Bali vs Bangkok: Jungle-temples or street-food chaos?
Bali is calm + nature: rice fields around Ubud, surfing in Canggu, jungle temples. Bangkok is big-city energy: temples, street food, sky bars.
Updated: 22 July 2026 · compiled by the CheapTrips editors
Choose Bali for rice fields, temples and surf beaches. Choose Bangkok for street food, temples and buzzing city life. Flights from the Netherlands take about 16 hours with a stop to Bali and about 11 hours to Bangkok. On price, Bangkok is a little cheaper. For a first visit most travellers pick Bangkok.
Bali
Bali is paradise for anyone who wants to escape: jungle temples in Ubud, surfing in Canggu, coral reefs at Nusa Penida and the most beautiful rice fields on earth.
Flight from NL: €650 return
View Bali →Bangkok
Bangkok is sensory overload: golden temples, floating markets, the best street food in the world from €1 a dish and sky bars with views of millions of lights.
Flight from NL: €500 return
View Bangkok →Bali vs Bangkok at a glance
| Bali | Bangkok | |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight from NL | €650 return | €500 return |
| Flight time from Schiphol | about 16 hours with a stop | about 11 hours |
| Coast / beach | Yes | No |
| Museums | Limited | Good |
| Nightlife | Decent | Lively |
| Winter weather | Mild and sunny | Mild and sunny |
| Best months | May, June, July, August, September | November, December, January, February |
| Ideal length | 9 days | 4 days |
| Price level | €€ | € |
Bali and Bangkok are both popular for a trip from the Netherlands, but they feel quite different. Bali is known for rice fields, temples and surf beaches, while Bangkok is about street food, temples and buzzing city life. On price, Bangkok is a little cheaper. Bali also has beaches within reach, Bangkok does not. Bali ideally needs 9 days, while you can see Bangkok well in 4 days. The best months are May, June, July, August, September for Bali and November, December, January, February for Bangkok. Want to combine them: A flight of about 4 hours links Bangkok and Bali, a classic combo for a Southeast Asia trip. All prices below are indicative and based on return flights from Schiphol or Eindhoven outside the school holidays.
Best time to visit compared
Bali
April to October: dry season, 27-30 degrees. July and August are the busiest but more expensive. November to March is the rainy season, sometimes rain all day but much cheaper.
Bangkok
November to February: dry, 25-30 degrees, low humidity. March to May is scorching (35+). June to October is the rainy season (refreshing, cheap, but daily showers).
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Bali
Directly from Schiphol to Denpasar (DPS) in 16 hour (1 stopover). KLM, Garuda, Singapore Airlines. Taxi/Grab to Ubud €15 in 70 minutes.
Bangkok
Directly from Schiphol to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in 11 hour. KLM, Thai. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai €1.50 in 30 minutes.
Costs compared
Bali
Hostels from €5, mid-range hotels €30 to 80, villas €70 per night. Food: warung meal €2, beach restaurant €10, fancy dinner €25. A cheap base for a round-the-world trip.
Bangkok
Hostels from €5, mid-range hotels €25 to 70, vacation rentals €40 per night. Food: street food €1, restaurant €5 to 15, Singha-beer €2. Bangkok is huge cheap.
Who is it for?
Choose Bali if you are...
Yoga retreat seekers, surfers, couples after a relaxing honeymoon.
Choose Bangkok if you are...
Urban-jungle-fans, foodies, partygoers, first Asia-trip.
Our verdict
Bangkok is cheaper for accommodation, Bali for food + activities. The ideal combination: one week each.
Plan your trip
Frequently asked: Bali or Bangkok
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Discover these destinations
See the individual travel guides with live prices from the Netherlands.