Bali and Thailand top the list of Southeast Asia trips. On paper it's close (tropical, beaches, mid budget), but the actual experience differs a lot. An honest comparison by traveller profile.
Mid-range daily budget: - Bali: €50-70/day (comfort villa, meals, scooter, activities) - Thailand: €40-60/day (3* hotel, street food, transport)
Return flight from Paris: Bangkok €500-700, Denpasar €700-900 (usually more layovers).
Actual gap over 12 days: about €200-300 less in Thailand, mostly flights and food.
Bali: surf beaches on the west coast (Uluwatu, Canggu), Ubud rice terraces, Batur and Agung volcanoes, Nusa Penida. Great for surf, yoga, spirituality.
Thailand: postcard southern beaches (Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Similan), Khao Sok jungle, Chiang Mai temples. Much wider geographical variety.
For turquoise-water paradise, Thailand wins. For surf and volcanoes, Bali.
Bali: unique Hindu culture in Indonesia, daily ceremonies, offerings, temples everywhere. Very digital-nomad in Canggu and Ubud. Indonesian cuisine less varied than Thai.
Thailand: Buddhist culture, monks, monasteries. One of the world's best cuisines. Backpacker classic at Khao San, more authentic in the north.
Bali = concentrated experience. Thailand = variety.
Pick Bali if: you want surf/yoga/coworking, an intense single-island experience, a wellness trip.
Pick Thailand if: it's your first Asia trip, you want variety (islands + jungle + cities), tighter budget, or real street food.
Do both: Bangkok (3d) + Bali (10d) is a classic combo in 15 days for ~€1,800/pp.
Yes by ~15-20%, mainly due to shorter flights and cheaper food.
Thailand fits a first trip better: well-connected, varied, reliable trains/taxis.
Yes, AirAsia domestic Bangkok-Denpasar from €120. Need 15 days minimum.