A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jakarta vs. Alice Springs for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Jakarta or Alice Springs?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Alice Springs. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a outdoorsy, charming, and friendly town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Alice Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping. See Alice Springs travel costs.

Jakarta and Alice Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jakarta than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jakarta is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Alice Springs is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alice Springs is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. Also, Jakarta is famous for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Jakarta different from Alice Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Jakarta is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Jakarta. 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.

Alice Springs is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Is the Food Better in Jakarta or Alice Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jakarta is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jakarta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Alice Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Is Jakarta or Alice Springs Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Jakarta and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for night time activities Jakarta has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alice Springs. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

Is Jakarta or Alice Springs Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs is terrific for hiking. However, Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Alice Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Jakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Jakarta is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Jakarta or Alice Springs More Beautiful?

Alice Springs is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Alice Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful landscapes and dramatic views.

Jakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jakarta or Alice Springs Better for Families?

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

Alice Springs is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

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 Jakarta or Alice Springs Better for Couples?

Alice Springs is a great town for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Alice Springs is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

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 Jakarta or Alice Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alice Springs is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Alice Springs is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

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

Jakarta and Alice Springs both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Jakarta or Alice Springs a more walkable city?

Alice Springs is a good destination for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored 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 Jakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alice Springs or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either Jakarta or Alice Springs. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alice Springs due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alice Springs.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alice Springs 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 Alice Springs.

One day in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Jakarta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Alice Springs is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Alice Springs might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alice Springs has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling big city of Jakarta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Jakarta or Alice Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Jakarta. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alice Springs. Since Alice Springs is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Jakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Jakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jakarta 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Jakarta.

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

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Alice Springs?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Alice Springs, 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.