail in Bali than in Thailand which has one of the highest rates of incarceration for foreign tourists in the world.
Things To Do In Bali Vs Things To Do In Thailand
This is a difficult comparison because Bali is a small island and Thailand is a big country. If we just measure the number of things to do, we’d have to give this title to Thailand.
However, it’s more than a day trip to see the Grand Palace and the White House of Chiang Rai. Thai geography means that many of the most impressive sights and things to do in Thailand are very far apart from each other.
In Bali, on the other hand, there’s a lot to do and it’s all within a day tour’s distance from wherever you are staying. Though you might choose to stay in another part of Bali to see some things, it’s rarely essential.
And because Bali’s focus is tourism, there are a lot more things to do in the main tourist areas than there are even in Phuket or Pattaya.
So, when we look at the practical side of experiencing all the things to do, Bali wins. And for us, we think most people want a relaxing holiday rather than a 12-hour coach journey from a local street food stand to a famous temple.
Nightlife In Bali Vs Nightlife In Thailand
While it will depend on where you are in Bali and Thailand as to the nightlife you get, there’s no doubt that nightlife in Bali is easier to find as it tends to revolve around the Kuta Beach, Seminyak Beach and Canggu Beach areas as well as a bit in Ubud.
Whereas if you visit Nan or Hat Yai in Thailand, you’ll be a long way from a decent club or dance floor though you can enjoy Thai food and pub culture in those places.
However, when Thai nightlife is good, it’s certainly competitive with Bali and Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok are famous for their nightlife and the seedy side of that nightlife.
If you’re travelling with friends, we think that when you really look at Bali Vs Thailand in this category – Bali wins because the nightlife is more inclusive and less aimed at a certain kind of tourist.
However, it’s fair to say that you can dance until dawn in either place if you really want to and have a great time doing so. The cost of a night out in Thailand is also very comparable to a night out in Bali.
Balinese Culture Vs Thai Culture
Both places are famous for their unique culture. Thailand is often called the “land of smiles” as the locals are so welcoming.
However, we’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand and there’s a feeling among many Thais that visitors to the country are not always respectful and kind and there’s a growing resentment of this behaviour.
The Buddhist qualities of the nation shine through in most instances though and Thailand’s culture is fascinating to explore.
Bali, on the other hand, is unique in Southeast Asia. It’s a Hindu enclave in a Muslim country and it has a very well-defined culture that is famous the world over.
There are arts, and crafts, temples, and much more and things like offerings, festivals and rituals pervade daily life everywhere on the island.
It’s a close call but we think Bali has the most interesting culture but Thailand is definitely not far behind in this category.
Balinese Food Vs Thai Food
While we love Balinese food, there’s no doubt that Thai food is among the world’s most prominent food cultures and that’s because Thailand has a rich street food culture of really high-quality dishes served for cheap throughout the nation.
In most Thai towns you will also find decent international fare and a range of mid-range and high-end Thai restaurants.
Many people visit Thailand just for the food.
However, it’s important to note that while Bali doesn’t qualify for the Michelin Guide (as they don’t cover Indonesia, yet) there are a number of Michelin star-rated chefs here and some of the best fine dining in the world is found on the island.
Overall, this category goes to Thailand but it’s a close-run thing and many tourists in Bali love some Babi Guling or tasty Satay.
Aesthetics: Bali Or Thailand?
They’re both attractive places, after all, people don’t tend to travel to the other side of the planet for a holiday in an ugly place but which has the better aesthetics?
Bali is very beautiful. It has dramatic sunrises and sunsets that are the best on Earth. It has amazing resorts and beaches. Bali is home to rice terraces and verdant rainforests. However, it’s also clearly a developing nation and in some parts, you can see that clearly.
Thailand, on the other hand, is a well-established middle-income nation and it shows in the architecture, town planning, road layouts, etc.
And it has most of the other attractive qualities you can find in Bali too.
So, we have to give this one to Thailand.
The Money Question: Which Is Better Value Bali Or Thailand?
There’s not much in this. If you visit Chiang Mai or Pai in Thailand, you will find that the country is incredibly cheap (though not so much for alcohol or cigarettes) but if you head to the beach towns or Bangkok, it’s much more expensive than it once was.
Bali, on the other hand, is also not cheap for alcohol (though cigarettes are cheap in Indonesia) but prices are relatively comparable and settle somewhere between that of Chaing Mai and Bangkok.
This category is simply too close to call – we’re saying it’s a tie.
Shopping: Bali Or Thailand?
As a middle-income nation in a developing part of the world Thailand has far more variety in its shopping experiences than Bali does.
From the high-end malls of Bangkok to the night markets of the beach towns to the more local malls of the North and with entrepreneurial Thais setting up shop on nearly every road in every town, you will never run out of choices in Thailand.
Bali is a great place to shop and people travel here just to shop, but it can’t quite match the sheer volume of choice provided by Thailand’s retail space.
We have to award this one to Thailand.
Thai Massage Or Balinese Massage?
This one’s pretty easy – in our experience, Thai massage is often quite rough and the “massage therapists” are pretty poorly trained. You can get a great massage in Thailand but you will need to pay a significant premium for it.
Bali on the other hand has a more gentle holistic approach to massage and the therapists all seem to be pretty well trained.
We have had good massages in both countries but the best are in Bali and that’s where the point goes in this category.
Is Thailand Or Bali Better For Digital Nomads
Thailand’s visa regime makes it very attractive to digital nomads and Chiang Mai has long been one of the “must-visit” spots on the digital nomad trail.
However, it’s also fair to say that Thailand’s new love for nomads means paying taxes in Thailand and not everyone is going to be excited about that prospect as Thai taxes can get quite hefty, fast.
Bali, on the other hand, is part of Indonesia and despite promising a digital nomad visa for years, there isn’t one, yet.
We don’t think there’s a lot in this category, but for now, nomads in Bali aren’t likely to face a tax bill without opening a local company and that makes Bali a better place for most digital nomads.
Is Thailand Or Bali Better For Expats
Both Bali and Thailand attract a lot of expats and those expats seem to be very happy in both places. Bali offers, perhaps, a higher standard of life (particularly given that the requirements for retirement visas mean that Bali attracts a wealthier standard of pensioner than Thailand).
Whereas Thailand offers slightly better healthcare than Bali does.
Overall, though, we don’t think there’s anything in this and that most people would be very happy as expats in either country – this category is tied.
Overall Bali Vs Thailand
So, in summary:
Bali wins for the best accommodation, safety, things to do, nightlife, place for digital nomads, massages and best culture.
Thailand wins the best visas, food, shopping and aesthetics.
Tied categories include which is better for expats, the best value for money and which has the best beaches.
That means in our head-to-head, Bali beats Thailand as the best holiday destination but it’s very close and there’s no doubt that you’d have a great time in either place. However, if you had to pick just one place to holiday, we’d recommend visiting Bali.
FAQs
Is Bali Or Thailand Better?
Yes! As you can see from our head-to-head comparison above we think that Bali and Thailand are both great places to go on holiday.
You can enjoy beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, beach clubs, rice terraces and more in both destinations.
However, we think that Bali has the edge and if you visit Thailand you’ll need to travel all the way from Northern Thailand (such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or even Pai) to Bangkok to Koh Samui or Hat Yai to get the most out of the country.
Whereas Bali is much more compact and you can get from the Bali beaches to the centre of the island and be among the rice terraces in no time at all.
Where Is Cheaper Thailand Or Bali?
It’s a close-run thing. If you head North in Thailand it’s probably as cheap as it is in Bali. But Bangkok and the resort towns of Pattaya and Phuket are probably a little more expensive and the Thai islands can work out much more expensive due to the increased cost of goods.
Of course, you can win on the swings and lose on the roundabouts when it comes to price comparisons. Street food in Thailand is often cheaper than in Bali, no matter where you are, for example.
Whereas a beer in Bali and Thailand is about the same price and a packet of cigarettes is far cheaper in Bali than in Thailand.
Is Thailand Or Bali Cleaner?
Southeast Asia isn’t famous for perfectly pristine beaches and the white sand beaches of both Thailand and Bali can be covered in plastic and offshore waste at times.
However, both Thailand & Bali have teams that work to keep the picturesque beaches clean and even in the rainy season they’re always maintaining the stunning beaches for the enjoyment of tourists.
Is Bali More Beautiful Than Phuket?
We think so, yes. As we said in our Bali vs Phuket review, in fact. However, there are plenty of natural wonders, ancient temples, white sandy beaches, and lush jungles in both places for them both to be considered charming holiday spots.
Picturesque islands don’t get much better than the tropical destinations of Bali and Phuket.
Which Is Better Bali Or Phuket?
We think Bali is better than Phuket and we have a guide to why (link above) and it’s because while Phuket has better beaches and food and is equally good for expats, Bali won the head-to-head in all other categories.
We’d say that most people who choose Bali and its stunning natural beauty are not going to be unhappy that they didn’t see some of the best beaches in Southern Thailand.
Is It Better To Go To Indonesia Or Thailand?
It really depends on the kind of holiday that you want to have. While Indonesia is a very tolerant society there are things you can do in Thailand that you just can’t do here in Indonesia under any circumstances.
However, there’s far more variety across Indonesia than there is in Thailand when it comes to other attractions and the archipelago is one of the most diverse and fascinating places on Earth.
We’d choose Indonesia even if visiting Bali isn’t part of your plans, because it’s better value for money and the tranquil islands are still less visited than Thailand, so you can get the best bits to yourself.
Which Is Best Bangkok Or Bali?
This is a strange comparison because apart from both of them having an international airport there’s really nothing similar about these two destinations.
Bangkok is a sprawling mega-city. It’s full of vibrant nightlife and interesting attractions, but it has terrible traffic, heavy air pollution and it’s mainly skyscrapers and tarmac.
Bali is an island. It’s a place of beautiful beaches, small towns, rice terraces, ancient temples, international cuisine, luxury resorts and luxurious villas, an ideal honeymoon destination or place for nature lovers.
It’s nothing like Bangkok and while we’ve definitely enjoyed spending time in both places, if we had to pick between them, we’d choose Bali every time.
Can You Go To Both Bali And Thailand?
Yes! If you have the budget it’s easy to go to Thailand & Bali. They’re not too far apart in South East Asia and you can get direct flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and other parts of Thailand from Bali and vice-versa.
So, if you want to experience both Bali, Koh Samui, Bangkok and Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai in a single trip then combining Bali and Thailand is a great idea.
Then, you can decide for yourself as to which one you prefer for future reference.
Final Thoughts On Both Thailand And Bali
Both Bali and Thailand are extremely popular holiday destinations and for very good reasons. Pristine beaches, beach clubs, great street food, rice terraces, lush jungles, the chance to explore ancient temples, night markets, an elephant sanctuary and more are all available in both places.
However, we think when you visit Bali because it’s a relatively small island rather than a big country, it’s easier to find a sense of place and to experience things without having to travel large distances.
We don’t think you’ll have a bad time in either place, but if you have to choose between them a relaxing holiday in Bali is probably going to make most people happiest.
Reat more:
Bali Or Philippines: One Tropical Island Or A Whole Archipelago?
Bali Vs Maldives: The Tropical Island Heavyweights Go Head-To-Head
