Quick Verdict
Detailed Comparison
| Category | Bali, Indonesia | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Location & Size | Small island (5,780 km²), easy to explore | Large country (513,120 km²), diverse regions |
| Visa Requirements | Visa on arrival ($35) or visa-free (30 days) | Visa-free for 30 days (extendable) |
| Flight Time from US | 20-24 hours (2+ stops) | 18-22 hours (1-2 stops) |
| Daily Budget | $30-50 budget, $60-100 mid-range | $25-40 budget, $50-80 mid-range |
| Beaches | Beautiful but can be crowded, great surf | More variety, stunning islands, clearer water |
| Temples & Culture | Hindu temples, unique ceremonies, rice terraces | Buddhist temples, ancient ruins, hill tribes |
| Food Scene | Good local food, excellent international cuisine | World-famous street food, incredible variety |
| Nightlife | Good in Seminyak/Canggu, beach clubs | Legendary in Bangkok/Phuket, full moon parties |
| Nature & Hiking | Volcanoes, waterfalls, rice terraces, jungles | National parks, mountains, caves, waterfalls |
| Diving & Snorkeling | World-class (Nusa Penida, Tulamben, Amed) | Excellent (Similan Islands, Koh Tao) |
| Wellness & Yoga | Ubud is yoga capital, many retreats | Good options but less focused |
| Infrastructure | Decent but traffic can be bad | Better developed, easier to get around |
| English Spoken | Widely spoken in tourist areas | Widely spoken in tourist areas |
| Crowds | Very crowded in main areas | Crowded but more space to spread out |
| Best For First-Timers | Compact and manageable | More variety but can be overwhelming |
Flight Time from US Cities
Los Angeles → Bali
20-22 hours
2 stops (typical)
Common routes: via Tokyo, Singapore, or Hong Kong
Typical cost: $800-1,400 round-trip
Los Angeles → Bangkok
18-20 hours
1 stop (typical)
Common routes: via Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei
Typical cost: $700-1,200 round-trip
Pro Tip:
Thailand typically has shorter flight times and more direct routing options from the US. However, both destinations require long-haul flights with at least one stop. Book well in advance for the best prices.
Cost Comparison Calculator
3 days30 days
Bali
$800
10 days total cost
Accommodation$400
Food & Drinks$200
Activities$120
Transport$80
Daily Average$80
Thailand
$650
10 days total cost
Accommodation$300
Food & Drinks$180
Activities$100
Transport$70
Daily Average$65
Cost Difference
Thailand is $150 cheaper for this trip
19% less
Activity Suitability Scores
Beaches & Swimming
8
Bali
9
Thailand
Temples & Culture
9
Bali
8
Thailand
Hiking & Nature
9
Bali
6
Thailand
Diving & Snorkeling
9
Bali
9
Thailand
Surfing
10
Bali
5
Thailand
Nightlife & Parties
7
Bali
9
Thailand
Food & Street Food
7
Bali
10
Thailand
Wellness & Yoga
10
Bali
6
Thailand
Shopping
7
Bali
9
Thailand
Adventure Sports
8
Bali
7
Thailand
Photography
9
Bali
8
Thailand
Budget Travel
7
Bali
9
Thailand
Bali Excels At:
- Surfing (world-class waves)
- Wellness & yoga retreats
- Hiking volcanoes & rice terraces
- Hindu temples & ceremonies
- Photography opportunities
Thailand Excels At:
- Street food & culinary experiences
- Nightlife & party scene
- Budget-friendly travel
- Shopping & markets
- Island variety & beaches
Best Time to Visit Comparison
| Month | Bali | Thailand | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | Crowds | Prices | Weather | Crowds | Prices | |
| January | Rainy | High | High | Perfect | High | High |
| February | Rainy | High | High | Perfect | High | High |
| March | Transitional | Medium | Medium | Hot | Medium | Medium |
| April | Good | Low | Low | Very Hot | Low | Low |
| May | Perfect | Low | Low | Rainy | Low | Low |
| June | Perfect | Medium | Medium | Rainy | Low | Low |
| July | Perfect | High | High | Rainy | Medium | Medium |
| August | Perfect | High | High | Rainy | Medium | Medium |
| September | Perfect | Medium | Medium | Rainy | Low | Low |
| October | Good | Low | Low | Rainy | Low | Low |
| November | Transitional | Medium | Medium | Perfect | Medium | Medium |
| December | Rainy | High | High | Perfect | High | High |
Best Time for Bali
May to September - Dry season with perfect weather, though July-August are crowded and expensive.
Shoulder Season: April and October offer good weather with fewer crowds.
Best Time for Thailand
November to February - Cool and dry season, perfect weather but peak prices and crowds.
Shoulder Season: March and October-November offer good deals with decent weather.
Perfect/Low
Good/Medium
Hot
Rainy
High
Sample Itineraries
7-Day Bali Itinerary
1
Arrive in Seminyak
Beach time, sunset at Potato Head, explore beach clubs
2
Ubud Culture
Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace
3
Temples & Waterfalls
Tirta Empul, Tegenungan Waterfall, coffee plantation
4
Mount Batur Sunrise
Early morning hike, hot springs, traditional village
5
Nusa Penida Day Trip
Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong, Crystal Bay
6
Uluwatu
Uluwatu Temple, Kecak dance, Jimbaran seafood dinner
7
Canggu & Departure
Surf lesson, beach clubs, last-minute shopping
7-Day Thailand Itinerary
1
Arrive in Bangkok
Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Khao San Road
2
Bangkok Temples
Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chao Phraya River cruise
3
Fly to Chiang Mai
Old City temples, night bazaar, street food
4
Elephant Sanctuary
Ethical elephant experience, Doi Suthep Temple
5
Fly to Phuket
Patong Beach, beach clubs, sunset viewing
6
Phi Phi Islands
Maya Bay, snorkeling, Viking Cave, beach hopping
7
Departure
Last beach time, shopping, airport transfer
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