Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Jakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Jakarta or Madrid?
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 Madrid. 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.
Madrid
Madrid is a diverse, compact, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping. See Madrid travel costs.
Jakarta and Madrid: Pros and Cons
Jakarta
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
- Public transit not as usable
- Less walkable
Madrid
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Active nightlife
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Good for students
- Good public transit
- Very walkable
- Big city activities
Is there more to do in Jakarta or Madrid?
Visitors will generally find more to do in Madrid than Jakarta. While Jakarta is larger than Madrid, Madrid has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Madrid is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, and shopping, while Jakarta is known for its museums and attractions. Madrid is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its art and architecture, its tapas and culinary scene, and its lively flamenco dancing. It is also home to The Prado Museum. Jakarta is popular for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.
How is Jakarta different from Madrid?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid 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 Madrid?
Jakarta
Madrid
Jakarta is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.
Madrid offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Is the Food Better in Jakarta or Madrid? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid 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 Madrid, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. There are amazing markets where you can grab a meal or snack. There are also many high quality restaurants around town where you're guaranteed a good meal. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.
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 Jakarta or Madrid Better for Nightlife?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is a great city for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.
The nightlife in Madrid has something for everybody. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. 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 Jakarta or Madrid Better for Music?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is terrific for live music. However, Jakarta is not a live music destination.
Madrid is known as a music capital around the world. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.
Jakarta is not a live music destination.
Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Madrid?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is terrific for shopping. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Madrid. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.
Jakarta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Jakarta or Madrid Better for Families?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid 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.
Madrid is a very family-friendly destination. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.
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 Madrid Better for Couples?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is a great city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.
Madrid is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.
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 Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
Madrid is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.
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 Madrid Better for Students?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.
Madrid is a very popular place to visit for students. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.
Jakarta is not popular with students.
Is Jakarta or Madrid Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Madrid can take you anywhere. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.
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 Jakarta or Madrid a more walkable city?
Jakarta
Madrid
Madrid is terrific for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.
Madrid is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.
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 Madrid Worth Visiting?.
Should I spend more time in Madrid or Jakarta?
How long in Jakarta or Madrid?
In either Jakarta or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Madrid than Jakarta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 2-5 days is enough time in Madrid.
Families should spend more time in Madrid than Jakarta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Madrid, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Madrid than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Madrid that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Madrid 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 Madrid.
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How many days in Jakarta or Madrid? Ideal Length of StayJakarta 1-3Madrid 2-5
One day in Jakarta or Madrid?
Jakarta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
In Madrid, you'll find shopping and museums. This city 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 Madrid?
Jakarta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
In Madrid, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Madrid has to offer.
Five days in Jakarta or Madrid?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jakarta. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Madrid is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Madrid has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
A week in Jakarta or Madrid?
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Jakarta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Madrid. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Madrid. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $69Madrid $187
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $69, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $187. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $30Madrid $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $60Madrid $180
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta or Madrid? 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.
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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $19Madrid $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$0.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $243
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $229
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regenc to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $195
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Garut Regency: $183
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukarasa Kuningan Regency: $183
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukaresmi Bandung: $174
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukarasa Bandung: $127
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Cianjur Regency: $119
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Benda Sukamulya: $119
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Karawang: $119
- Private Transfer from Jakarta to Bandung Airport (BDO): $119
- Jakarta Airport Transfers : Jakarta City to Jakarta Airport CGK in Business Van: $106
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Avila City by Sedan: $293
- Private tour of Prado & Reina Sofía, tickets and transfer included: $291
- Private Transfer from Moratalla to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Bolnuevo to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from La Manga strip dos Mares to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $227
- Private Transfer from Corvera Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $218
- Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $214
- Private Shuttle Transfer from City Centre to Airport: $214
- Private Transfer from Cieza to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $205
- Private Transfer from El Verger to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $191
- Private Transfer from La Torre Golf to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
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Food Meals for one dayJakarta $26Madrid $68
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.49
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Dinner$0.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.32
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Ice Cream$3.47
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.74
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $69
- Madrid : Paella and Churros cooking class, ham and wines tasting: $77
- Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $88
- Madrid Food Tour: Best Tapas, Churros & Market Sights by FLT: $89
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $94
- The Best Flamenco in Madrid Show with Dinner and Drink: $98
- Madrid Tapas & Paella Cooking Experience with Local Market Visit: $113
- Madrid Local Tapas & History Tour with Dinner: $113
- Flamenco night Show and Dinner in Madrid: $125
- Literary Quarter Tour and Paella Cooking Class in Madrid: $125
- Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $141
- Half-Day Spanish Local House Dinner Experience in Madrid: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jakarta $12Madrid $38
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- 1 Day Motorcycle Tour To Citorek Banten West Of Java: $217
- 5 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Highlights): $65
- Afternoon city tour Jakarta: $82
- Baduy Tribal Tracker and Village in Private Tour Full Day & Lunch: $130
- Bogor City Full-Day Private Tour from Jakarta with Pick Up: $160
- City Tour Jakarta with Private Guide: $80
- Experience Jakarta Street Food Scene with MRT Transportation: $40
- Explore Gunung Padang Sacred Archaeological Site Tour: $179
- From port Tanjung priok : Jakarta Private Tour With Lunch: $82
- Full Day Bogor Botanical Garden And Puncak Highland Tour: $194
- Full Day Cultural Bogor Adventure in Waterfall and Rice field: $90
- Full Day Indonesia in Miniature Park Tour (TMII): $110
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Ávila & Segovia Day Trip From Madrid with Monument Tickets: $112
- 2 Days Guided Cultural Tour in Madrid Royal Palace and 3 Museums: $226
- 2 Hour Madrid City Expert Tour: $201
- 2 Hour Private Panoramic Tuk Tuk Tour: $202
- 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $119
- 3 Hour Private Bike Tour in Madrid with a Guide: $178
- 3-hour experience on the Redován K2 Family Via Ferrata: $49
- 30 Minutes of Jet Ski Adventure on the Coast of Alicante: $106
- 3h Prado Museum Private Tour Skip the Line & Hotel Pick-up: $211
- A day in the life of Madrid - Private tour with a local: $258
- A local's A self-guided audio tour: $12
- Alcalá de Henares Private Tour from Madrid: $254
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $3.85Madrid $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.79
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $12
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl: VIP Entry & Shots, Games (Kapital, Fitz, Shoko): $14
- Spanish Wine Tasting Overlooking Parque del Oeste: $26
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
- Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $70
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Rooftop Bar Crawl Madrid Experience: $77
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid is in Europe, 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Madrid?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Madrid, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.