Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Jakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jakarta or Melaka?
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 Melaka. 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 Melaka?
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.
Melaka
Melaka (or Malacca) is a large city on the western coast of Malaysia about half way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This historical city grew up as a result of trading in the region due to its position on the namesake Straights of Malacca, a natural waterway formed from the peninsula of Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $64Melaka $21
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $64, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $21. 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 Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $33Melaka $8.38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $66Melaka $17
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta or Melaka? 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 Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $20Melaka $1.84
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:
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $211
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Ujung Genteng Sukabumi: $210
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukaresmi Garut Regency: $168
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukarasa Kuningan Regency: $168
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regency: $168
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regenc: $168
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $168
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Sukaresmi Garut Regency: $168
- Private Airport Transfer Jakarta VIP Sedan : $153
- Private Airport Transfer Jakarta VIP Luxury Van: $141
- Jakarta Airport CGK to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $126
- Private Transfer from Benda Sukamulya to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
-
Taxi$4.19
-
Bus Ride$0.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $266
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $241
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Car]: $216
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $201
- Malacca to KUL City Hotel (One Way Transfer): $118
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $95
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $83
- Local Transfer: Kuala Tembeling Jetty (Taman Negara) to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $66
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $66
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka 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 dayJakarta $17Melaka $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 Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$6.29
-
Dinner at the Market (for Two)$2.73
-
Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.26
-
Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.05
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$6.71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jakarta $13Melaka $3.55
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
- 4 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Tourist Attractions): $55
- 5 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Highlights): $65
- 6 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Must Visit Places): $75
- 7 Hours Indonesia Cultural & Heritage Park Tour: $110
- 8 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (All Tourist Attractions): $109
- Afternoon Guided Chinatown Tour in Jakarta : $53
- Afternoon city tour Jakarta: $82
- Baduy Tribal Tracker and Village in Private Tour Full Day & Lunch: $130
- Bandung City Tour Mountain Volcano and Hotspring ( Start From Jakarta): $154
- Bandung Private Tour Mountain Volcano and Hotspring ( Overland ): $175
- Bandung Tour : Volcano, Coffee Fields, Hot Springs Water: $119
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Maritime Museum Entrance$0.63
-
Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.19
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$9.43
-
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.10
-
Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.47
-
Low Cost Kite$0.63
-
Malacca Duck Tour$8.39
-
Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.10
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- *14 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $102
- *15 Hrs KL & Genting Highlands Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $110
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Kuala Lumpur from Malacca Port: $295
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur City Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Illusion 3D Art Museum Admission Tickets: $19
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $219
- Malacca Shore Excursion from Cruise Port with Local Guide & Lunch: $222
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $222
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $4.23Melaka $7.27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Melaka, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Melaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melaka 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 Melaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Melaka?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta and Melaka, 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.