A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Rai vs. Jakarta for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Jakarta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a beautiful, friendly, and charming city. Chiang Rai is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Chiang Rai travel costs.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a diverse, genuine, and sprawling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Jakarta travel costs.

Chiang Rai and Jakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jakarta than Chiang Rai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jakarta is very popular for its big city activities, while Chiang Rai attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Chiang Rai is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its intricate temples, unique cuisine, and being the gateway to the Golden Triangle. Jakarta is famous for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. It is also well known for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Chiang Rai different from Jakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jakarta and Chiang Rai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Chiang Rai is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Chiang Rai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The Old City is filled with breathtaking temples and cultural sites. Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) is an iconic sight, but you should also visit the Black House, and Wat Rong Seua Ten (the Blue Temple). Wat Tham Pla is the Monkey Temple and has a dramatic effect with its steep staircase. It's a short drive from Chiang Rai, but worth the trip as it's overrun with monkeys.

Jakarta offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Rai or Jakarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Rai is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Chiang Rai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The regional cuisine is famous for its unique dishes and flavors. It's slightly less spicy than the southern Thai cuisine and the dishes are rich in flavor. Northern Thai sausage is a must-try dish, as is Khao Soi Curry, and Khao Soi Gai Nong (coconut curry and chicken soup).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Nightlife?

Both Chiang Rai and Jakarta have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Chiang Rai. The small city has a laid back nightlife scene with a number of bars and cafes along Jetyod Road. You'll find a mix of expats and locals, without the usual backpacker crowds that are common in some cities.

Jakarta has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its historic old town. However, Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Rai. The Old City is filled with intricate temples and impressive beauty. The area is very walkable and you can easily visit the famed Wat Ming Muang, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Singh.

Jakarta does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Hiking?

Chiang Rai is a good destination for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Chiang Rai offers some nice hiking trails. Head out of town to Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall if you want to enjoy some hiking. It makes an easy half day trip.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Chiang Rai and Jakarta.

Chiang Rai is well-known for its shopping. Local markets, night markets, and souvenir shops with handcrafted goods all make shopping a fun experience. Head to the Night Bazaar or the Walking Street for some of the best experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Jakarta. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta More Beautiful?

Chiang Rai is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Chiang Rai is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the mountains and filled with temples and impressive parks, this city is a beautiful place.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Families?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Chiang Rai is a very family-friendly destination. There are parks and outdoor spaces to explore such as Singha Park and the Garden of Reeds. For a little bit of silly fun, check out Nava Land Water Park and if you want to get out of town a bit, you'll find some great hiking nearby at Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall.

Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Couples?

Chiang Rai is a great city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Chiang Rai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful temples, impressive gardens, and an authentic Thai experience all make this a romantic and fun destination for couples.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Rai is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Chiang Rai is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There is no shortage of affordable hostels around town. There are also enough backpackers around to keep things fun but not so many that the local vibe is lost.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Chiang Rai and Jakarta.

Public transit is mostly limited in Chiang Rai. Tuk tuks and taxis are your best bet for getting around town in a vehicle.

Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Chiang Rai or Jakarta a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Chiang Rai is very walkable. The old city is easy to explore on foot.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Rai Worth Visiting? and Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jakarta or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Rai and Jakarta. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Rai than in Jakarta. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Rai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Jakarta.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Jakarta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chiang Rai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chiang Rai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Jakarta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chiang Rai.

One day in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

In Chiang Rai, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

When visiting Jakarta, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jakarta, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

In Chiang Rai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Rai has to offer.

When visiting Jakarta, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Chiang Rai is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Jakarta, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Rai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chiang Rai. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Jakarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Jakarta, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Jakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jakarta than you might in Chiang Rai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Jakarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Jakarta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.