A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jakarta vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jakarta or Koh Pha Ngan?

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 Koh Pha Ngan. 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.

Where Should I go: Jakarta or Koh Pha Ngan?

Jakarta

As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

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


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Jakarta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $64, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Jakarta and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jakarta $33
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jakarta $66
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Jakarta or Koh Pha Ngan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Jakarta


Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jakarta $20
    Koh Pha Ngan $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:


  • Taxi to Station
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta

Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Jakarta Soekarno - Hatta ( Private Transfer ): $22
  • Airport Private Transfer Jakarta, Best Price: $19
  • Airport Transfer Jakarta ( Private Car ): $30
  • Airport Transfer Jakarta - Bogor: $27
  • BEST PRICE Private Airport Transfer per CAR with Tax & Insurance (Oneway): $30
  • CGK - Private Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Easy & Simple Transfer Airport Jakarta: $17
  • Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Bandung/Lembang Arrival Transfer: $63
  • Jakarta Airport CGK to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $126
  • Jakarta Airport Private Transfer To Bandung ( Private Service ): $90
  • Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
  • Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.18
  • Ferry Ride
    $14
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Jakarta change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jakarta $17
    Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:


  • Dinner
    $2.73
  • Dinner
    $0.74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta

For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Fun Food Tour Jakarta: $30
  • Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
  • Cikini Heritage Food Tour: $49
  • Jakarta Night Life Tour with highlight and food tour: $54
  • Jakarta Night Tour: Guided Sightseeing & Street food tour: $56
  • Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
  • Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
  • 10-Tasting Private Food Tour with a Local Host: $96

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.09
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.09
  • Ice Cream
    $0.55
  • Juice
    $1.64
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.82
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jakarta $13
    Koh Pha Ngan $17

Tours and Activities in Jakarta

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.

  • Jakarta City Center: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Jakarta Walkingtour : Explore Jakarta as the locals do: $19
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Jakarta: $34
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
  • Half-Day Highlights Tour: $38
  • Highlight Noon Batavia Tour By Walk : $40
  • guided tour of highlights in german language: $42
  • 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
  • Highlights of Jakarta City: Half-Day Tour: $45
  • Best Jakarta Tours, your best friend in travelling.: $47
  • Private Half-Day Tour Highlight of Jakarta: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jakarta $4.23
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.89

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.09


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.

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


Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Koh Pha Ngan?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 720 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.